Resident, University of Nevada Psychiatry Program, 1999-

APA Member-in-Training Representative, Nevada Association of Psychiatric Physicians, 2000-

Psychiatry Lecturer, University of Nevada, 2000-

M.D., Stanford University School of Medicine, 1999

Stanford Medical Student Scholars Research Grant, 1995

Anatomy Small Group Instructor, Stanford University, 1995

Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve

Commanding Officer of a Naval Reserve Unit, 1991-94

Engineering Manager for a Silicon Valley Firm and a Private Business Owner/Manager

Nuclear Submarine Officer, U.S. Navy, 1986-89

Our APA is a wonderful organization. By representing psychiatrists, allied health professionals, and our patients at both the national and local levels, our APA has the voice and the power to influence everything that we do in patient care. We can be proud of membership in an association with so much potential.

But having power and influence does not automatically confer the knowledge and ability to use them wisely. An organization such as ours can make great strides in innovation, responsiveness, and cost-effectiveness when led with wisdom and courage, but the same organization will falter into stalled ineffectiveness if its leadership is not prepared to deal with the challenges at hand.

This inescapable influence of leadership is a major reason why organizations such as ours choose their leaders through elections. You, gentle voter, are charged with selecting a candidate who will represent you wisely and effectively. My life experience will allow you to vote for me with confidence.

I will bring to our APA many years of experience in leadership roles. As a young man fresh out of engineering school, I sought adventure as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy submarine service. I spent years honing my skills in cramped and often stressful conditions. Problem solving at the leadership level was a daily occurrence. After completing my tour of duty, I pursued a civilian career but continued to serve in the Naval Reserve. I was selected as commanding officer of a reserve unit and served for three years in that capacity. Reservists are hard-working civilians that serve our nation part time. Working with them required a different style of leadership. In my own civilian life, I worked as an engineering manager for a Silicon Valley company and managed my own business. I have firsthand experience working on committees to solve thorny issues. I know how to make difficult decisions. I stand up for what I think is right, and I can make my voice heard. I freely admit that I do not know everything, so I will listen to your feedback and advice.

Every member of the Board of Trustees must know the current issues facing our APA. The Board deals largely with decisions in three areas: internal administrative affairs, public policy statements, and the flow of money. The last two are usually the most contentious, so here are my thoughts on some current issues in those areas:

• Recent restructuring allows APA to be more politically active than ever before. We must use this wonderful opportunity, but it will require money. We must develop this new area carefully, so that we can maximize utility while minimizing cost.

• Dues have been a frequent complaint, especially among the general membership. Our future will bring many new opportunities, but we must watch our expenditures carefully if we are to prevent membership losses because of escalating dues. If dues are to remain flat, we will have to intelligently trim costs.

• I strongly support subsidized membership for members-in-training and medical students, even though this costs money. These members are a rich source of new support for APA, but expensive dues will scare away many potential members. Free membership for students encourages them to explore psychiatry.

• APA must continue a strong stand in support of mental health awareness and public policy. We must continue to support insurance parity, reduced stigma, and compassionate care for the indigent at both the state and federal levels.

• Nonphysician prescribing privileges pose a grave threat to safety and quality of care. We must continue to aggressively oppose any measures that will lower the standard of care for patients with mental illness. These battles are being fought primarily in the state legislatures, so we must continue to support the district branches both with policy and money in any state where such bills are considered.

• Financial constraints are pressuring resident educational climates. Cuts in federal GME funding and insurance payments are threatening the educational nature of residency. We must support the quality of psychiatry by educating Congress and third-party payers on the financial and social value of resident education.

Knowledge of today’s problems is not enough, however. New problems arise every day. You must elect members to the Board who can make tough decisions and solve problems. I have developed these abilities through years of experience. I encourage all of you to vote in APA’s election, and I assure you that a vote for me will be well cast!

Work: 100%—University of Nevada School of Medicine Psychiatry Residency Program

Income: 100%—University of Nevada School of Medicine Psychiatry Residency Program