Committees
Committees are the backbone of our organization. The work of committees has a direct impact on the decisions made by the officers and Council. To have the kind of association we all feel is desirable, we need the active involvment of members!
Following is a list of committees. We hope you will review the list and if you would like to become a member of a committee, contact your Chapter president or e-mail the OPPA office. To the extent possible, we try to have at least one member from each Chapter on each committee.
Child and Adolescent Committee
Chair: Suzanne Sampang, MD
Keeps Council informed of all child and adolescent issues and makes recommendations to Council for appropriate action.
Diversity/Cultural Competence Committee
Chair: Thomas Osinowo, MD
Encourages and recruits minorities in psychiatry training programs and minorities who are not mebers of the Association to become involved in the Association committees. Informs Council of new developments and makes recommendations regarding issues related to minorities.
Early Career Psychiatrists (Ad Hoc) Committee
Chair: Megan Testa, MD
Addresses growing concern about the needs of post Members-in-Training members.
Ethics Committee
Chair: Susan Stagno, MD
Investigates and reports to Council on charges of unethical or improper personal or professional conduct of any member.
Executive Committee
Composed of the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Director (ex-officio). It shall be responsible to act on behalf of Council in urgent situations, to review and select items for Council agenda, and to make recommendations when deemed necessary. Additional members may be temporarily added or invited when needed for consultation.
Government Relations Committee
Chair: Steve Jewell, MD
Studies and reports to the Association contemplated, pending or existing legislative matters; governmental regulatory issues, rules and regulations, and judicial decisions, which are pertinent to mental helath and to the practice of psychiatry in Ohio. Makes recommendations to Council on positions to be taken on such matters, and with consent of Council, represents the association before such governmental bodies.
Membership Committee
Chair: William Resch, DO
Recruits, reviews and recommends to Council applicants for membership. Develops methods to promote maximum participation in the association. Reviews and recommends to Council changes in individual membership status changes. Reviews and recommends to Council nominations for APA Distinguished Fellowship.
Members-in-Training Committee
Chair: Carl Ratliff, DO
Promotes interests and participation in the association among psychiatric residents in Ohio. Consists of one representative from each psychiatric residency training program in Ohio elected by a process approved by each individual residency program. Chair of the committee serves as a voting member of Council.
Nominating Committee
Chair: Eileen McGee, MD
Members appointed by Council for a two-year term. Chaired by the President-Elect. Submits to Council nominees for the offices of the association. Members of the committee are not eligible for nomination.
Program and Continuing Education Committee
Chair: Stephen Pariser, MD
Arranges the scientific and social programs of the association, with consideration of the needs and interests of the membership in continuing education.
Psychiatric Practice Committee
Chair: Alan Levy, MD
Studies and reports to the association on matters of economic affairs both public and private, as they pertain to the practice of medicine in Ohio. Represents the association with consent of Council in negotiations and other activities pertaining to economic affairs as it applies to the practice of psychiatry.
Public Information and Liaison Committee
Chair: Mike Unger, MD
Interprets, advises and alerts the public to appropriate information and provides experts for the working press and other professional groups.
Public Mental Health Committee
Chair: Kathy Burns, MD
Represents the Association in all matters pertaining to community mental health services and is responsible for the liaison with other physicians in these matters.
Strategic Planning and Advisory Committee
Chair: Joseph Locala, MD
Assesses the external forces affecting the future of Ohio psychiatry and the internal forces affecting the indivdiual psychiatrist. Annually makes recommendations to the President regarding long-range policy and priorities of the Association. Serves as a resource to other OPPA committees in achieving their objectives and measures the accomplishments of the association in meeting its strategic goals.