President's Message - Gagan Singh, MD
2023 Annual Meeting Awards
2023 YUKARI KAWAMOTO, MD Poster Session Awards
Ad: American Professional Agency, Inc.
May is Mental Health Month - Maternal Mental Health Access Line /
Mental Health Month Proclamation & Day at the Capitol
Ad: Professional Risk Management Services (PRMS)
Events and Education: SUN Health Foundation presents Stress Less - Live More, DEA Education Requirement on Substance Use Disorders, APA Learning Center
Grand Rounds – UACOM-Tucson, UACOM-Phoenix
APA Important Updates: Fellowship Nominations, Membership Dues
Member Ads: Flagstaff Psychiatry Services needed; Maricopa County Correctional Health Services Psychiatrist needed.
Reminder: Have Your Renewed? Your Membership Matters...Thank You!
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President's Message: Gagan Singh, MD |
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Dr. Singh is an accomplished psychiatrist, physician leader, educator, and mentor. He is board certified in psychiatry, C/L psychiatry and addiction medicine. He went to medical school at the University of Delhi in India and did his Psychiatry residency at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester MN. He is a clinical associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine and has held prior academic appointments at George Washington University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Utah.
Besides being active clinically, he has been working to innovate improvements in the delivery of high-quality care over the last 12 years in major leadership roles at Inova Health, Banner Health, and now at Mercy Care. He serves as the Chief Medical Officer for the Mercy Care plan, serving over 500,000 Arizonians on Medicaid and those in special populations, including persons with serious mental illness.
Presidents Message: I am honored and humbled to be the new president of the Arizona Psychiatry Society. Over the coming year, I wish to continue to build on our mission of promoting the highest quality of mental health care through education, advocacy, and fostering principles of psychiatry, towards a vision that all Arizonans will have access to quality mental health care and prevention as a result of the successful advocacy and physician leadership of the Arizona Psychiatric Society.
My top priorities for the year ahead:
1. Ensure access to mental health care for Arizonians. This means we will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure people in Arizona can maintain health care coverage, have parity in access to mental health care, have availability of collaborative or integrated care models and have available specialty mental health care when needed.
2. Having a sense of community and support while continuing to grow our professional skills are important to our own well-being and can prevent burnout. With this in mind, we will provide opportunities for psychiatrists to connect with each other, and find a sense of community while also providing ongoing education and CME opportunities.
3. Health care is a team sport, and we value the unique contributions and skills of each profession that contributes to great care. We have however seen some scope of work changes and creep over the recent years that puts high-quality safe care for Arizonians at risk. We will work to mitigate any risk to high-quality safe care.
Most importantly, I and the other executive officers of APS are proud representatives of Arizona Psychiatrists. My hope is to continue to hear what your priorities and concerns are so we can continue to represent your needs. My hope is also that you will reach out to share your voice, connect and contribute to the work APS does.
- Gagan Singh, MD, DFAPA
President, Arizona Psychiatric Society
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2023 Annual Meeting Awards |
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Presidental Service Award |
Presented to Stephen Larry Mecham, DO for his distinguished service and mental health advocacy as President of the Arizona Psychiatric Society.
Stephen (Larry) Mecham, DO, completed his residency at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, and his fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Creighton University School of Medicine, Phoenix, receiving the Outstanding Resident/Fellow Recognition Award for his contributions to leadership and patient care through those programs in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Dr. Mecham has served in leadership with the Arizona Psychiatric Society since 2018, serving as RFM Representative in 2018-2019, Treasurer for 2020-2021, President-Elect for 2021-2022, and President in 2022-2023.
He represented the Society in its efforts through the Arizona Coalition for Insurance Parity that brought about mental health parity legislation in Arizona through the adoption of Jake’s Law in March 2020, being present at legislative testimony and the Governor’s signing of Jake’s Law, and he has been instrumental in legislative efforts this year around psychologist prescribing and collaborative care. He has been active in advocacy and the Government Affairs Committee of the Society throughout his tenure, serving as the Delegate for the Arizona Psychiatric Society to the APA State Advocacy Conference in 2018.
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Presidential Leadership Award and the Howard E. Wulsin Award |
Presented to Jasleen Chhatwal, MD on behalf of Stephen Larry Mecham, DO and UACOM- Tucson.
Jasleen Chhatwal, MBBS, MD, FAPA is a board-certified psychiatrist, integrative medicine, and addiction medicine physician. Dr. Chhatwal is active in advocating for her patients, colleagues, and community through her work with regional and national professional organizations as well as community-based non-profits. She aims to expand the understanding of mental health, trauma, well-being, and trauma informed leadership while also working to reduce stigma around help seeking in healthcare professionals. Dr. Chhatwal is the immediate past President of APS. She is a board-certified psychiatrist, integrative medicine, and addiction medicine physician. She serves as Chief Medical Officer at Sierra Tucson, a residential behavioral health treatment center.
Dr. Chhatwal has demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of psychiatry and to serving patients through her leadership roles within the society and dedication to her patients. She has consistently gone above and beyond in her efforts to educate and support fellow psychiatrists, students, and the public at large. As a mentor, Dr. Chhatwal has a unique ability to inspire and motivate those around her. She has generously shared her knowledge and experience, and her unwavering support has substantially aided me in preparation and service as president and more importantly has directly impacted the Arizona Psychiatric Society this past year in meeting our organization's goals.
Dr. Chhatwal has been a strong advocate for patients, especially those from marginalized communities, in Arizona. Her advocacy efforts this year and last year have led to important changes in the way mental health services are delivered in our state, as well as protected patients against proposed legislation that may have had adverse consequences. Her leadership in this area has been truly remarkable. Her work on recent legislative efforts was successful due to multiple powerful skillsets she possesses and utilizes in concert to benefit others for good.
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Career Achievement Award in Psychiatry |
Presented to Carol Olson, MD
Dr. Olson graduated from Stanford University School of Medicine. She did her residency training at UC San Diego and Maricopa Medical Center. She has been Attending at Valleywise Health since graduation from residency training in 1992 and has been Chair of the Valleywise Psychiatry Department for the past 18 years. Valleywise performs almost all of the court-ordered psychiatric evaluations in Maricopa County and has three behavioral health hospitals with over 400 inpatient beds, a C-L service, ECT service, SMI, ACT and First Episode clinics, and integrated behavioral health services at a network of primary care clinics across the county. Dr. Olson is Academic Chair of the Psychiatry Department of the Creighton School of Medicine in Phoenix; Valleywise is a co-sponsor, as part of the Creighton Education Alliance, of adult and child &adolescent psychiatry residency training programs Dr. Olson is board certified in Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry and has a particular interest in the treatment of the seriously mentally ill, civil commitment, and the interface between psychiatry and the legal system. She has been active in the APS for several years and is a long-standing member of the legislative committee; she has also provided service to several different committees of the AZ legislature and the judicial system formed to improve care for individuals with severe psychiatric conditions. She has been named to Phoenix Magazine’s list of the “25 Most Influential Healthcare Leaders” and is a Distinguished Fellow of the APA.
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Mental Health Public Service Award |
Presented to Mary Lou Brncik with David's Hope
From 2009 to 2023, through the dedication of its Executive Director, Mary Lou Brncik, contributing leaders and affiliated organizations, and engaged members of law enforcement, corrections, and the criminal justice system, David’s Hope has worked across our state to reduce the number of people with mental illness and mental disabilities who are incarcerated. Mary Lou’s story begins where many mental health advocates' stories begin, with the lived experiences of caring for her son, David, who was at the time in his early twenties and diagnosed with a serious mental illness. But those who know Mary Lou know that she took being an advocate for the community, for each person facing a mental health diagnosis impacted by the criminal justice system, and for their families and support persons to a higher plain. She researched the law, created partnerships, and promoted resources and education to all—always there to take a call from someone in a crisis, always seeking out better paths, ready to recognize and promote those who were working hard to get it right.
Arizona was the first state to have all its counties sign the Stepping Up Initiative, thanks to the dedication and footwork of Mary Lou Brncik and other partners. Stepping Up is a national initiative reducing the over-incarceration of people with mental illnesses and is a partnership between The Council of State Governments Justice Center, the National Association of Counties, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation.
For nearly fourteen years, Mary Lou and David’s Hope have worked diligently to impact individuals, families, systems, and policy. For a variety of reasons, in 2023, the David’s Hope Board made the difficult decision to dissolve the organization and close its nonprofit, with its ongoing efforts around supporting peers and families continued by the Arizona Peer and Family Coalition. As this chapter is closing, the Society is grateful for the opportunity to thank and recognize Mary Lou Brncik and David’s Hope for the difference they have made in our community with its 2023 Mental Health Public Service Award and we share in the grace and thanks of the Brncik family that their son David today is doing well and experiencing a full and meaningful life.
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2023 Outstanding Resident Award Recipients |
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Chase Crookham, DO
UACOM, Pheonix
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Chase was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ and attended ASU for a bachelor’s degree in business then attended KCUMB for medical school in Kansas City. He excited to return home to AZ when he found out he'd matched with UACOM – Phoenix for his psychiatry residency.
He was first drawn to the field of psychiatry during his years in medical school as he found psychiatric subject matter and the patients to be the most engaging and interesting of all his studies. He quickly came to realize that without a healthy mind one is unable to thoroughly experience life constructive way. He wanted to be the person to help those struggling with mental illness as he found these cases and experiences to be the most rewarding in medicine.
Dr. Crookham said he has been lucky enough to have matched at a great psychiatric residency program where he gets to learn from great mentors and colleagues every day. He believes his passion for psychiatry along with the relationships he's developed with his colleagues and mentors will carry him to be a lifelong learner and devote psychiatrist for his future patients.
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Meghan Burke, DO
UACOM, Tucson
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Meghan is a graduate from Lincoln Memorial University, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine.
She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver in French and Biology with a concentration in Cognitive Neuroscience.
She is currently a chief resident at UACOM-Tucson in her final year of psychiatry training and will be starting fellowship in Addiction Medicine at University of Arizona, Tucson in July.
Her professional interests include physician mental health, adult consult-liaison, and addiction psychiatry.
In her personal time, she enjoys home design projects, spending time with family, learning about plants, and exploring new places.
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Danny Heinze, DO
Creighton/Valleywise
Dr. Hintze is currently honeymooning in Japan! Congratulations!!
Danny is originally from Phoenix. Graduated from Brophy, ASU, and UA Tucson Medical School. His background is in economics, philosophy of science, and rational decision making.
He was drawn to psychiatry because of the conceptual complexity and the profound impact even relatively simple pharmaceutical, medical, and psychotherapeutic interventions can have to empower patients and their families.
As mentors he wanted to recognize the many people within the Arizona Medical Community, particularly at UA Tucson, Valleywise, and within organized medicine who have worked to protect and promote medicine as a joyful, compassionate, and healing experience for patients and for all of us who help care for them.
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YUKARI KAWAMOTO, MD POSTER SESSION AWARDS |
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Stefanie Brichta, MD; Creighton University
Secondary Authors: Gilbert Ramos, M.A., Kathleen Mathieson, Ph.D., and Jennifer Weller, Ph.D.
Title of Poster: Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Length of Stay for Inpatient Psychiatric Adolescents Requiring Out-Of-Home Placements.
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Swathi Patel, DO
Creighton University
Secondary Authors: Joanna Kowalik, MD
Title of Poster: Comorbid Psychiatric Presentation with a Suicide Attempt in a Patient with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A Case Report
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Ashley Akramoff, OMS-III; Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Secondary Authors: Dr. Stephen Mecham, DO
Title of Poster: Accessibility of Outpatient Mental Health Resources in the Phoenix, Arizona Area
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First Author: Abhi Chadha, B.S.
UACOM Tucson
Secondary Authors: Alexander Lang, MD, Jason Curry, DO
Title of Poster: Video Game Use Disorder: Novel Treatment for a Novel Condition
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Kielan Chase Lovell MS3
UACOM Phoenix
Secondary Authors: Dr. Craig Heise MD, Mehrtash Hashemzadeh MS
Title of Poster: Prevalence of Abnormal CYP2D6 Phenotypes in those with Treatment Resistant Depression
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Ashley Akramoff, Swathi Patel, Larry Mecham and Abhi Chadha |
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2023-2024 Corporate Sponsor |
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If you are caring for pregnant or postpartum persons who struggle with substance use and/or their mental health, you will soon have access to gratis case consults with perinatal psychiatrists.
The upcoming Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line (APAL) will make it easier for healthcare providers to treat the mental illnesses of their pregnant and postpartum patients.
Launching on June 1, APAL will assist medical providers in caring for their pregnant and postpartum patients with mental health and substance use disorders. Housed in the UA’s College of Medicine – Tucson, APAL gives access to perinatal psychiatrists in real time, who will answer providers’ questions and review treatment options by phone at 888-290-1336. Hours are Mon-Fri, 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
The access line is the brainchild of two University of Arizona Perinatal Psychiatrists – Associate Professor and APAL Director Saira Kalia, MD and Assistant Professor and APAL Co-Director Kathryn Emerick, MD – who saw the need for providers seeing perinatal patients to have immediate access to psychiatrists to give optimum care to their patients. APAL is funded through a grant from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
Visit our website to learn more about the line, and this page to learn more about the need for this access line. Follow us on Facebook.
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University of Arizona Tuscon Perinatal Psychiatrist, Associate Professor and APAL Director
Saira Kalia, MD
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University of Arizona Tucson Perinatal Psychiatrist, Assistant Professor and APAL Co-Director
Kathryn Emerick, MD
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May 1st, 2023 Mental Health Day at the State Capitol |
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On May 1st the Arizona Psychiatric Society joined the Arizona Peer & Family Coalition, Recovery Empowerment Network (REN), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Mental Health of Arizona (MHA), The Wellbeing Collaborative, Molina Healthcare, Mental Health Coalition (MHC), Postpartum Support International (PSI), and the Arizona Peer & Family Career Acadamy for a Mental Health Awareness Day at the Capitol. We had about 50 guests and a few legislators join us to have a discussion about advocacy, legislation, and how important it is to make sure your voice is heard. |
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May 8th, 2023, Mental Health Proclamation read at the State Capitol |
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Whereas, mental health is essential to everyone's overall health and well-being; and
Whereas, all Americans experience times of difficulty and stress in their lives; and
Whereas, prevention is an effective way to reduce the burden of mental health conditions; and
Whereas, there is a strong body of research that supports specific tools that Americans can use to better handle challenges and protect their health and well-being; and
Whereas, mental health conditions are real and prevalent in our nation; and
Whereas, with early and effective treatment, those individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full productive lives; and
Whereas, each business, school, government agency, healthcare provider, organization, and citizen's shoulders the burden of mental health problems and has a shared responsibility to promote wellness and support prevention efforts.
Therefore, Representative Judy Schwiebert invites the members of the Arizona House of Representatives to join her in recognizing May 2023 as Mental Health Month in Arizona and calls upon citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools in Arizona to recommit by increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, conveying steps our citizens can take to protect their mental health and stressing the need for appropriate care for all people in Arizona.
Special thanks to Jack Potts, MD, Varun Monga, MD, Amie Kafer, DO and Matthew Moody from MHA for joining Executive Director of the Society Ashley Schnock at the State Capitol to accept the Proclamation on behalf of the Arizona Psychiatric Society.
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2023-2024 Corporate Sponsor |
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RSVP - 623-471-8508
Presenter: Dr. Varun Monga, Psychiatry Specialist, Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center and Communications Chair within the Arizona Psychiatric Society
In recognition of mental health awareness month, our communication committee's newly appointed chair is collaborating with Sunhealth.org to host a virtual presentation on stress and its management. During this session, practical and effective strategies for managing stress will be shared, which can aid individuals in coping with life's challenges, building resilience, and enhancing overall mental health. By raising awareness about the importance of stress management, we can promote a healthier lifestyle and contribute to a greater understanding of mental health.
If you feel stressed, you’re not alone. Many of us feel that way at one time or another. Did you know stress can lead to both mental and physical health problems if not addressed? Join us as Dr. Monga helps us better understand stress (including little-known facts) and offers helpful tips to reduce it so we can enjoy life more.
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New DEA Education Requirement on Substance Use Disorders
The DEA has released guidance on the new one-time requirement for eight hours of training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (SUDs). ASAM offers a wide variety of education that meets the needs of all prescribers; from basics to advanced topics on addiction treatment, relevant to all specialties in all care settings.
See the eLearning Center for more education options to fulfill this training requirement.
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May 10: Telepsychiatry Reimbursement: Who Pays for What? | Webinar | 12:00 pm ET
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June 9: Deadline for 2024 Dues Entry in DB Window
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June 14: Health Care Policy and You | Webinar | 12:00 pm ET
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June 14: The City and Mental Health | Webinar | 1:00 pm ET
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GRAND ROUNDS
Virtual Presentations
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
05/31/23 Leilani R. Puentes, MA
Genna Losinski, MA
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May 2023
Presentation via MS Teams Meeting/Amphitheater
Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
5/5/23 Serotonin Toxicity: Update
Timothy Saitta , MD Psychiatry Resident
5/12/23 Environmental Psychiatry: As the Environment Changes, so does our Mental Health
Sara Pousti MD Child Psychiatry Resident
5/19/23 Application of Pharmacogenetic in Clinical Practice
Joshua Sultan MD Psychiatry Fellow
University of Arizona College of Medicine- Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Grand Round will Resume in September
*Banner Health designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
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Fellowship Nominations Due September 1, 2023
Distinguished Fellow Nominations Due by July 1, 2023
Please click each below for more information-
Fellow status is an honor that reflects your dedication to the work of the APA and signifies your allegiance to the psychiatric profession. You are recognized by your colleagues in the Association as a member of a very select group.
Distinguished Fellowship is awarded to outstanding psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the psychiatric profession in at least five of the following areas: administration, teaching, scientific and scholarly publications, volunteering in mental health and medical activities of social significance, community involvement, as well as for clinical excellence. Distinguished Fellow is the highest membership honor the APA bestows upon members.
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APA 2022 Drops & Reinstatements
The APA dropped a total of 4,474 members (including international) on April 1. Since the drop, we’ve sent out one reminder email and mailed an additional post expire renewal notice on May 1 (with a due date of 5/31/2023, though we have ceased benefits as of 4/1). They will be sending additional emails the second week of May and will also be doing some additional calling campaigns at the end of May-early June. Emails will continue throughout the summer through September 30. To date, 431 members have been reinstated.
Dropped members no longer have access to member benefits, including the ability to register as a member for the Annual Meeting unless/until they renew. Beginning October 1, members will need to reapply and get re-approved.
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Psychiatric Services needed in Flagstaff, AZ
Within the building at 1515 N. San Francisco, there are three solo private practice psychiatrists that share the benefits of 2 staff members that provide billing and scheduling services, amongst other supports. We have decades of experience and are able to help you set up your own business. We cover each other on call so that most of your weekends and all but 1 holiday can be completely free of responsibility. This a wonderful community in which to raise a family (ask us about our kids) or plan on living the good life yourself. Private practice can be very successful and comes with many benefits.
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Maricopa County Correctional Health Services: Psychiatrist needed.
Correctional Health Services, one of the largest county jail healthcare systems, is seeking a BE/BC Psychiatrist for an exciting opportunity to work with incarcerated individuals. As a CHS Psychiatrist, you will work within an interdisciplinary team to provide integrated health care to patients navigating the judicial system.
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