Psychiatrists, Congressman, NIDA Receive Distinguished Service Awards During APA Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Two psychiatrists, an Illinois congressman, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse were presented with Distinguished Service Awards from the American Psychiatric Association during its annual meeting last month in Washington, D.C.

The recipients of the individual awards were Shervert H. Frazier, M.D., of Belmont, Massachusetts, Samuel B. Guze, M.D., of St. Louis, and Congressman John E. Porter (R.-Ill.). The award recognizes exceptional meritorious contributions to American psychiatry.

Dr. Frazier was cited for his extraordinary contributions to psychiatry over the past 50 years. A former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, he is currently director of postgraduate and continuing education and psychiatrist-in-chief emeritus at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. He also directs the hospital's Frazier Research Institute, which has raised more than $2.7 million in funds for young psychiatric researchers. Dr. Frazier was instrumental in the founding of the American Psychiatric Press, Inc., now one of the world's largest publishers of psychiatric books, in 1981.

Dr. Guze served on the faculty of the department of psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis for more than 40 years, twice as department chairman for a period totaling more than 15 years. He has received numerous awards, including a Gold Medal Research Award and a Distinguished Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Congressman Porter was honored for his support of biomedical research, which last year resulted in a 15 percent budget increase for the National Institutes of Health. A senior member of the appropriations committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, he chairs the labor, health and human services, and education subcommittee.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) received the Organizational Distinguished Service Award for its support of cutting-edge research in the areas of drug abuse prevention and treatment and rapid dissemination of the research findings. NIDA supports more than 85 per cent of the world's research on the health aspects of drug abuse and addiction.

Presidential Commendations.

Nine leaders in the psychiatric field were presented with Special Presidential Commendations by APA President Rodrigo A. Muñoz, M.D. Mandel E. Cohen, M.D., was recognized for more than 40 years of involvement in psychiatric training and for leading the way to the systematic study of anxiety and mood disorders. He has served on the faculty of the departments of neuropathology, psychiatry, neurology, medicine, and obstetrics at Harvard Medical School and as professor of research psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston.

Alfred M. Freedman, M.D., APA president in 1973-1974, was honored on the 25th anniversary of his presidency and for his successful leadership of efforts to better understand sexual issues and preferences. Before his retirement in 1989, Dr. Freedman was chairman of the department of psychiatry at New York Medical College. He was founding editor of the first edition of the Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry.

Fred Gottlieb, M.D., of Los Angeles was cited by Dr. Muñoz for undertaking the task of transforming APA into a new organization centered on advocating for patients and APA members. Dr. Gottlieb is a former APA vice-president and treasurer and also served as a member of the board of trustees and as speaker of the APA assembly. He teaches in medical and psychiatric residency training programs at the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Southern California; and the Sepulveda Veterans Affairs Hospital.

Dr. Muñoz presented a posthumous commendation to Ronald L. Martin, M.D., in recognition of his leadership and devotion to the psychiatric education of medical students. Dr. Martin, who died in June 1998, was professor and chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita and senior physician at the Center on Aging at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City.

Steven M. Mirin, M.D., APA medical director since October 1997, was commended for revolutionizing APA's organizational structure and for forging a new outlook to take psychiatry into the next century. Before becoming APA medical director, Dr. Mirin was president and psychiatrist-in-chief of McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts.

John M. Oldham, M.D., was recognized for leading the successful effort to create quality indicators in psychiatry. Dr. Oldham is director of the New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City and chief medical officer of the New York State Office of Mental Health. He also is Elizabeth K. Dollard professor of clinical psychiatry, medicine, and law and vice-chairman of the department of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.

Lee N. Robins, Ph.D., was honored for her work in child development that has led to a new conception of diagnosis in psychiatry. Dr. Robins is university professor of social science and professor of social science in psychiatry at Washington University in St. Louis. She was the lead author of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule and its revisions for DSM-III-R and DSM-IV.

Pedro Ruiz, M.D., received a special commendation for his efforts in many programs, situations, and organizations on behalf of psychiatric patients and colleagues. Dr. Ruiz is professor and vice-chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He currently chairs the scientific program committee for the APA annual meeting and is an associate editor of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Chester W. Schmidt, Jr., M.D., of Baltimore was recognized for his contributions in the area of diagnostic coding and reimbursement. He is professor and chair of the department of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, where he also serves as associate dean. A former president of the Maryland Psychiatric Society, Dr. Schmidt has been a representative to the APA assembly, a member of the APA board of trustees, and chair of the committee on constitution and by-laws.

Award in administrative psychiatry.

Carolyn B. Robinowitz, M.D., dean and professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., was the recipient of the Administrative Psychiatry Award, presented jointly by APA and the American Association of Psychiatric Administrators. The annual award honors a nationally recognized clinician executive who has expanded the body of knowledge about management of mental health services and has served as a role model for other psychiatrists.

Bolivar Award.

Renato D. Alarcon, M.D., professor and vice-chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, was presented with the Simon Bolivar Award, which honors prominent Hispanic statesmen or spokespersons. Dr. Alarcon is a former president of the American Society of Hispanic Psychiatry and is currently vice-chair of APA's council on international affairs.

Guttmacher Award.

Two psychologists and a lawyer were presented with the Manfred S. Guttmacher Award for their work on use of hypnosis in forensic psychiatry. Recipients were Daniel Brown, Ph.D.,D. Corydon Hammond, Ph.D., and Alan W. Scheflin, J.D. Dr. Brown, the author of three textbooks on hypnosis, is assistant clinical professor in psychology at Harvard Medical School and adjunct professor at Simmons School of Social Work in Boston. He is also in private practice in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Dr. Hammond, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation and co-director of the sex and marital therapy clinic at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, created the credentialing program for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and is primary author of its publication, Standards of Training in Clinical Hypnosis. With Mr. Scheflin, he is the author of Clinical Hypnosis and Memory: Guidelines for Clinicians and for Forensic Hypnosis. Mr. Scheflin is professor of law at Santa Clara University Law School in Santa Clara, California.

Human Rights Award.

Eugene B. Brody, M.D., received the Human Rights Award for his work as president and secretary general of the interdisciplinary World Federation for Mental Health, which consults with major agencies of the United Nations on mental health issues. Dr. Brody is professor and chairman emeritus of psychiatry at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.

McGavin Award.

David A. Mrazek, M.D., was presented with the Agnes Purcell McGavin Award for outstanding work related to the preventive aspects of emotional disorders of childhood. He is chairman of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and director of the Neuroscience Center at Children's Research Institute.

Media awards.

The Robert T. Morse Writers Award was presented to Frank Rich, a columnist for the New York Times, and Leslie Sowers, a features reporter for the Houston Chronicle. The award honors popular writers who have made major contributions to the public understanding of psychiatry and mental illness. Robert L. Robinson Awards for radio and television productions that contribute to better public understanding of mental illness were presented to Sharyl Attkisson, host of HealthWeek and a CBS News Washington correspondent, and Michelle Trudeau of National Public Radio, based in Southern California.

Patient Advocacy Award.

Nancy Domenici received the Award for Patient Advocacy for promoting the improvement of services for people coping with mental disorders and substance abuse. She is the wife of Senator Pete Domenici (R.-N. Mex.).

Pfister Award.

Don S. Browning, Ph.D., received the Oskar Pfister Award honoring outstanding contributions in the field of psychiatry and religion. He is professor of ethics and the social sciences at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Dr. Browning served as editor of two recent books, Religious and Ethical Factors in Psychiatric Practice and Does Psychiatry Need a Public Philosophy? The Pfister Award is co-sponsored by APA and the Association of Mental Health Clergy.

Ray Award.

Henry J. Steadman, Ph.D., was presented with the Isaac Ray Award for outstanding contributions to forensic psychiatry or to the psychiatric aspect of jurisprudence. Now president of Policy Research Associates in Delmar, New York, he is the author of six books and more than 100 journal articles on forensic psychiatry and related issues.

Rush Award.

Bessel A. van der Kolk, M.D., was presented with the Benjamin Rush Award for his contributions to the history of psychiatry. He is founder and director of the Trauma Center in Boston and professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. van der Kolk is a former president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

Research awards.

Robert G. Robinson, M.D., received the APA Award for Research in Psychiatry, the highest award for research given by APA, for his pioneering work in the diagnosis, cause, and treatment of psychiatric disorders following stroke. He is the Paul W. Penningroth professor of psychiatry at the University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City.

Michael S. Jellinek, M.D., was presented with the Blanche F. Ittleson Award for Research in Child Psychiatry for his work bridging pediatrics and child psychiatry and for developing the Pediatric Symptom Checklist as a screening tool to help pediatricians recognize psychosocial dysfunction in children. Dr. Jellinek is chief of child psychiatry services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Kenneth L. Davis, M.D., and Joseph Friedman, M.D., each received Kempf Fund Awards, which recognize excellence in psychobiological research related to schizophrenia. Dr. Davis is chair of the department of psychiatry at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, where Dr. Friedman is assistant professor. Dr. Friedman is also science director of the Clinical Neuroscience Center at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center in West Brentwood, New York.

Robert E. Drake, M.D., Ph.D., and Wayne J. Katon, M.D., received Health Services Research Senior Scholar Awards for their contributions to the field of mental health services research. Dr. Drake was recognized for developing and evaluating innovative community programs for persons with severe mental disorders. He is professor of psychiatry and community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire, and director of the New Hampshire-Dartmouth Psychiatric Research Center. He also serves on the editorial board of Psychiatric Services. Dr. Katon was honored for his work in integrating mental health services and primary care to improve care for patients with major depression and panic disorder. He is professor and vice-chair of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle.

Bonnie Zima, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor-in-residence and director of training in child and adolescent psychiatry at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute in Los Angeles, received the Health Services Research Early Career Award.

Five psychiatric residents received APA/Lilly Resident Research Awards for excellence in research undertaken during their residency training. The awards were presented to George Abraham, M.D., of the MCP/Hahnemann University department of psychiatry in Philadelphia; Cathryn A. Galanter, M.D., a psychiatric resident at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City; Derek A. Ott, M.D., of the University of California, Los Angeles, Neuropsychiatric Institute child psychiatry training program; and Marc N. Potenza, M.D., Ph.D., and N. Paul L. G. Verhoeff, M.D., Ph.D., of Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

Lilly Psychiatric Research Fellowships, which support the career development of postgraduate medical trainees who show promise in psychiatric research, were awarded to Matthew M. Botvinick, M.D., of Pittsburgh, D. Jeffrey Newport, M.D., M.Div., of Atlanta, and Diedre A. Reynolds, M.D., of New York City.

Gregory S. Berns, M.D., Ph.D., of Atlanta and Jay A. Gingrich, M.D., Ph.D., of New York City were the recipients of APA/Smithkline Beecham Junior Faculty Fellowships for Research Development in Biological Psychiatry. Wyeth-Ayerst M.D./Ph.D. Psychiatric Research Fellowships were presented to Lee E. Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., of Boston and C. Daniel Salzman, M.D., Ph.D., of Stanford, California.

Soo Award.

Jambur V. Ananth, M.D., was the recipient of the Kun-Po Soo Award recognizing significant contributions toward understanding of Asian cultural heritage in areas relevant to psychiatry. He is professor of psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles, and director of the psychopharmacology unit and clinical director of adult psychiatric services at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California.

Symonds Award.

Mary Jane England, M.D., president of the Washington Business Group on Health in Washington, D.C., was presented with the Alexandra Symonds Award honoring women psychiatrists' outstanding contributions and leadership in promoting women's health and the advancement of women. Dr. England served as national program director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Mental Health Services Program for Youth and is current chair of the foundation's program on school-based clinics. She is a past president of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Women's Association.

Tarjan Award.

Silvia W. Olarte, M.D., was the recipient of the George Tarjan Award for significant contributions to the enhancement of the integration of international medical graduates into American psychiatry. A native of Argentina, where she received her medical degree, Dr. Olarte is clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York, training and supervising psychoanalyist at the college's psychoanalytic institute, and in the private practice of clinical psychiatry and psychoanalysis in New York City.

Vestermark Award.

G. Alan Stoudemire, M.D., was presented with the Seymour D. Vestermark Award for outstanding contributions to education and career development in psychiatry. Dr. Stoudemire is professor of psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, where he formerly was director of medical student education and director of the medical-psychiatry unit at Emory University Hospital.

Weinberg Award.

Eric Pfeiffer, M.D., of Tampa, Florida, was presented with the Jack Weinberg Memorial Award for Geriatric Psychiatry, which honors a psychiatrist who has demonstrated special leadership in geriatric psychiatry. Dr. Pfeiffer is professor of psychiatry and founding director of the Suncoast Gerontology Center at the University of South Florida in Tampa.