Ellen Davis Conroy, DO, EdM, FAPA, FASAM
WHY I GOT INVOLVED….
I retrained in Psychiatry in my early fifties.
I had become increasingly dissatisfied with the new medical model of
“productivity” in primary care (10 minute visits/more procedures/less
patient relationship building) but knew that I loved the field of
medicine and did not want to leave it. Thus, after much serious
contemplation and research, I was accepted into an incredibly rewarding,
exciting and challenging training program to become a psychiatrist.
At Jefferson, the training holistically included not only psychiatric
** education and skill building but also a wider view of the “business
of psychiatry”. With the mentoring of our Residency Director, Dr. Ken
Certa, we were challenged to opine on pertinent issues and bills being
considered by our state and national legislators. We discussed reasons
to get involved in championing or challenging these bills and saw how
important our involvement was in supporting the framework of our
profession. We further learned the roles our state and national
associations played in advocating for and supporting psychiatrists– in
government relations, insurance models and research. We also understood
the necessary role these professional groups played in incorporating new
scientific advancements into best practice models. Most important was
the timely ability of our professional associations to keep their
members well-informed and well-educated, disseminating information as it
became available.
The important tasks of this framework needed member involvement, and
I was stimulated by the possibilities.
Having served in leadership roles in other aspects of my life, I have
learned the value and fulfillment of volunteer service. I knew it would
be an important way to meet my peers and to learn about my new
profession in more depth.
I started this journey by the welcoming conversation with a woman I
met at my first CME conference. Through her questions, she learned I was
pursuing a new career in psychiatry and introduced me to many local
chapter members. Her name was Dr. Hope Selarnick and she has encouraged
and mentored me to this day! Dr. Selarnick initially reached out to ask
me to co-chair our chapter’s Women’s group. I was well-supported by
other members in this new role and became comfortable leading a group. I
then was asked to become a Councilor for our chapter and eventually
advanced to become President. Serving in these Chapter roles as well as
relevant roles on the State’s** council (with the associated tasks) has
been one of the most fulfilling times of my life.
Service to our Society is an honor, for each leader is emboldened to
use their skill sets and dreams to make our professional community
stronger, more sustainable and more connected.
The Benefits….
Advocacy as a group! When we become frustrated with
new regulations, increased workloads or issues that impact our ability
to provide optimal care to our patients or when we see our field’s
relevance less appreciated for what it should be (with our years of
education and training), we can combine our efforts to work toward
positive changes.
New relationships! Some of the most interesting
people I have met in Psychiatry were involved in our Chapter’s and the
State’s volunteer leadership positions. I have learned a great deal from
them and have built wonderful new relationships.
Peer consults! When I have needed direction or a
referral in a difficult case, I have reached out to my colleagues and
have returned the same favor to them. It is a terrific network of
integrated and varied psychiatric disciplines.
Women’s Network!!! Serving on our Women’s Committee
is special in a more unique way…. the members share stories of work
issues but also discuss how to navigate work with stressors of
parenting, marital issues, chronic family illness and more. It has
become a very engaged group who celebrate life events but also support
each other in times of difficulty…
Professional Development! Peers have many unique
skill sets and it’s both fun and important to tap into these when
serving on a committee, Council or Executive Board together. In this
way, organizations truly become fertile soil for the professional growth
and development of its volunteer leaders. The feedback and ongoing
encouragement make a huge difference in self-confidence!
In closing, all of us empower each other as we share our professional
passions, working and learning together, as members of our Pennsylvania
Psychiatric Society.
A passion for volunteer service can become a force that our children,
our families, our patients, our staff and our peers might find excitedly
contagious and one that can continue to make a difference in the lives
of us all.
The challenge to all of us is to continue to plant and nourish the
seeds for a life of service, one that is rooted in purpose, one that
makes a difference in our world, no matter how big or small.
Join me in finding your role and passion in our Pennsylvania
Psychiatric Society!
About Dr. Ellen Conroy
Bio
Dr Ellen Davis Conroy is a psychiatrist (now retired) in the
Philadelphia area.
Dr Conroy’s early career in family practice involved private
practice, occupational medicine and care for adults with disabilities at
Devereux, Elwyn and Catholic Charities.
In her mid-career, Dr Conroy retrained in the field of psychiatry,
completing her residency at Thomas Jefferson in 2012. She went on to
complete a fellowship in addiction psychiatry at UPENN in 2013.
Dr Conroy obtained Board Certification in both family practice and
psychiatry.
Following completion of her fellowship, she worked at the Philadelphia
Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in their specialty addiction
unit.
Dr Conroy has been active as a leader in both The Pennsylvania
Psychiatric Society and The Pennsylvania Society of Addiction Medicine.
She chaired the Women’s Committee, Philadelphia Chapter and went on to
serve on the Council and Executive Committee, culminating in her
presidency 2023- 2024. Dr Conroy also served on the Board of The
Pennsylvania Society for Addiction Medicine (PSAM) for over a
decade.
Dr Conroy is a recipient of the prestigious Daniel Blain Award,
Philadelphia Psychiatric Society, and the Mentorship Award from
PSAM.
Dr Conroy remains active on the Women’s Committee and continues to
serve as a mentor to many other physicians.
