On Friday, November 20, 2009 WPS presented its 2009 AWARDS to individuals and organizations for their exceptional and distinguished contributions to the mental health profession. Without their collective efforts we would not be as successful in our work. Click to see award winners (posted 12/4/09).

Wayne Fenton, MD was awarded posthumously the APA Assembly Profile of Courage Award before the APA Assembly, in Plenary session on Sunday, November 22, 2009. Dr. Fenton was nominated for the award by the DC Psychiatric Society, a Chapter of WPS. The award was presented by Dr. Hind Benjelloun, the DC Psychiatric Society's President and was accepted on behalf of the family by Mr. Robert Fenton, Dr. Fenton's brother who travelled from Israel for this occasion. Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Fenton, Dr. Wayne Fenton' s parents also participated in the ceremony. (posted 11/23/09)

Eliot Sorel, MD, DLFAPA Chairman of the APA Assembly Leadership Training Work Group (LTWG) presented the LTWG report's executive summary & recommendations to the Assembly in plenary session in Washington, DC on Saturday, November 21st, 2009. Click here for the text (Powerpoint Presentation).(posted 11/23/09)

Fellowship Opportunities Available
Click here to see a list of available fellowships

Bernard M. Snyder, MD, LFAPA created and developed together with colleagues a one-page web based multi-diagnostic screen to assist primary care physicians to more effectively diagnose, treat and monitor patients with depression, bipolar, anxiety and PTSD which was validated by Bradely Gaynes et al at the UNC, in press. Visit www.mymoodmonitor.com (posted 11/11/09)

William B. Lawson, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, and president of the Washington Psychiatric Society, was selected as a member of the Adult Psychopathology and Disorders of Aging Study Section of the Center for Scientific Review at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Study sections review grant applications submitted to NIH, make recommendations on these applications to the appropriate NIH national advisory council or board and survey the status of research in their fields of science. Lawson will serve until June 30, 2013. (posted 11/11/09)

WPS member Dr Roger Peele received the "Heroes in the Fight" award and Drs. William Lawson and Walter Bland received nominations at the Oct 23, 2009, Heroes in the Fight dinner held at the Key Bridge Marriot in Arlington, VA. sponsored by the DC National Alliance on Mental Illness that recognizes local heroes, including healthcare professionals, community supporters and treatment teams for their ongoing dedication to the mental health field.

Eliot Sorel,M.D., D.L.F.A.P.A., former WPS and MSDC President was honored by the Carol Davila Medical University with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in a festive ceremony at the Romanian Athenaeum, filled to capacity, in Bucharest, Romania on Tuesday, October 6th, 2009. A celebratory concert, given by a physicians' orchestra, followed that included George Enesco's Romanian Rhapsody # 2, Brahms' Academic Overture and Beethoven's 5th, The Destiny, symphony. Click here to see video.

Submit Your Symposia, Workshops, and Poster Presentation Proposals!
Eliot Sorel, M.D. & Tsutomu Sakuta, M.D., Ph.D., Chairmen of the Scientific Committee of the XX World Congress of Social Psychiatry with the theme, "Promoting the Integration of Health & Mental Health" invite colleagues from throughout the world to submit their symposia, workshops and poster presentation proposals at their earliest convenience. For more information, visit www.wasp2010.com