In the July 20 issue, Residents’ Forum discussed unions and resident organizations, using the 1967 Boston City Hospital “heal in” as a case example. In this issue Dr. Martin-Joy describes (in both personal and organizational terms) how residents in Boston in 2000 protected patients, psychiatric services, and their education from disaster by using grass-roots resident organizations, by appealing to influential parties, and by getting the story into the media. I think that such bravery and determination, as that found in Dr. Martin-Joy and his colleagues, can pay off. I would also add that putting patient care first, as was done in this case, helps focus one’s advocacy. And any one of us may one day be forced to advocate for psychiatry.

   —Avram H. Mack, M.D., APA MIT Trustee