Insight Matters
Summer, 2002

Strength is Derived from Unity…

At NAMI Ohio's 2002 annual meeting, OPA member Harold Fishbain, M.D. was honored with the Psychiatrist of the Year award. Dr. Fishbain recently retired from practice after over 30 years of service to hundreds of individuals in west central Ohio. NAMI Ohio stated that, "Dr. Fishbain is known not only for his exemplary practice of psychiatry, but also as a skilled consensus builder. He is credited with bringing more than one agency back from the brink of mediocrity. His skills were above question, uniquely allowing him to mentor staff and gently prod them to truly see the person they were working with and his or her needs. From the earliest days of his practice, Dr. Fishbain has been committed to the education of family members and individuals with serious mental illness. Consumers respect him for his kindness and understanding. Dr. Fishbain was a teaching psychiatrist for over a decade, frequently spoke to NAMI support groups, actively participated in the legislative efforts on issues of mental illness, research funding and treatment effectiveness. He earned his medical degree in 2949, served in the Korean War, was in family practice from 1956 to 1968, and started to practice psychiatry in 1971. A pioneer in the community mental health community and a true friend of NAMI Ohio, Dr. Fishbain certainly deserves this recognition."

Strength is derived from unity. The range of our collective vision is far greater when individual insights become one.

Also at the NAMI Ohio annual meeting, Ohio Psychiatric Association Executive Director, Philip Workman, received the 2002 Mental Health Champion Award. In NAMI Ohio's words, Philip Workman has been involved in mental health advocacy activities since 1984. He was one of the founding members of a statewide coalition formed in 1984 to seek parity legislation for insurance coverage for mental illnesses, alcoholism and drug addiction. Nearly 20 years later, Workman continues his commitment to parity as well as quality, accessible behavioral health care services through his position as executive director of the Ohio Psychiatric Association and as a member of the Coalition for Healthy Communities. Through his support and advocacy efforts within the Ohio Psychiatric Association, Workman has contributed significantly to strengthening relationships between individuals, families and psychiatrists. He has been instrumental in forging a partnership between NAMI Ohio and the Ohio Psychiatric Association that has resulted in educational programs for each other's membership and increased understanding of the family's role in recovery. Philip Workman is a visible and effective advocate for increased funding and systemic change that will improve the quality of life for individuals with serious brain disorders, their family members and loved ones."

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