On Thursday, October 26, 2000 at the IPS Meeting in Philadelphia, a special forum was held-"Celebrating the APA/Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) Fellowship: Promoting Leadership in Public Psychiatry for 20 Years." The APA/BMS Fellowship (formerly APA/Mead Johnson) was established in 1981 to heighten the awareness of psychiatric residents of career opportunities in the public sector of psychiatry and to contribute to their professional development.

Leading the forum was a panel consisting of Leah Dickstein, MD (Chair, Selection Committee APA/BMS Fellowship), Jackie Feldman, MD (President, AACP), Jules Ranz, MD (Director, Columbia University Public Psychiatry Fellowship), and Sharon Levine, MD, MPH (Former APA/BMS Fellow and Member, APA Committee on Access and Effectiveness of Psychiatric Services for the Elderly). Among the highlights of the forum included Dr. Dickstein’s sharing a videotape of her interview with Henry Work, MD, former APA Deputy Medical Director who was responsible for working with Mead Johnson to establish the fellowship program. Dr. Feldman discussed the strong and rich link between the AACP and APA/BMS Fellowship. Dr. Ranz remarked on the endless career possibilities derived from the fellowship including obtaining further training in public psychiatry. Dr. Levine shared her fellowship experience and invited other fellows to discuss their experiences, as well. Other fellows included Patrice Harris, MD (Chair, Committee of Black Psychiatrists and Representative to APA Board of Trustees), Elizabeth Oudens, MD (Co-Editor, AACP), Ken Thompson, MD (Board Member, AACP), Claudio Cabrejos, MD (President, APA/BMS Fellowship), Ruth Frydman, MD (Member, APA/BMS Selection Committee and Former Fellow) and Warachal Faison, MD (Co-Editor, AACP). Among those members of the audience who shared their thoughts about the success of the fellowship were Mickey Silver, MD and Charlie Huffine, MD (Former Presidents, AACP), Stewart Keill, MD (Former Chair, APA/BMS Selection Committee), Steve Goldfinger, MD (Board Member, AACP), Jim Thompson, MD (Deputy Medical Director, APA and Director, Division of Education and Minority and National Affairs), and Bill French (Director, BMS Medical Association Alliances).

There is no dispute over those persons who are deemed the backbone of the fellowship. Ms. Beatrice Edner (Coordinator, APA/BMS Fellowship) and Dr. Dickstein were praised and applauded for their tireless leadership and support of the Fellows. Mr. French and his predecessors were thanked for their generous donation of time and corporate resources to further the careers of nearly 300 psychiatrists. Ms. Mary Mamer also of BMS was thanked for her devotion to excellence, unfailing commitment to the goals of the program, and her enthusiasm.

At the end of the celebration, we were left contemplating the success of the Fellowship. Countless former fellows continue to participate in the grassroots of their local psychiatric associations. Over 30 current and former Fellows presented at the 2000 IPS. Over 20 former fellows currently serve on an APA Component and 6 former fellows currently serve on the AACP Board.