RAMASWAMY VISWANATHAN, MD, DMSc, DLFAPA
Candidate for NYSPA Secretary, 2014

Current Positions

APA
Assembly Representative, NYSPA
Assembly Committee on Maintenance of Certification (MOC)
Founding President, Caucus on MOC Issues

NYSPA
Council Representative, Brooklyn Psychiatric Society (BPS)
Committee on Legislation
Committee for Scientific Paper Contest

BPS
Legislative Representative
Founder and Organizer, Residents’ Annual Scientific Presentations Contest (First such program among the DBs in the nation)

PACs: NYSPA and APA

Indo-American Psychiatric Association
Chair, Board of Trustees

Society for the Study of Psychiatry and Culture (SSPC)
Board of Directors
Chair, Finance Committee

Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry
Committee on Religion and Psychiatry
Invited to chair a Committee on Psychosomatic Medicine

Member: AMA, AAPL, APM

State University of New York Downstate Medical Center
Director, Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Chair, Psychiatry CME Program
College of Medicine Executive Committee
University Hospital of Brooklyn Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee

Private Practice, part-time

Board Certifications
Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine, Geriatric Psychiatry, Forensic Psychiatry

PAST POSITIONS

APA: Chair, Committee on Bylaws; Vice-Chair, Council on Member and DB Relations. Member, Council on Global Psychiatry; Committee on Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry; Nominating Committees (National and Assembly).

NYSPA: Chair, Education Committee; Member, Nominating Committee; Committee on Government Health Programs; Task Force on Practice Guidelines; Task Force on Strategic Planning.

BPS: Past President

AMA: Representative of the APA in the AMA IMG Section

SSPC: Program Committee Co-Chair

Society for Liaison Psychiatry: Secretary

Honors
Castle Connolly Guide: The Best Doctors – New York Metro Area
APA Nancy Roeske Certificate for Excellence in Medical Student Education
“Who’s Who in the World”, published by Marquis Who’s Who
“Who’s Who in America”

Academic
Over 50 publications, including NEJM, AJP, and New York Times
National and international presentations
Research: Depression, Anxiety, Locus of Control and Treatment Adherence in Oncology and HIV Patients; End of Life Issues; Ethical Conflicts Resolution; Physician Communication and Intrapsychic Factors; Resident Duty Hours; Medical Student Education; Psychopharmacology.

Assembly Action Papers
Promoting Telepsychiatry to Enhance Access to Care
Expert Witness Testimony in Liability Cases
Promoting Pride in APA Membership
ECP Dues Help
Teaching Residents about Organized Psychiatry
APA-sponsored Patient Education Material in Reception Areas
Electronic Health Record System as a Member Benefit

In 2011 APA Election, I energized our grass roots membership and collected 800 petition signatures that resulted in a record 80% of voters supporting my referendum statement against problematic and burdensome ABPN MOC PIP requirements. This partly led to the ABMS deciding on a moratorium against further changes, and willingness to soften some burdens.

What I would Like to Accomplish

Keep doing the excellent advocacy (with government and insurers) and member education efforts that we are already doing, collaborating with MSSNY, NAMI and other groups.

Encourage more member involvement and collegiality through organizing activities such as an “Annual Run, Walk or Watch Event” the day after NYSPA Fall Council Meeting, and a Residents’ Poster Display and Contest during the Spring Meeting.

Guide members to advocate for our profession and our patients, and enhance access to care.

Contact:
Tel: (718)270-2352
[email protected] or 
[email protected]