Four OPPA members were among the more than 80 American Psychiatric Association members who attended the Association's annual Advocacy Leadership Conference last week in Washington, D.C.
Members from Ohio included: Suzanne Sampang, MD, President, Karen Jacobs, DO, Immediate Past-President, Eileen McGee, MD, Past-President and recently elected APA Rep, and Steve Jewell, MD, chair of the OPPA Government Relations Committee and newly elected President-Elect.
Members learned and advocated for support and passage of veteran's workforce legislation, increases in appropriations research and services, continued Congressional discussions on improving our nations fragmented mental health systems, and repeal of the SGR. Rep. Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) and Senator Al Franken (D-MN), winner of the 2013 Javits Award, addressed the group, and political analyst Larry Sabato, Ph.D. offered his thoughts on the upcoming midterm elections and beyond.
Thanks to the advocacy of our members, this year's conference resulted in many victories for APA, including several Congressional members committing to strengthening VA's psychiatric workforce.
To view pictures from this year's conference please click here. If you are interested in advocating for psychiatry on Capitol Hill and participating in next year's Advocacy Leadership Conference, please email advocacy@psych.org.