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Insight
Matters
Winter 2005
Candidate for President-Elect:
Marion
Sherman, M.D., F.A.P.A.
Position
Statement
As leaders in mental health in Ohio, we at OPA formulated our
strategic plan, with identified priorities: advocacy for our
profession and our patients, recruitment, improving communications,
promoting volunteerism, educating the public, strengthening
collaborations, promoting collegiality, addressing the diverse
needs of membership, and advocating for the underserved. These
priorities remain our vital interest. In the upcoming year,
we have the opportunity to progress further down our strategic
path.
Eight
years ago I moved to Ohio, having served as President of the
Utah Psychiatric Association. In Ohio, as Chair of the OPA Disaster
Committee, I have had the privilege to interact with hundreds
of you, as you asked, learned, taught, participated in trainings,
and volunteered in disasters locally. In these difficult times,
it has been a pleasure to watch as you have stepped up to this
generous new leadership role in Ohio.
The
public budget is tight, service reimbursement low, malpractice
a threat, allied professions confuse the public, mental health
parity eludes us, HIPAA confounds us, and time moves faster
every month. At the same time, we have much for which to be
grateful; we interact with our patients and each other with
respect in our interesting work lives. We can pick and choose
from exciting professional choices, from biologic to psychodynamic,
from direct service or research or administration or forensics,
from psychopharmacology to patient safety. We write to educate,
to express, to advocate, to legislate. We travel to learn, to
teach, and to collaborate with colleagues. We gather to enjoy,
to lead, to commiserate, and to problem-solve.
Here
at OPA, opportunities abound to share in these areas. In OPA
leadership, I will work to maximize the enthusiasm and potential
of the exceptional group of psychiatrists in OPA. I invite you
to join in these activities at the level which is right for
you, whether leading, participating on a committee, or learning
from other members. I will focus on OPA strategic growth. I
will maintain core structure for OPA. I will include good financial
stewardship of limited funds. I will assure that we collaborate
with professional, legislative, and advocacy partners. I will
have OPA provide high quality learning opportunities. I will
have us attend to the diverse needs of our members. I will have
us communicate through printed and electronic web/email infrastructure.
I will support local autonomy and growth in our chapters. Thank
you for this opportunity.
Thank
you for my nomination as OPA President-Elect. I will strive
to continue to earn your respect through OPA service.
Editor's
note: There is no opposing candidate.
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