Candidates for President-Elect Respond

Few voters read candidates’ statements thoroughly. But this year’s President-elect candidates are different in perspective and performance. Members deserve frankness and clarity about that.

At its September meeting, a former president said forcefully that the Board has failed to maintain order or impose discipline on APA finances. No Board member disagreed. We’ve had several deficit years. During the past four years, membership and financial reserves dropped substantially. Despite imperiled member and staff morale, the Board was very hesitant to confront management, with a new medical director only now preparing to take office.

My opponent, a Board officer during those years, is in an awkward spot. She’s been integral within an establishment that appeared loath to rock the boat.

Though I left the Board in 1998, my record reflects much experience at all levels of governance: vice president, treasurer, Assembly speaker, Area trustee, member of three commissions, chair of two councils. I have consistently spoken out with what others have called strong but constructive criticisms and ideas. I have initiated useful changes, implementing fairer Assembly representation for DBs, minorities, and subspecialty groups; facilitating genuine APA-DB cost sharing; underscoring problems in APA’s dependence on pharmaceutical monies; opening some black holes of APA finance to member scrutiny.

APA’s presidency demands dedicated time, focus, and creativity. It was not reassuring when, for example, nonclinical professional demands elsewhere made my opponent unavailable for questions from Area Councils during APA’s November Assembly. As a child psychiatrist, I was not reassured when her written statement didn’t mention children’s special needs within our ailing health care system. Her laudable sentiments (“These are difficult times. . . . I am committed to uphold the highest standards. . . .Our patients deserve no less”) seem unaccompanied by new ideas for action. Compare that with my position statement (Psychiatric News, December 6), containing a number of innovative proposals.

Many APA members know my active leadership style: I encourage open discussion of ideas. I challenge strongly andcollaborate well. Working together with better supported members’ components, a welcome new medical director, vigilant Assembly, and reinvigorated Board, I will strengthen APA’s efforts for our profession.

I ask for your participation, and your vote!

Web site: www.fgottlieb.yourmd.com