CEO Directors Research Articles

Gender and racial minorities on corporate boards: How board faultlines and CEO‐minority director overlap affect firm performance

AbstractResearch SummaryIn this article, we examine the multidimensional and multilevel nature of diversity in the context of corporate boards. Using the concept of faultlines, we argue that when gender and racial background aligns with human capital attributes of board members, faultlines may be formed with negative implications for firm performance. However, the potential negative impact of faultlines can be alleviated by overlaps in the characteristics of the CEO and minority directors. Specifically, we find that higher overlaps in tenure and personal range of functional experiences help overcome some of the disadvantages that minority directors face and moderate the relationship between board faultline strength and firm performance. Empirical tests using 14 years data on 262 firms belonging to S&P500 index largely support our theoretical ideas.Managerial SummaryBoards often suffer from unhealthy team dynamics. In this article, we explore how alignment of board members' attributes may lead to potential subgroup formation within boards. Specifically, we examine how, under existing pressures to increase demographic diversity on corporate boards, alignment of human capital characteristics with gender and racial minority status may lead to the formation of board faultlines that negatively influence firm performance. Our results suggest that the CEO plays a pivotal role in overcoming negative consequences of board faultlines by utilizing shared tenure on board and common functional experiences with minority board members. Our research suggests that board selection needs to focus beyond scrutinizing individual‐level human capital and instead understand alignments of directors' profiles that enable optimal board functioning.

2024 Annual Meeting: CEO and Medical Director’s Address

2024 Annual Meeting: CEO and Medical Director’s Address

Lead Independent Directors and Internal Information Environment

ABSTRACTResearch Question/IssueThis study explores the relationship between the presence of a lead independent director (LID) and firms' internal information environment. LIDs are elected independent members of the board who perform key duties for the independent directors and the board, including reviewing and approving board meeting agendas, chairing non‐executive board meetings, and acting as a liaison between the CEO and other independent directors. We hypothesize that LID presence lowers information barriers between the CEO and the rest of the board members, enabling more rapid information acquisition and integration and enhancing the internal information environment of the firm.Research Findings/InsightsUsing a sample of US publicly listed companies from 2001 to 2019, we document that LID presence on the board is positively associated with proxies of internal information quality that reflect better information acquisition and information integration: accuracy and precision of management earnings forecasts, speed of earnings announcement, and absence of material weaknesses in internal controls. These results are robust to alternative model specifications, including entropy balancing, Heckman two‐step correction for self‐selection bias, firm fixed effects, and placebo tests. Further analyses suggest that LIDs with financial expertise and audit committee memberships are more effective in positively influencing internal information quality. We also show that LID presence is positively associated with several proxies of external information quality.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsWe build on agency theory to argue that LIDs improve internal information quality by reinforcing the information quality benefits of unified leadership while mitigating potential compromises in information quality arising from entrenchment. Similarly, we use arguments emanating from the novel strategic leadership systems theory to posit that a LID appointment facilitates the tasks of the CEO and the board, enhancing the effectiveness of both groups in their respective roles: the CEO in making operating and investment decisions and the board in strengthening oversight while bringing cohesion in their shared role of strategy visioning and implementation.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsOur findings suggest that there is scope for shareholders to consider LID appointments as an addition to their firms' corporate governance structures to enhance the internal information environment and decision‐making efficiency. Policymakers can also encourage LID appointments on the board when promoting best practices in corporate governance through regulatory guidelines.

269 Benefits of leveraging community-academic partnerships to plan and implement the Great Plains IDeA CTR Annual Community-Engaged Research Institute

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Building community-engaged research capacity is imperative to improve translation, but not everyone exhibits capacity to conduct research, especially community. We modified the research institute planning and implementation process between 2022 and 2023 to increase community appeal and engagement. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The 2022 and 2023 Community-Engaged Research Institutes (CERI) varied in their formats. For 2022, we hosted a one-hour planning session with community-academic dyads from our Community Advisory Board facilitated by the CEO director and co-director. The 2022 CERI consisted of five sessions totaling 12 hours. The first session was hybrid, followed by four virtual sessions. For 2023, we hosted two, facilitated one-hour planning sessions with community partners who attended the 2022 CERI, based on feedback and attendance from 2022. The 2023 CERI was consolidated to a seven-hour, one-day hybrid session. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In 2022, two community partners participated as CERI panelists. There were 95 unique attendees spanning five days. Of the 95 attendees, 67% (n=64) were researchers and 33% (n=31) were community members. In 2023, eight community partners participated as CERI panelists and presenters. There were 57 unique attendees, of which 61% (n=34) were researchers and 39% (n=23) were community members. When comparing attendance for 2022 (29%, n=28) and 2023 (86%, n=49), in-person attendance was increased by 57%. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: In 2023, we focused on research capacity building for community partners to align with community engagement principles and increasing research impact across the translational spectrum. Partnering with community elevated appeal for community participation and an increase in-person attendance.

Исследование внутренней функции корпоративного обучения в компаниях РФ

In the context of constant changes and the need to quickly respond to challenges from the outside world, the need for constant corporate training of personnel becomes mandatory for Russian business. Identification of basic directions for the development of corporate training systems and consolidation of best practices in this area is the goal of the work. As part of the research, in-depth interviews with the heads of corporate training functions of domestic large manufacturing companies were conducted, cases and documents were analyzed. According to the results, the corporate training system within the company, its representation and place in the organization’s system largely depends on the personal attitude, vision basic attitudes regarding these areas of the CEO or HR director. Training is not a priority area for working with personnel; in the vast majority of cases, the corporate training function is a service function, the customer of which is the HR director.

2023 Annual Meeting: CEO and Medical Director's Address.

2023 Annual Meeting: CEO and Medical Director's Address.

Learning to Be a Leader Worth Following

ABSTRACT Leading human service agencies has always been challenging, but recent political, financial, public health, and racial tensions in the U.S. have added further turbulence and complexity to those in CEO and Executive Director positions tasked with providing steady leadership of agencies serving the most vulnerable in our society. Though numerous books and journal articles examining leadership are published every year, there is something valuable about learning from experiences of leaders in the field. This article shares the perspective of one such leader, whose leadership approach is grounded on the principles of The Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported, trauma-informed, organizational change intervention.

Collaboration Key to Psychiatry’s Future and a Mentally Healthy Nation, Levin Says

Back to table of contents Next article Annual MeetingFull AccessCollaboration Key to Psychiatry’s Future and a Mentally Healthy Nation, Levin SaysMark MoranMark MoranSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:8 Jun 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.07.7.15AbstractLevin introduced a major APA Foundation campaign titled “Mental Health Care Works,” dedicated to encouraging Americans to seek treatment for mental and substance use disorders when they need it.“Collaboration, innovation, and leadership are key components of progress for psychiatry and for the future of mental health care in America,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., citing the theme of this year’s APA Annual Meeting, at the Annual Meeting’s Opening Session.“It seems like just yesterday that we were here in San Francisco celebrating the 175th anniversary of our Association back in 2019, where we celebrated our past,” Levin recalled. “The events of the past few years have underscored the importance of innovation, collaboration, and of claiming our future as experts in the connection between mind, body, and brain.”“Integrated health systems that emphasize the total health of a patient are the way forward.,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.Levin said this year’s presidential theme is a timely one. “In order to chart the best course for our future, we must collaborate with other medical specialties and outside groups; pursue and embrace innovative treatments, technologies, and solutions to persistent problems; and motivate our members and psychiatrists everywhere in the world to take a leadership role in affecting positive change in our profession,” he said.Collaboration is especially important, he said, noting that most patients who need care for mental or substance use disorders first find care in an emergency department or primary care setting. “For years we have espoused the benefits of the collaborative care model and the potential they have for addressing the immense demand of mental health care, reducing costs, and improving outcomes for our patients,” Levin said. “Integrated health systems that emphasize the total health of a patient are the way forward.”Levin used the occasion to introduce a major APA Foundation campaign titled “Mental Health Care Works,” dedicated to encouraging Americans to seek treatment for mental and substance use disorders when they need it.“Our goal for this campaign is to reinforce the idea that the work that psychiatrists do every day is essential to the health and well-being of our nation … and that it is courageous and life-affirming to seek it out.” He added that achieving a mentally healthy nation is well worth the investment of whatever time and money are necessary.“We must emphasize that no one is immune from mental health challenges, nor is anyone beyond help,” he said. “By embracing our humanity and promoting community, we can socialize the idea that mental illness and addiction are not moral failings, but are treatable illnesses like any other physical ailment.”Levin reminded attendees of several positive trends for APA—membership numbers are trending upward, with more than 38,000 psychiatrists, and the association is more diverse in race, gender, and geography.“We are embracing and supporting this change, as it is a reflection of the ever-diversifying patient population in our country,” Levin said. He hailed especially the place of international medical graduates (IMGs) in American psychiatry. “I myself am an IMG and am heartened to see how invested our members are in ensuring that their colleagues who are IMGs feel supported and are able to integrate into our system successfully,” he said.He emphasized that principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are inseparable from APA’s mission as a medical association.“Equality and health equity cannot truly happen unless we address the social determinants of health and mental health that cause and worsen barriers and gaps in care,” he said. “These principles are our guiding light as we work to support and facilitate diversity in our profession and improve access to high-quality mental health care for minority and underrepresented groups, including women and the LGBTQ+ community.” ■ResourcesMental Health Care Works campaign site ISSUES NewArchived

In Case You Haven't Heard…

A little‐noticed poll conducted by the American Psychiatric Association found that 70% of Americans don't feel safe and are anxious or extremely anxious. The poll, released May 10, found that: 70% of respondents were anxious about keeping themselves or their families safe, 68% were anxious about keeping their identity safe, 66% were anxious about their health, 65% were anxious about paying bills or expenses, 59% were anxious about the impact of climate change on the planet, 50% were anxious about the opioid epidemic, and 45% were anxious about the impact of emerging technology on day‐to‐day life. These stresses can lead to negative mental health effects, said APA president Rebecca W. Brendel, M.D., J.D. At a press conference with APA officials, ADAW asked whether such stresses can lead to addiction. Saul Levin, M.D., APA CEO and medical director, responded that “seeking comfort in food or alcohol could cause additional problems” on top of the mental health issues themselves. There is so much to be anxious about — gun violence, for example. We will be providing coverage from the American Psychiatric Association for some of its annual meeting in San Francisco during the weekend of Sept. 20–21. Stay tuned.

CMS Extends Virtual Supervision of Residents to End of Year

CMS Extends Virtual Supervision of Residents to End of Year

DEA, SAMHSA Release Temporary Rule Extending Telemedicine Flexibilities

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article ProfessionalFull AccessDEA, SAMHSA Release Temporary Rule Extending Telemedicine FlexibilitiesTerri D'ArrigoTerri D'ArrigoSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:11 May 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.06.6.2AbstractThe rule extends the full set of telemedicine flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 PHE through November 11. Additional flexibilities will extend to established patients until November 11, 2024.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a temporary rule on May 10 that extends telemedicine flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). The temporary rule is effective today, May 11, and extends the full set of telemedicine flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 PHE for six months (through November 11). Additional flexibilities will extend to established patients until November 11, 2024.“Access to evidence-based treatment is a pillar of the HHS Overdose Prevention Strategy,” said Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., the Health and Human Services (HHS) assistant secretary for mental health and substance use and the leader of SAMHSA, in a press release issued by SAMHSA. “We strongly support policies that promote access to effective and safe treatment for opioid use disorder, including through telemedicine platforms, and ensuring continued access to necessary controlled medications past the COVID-PHE.”This development is the latest in a story that began back in February, when the DEA announced two proposed rules (Docket No. DEA–407 and Docket No. DEA–948) for the prescribing of controlled medications via telemedicine. There was a 30-day public comment period for the proposed rules, which ended on March 31.The nation cannot afford policies that make it more difficult for patients to get the medications they need, says APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A.APA filed two letters with the DEA in response to the proposed rules during this time, recommending that the DEA “focus on balancing common-sense safeguards for DEA enforcement without decreasing access to lifesaving treatment” and consider ways to extend flexibilities made during the COVID-19 PHE. These comments were just two of the tens of thousands of comments that the agency received.DEA Administrator Anne Milgram on May 3 announced that the agency had received “a record 38,000 comments on its proposed telemedicine rules” and would delay releasing the two permanent rules that were set to go into effect when the COVID-19 PHE ends. “We take those [38,000] comments seriously and are considering them carefully,” Milgram said.The SAMHSA release noted: “For any practitioner-patient telemedicine relationships that have been or will be established up to November 11, 2023, the full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled medications established during the COVID-19 PHE will be extended for one year—through November 11, 2024.”“We recognize the importance of telemedicine in providing Americans with access to needed medications, and we have decided to extend the current flexibilities while we work to find a way forward to give Americans that access with appropriate safeguards,” Milgram said.“We are pleased that the DEA is taking the time to consider carefully the impact the proposed rules would have on patients, many of whom rely on telehealth as a means of accessing care,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “At a time when the nation faces both a mental health crisis and an opioid crisis, we cannot afford policies that make it harder for patients to get the medications they need.” ■ResourcesThe temporary DEA rule “Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications”Proposed DEA rule “Telemedicine Prescribing of Controlled Substances When the Practitioner and the Patient Have Not Had a Prior In-Person Medical Evaluation”Proposed DEA rule “Expansion of Induction of Buprenorphine via Telemedicine Encounter”Statement from the DEA Administrator Anne Milgram on COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications ISSUES NewArchived

Communication agencies and social media as a communication strategy – Portuguese case study

The topic "communication agencies and social media as a communication strategy" arose from the need to understand how digital platforms, namely social media, are used as a communication strategy in the business world. Nowadays, organisations are increasingly aware of the importance of digital platforms and social media in the communication of their products and services, as well as their brand image. The online communication of an organisation has to be coordinated, the different channels and tools have to be in harmony and the message and image have to articulate with each other. Thus, the research question "What is the importance of digital platforms and social media as a communication strategy? The research objectives are: (1) to understand the importance of using digital platforms and social media as a communication strategy for organisations; (2) to analyse the management and production of digital content by a communication agency; (3) to identify what type of company requests a communication strategy; (4) to analyse the change in communication strategies after COVID-19. Methodologically, this case study will describe the communication strategy of a communication agency, using digital platforms and social media, and how it applies it in the communication management of client companies. This analysis will be enriched by an interview with the CEO and Creative Director of the communication agency under study. The results reiterate that companies are increasingly investing in communication through digital platforms, with the aim of reaching the consumer faster and more easily. Through this research it was possible to find out that digital platforms have a great importance in the companies' communication strategy, being fundamental for their dissemination and contact with the potential consumer.

Psychiatry Match Numbers Increase for 12th Consecutive Year

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Education & TrainingFull AccessPsychiatry Match Numbers Increase for 12th Consecutive YearMark MoranMark MoranSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:30 Mar 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.05.5.043AbstractPsychiatry’s numbers have been increasing yearly since 2011. This year psychiatry was one of just 10 specialties with increases of more than 10% over the last five years.A total of 1,746 U.S. medical school graduates—1,343 from allopathic schools and 403 from osteopathic schools—matched into psychiatry residency programs this year as part of the 2023 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). It marks the 12th year in a row that psychiatry’s match numbers have increased.Additionally, 351 U.S. and non-U.S. international medical graduates (IMGs) and 46 other applicants (allopathic and osteopathic graduates from a previous year) also matched into psychiatry, bringing the total to 2,143 medical school graduates. Just 21 psychiatry positions went unfilled.The annual match, in which the program choices of graduating medical students are paired with those of residency programs seeking trainees, is typically watched as an indicator of workforce size and makeup of the various medical specialties for the coming years. Psychiatry’s numbers have been increasing yearly since 2011. This year psychiatry was one of just 10 specialties with increases of more than 10% over the last five years.“There continues to be a sustained interest in psychiatric careers by both M.D. and D.O. medical graduates,” said Sidney Weissman, M.D., a former APA trustee and past president of the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Program Directors (AADPRT) who has been a longtime observer of workforce trends. “Their interest mirrors a heightened national focus on mental health and wellness. Since 2013 we have added over 130 new programs and 700 new positions in the match, and the number of U.S. senior medical students entering psychiatry has doubled. For the near term, these trends are likely to continue.”Vishal Madaan, M.D., APA’s chief of education, said, “It is heartening to see such a successful match for psychiatry. I am delighted that our medical students continue to rise to the occasion and meet the challenge of growing mental health needs in our communities, especially in the post-pandemic world. Not only does psychiatry offer an opportunity for our medical students to answer the societal call and gain a better understanding of social determinants of mental health, but also it allows them to sustain a career that offers job security and quality of life.”He pointed out, however, that the number of IMGs matching into psychiatry had declined from about 30% in 2013 to 16% in 2023, of whom just 6.9% are non-U.S. IMGs. “The number of IMG applications and matched positions, especially those for non-U.S. IMGs, continues to indicate a worrisome decline, creating potential workforce challenges for subspecialty recruitment and future public sector and rural psychiatry positions,” he said.APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., urged new residents to visit the APA webpage for resources for residents and medical students. “Mental health is now on the national agenda in a way it has never been before, and our profession is critical to meeting our country’s mental health crisis,” he said. “Psychiatry is an exciting field with an expanding array of effective treatments for mental illness. I welcome our new physicians in training and urge them to consider joining APA. Our trainees are our future.”The NRMP is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1953 to oversee the match at the request of medical students to provide an orderly and fair mechanism for matching the preferences of applicants for U.S. residency positions with the preferences of residency program directors. The NRMP is sponsored by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the AMA, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the American Hospital Association, and the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. ■ResourceThe National Resident Matching Program website ISSUES NewArchived

Ezra Griffith, M.D., to Receive Chester Pierce Human Rights Award

Ezra Griffith, M.D., to Receive Chester Pierce Human Rights Award

APA Foundation Program to Decriminalize SMI Honored

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article APA & MeetingsFull AccessAPA Foundation Program to Decriminalize SMI HonoredKatie O’ConnorKatie O’ConnorSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:10 Mar 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.04.4.32AbstractThe Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative works to decriminalize mental illness and connect judges and psychiatrists to help people with mental illness in the criminal justice system.The APA Foundation’s Judges and Psychiatrists Leadership Initiative (JPLI) has been named a winner in the 2nd Annual Anthem Awards by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences.JPLI’s goal is to bring together psychiatrists and judges in an effort to divert and deflect people with serious mental illness (SMI) from incarceration, instead connecting them with treatment. It is an initiative that the APA Foundation (APAF) leads in collaboration with the Justice Center of the Council of State Governments and the National Center for State Courts. JPLI was named a silver winner in the 2023 Anthem Award’s community engagement category for nonprofit organizations.“JPLI does vital work to improve the lives of people living with SMI,” said Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., CEO and medical director of APA and chair of APAF’s Board of Directors. “Having a mental illness does not make someone a criminal—the individual has an illness that can be treated, just like diabetes or hypertension. The more we spread that message, especially in courtrooms, the more likely it is that our patients will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”Central to JPLI’s work is creating connections between judges and psychiatrists. Through trainings, the judges and psychiatrists are able to increase the understanding within the legal system of how mental illnesses present, especially in the courtroom. Frequently, JPLI’s staff conducts train-the-trainer events, during which they train judge-and-psychiatrist teams on how to train those within their own communities to work with people with SMI in the legal system (Psychiatric News, Judges, Psychiatrists Trained to Share Education About MH in Justice System).“We are incredibly proud of what JPLI has accomplished with the support of the APAF Board of Directors, a growing number of APA members across the country who have embraced JPLI, and over 1,300 judges across 43 states who have come to understand that SMI is not a crime,” said APAF Executive Director Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq. “Together, we can take the first step to decriminalize mental health and promote well-being.”The Anthem Awards were launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards. The awards’ stated goal is to honor the purpose- and mission-driven work of people, companies, and organizations worldwide. “We’re defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities,” states the Anthem Awards’ website.“Serious mental illness is not, and should have never been, a crime, but that is the sad reality that our communities face,” said Christopher Chun-Seeley, APAF’s program director of school and justice initiatives. “With our work to empower judges to use their convening power in their communities and psychiatrists to use their mental health expertise to reclaim our community members from the justice system, we are making an impact to decriminalize mental illness. But there is more work to be done, and we cannot do it alone.”There are numerous opportunities to get involved with JPLI. It will host three train-the-trainer events: May 17 to 19 in San Francisco, August 12 to 14 in Denver, and October 14 to 16 in Washington, D.C.Further, at APA’s 2023 Annual Meeting, APAF will present two sessions related to mental health and justice. “Answering the Judges Gavel: Decriminalizing Mental Illness and the National Judicial Mental Health Task Force” will be held on Sunday, May 21, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. “Mental Health Professionals’ Role in the Criminal Justice System: How to Be an Agent of Change” will be held on Sunday, May 21, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.Finally, the JPLI Annual Leadership Summit, during which the winners of the 2023 Judge Stephen S. Goss Memorial Award will be announced, will be held on Thursday, May 18, in San Francisco. For more information about this or other events, email [email protected]. ■ResourceMore information about JPLI’s award ISSUES NewArchived

APA’s Government, Policy, and Advocacy Update (March 2023)

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Government & LegalFull AccessAPA’s Government, Policy, and Advocacy Update (March 2023)Search for more papers by this authorPublished Online:26 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.03.3.67APA Expresses Support for Efforts to Increase Naloxone AccessIn a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), APA expressed its support for the FDA’s preliminary assessment that naloxone nasal spray and autoinjector formulations are safe and effective for over-the-counter use. The letter, signed by APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., was written in response to the FDA’s request for comments on the use of naloxone for nonprescription use.In the letter, APA encouraged the FDA to add naloxone nasal spray to the list of FDA Essential Medications. “This would open federal resources and prioritize investment in long-term domestic manufacturing.” Further, APA emphasized the importance of education on the use of naloxone so individuals can appropriately identify and respond to an overdose. Finally, APA addressed the cost barriers associated with naloxone, noting that some forms of nicotine replacement therapy are not covered by Medicare because they are over the counter. APA encouraged the FDA to work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other payers to keep costs down for the most vulnerable populations.APA's Letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Mental Health Liaison Group Provides Feedback on CONNECT for Health ActAPA and its partner organizations, members of the Mental Health Liaison Group Telehealth Work Group, sent a letter Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) providing suggestions for the reintroduction of the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act.The groups wrote that any reintroduction of the CONNECT Act should eliminate the in-person requirement for telemental health services under Medicare as a prerequisite for coverage of a telehealth service, which was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. This provision is “inequitable for individuals with mental health conditions,” the letter stated. The letter emphasized the groups’ support for in-person care when clinically appropriate or desired by the patient.“Given the immense need for mental health services combined with acute behavioral health workforce shortages, the in-person telemental health provision is counter to the intent of ensuring more Americans receive life-changing care and, in fact, could further exacerbate our nation’s growing mental health crisis,” the letter stated.APA and Mental Health Liaison Group Telehealth Work Group (MHLG) letter to Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) APA Provides Comments on SUD Patient RecordsIn a letter to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office of Civil Rights, APA provided input to the proposed changes to the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Patient Records under 42 CFR Part 2 (referred to as Part 2), which protects patients’ privacy and records concerning treatment related to SUD.The goals of the proposed changes are to improve coordination among professionals and increase protections for patients concerning records disclosure to avoid discrimination in treatment, according to a SAMHSA news release.However, APA cautioned that the proposed rule, as written, does not do enough to mitigate data segregation and segmentation, which challenge care coordination efforts. For example, the regulation does not ease the burden of data management in integrated and collaborative care settings. “At best, psychiatrists and other specialists may have significant administrative burden added to manage and maintain patient data in separate platforms, all without the intended outcome of coordination with colleagues to support shared patients,” APA’s letter stated.APA offered numerous recommendations, including that SAMHSA should provide one-on-one technical assistance to clinicians or facilities wanting to ensure compliance with the rule, delay the rule’s finalization, and implement public education around SUD data to empower patients when consenting to data disclosures. ■Letter to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Office of Civil Rights ISSUES NewArchived

Viswanathan Chosen APA’s Next President-Elect

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article APA & MeetingsFull AccessViswanathan Chosen APA’s Next President-ElectCatherine BrownCatherine BrownSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:24 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.03.3.65AbstractAPA’s next president-elect is a nationally known researcher and clinician and has worked tirelessly on such issues as access to care, social justice, empowerment of minorities and women, physician wellness, positive psychiatry, and environmental psychiatry. He has held numerous leadership positions at APA and other organizations.APA’s voting members have elected Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., Dr.Med.Sc., of Brooklyn, N.Y., as APA’s next president-elect. He ran against Robert L. Trestman, Ph.D., M.D., of Roanoke, Va.Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D., Dr.Med.Sc. (left), will become president-elect of APA at the end of APA’s Annual Meeting in May, when Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A., becomes president.Viswanathan is professor, interim chair of psychiatry, director of the consultation-liaison psychiatry and fellowship, and co-chair of the Faculty Wellness Committee at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. His research has been in physician communication, ethics, innovations in psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy, treatment adherence in gynecologic cancers, children’s sickle cell disease, HIV, and substance use.Viswanathan has held numerous leadership positions within APA and other national organizations. He currently serves as the Brooklyn Psychiatric Society representative in the APA Assembly and is chair of the Committee on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry for the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry.“I am honored that my colleagues in psychiatry have elected me to the APA presidency,” said Viswanathan. “I look forward to working together to further develop and expand our workforce and to keeping up our momentum on research and development of cutting-edge psychopharmacologic, neuro-interventional, and psychotherapeutic treatment and preventive approaches. We will also work together to advance physician wellness, reduce practice burdens, advocate for our patients and our profession, address inequities in health care, and promote appreciation of diversity and inclusion.”“Congratulations to Dr. Viswanathan and the other candidates on their election,” said APA President Rebecca Brendel, M.D., J.D. “I look forward to working with him and all the newly elected APA leaders to advance psychiatric practice and APA’s leadership role in increasing access to care and improving the quality of mental health care.”APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., echoed those sentiments. “APA members and the profession of psychiatry will be well served by Dr. Viswanathan’s leadership and commitment. I want to congratulate Dr. Viswanathan and all the newly elected APA leaders.”The race for secretary, which has a two-year term, was up for election this cycle. Gabrielle L. Shapiro, M.D., of New York City defeated Jenny L. Boyer, M.D., Ph.D., J.D., of Norman, Okla., and C. Freeman, M.D., M.B.A., of Marina Del Rey, Calif.In the race for minority/underrepresented representative trustee, Kamalika Roy, M.D., M.C.R., of Seattle emerged the winner. Her opponent was Dora-Linda Wang, M.D., of New York City. The term for minority/underrepresented representative trustee is two years.Two of APA’s seven geographic Areas voted for their trustee in this cycle. Area trustees hold three-year terms. In the race for Area 2 trustee, Kenneth B. Ashley, M.D., of New York City defeated Glenn A. Martin, M.D., of Forest Hills, N.Y. The winner of the Area 5 trustee race was Heather Hauck, M.D. She defeated Sudhakar Madakasira, M.D., of Flowood, Miss.The winner of the race for resident-fellow member (RFM) trustee-elect was Sarah El Halabi, M.D., M.S., a psychiatry resident at Westchester Medical Center in New York. She defeated Sarah A. Friedrich, D.O., M.B.A., M.S., chief resident at Jefferson Health’s Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, and Sarin Pakhdikian, D.O., a psychiatry resident at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada. El Halabi will serve for a year in the RFM trustee-elect position and then rotate into the RFM trustee position.Election results were approved by the Tellers Committee in February, but the results are not official until the Board of Trustees reviews them at its meeting this month. All of the winning candidates will assume their positions on the Board at the close of APA’s Annual Meeting in May. ■ResourcesComplete results, including vote counts for each race ISSUES NewArchived

Biden Urges Bipartisan Effort on Mental Health

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Government & LegalFull AccessBiden Urges Bipartisan Effort on Mental HealthKatie O'ConnorKatie O'ConnorSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:9 Feb 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.03.3.68AbstractPresident Joe Biden outlined numerous priorities related to mental health and substance use disorder care during his State of the Union address. He emphasized the importance of working across the aisle to support patients in need.iStock/drnadigIn his State of the Union address, President Joe Biden pointed to numerous health policies, including improving mental health and addressing the opioid epidemic, that represent opportunities for members of both parties to work together.APA applauded the inclusion of mental health in Biden’s address in a news release. “While the nation faces the opioid epidemic, an ongoing crisis in youth mental health, and barriers to access, mental health is truly an issue where bipartisan progress can and must be made,” APA’s statement reads.During his address, Biden spoke about his four-part Unity Agenda, which focuses on tackling the mental health crisis, especially among youth; addressing the epidemic of opioid and other drug overdoses; ending cancer; and supporting veterans.“Despite the division within American politics today, leaders on both sides of the aisle can agree that many of our citizens are struggling with mental health challenges, often without support,” said APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. “Congress’s recent spending bill represented a huge victory for psychiatry and the patients we serve. We must continue that momentum and provide much-needed support, especially to our youth, those with substance use disorders, and our health care workforce.” Biden outlined specific actions his administration will take in his Unity Agenda, including the following:Supporting the health care workforce: This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will launch a new campaign to provide mental health and resiliency resources for health care organizations on how to support their workforces. In his Unity Agenda, Biden acknowledged that health workers experienced high levels of burnout, anxiety, and depression even before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Studies have shown that burnout [has] reached crisis levels, affecting up to 54 percent of nurses and physicians,” Biden’s Unity Agenda Fact Sheet states. Strengthening parity enforcement: Though the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act was passed in 2008, many health plans are still not in compliance with the federal law. The administration will propose new rules this spring to ensure insurers are not imposing inequitable barriers to care and that mental health professionals are being paid on par with other health professionals.Investing in crisis services and 988: The 988 Lifeline launched in the summer of 2022, and while it has increased access to crisis counseling for all Americans, experts emphasize that more work is needed to improve the country’s mental health crisis system. In the coming year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will improve the Lifeline’s capacity by investing in the crisis care workforce, scaling mobile crisis services, and developing guidance on best practices in crisis response.Expanding access to telehealth services: According to the Unity Agenda, HHS will triple resources dedicated to promoting interstate license reciprocity for delivering mental health services across state lines. The Department of Defense (DOD) will also expand the BRAVE program, a virtual behavioral health center providing services 24/7 to service members and their families located on federal installations across the globe.Recruiting a more diverse mental health workforce: HHS will increase funding to expand the Minority Fellowship Program and recruit mental health professionals from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.Fighting the opioid epidemic: The administration will expand access to proven treatments, including buprenorphine, for opioid use disorder; launch a national campaign to educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl and how naloxone saves lives; and ensure every jail and prison across the country can provide treatment for substance use disorders.Supporting veterans and their families and reducing veteran suicide: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will create new resources to improve suicide risk identification and increase counseling on the safe storage of firearms and lethal medications. ■ResourcesThe APA statement on the State of the Union addressFACT SHEET: In State of the Union, President Biden to Outline Vision to Advance Progress on Unity Agenda in Year AheadRemarks of President Joe Biden – State of the Union Address as Prepared for DeliveryCongress Passes Spending Bill With Several APA PrioritiesAfter 988’s Launch, Experts Emphasize More Work Needed ISSUES NewArchived

APA Foundation’s Executive Director Honored With Presidential Award

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article APA & MeetingsFull AccessAPA Foundation’s Executive Director Honored With Presidential AwardSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:27 Jan 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.02.2.37AbstractRawle Andrews Jr., Esq.Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., executive director of the APA Foundation, was presented the President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service in a Washington, D.C., ceremony in January.The award is presented on behalf of Points of Light, AmeriCorps, President Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris to individuals across the country whose service positively impacts their home communities and inspires others around them to take positive action as well. A minimum of 4,000 hours of volunteer service is required to be eligible for the award.“It is an honor to be counted among the trailblazers and pioneers who have been selected to receive this award,” said Andrews. “The greatest reward of doing good is always seeing its positive impact on the lives of others in the community—together we truly lift one another up. That is why service is, and will remain, a huge part of my life and our work across the APA family.”“It is wonderful to see Rawle Andrews recognized for his long record of service, which we’ve seen shine through in many ways since he joined the Foundation,” said Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., APA’s CEO and medical director. “We congratulate him for this honor and for what he achieves through the Foundation for mental health.” ■ ISSUES NewArchived

Female gender diversity on corporate board and bid ask spread

Female participation on corporate board is one of the most studied topics in corporate governance research. This paper analyzes the effect of female directors and gender diversity on bid ask spread. We calculate the score of female governance and we test three proxies of a bid-ask spread. Our results provide comprehensive and robust evidence for the association between female board participation and stock liquidity in Tunisian market. This study is based on a sample covering all financial firms in Tunisia (banks, insurances, and leasing) from 2008 to 2019 based on panel data approach. We conclude that female directors generate a positive effect on stock liquidity when they have a more active role on the board and when they are represented in relatively large numbers. Female CEO and institutional female directors enhance monitoring quality, develop control and improve supervising. Female directors are more effective at changing board processes, improving governance, and then affect significantly and negatively bid ask spread. Our research is the first to use the female governance index, it proves that female directors improve corporate governance, enhance stock liquidity. This result encourages firms to select competitive women to occupy strategic posts.