Innovative MH Programs Win APA Achievement Awards
Abstract
APA presented its annual Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards at the 2010 Institute on Psychiatric Services in Boston in October to innovative programs that deliver services to mentally ill or disabled persons, have overcome obstacles, and can serve as models for other programs. The award competition was supported by Pfizer Inc. The awards have been given since 1949.
Following a video shown at the Opening Session about the Achievement Awards program and the 2010 winning programs, the awards were presented by Jill Williams, M.D., chair of the Achievement Awards Committee. All winning programs participated in a workshop at the institute highlighting their unique efforts.
Seated, from left: Jill Williams, M.D., chair, Achievement Awards Committee; Linda Bueno, American Psychiatric Foundation; Pam Pietruszewski, the DIAMOND Program; Ilise Lombardo, M.D., Pfizer Inc.; Beatrice Kovasznay, M.D., Ph.D., Achievement Awards Committee. Second row, from left: Mary Ward, APA; Van Yu, M.D., Project for Psychiatric Outreach to the Homeless; Howard Osofsky, M.D., and Joy Osofsky, Ph.D., St. Bernard Family Resiliency Project; Michael Trangle, M.D., the DIAMOND Program; James Tew, M.D., Behavioral Health Laboratory at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh VA Medical Centers; Mark Williams, M.D., the DIAMOND Program; Johanna Klaus, Ph.D., Behavioral Health Laboratory at Philadelphia and Pittsburgh VA Medical Centers; and Gerard Gallucci, M.D., Achievement Awards Committee.
Two Gold Award winners each received a $10,000 check and a plaque. Silver and Bronze Award winners were presented with a $7,500 and $5,000 check, respectively, and a plaque.
Gold Achievement Awards
| •. | St. Bernard Family Resiliency Project of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center's Department of Psychiatry in New Orleans won in the category of academically or institutionally sponsored programs. The program was recognized for successful integration of mental health services into the school system and youth leadership and community outreach for children and families recovering from the traumatic effects of Hurricane Katrina. Howard Osofsky, M.D., program director, and Joy Osofsky, Ph.D., program co-director, accepted the award. | ||||
| •. | The DIAMOND Program (Depression Improvement Across Minnesota, Offering a New Direction) of the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement won the Gold Award for community-based programs. The award was accepted by Pam Pietruszewski, M.A., Michael Trangle, M.D., and Mark Williams, M.D. | ||||
The program was recognized for its innovative, evidence-based collaborative treatment model, which integrates psychiatric consultation and care management into the treatment of major depression in primary care clinics.
Silver Achievement Award
| •. | The Project for Psychiatric Outreach to the Homeless of the Center for Urban Community Services in New York City was recognized for its efforts and innovative approaches to bringing psychiatric treatment services to homeless adults and individuals living in supportive housing. Van Yu, M.D., director of the center, accepted the award. | ||||
Bronze Achievement Award
| •. | The Behavioral Health Laboratory at the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Pennsylvania received the Bronze Award in recognition of its leadership in the dissemination of psychiatric expertise and evidence-based behavioral health management in primary care settings. The award was accepted by Johanna Klaus, Ph.D., and James Tew, M.D. | ||||
More information about the 2010 winners can be accessed at <http://ps.psychiatryonline.org/content/vol61/issue10/index.dtl> by scrolling down to “APA Achievement Awards.” A video about the winning programs is posted at <www.psych.org/achievementawards>. Information about the 2011 competition is available from Mary Ward at (202) 907-8592 or mward@psych.
