The Professional Organization of Arizona Psychiatrists

The Arizona Psychiatric Society (APS) is a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association, a medical specialty society recognized worldwide.

The objectives of the Arizona Psychiatric Society are to continuously improve the ability of its members to provide quality psychiatric services to persons in need and their families. The society strives to promote the welfare of all those with mental illness and to foster the medically based principles of psychiatry.

The Society, in collaboration with the American Psychiatric Association, is committed: 

1. To improve the treatment, rehabilitation, and care of the mentally ill, the mentally retarded, and the emotionally disturbed; 
2. To promote research, professional education in psychiatry and allied fields and the prevention of psychiatric disability; 
3. To advance the standards of all psychiatric services and facilities;
4. To foster the cooperation of all who are concerned with the medical, psychological, social and legal aspects of mental health and illness; 
5. To make psychiatric knowledge available to other practitioners of medicine, to scientists in other fields of knowledge, and to the public; and
6. To promote the best interests of patients and those actually or potentially making use of mental health services.

 Although an integral and a component of it's national parent organization, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Arizona Psychiatric Society is an independent organization. The APS participates in the APA legislative and public affairs networks. Designated representatives serve as members of these national networks and provide supportive activities in the areas of legislative advocacy and public information and education.

OFFICERS

Elizabeth A. Kohlhepp, M.D., F.A.P.A.– – President
Jeffery L. Schwimmer, M.D., M.P.H., D.F.A.P.A.– President-Elect
Michael E. Brennan, M.D., F.A.P.A. - Vice-President
Gretchen B. Alexander, M.D.– Secretary

Tariq M. Ghafoor, M.D. - Treasurer

PAST PRESIDENTS