Child Study Group - Louis M. Najarian, MD (516-627-3980)

A group (6-8) senior and recent graduate child psychiatrists meet every other month at a participant’s home. Specific topics in the current literature, such as childhood bipolar disorder or character formation in children, are reviewed. The primary focus is on colleagues helping with challenging and interesting cases. New members interested in joining the Child Study Group please contact either Dr. Najarian or Shirley Papilsky, MD. 

Early Career Psychiatrist Committee - Annmarie Siano, DO (631-761-2644) 

The Early Career Psychiatrist (ECP) group interacts with the GLIPS Board and functions in a mentor-type relationship with members up to 5 years past residency training. With so many areas to pursue, many ECPs are confused as to how to proceed in our careers. Panel discussions, where more senior members offer guidance in terms of career paths, are offered not only to GLIPS residents but to ECPs as well.  

International Medical Graduate Committee - Sashi Shukla, MD (631-473-4753) 

The International Medical Graduate (IMG) Committee is a social and professional forum, that attempts to address issues unique to IMG members. We are looking forward to increasing our membership and your participation as we continue to evolve.

Women’s Committee - Claudine Higdon, MD
(718-470-3508) 

The GLIPS Women's Group meets every two months at a member's home and discusses issues that pertain especially to women, e.g. how to balance career and family, how to manage stress, how to deal with countertransference issues. Participation in the group is a great way to network with women psychiatrists in the community. The committee's members include early career psychiatrists, residents/fellows, and seasoned psychiatrists.  

Legislation Committee - Chairperson to be appointed 

In the recent past, the former Chairperson spoke at a press conference for the Timothy's Law Coalition at the request of the New York State Psychiatric Association Legislative Advocate, Richard Gallo. The purpose was to seek legislation to add PTSD to the list of biologically based illnesses that larger companies (over 50 employees) must cover similar to other medical illnesses are covered. The former Chair also went with MSSNY staff to meet with Assemblyman Ortiz, the new Chair of the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Committee in the Assembly, about the MSSNY Alcohol and Health Task Force. A presentation was designed to train primary care physicians how to screen and intervene for at risk drinking, alcohol abuse and dependence.  

Public Affairs Committee - Chairperson to be appointed

The Public Affairs Committee is both proactive in its task to educate the public about psychiatry and psychiatric illness, and responsive to issues that come up in the public arena that relate to psychiatry. This is done through sponsorship of activities, for example, interfacing with patient advocacy groups such as local NAMI chapters and responding to broadcast and print media requests for information. An important goal is to fight stigma. In the past we were able to get Swissair to cancel a radio ad, which in trying to amusing, stigmatized psychiatrists. If you are interested in working in the area of Public Affairs, please join this Committee.