Pardes Spearheads Search For New Medical Director

APA Trustees last month approved a job description for medical director of the Association, and the APA Medical Director Search Committee has established a deadline of May 1 for receipt of curricula vitae of all people who wish to be considered for the position.

The current medical director, Steven Mirin, M.D., has announced his intention to step down by the end of 2002.

Highlights of the job description appear in an advertisement on page 3 and in the April issues of the American Journal of Psychiatry and Psychiatric Services.

Former APA President Herbert Pardes, M.D., chair of the search committee, told Psychiatric News that all correspondence to the committee will be handled confidentially through a private post office box outside of APA (see address at end of article). This will ensure privacy and will protect the integrity of the process.

Members who want to apply for the position should send a curriculum vitae to the post office address rather than corresponding with or calling committee members. The search committee will follow up on all expressions of interest. Members who wish to offer nomination suggestions may send an e-mail message to Carol Lewis, the committee’s staff liaison, at [email protected].

The position description approved by the Board of Trustees describes a “board-certified psychiatrist with clinical experience in direct patient care and supervision, and at least 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility with heath care service delivery, financial and organizational management, government relations, and academic programs.”

The description also outlines duties and responsibilities in relation to the Board of Trustees, the Assembly, and the membership of the Association, as well as duties in relation to external organizations and staff.

Professional skills listed in the job description include demonstrated leadership skills, management and financial skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills, effective advocacy, ability to reach out to all constituencies and elements of North American and international psychiatry, experience with volunteer organizations, ability to think strategically, and ability to arbitrate and negotiate with diplomacy.

Among the duties in relation to the Board of Trustees, Assembly, and membership are these:

• Participates in the formulation of all policies and programs of the Association.

• Implements actions of the Board of Trustees; coordinates activities of multiple components; assures that recommendations are transmitted to the Board, Assembly, and Joint Reference Committee for consideration.

• Works with APA officers to facilitate the implementation of their responsibilities and obligations.

• Advises the APA president, who serves as chief executive officer and chief spokesperson of the Association, in designing initiatives and responses to requests and emerging needs; serves as spokesperson for established APA policy.

• Recommends a budget to the Treasurer, Budget Committee, and Board of Trustees; implements sound financial management procedures.

• Regularly informs the officers about the condition and operations of the Association.

• Assumes responsibility for initiating, implementing, and overseeing membership development and retention programs.

• Facilitates active membership involvement and participation in APA’s activities.

The Search Committee was appointed in February to identify a successor to Mirin, who has been APA’s top staff officer since 1997, when he succeeded Melvin Sabshin, M.D.

The members of the search committee are, in addition to Pardes (chair), Stuart Anfang, M.D., Renee Binder, M.D., Doris Gundersen, M.D., Patrice Harris, M.D., Al Herzog, M.D., Dilip Jeste, M.D., Carolyn Robinowitz, M.D., Jerry Wiener, M.D., and Daniel Winstead, M.D. Richard Harding, M.D., and APA President-elect Paul Appelbaum, M.D., serve ex officio on the committee.

APA members recommended for the search committee’s consideration may receive a full copy of the medical director’s job description by contacting Carol Lewis at 1400 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005, or sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Suggestions may also be sent to this e-mail address. CVs should be sent to APA Medical Director Search Committee, P.O. Box 34557, Washington, D.C. 20043-4557. ▪