This year the Boards of the Psychiatric Society of Virginia
(PSV) and the Northern Virginia Chapter of the Washington Psychiatric
Society (NOVA WPS) authorized the formation of the first ever Political
Action Committee (PAC) for your profession. PsychMD PAC. PsychMD PAC
will raise money from Virginia psychiatrists to fund General Assembly
and statewide candidates having positions that promote better mental
health care delivery. The decision to form PsychMD PAC demonstrates
proactive recognition that success in a crowded field of public interests
requires increased access to the elected officials who make decisions
on health care policies.
As PSV President Greg Fisher said in a recent newsletter
article: "[PsychMD PAC] will give psychiatrists a new reason to
get involved in the political process. Our members will know these contributions
will benefit our organizations by supporting friends in the legislature,
advancing our profession, and improving psychiatric care.
"On behalf of the PsychMD PAC Board of Directors,
we are asking you to pledge a contribution. A contribution of $250 before
year-end will make you a "Founding Member" of PsychMD PAC.
You will be recognized in our next newsletters and our websites. While
we hope you will become a Founding Member, any amount will be helpful
in reaching our 2003-2004 fundraising goal of $7500.
Please send your contributions to:
PsychMD PAC
5115 New Kent Road
Richmond, VA 23225
Also, the PsychMD PAC Board will soon appoint the PsychMD
PAC Advisory Committee. This group will be composed of politically and
geographically diverse psychiatrists and will assist with fundraising
and recommend candidate contributions. The Committee will have 12 members
or less, so if you would like to be considered, please contact us quickly
with your contact information!
Thank you for supporting psychiatry and your patients!
Please share this exciting news and opportunity with colleagues who
want to impact politics. If you have questions or recommendations, please
contact Cal Whitehead, PsychMD PAC Secretary, using the information
below
To access the contribution form visit www.psva.org/legis_psychmd.htm.
