Legacy of Leadership, Advocacy, and Community
by: Dhanalakshmi Ramasamy, MD, DFAPA
Dhanalakshmi Ramasamy, MD, is a practicing child and adolescent psychiatrist at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), part of Jefferson Health in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She is an assistant clinical professor at the University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine, the academic affiliate of Lehigh Valley Health Network, and an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Thomas Jefferson University. She is also Medical Director at Lehigh Valley Physician Group PG Adult and Pediatric Psychiatry – 1259 Cedar Crest – and Director of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship Program.
She earned a medical degree from Coimbatore Medical College, India. She completed her General Psychiatry residency training at Temple University in Philadelphia and completed her child and adolescent fellowship at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
She is a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the distinguished fellow of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. She held numerous leadership positions within the Lehigh Chapter, Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society (PaPS)and served as president of PaPS.
In recognition of the rich history of organized psychiatry across Pennsylvania, we are proud to highlight the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society (LVPS) and its enduring contributions to psychiatric care throughout Lehigh, Northampton, and Berks Counties.
The roots of organized psychiatry in the Lehigh Valley can be traced to January 28, 1958, when a letter was sent to Daniel Blain, MD, Medical Director of the American Psychiatric Association, expressing interest in forming a regional organization for psychiatrists. One month later, on February 26, 1958, fifteen psychiatrists from the Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton areas gathered for a dinner meeting at the Lehigh Valley Club of Allentown. Convened by Max Rossman, MD, Clinical Director of Allentown State Hospital, the meeting included distinguished guests Dr. Franklin Robinson, President of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society, and Dr. Norman Loux of the Penn Foundation. Dr. James Gay served as Secretary Pro Tem. During this formative gathering, attendees discussed affiliation with the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and agreed to model the proposed organization after the American Psychiatric Association. A Nominating and By-Laws Committee was appointed to develop the structure of the new society.
These efforts culminated in July 1959 with the adoption of the Society’s Constitution and By-Laws, formally establishing what would become one of the region’s most enduring professional medical organizations. Dr. Max Rossman served as the Society’s first president, followed by Dr. Arthur Lindenfeld as its second president. Membership grew steadily, reaching twenty-four members by 1960, fifty by 1984, and sixty-two by 1988. The Society’s early mission focused on encouraging free and informal discussion of neuropsychiatric issues, providing scientific educational programs, and addressing matters of shared professional concern. Meetings were held four times annually, and yearly dues were just five dollars.
The Society evolved alongside the profession itself. On February 15, 1984, the organization changed its name from the Lehigh Valley Neuropsychiatric Society to the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society, reflecting the modern identity of the specialty. Beginning in 1985, officer terms were extended from one year to two years to support continuity of leadership. In January 1988, the Society expanded its geographic reach beyond Lehigh and Northampton Counties to include Berks and Schuylkill Counties, broadening its representation of psychiatrists throughout eastern Pennsylvania and strengthening its regional impact.
The story of psychiatry in the Lehigh Valley mirrors the evolution of mental healthcare across the nation. From the early days of institutional treatment at Allentown State Hospital to today’s integrated and community-based systems of care, generations of psychiatrists have worked to advance treatment, reduce stigma, and improve the lives of individuals living with mental illness.
The region has long been at the forefront of innovation. Allentown State Hospital became known for progressive approaches to psychiatric treatment under the leadership of Dr. Henry Klopp, who emphasized dignity and humane care at a time when such ideas were far from universal. The hospital later established one of the nation’s earliest children’s psychiatric programs and became internationally recognized for pioneering efforts that helped eliminate the use of seclusion in psychiatric care.
As psychiatric care increasingly moved beyond hospital walls, major healthcare systems including Jefferson Health-Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s University Health Network, and Reading Hospital expanded access to inpatient, outpatient, crisis, consultation-liaison, addiction, and community-based services. Today, these institutions continue to educate future psychiatrists through residency and fellowship training programs while serving the behavioral health needs of eastern Pennsylvania.
Throughout these changes, the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society, now known as the Lehigh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society (PaPS), has provided a professional home for psychiatrists across the region. The Society (now Chapter) has consistently promoted professional excellence, continuing education, advocacy, mentorship, and collaboration among psychiatrists practicing across academic, community, hospital-based, and private practice settings.
A Legacy of Leadership
Unfortunately, the list below is not complete. Records of the Society’s leadership prior to its transition from the Lehigh Valley Neuropsychiatric Society to LVPS could not be located. These historical records may have been lost over time due to organizational transitions, changes in record management, and the absence of digital archiving during earlier years.
Presidents of the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society
Dr. Henry Abrahamson (1984–1986)
Dr. Houshang G. Hamadani (1986–1988)
Dr. Paul Orr (1988–1990)
Dr. Raymond Seckinger (1990–1992)
Dr. Ronald Krisch (1992–1994)
Dr. Steven Datlof (1994–1996)
Dr. Kenneth Zemanek (1996–1998)
Dr. Ruiza Yee (1998–2000)
Dr. Michael Kauffman (2000–2002)
Dr. Abel Gonzalez (2002–2004)
Dr. Farhad Sholevar (2004–2006)
Dr. Ralph Primelo (2006–2008)
Dr. Joel Lerman (2008–2010)
Dr. Edward Norris (2010–2012)
Dr. Dhanalakshmi Ramasamy (2012–2014)
Dr. John Paul Gomez (2014–2016)
Dr. Mohamad Ali Rifai (2016–2018)
Dr. Mireille Meyerhoefer (2018–2020)
Dr. Courtney Chellew (2020–2022)
Dr. Katherine Martin (2022–2024)
Dr. Howard Levin (2024–2026)
Dr. John Paul Gomez (2026–2028)
Its presidents and members have fostered strong relationships across health systems, residency and fellowship programs, community agencies, and private practices while advancing excellence in psychiatric care.
Looking Ahead
Today, the Lehigh Valley continues to face many of the same challenges affecting mental healthcare nationwide, including workforce shortages, increasing demand for services, and growing behavioral health needs among children, adolescents, and adults. At the same time, advances in neuroscience, telepsychiatry, collaborative care, and public awareness offer tremendous opportunities for the future.
As part of the rich history of psychiatry in Pennsylvania for nearly seven decades, the Lehigh Valley Psychiatric Society (now a Chapter of PaPS) remains committed to advancing the profession, supporting its members, and promoting the mental health and well-being of the communities it serves.
We are grateful to the generations of psychiatrists whose dedication, leadership, and compassion helped build the strong foundation upon which psychiatric care in the Lehigh Valley continues to flourish today.
#LVPSproud#
Gratitude:
Unfortunately, some of the historical perspective and original information could not be recovered following the passing of our esteemed historian, Raymond P. Seckinger, MD, whose knowledge and contributions were invaluable to preserving the society’s history. Thanks to Dr. Kenneth Zemanek for his time and remarkable memory in helping compile the list, and to Drs. Abel Gonzalez, Ralph Primelo, and Ruiza Yee for their valuable contributions to this article. Some information was also gathered from morning call and publicly available archives.
References: LVPS bylaws; Allentown State Hospital historical marker