Insight Matters
Summer, 2001

Psychiatrist Serves as Congressional Fellow

The OPA would like to introduce Adam Wooten, M.D. to Ohio. Dr. Wooten recently moved from Kentucky to be in the Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship at Case Western Reserve University, under the direction of Phillip Resnick, M.D. Dr. Wooten was selected by the American Psychiatric Foundation and the American Psychiatric Association as a 2001 Daniel X. Freedman Congressional Fellow. This is a six-month fellowship that places a doctor in the office of either a United States Senator or Representative to act as a mental health expert on policy issues related to the mentally ill. Dr. Wooten was placed in the office of Senator Arlen Specter, a moderate Republican from Pennsylvania. Senator Specter chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and is a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, the Judiciary Committee, and the Government Affairs Committee.
Following is a portion of an interview with Dr. Wooten, which was conducted by Theresa Walton, Executive Director of the Kentucky Psychiatric Association, where Dr. Wooten was a member prior to transferring to the OPA.

Q. What surprised you about serving on the hill?
A. The biggest surprise was the age of the staff. People in their mid-twenties run most offices. At 32, I was one of the oldest around except for the Senators themselves and some key staff. Also, it was surprising to see how easy it was to access and speak to the Senators. They are very approachable and seem to enjoy speaking to anyone who is interested.

Q. Who made the biggest overall impression on you and why:
A. Senator Bill Frist from Tennessee made the biggest impression on me. He was a Harvard trained cardio-thoracic transplant surgeon prior to becoming a Senator. He is very influential and respected, as well as being extremely busy. I spoke to him on the elevator one day and he initiated a conversation. After five minutes of speaking to him in the hall showed me his character, which is one of a brilliant man who could have a better life for himself and his family doing something else but is truly dedicated to trying to improve the lives of others. He stated as a surgeon he saved lives but felt he was doing that now on a larger scale and that is why he is here. That makes a big impression.

Q. Was there anyone, that once you got to know them, your mind was changed about them as Senators or Representatives?
A. Yes. Senator Hillary Clinton probably had as much media coverage as any new Senator to date and much of it was negative. I had ideas of what I thought she would be like, but none of them appear to be true. I have not worked with her and cannot say I agree with her policies, but I have spoken with her and have seen how she treats her staff and visitors. She is very polite and treats everyone with respect. There are usually many people outside of her office just wanting to see her, ranging from high school students to Capitol interns. The amazing thing is that she greets all of them and takes time to have pictures made with her if requested. Seeing the way she handles herself, it is clear she is here for many reasons other than just being the former First Lady.

Q. What do you see as the most important thing that you learned from this experience?
A. I have learned how to effectively communicate with congressional offices. Knowing how things work as an "insider" will allow me to be more productive as an advocate for the mentally ill and possibly be involved with writing health policy in the future.

Q. What advice would you give to future Freidman Fellows?
A. The Fellowship itself is fairly easy. All you have to do is show up eager to learn and you automatically get involved in a variety of projects. The only advice I would give is for residents to apply. Some do not seem interested in the Fellowship for a number of reasons such as the move and being away from clinical practice for six months, though it is a fantastic experience that has changed my career. It is an opportunity to be involved with things that not many have the chance to do.

Q. What healthcare issue do you see as the most important for the psychiatric community?
A. I think the policies that affect all specialties will also be the most important for the psychiatric community. These include a Patients Bill of Rights and prescription drug coverage for seniors. Specific to mental health, federal parity legislation will be very important as well as needed funding to special programs such as the homeless mentally ill and treatment of mentally ill veterans.

Q. How do you plan to use this experience in the future?
A. I will stay involved with the APA on policy issues and plan to be active in the Ohio Psychiatric Association. My goal is to practice psychiatry full time while still being active in health care policy related to the mentally ill. Also, I have developed relationships with some Congressional staff that will allow me to have access to certain offices when it comes time to try to influence a legislator on an issue I am concerned about.