Insight Matters
Winter 2006

Candidate for Secretary
By Gary Balster, M.D.

Position statement

As a relative newcomer to organized psychiatry, I have been impressed by the talented and dedicated colleagues that I have met through my involvement with the OPA. We face increasingly tremendous pressures as physicians, and psychiatrists. My involvement with the organization has impressed upon me the fact that we need an active organization to act in our interests. The problem with awareness is that it brings with it a challenge that something be done about the situation.

As a private practitioner, I have followed the model that the doctor-patient relationship is a primary aspect of healing. Over my years of practice, it appears that this relationship has been attacked most vigorously on many fronts. In my community, private practitioners are leaving practice, leaving panels, or leaving the area. The current situation makes me wonder if we can continue to serve our communities with professionally defined quality, or fade away.

I am proud to be nominated for a position in this organization, and I believe organization is the best hope for the future of psychiatry.

Biographical material

Education/training: B.S. University of Cincinnati-1980, M.D. University of Cincinnati- 1983, General Psychiatry University of Cincinnati -1987, Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship- 1988. Certified by the ABPN 1990.

Professional:
Staff Psychiatrist Northampton VAMC 1988, Private practice 1989 to present, Assistant Clinical Professor WSU-SOM 1989-present, Medical Director-Kettering Medical Center-Behavioral Medicine.

OPA Councilor 2004-2006, OPPAC Board 2003-2006, Psychiatric practice committee 2004-2007. APA-Fellow.

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