Less secretive than Area 51 (and more fun!)

The Area IV Annual Meeting in Chicago took place over the March 1-2 weekend. OPPA made a good showing, represented by 4 members: MIT Committee chair Rob Sekhon, as well as Kelly Blankenship, Solomon Zaraa, and Marianne Jhee attended.

Dr. Jeff Akaka, Speaker of the American Psychiatric Association's Assembly, also attended the meeting. He was able to give residents and fellows some very valuable insight into how politics and psychiatry can impact each other.

The meeting addressed not only administrative issues, but also prominent issues that concern today's psychiatrists. MITs were able to discuss various issues such as the health parity bill with with more experienced members and also with one of Congressman Bobby Rush's staff.

And of course, it was a great experience just to be able to discuss residency, psychiatry, and life in general, with fellow MITs and more experienced members throughout the region.

Last, but not least of all, the OPPA MIT was honored with Sorum awards for both individual (congrats to Dr. Kelly Blankenship!) and for District Branch MIT committee! Looks like other APA members have taken notice of some of the projects (like the this blog!!) we have underway. Way to go OPPA!

Perfect Attendence

Thought the last time you'd be awarded for perfect attendence was in grade school?

Well, the APA 100% Club is a program that does just that! A Psychiatry Residency Training program that has 100% APA participation of its residents gets to join the Club. Per the APA website:

"These programs receive publicity through articles in Psychiatric News, posters created specifically for their program and a gift certificate for APPI books and products. All 100% club programs will receive a FREE online subscription to the clinical review and self-assessment journal FOCUS."

If you've wanted to be involved, there's never a better time like the present. And if you're a member-in-training, the Get-a-Member campaign and 100% Club incentive are pretty nice perks.

Got Membership?

There's more than just presidential hopefuls campaigning out there!

Hear about the 2008 APA Member Get-a-Member Campaign?
Any APA member in good standing who refers a potential new member is eligible for special quarterly drawings... prizes include $100 American Express gift cards!

If your referral is approved and enrolled by 12/31/08... you become eligible for the grand prize drawing! You could get Complimentary Registration for the 2009 APA Meeting or a year of free APA membership!

Eligible referrals:
Residents (MITs), fully trained psychiatrists, and former members who have been inactive for at least one year.

International psychiatrists and medical students are not eligible.

Online application is on the APA website.

Funding available for Area 4 and APA meeting!

Last month in Columbus, the OPPA Council approved additional funding for OPPA MITs who want to become more involved in OPPA and APA.

A $500 fund is available for travel to the Area 4 meeting in Chicago the weekend of 3/1/08.
An additional $1000 fund has been allocated for the APA meeting in Washington DC this May!

These are some great opportunities. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Rob Sekhon either through OPPA or you can email the blog: ohiopsych(at)gmail(dot)com for more information.

Stay tuned for more details!