From testing the waters during his residency to diving in, the former PaPS President reflects on what inspired his journey through organized psychiatry – how taking the plunge gave him a true appreciation of how a dedicated group of people can positively influence the practice of psychiatry.
Why I Got Involved by Robert Wilson, MD, DLFAPA
I initially joined the APA very early in my training. At that time, I assumed that joining one’s professional society was what any good physician did. The fact that the cost is extremely low during training didn’t hurt! I have since learned of the real benefits of membership. When young, we often do things as we were raised or based on early experiences. How those around us behave largely colors our expectations for ourselves. As we mature, we examine these early beliefs and behaviors and decide how we believe and act based on what is right for us, not just doing it because someone else did.
My development as a psychiatrist included meeting and working with some outstanding mentors who showed me through their actions the importance of being active in organized psychiatry. At our Western Chapter of PaPS meetings, they would keep us informed as to what the District Branch and APA were doing and the issues they were addressing. This led to the opportunity for me to represent our local chapter at the District Branch council meetings. I met outstanding psychiatrists from around the state who brought viewpoints to the table that broadened and challenged my perceptions of what I did and could do. I learned that there were forces that wanted to direct how Psychiatrists should practice. These people and groups do not understand our skills or the needs of our patients. If not opposed, they would greatly impair our ability to practice psychiatry and treat our patients properly. I learned that we needed to work together to shape our ability to practice effectively.
All of this led to deeper involvement, including chairing the Membership Committee, time as our District Branch President and several years of service as one of our APA Assembly representatives. Now, I have a much deeper appreciation of the good that people in our field can accomplish, both on a local, state and national level.
Dr. Robert Wilson
Robert Wilson is a Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist based in Erie. He completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Michigan. For most of his career, he has worked in the area of community mental health. Twelve years ago, he helped found InnovaTel Telepsychiatry (now part of Iris Telemedicine) in order to provide psychiatric care in under served locations. While he has been a member of APA for over 35 years, he has been active in the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society since 2003, initially as President and Councilor of the Western Chapter, and subsequently holding roles of Membership Committee Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, President-Elect, and President of the Society as well as representative to the APA Assembly for several years.