Insight Matters
Winter 2006

Planning for the Future with Enthusiasm and Excellence
 By Marie Rueve, M.D., Chair, Members-in-Training Committee

The Members-in-Training (MIT) Committee of the Ohio Psychiatric Association is gearing up for a future of bright energy, intriguing work, and strong fellowship among psychiatric residents across the state. Encompassing several areas, the committee is striking out with new ideas to bring together residents and fellows throughout Ohio. Representatives to the OPA from each residency program in Ohio comprise this enthusiastic group.

From a multitude of opportunities, the committee has chosen to focus on getting to know psychiatry residents across Ohio by developing and distributing a needs assessment survey to trainees at each residency program. The questionnaire is intended to sample what life is like as a resident around the state, to ascertain the level of knowledge about and interest in organized psychiatry, and to identify any issues that residents and fellows would like the committee to focus on in the near future.

Several other ideas are percolating within the Members-in-Training Committee, centering on fostering camaraderie and communication among future psychiatrists. Possibilities to accomplish this include improving the exchange of ideas and information between interested residents by forming a MIT listserv. A recent grant from the APA is creating the potential for a statewide elective for PGY-IV residents in organized psychiatry, providing firsthand experience with the inner workings of the OPA and its liaison work with the state legislature and the Ohio Department of Mental Health. Representatives are also planning to work with their respective program directors to develop a traveling speakers bureau. This will allow each residency program to enhance their educational offerings to residents with a variety of presentations from excellent volunteer faculty throughout the state.

The members of the committee are excited to welcome our resident and fellow colleagues at the OPA annual meeting in April in Columbus. In addition to informative lectures, this gathering introduces residents and fellows from around the state to their counterparts in other programs. Trainees can share ideas and experiences from their own programs and expand their understanding of topics affecting residents from all regions of Ohio.

With its impressive assembly of resident representatives from across Ohio, the MIT committee is looking forward to a busy and intriguing year of new ideas to foster and new projects to accomplish. We welcome any motivated residents or fellows to contact the committee through the OPA for more information or to give input on the upcoming activities. The future of psychiatric residents and fellows is full of fascinating tasks and opportunities, and the MIT committee is dedicated to promoting excellence in these endeavors.

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