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TXPsychiatrist NovDec11_TXPsychiatrist NovDec11 12/6/11 9:41 AM Page 1 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 Texas Psychiatrist It Takes a Physician J. Clay Sawyer, MD, President, Texas Academy of Psychiatry n my last column for the Texas Academy TSPP member who believes that all psy- government, as a watchdog on legislative Iof Psychiatry, I set out the theme I have chiatrists should have a voice should also entities to discern destructive trends as chosen for my year as President of the take advantage of this invitation. they develop, and as an educational Academy (that we are all physicians first) And, I was greatly surprised to learn of a resource for legislators who might other- as well as the reasons for that choice. unique provision in the Academy’s bylaws wise make ill-advised decisions for our- I also reviewed the development of the when I was approached about running for selves and for our patients simply because Federation of Texas Psychiatry as well as the President. That provision provides for the they are ignorant of the facts. It takes Academy over seven years ago and the eligibility of associate members to run for money, it takes time, and it takes volunteer J. Clay Sawyer, MD necessity for the formation of these organi- office. I found this idea to be tremen- resources to accomplish these ends, so zations. You may recall that the Federation dously open-minded on the part of the high membership numbers are mandatory is a permanent coalition of medical organi- Academy, showing a great willingness to if we are to be at all successful. zations (including such psychiatric medical welcome and to incorporate experience I can tell you with all certainty that organizations as TSPP, the Academy, the from all quarters. without the efforts of TSPP going it alone Texas Society of Child and Adolescent But, why bother? Why join any profes- for a great many years (a great many diffi- deciding the future of our profession Psychiatry, and the Texas Foundation for sional medical organization? cult years), non-physician professionals in instead of having it decided for you, then Psychiatric Education and Research, as well If I had my wishes, every psychiatrist in Texas would long ago have gained the abil- you must join! There is no other logical as other medical organizations such as the Texas would belong to TSPP, to APA, to the ity to admit to hospitals and to prescribe choice. The Academy is a great starting Texas Medical Association and the Texas Academy, and to TMA, at a minimum. medication without the training required point for this process, and I would hope Osteopathic Medical Association). The total While total dues rates may seem high in of a true physician, meaning we would that new Academy members, having par- membership numbers represented this era of economic uncertainty, we must have failed to protect the safety and the ticipated in the successes we have enjoyed (approximately 44,000 at present) give us view these sums not as expenses with no well-being of our patients. At the national and will continue to experience at the tremendous clout in our advocacy efforts return but instead as investments in our level, APA is even now fighting the efforts state level, would also take advantage of for the patient and for the profession than future with tremendous return (including, of such well-meaning but medically-naive membership in TSPP and APA so that our had been the case with TSPP going it alone but not limited to, advocating for our politicians as Sen. Olympia Snowe (R- national voice can be enhanced even (approximately 1200 members at present). patients, advocating for our profession, Maine) to “expedite” Medicare reform by more. While no membership organization The success of the Federation is well exchanging ideas with our professional including such groups as psychologists in can be perfect all of the time, more partici- recognized. colleagues, and taking advantage of some the official definition of “Physician” to be a pation at all levels can improve any profes- But what of the Academy? of the best CME programs available at any part of that reform. sional society and can enhance even more The Texas Academy of Psychiatry is a level). The publishing arm of APA, APPI, Would any of the readers of this column the chances of successful legislative inter- membership organization which grew out offers some of the best titles available in have welcomed these developments had vention. of the desire, and the need, to make cer- the field of psychiatry with an ever- they occurred, or welcome them if they Joining is easy, it is effective, and it is tain that all Texas psychiatrists have a expanding list of subjects ranging from occur? vital. voice in determining the future of our pro- coding insights to the ubiquitous DSM-IV I think not. I leave you now with one of my favorite fession regardless of the presence or of the TR (DSM 5 is now due to be published in If you want your voice to be heard, if observations (author unknown to me) absence of membership in any other May 2013). Most of all, though, every med- you want a “seat at the table,” if you want about the absolute need to participate at organization. And, any Texas psychiatrist ical organization functions as a vehicle to to take advantage of the amplification of some level in the political process: “If you can join regardless of membership (or lack effectively deliver vital information and your own voice that organized medicine are not at the table, you are likely on the of same) in any other organization. The insights to legislative bodies at all levels of provides, and if you want to be a part of menu.” Academy has its own dues, its own organi- zation, its own constitution and bylaws, its own agenda, its own purposes. It is a vital part of the Federation in expanding not only the voice and the clout of the Federation, but also in providing yet another opportunity for all Texas psychia- trists to have an expanded voice (and expanded clout!) in the political process that is unique to Texas. TSCAP Even members of the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians have a standing 2012 Annual Meeting invitation to become associate members of the Academy (only $25/year to do so!). That process is how I joined the Academy when I learned of this opportunity. Any I NSIDE Annual Campaign 2011 . .7 Application for Distinguished The TEXAS SOCIETY OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY Fellowship in the APA . .7 Congratulations . .7 will conduct its Annual Meeting on Legislative Update . .3 JULY 18-22, 2012 at the SHERATON ARLINGTON HOTEL. Scenes from the Details about the meeting will be released in January. TSPP Annual Meeting . .4-6 Please Save the Date and plan to attend and participate in an excellent meeting! You Missed a Great Meeting . .2 TXPsychiatrist NovDec11_TXPsychiatrist NovDec11 12/6/11 9:41 AM Page 2 You Missed A Great Meeting Patrick Holden, MD, President, Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians he recent TSPP annual scientific meeting Tin Dallas was one of the best meetings I have attended. If you attended the meeting then you know how good it was. If you didn’t attend, ask your colleagues who went to tell you about it. It had great presentations cov- ering a wide range of topics from A to S (anorexia to schizophrenia). It had many opportunities for fellowship and just plain Patrick Holden, MD old catching up with colleagues, former resi- dents and making new friends. Finally, lively presentations brought many of us up to date working there shared a tip about how to on the latest issues affecting our profession insure a steady flow of patients during the including a very interesting panel discussion clinic time. On Friday a member who is also about ACOs as well as a presentation about faculty at one of the medical schools com- health care legislation followed by lively mented that she was looking forward to re- interchange between Congressman Burgess connecting with a former psychiatric and members of the audience. resident who had just moved back to Texas The scientific presentations were excep- Outstanding TSPP Member Award). The ties during the scans, she described fascinat- after having been out of Texas for several tional this year. I will summarize the talks Saturday afternoon presentations were lively ing findings which localized social cognition years. During the breaks Dr. Conway and attempt to do justice to the exceptional and included Dr. Zahid Ahmad an endocri- deficits in persons with Anorexia to the right McDanald drew names of members present quality of the talks; I apologize in advance to nologist from UT Southwestern and tempoparietal junction and deficits in sense for a variety of door prizes including gift cer- the speakers and to you readers for my Congressman Michael Burgess, an obstetri- of self to cortical midline structures such as tificates to various stores, baskets of wine and abbreviated and limited coverage of these cian. Dr. Ahmad, reviewed several key meta- the precuneous and posterior cingulate food, an electronic photo frame, etc. Finally, outstanding presentations. bolic issues of interest to us including gyrus. many of us enjoyed the band at the Awards The Saturday morning presentations obesity, schizophrenia and the use of During the ethics presentation worth two banquet; the music provided a pleasant about Schizophrenia and the unconscious antipsychotics, and lithium. He described hours of ethics credit Drs. Jones and Nemeth backdrop to the meal and the table conversa- were fascinating. Dr.

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