NYSPA Structural Racism Task Force Statement (1 October 2021)

In the context of the killing of George Floyd and the disproportionate burden of the COVID pandemic on Black Americans, NYSPA, like the APA and other national medical organizations, has undertaken to address structural racism – the long-standing combination of public policies, institutional practices and social forces, ideologies, and processes that generate and perpetuate inequities among races. NYSPA commits to understanding and acknowledging the history of racism in American society, including its role in sustaining inequality and discrimination. NYSPA undertakes to use a social justice lens to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion.

NYSPA we’ll take the following steps to achieve racial equity for all the residents of NY State:

• NYSPA affirms that structural racism is a public health crisis and a root cause of health inequities that shapes and influences healthcare, medical education and organized medicine, including psychiatry.
• NYSPA Supports and endorses the work of the APA Presidential Task Force to Address Structural Racism Throughout Psychiatry
• NYSPA will systematically evaluate its policies and procedures to ensure that it supports equity in all aspects of its work, and that a record of this process is visible to all members.
• NYSPA will advocate for mental health care reform, making equitable, quality mental health treatment & services a priority
• NYSPA will urge all district branches to affirm that racism is a public health crisis & that their mission statements, policies, and procedures support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
• NYSPA will work collaboratively with all district branches to develop a strategic plan to improve recruitment, retention, promotion, support, and mentoring of historically marginalized members.
• NYSPA commits to adopting ongoing recommendations made by the Task Force to address structural racism.

Telemedicine Software Offered by DrFirst

We would like to make members aware that DrFirst, NYSPA’s endorsed electronic prescribing software vendor, offers Backline, a telemedicine product that may be of assistance to private practitioners. Backline is available at a $300 annual subscription. DrFirst has assured us that the software product complies with all applicable regulations, including HIPAA.