Association of Women Psychiatrists

APA Election

AWP: What have you done to advance women’s involvement in organized psychiatry and specifically in the APA?  Please tell us your specific accomplishments. 

Chaitin:        As someone who has been involved in organized psychiatry for almost thirty years, I have had occasion to make a variety of committee appointments in our District-branch and State association. Anyone who has the slightest interest is identified and nurtured. Most recently, I was instrumental in nominating a woman to run for President-Elect of the California Psychiatric Association. Also, approximately one-half of our residents are women and they are strongly encouraged to become M.I.T.'s and serve on committees. Our current Chief Resident , who is a women, represents the residents on our local DB Council.

As a department chair, I have also had the opportunity of recruiting and

mentoring several women faculty. Outside professional involvement and

recognition is one of the criteria which the university uses for promotion

and I have strongly encouraged involvement in organized psychiatry. One of our current faculty has chaired the membership committee of our DB for many years but has resisted further assignments as she does not like to travel.

AWP:  What important issues for women would you promote?  How would you do this?

Chaitin:        The most important issue for women professionally as I see it is being able to balance the demands of career and family life. Interestingly, I feel that this is increasingly reaching the radar scope for men also. In my role as chair of a department, I have worked out flexible arrangements for some of our faculty. The other issue which is important is equality of opportunity in a non-hostile environment. Though there are institutional programs in place, there is still much to do on an informal basis.

AWP:  What strategies would you use to promote the retention and recruitment of women in APA?

Chaitin:         The problems of member retention and recruitment are ubiquitous to men and women. I am frankly mystified at times by the comments I hear from resigning members. Certainly, at this point in time, the logic of membership in an advocacy oriented professional organization is compelling. Yet, the accomplishments of organized psychiatry are ignored and are failings focused upon. The APA itself is at fault for some of these perceptual issues. Our structures are opaque, convoluted and seemingly dense---giving the impression of unresponsiveness. There needs to be major change in the APA toward streamlining though some may complain that it will be less representative. Also, the communication between the DB's and the Central Office is dysfunctional. This tends to alienate members. The question was about women specifically so I will take a swing at it. First, women need to see that there is a path toward leadership if they so desire. Many women have walked that path in the APA and they need to be more visible at the local level. Also, women who are balancing many demands may be more sensitive than men to the value proposition of membership. The symbolic act of organizing child care at the Assembly meetings is an important step in the right direction.

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Frances Bell
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Last updated March 29, 2006 08:06 PM

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