At the US Senate
As Speaker of the APA Assembly I met with U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) urging them to strive for bipartisan solutions to improve access to treatment for mental health and substance use disorder services as essential health benefits, and strengthen the health insurance market.
This was a joint effort along with physician leaders from frontline medical groups
the American Psychiatric Association
the American Academy of Family Physicians
the American Academy of Pediatrics
the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
the American College of Physicians, and
the American Osteopathic Association
Addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Maria
I presented the American Psychiatric Excellence (APEX) Award to Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez in recognition for her efforts to help secure disaster aid for Puerto Rico and several states affected by Hurricane Maria. Natural disasters such as this one have tremendous psychological impacts on the community, both immediately and for years to come.
Advocating for mental health at the American Medical Association 2023 Interim Meeting of the House of Delegates with APA colleagues.
Moving forward with the APA
I was honored to participate, along with Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, APA CEO Saul Levin, and Past President Anita Everett at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of our new APA Headquarters.
This marked APA’s return to Washington DC, with renewed energy to pursue our patient advocacy and public policy mission. I encourage everyone to visit our beautiful building and enjoy the vast resources available to all members.