Washington, D.C. — At the close of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) 2023 Annual Meeting, Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D., assumed the role of Speaker of the APA Assembly of District Branches.

Pozios is a physician who is board-certified in forensic and general psychiatry, having received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Tufts University and completed his residency training in general psychiatry at the University of Michigan. He was trained in forensic psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University.

Pozios is a strong advocate for reducing the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders. He has consulted with government agencies, media outlets, and non-profit organizations on the relationship between mental illness, violence, and popular culture. His work on violence risk assessment; mental health and the media; mental illness stigma; and ethical issues related to public safety is reflected in published academic articles and in popular press such as The New York Times, Wired, The Hollywood Reporter, and The Daily Beast.

As an APA Spurlock Congressional Fellow, Pozios worked with the Chair of the United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary on the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008, the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, and "Medicare for All" legislation.

He serves as Chief Medical Officer of Oakland Community Health Network. He has treated children, adolescents, and adults in various settings, including psychiatric emergency departments and correctional and forensic facilities. He is also a former president of the Michigan Psychiatric Society and previously served as the Speaker-Elect and Recorder for the APA Assembly. He is currently on the APA Board of Trustees.

“It is truly a privilege to lead the APA Assembly as its Speaker; as the son of a Greek immigrant, it is also serendipitous to serve alongside an APA President who hails from Greece. As we continue to address important issues such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, I intend to restore collegiality among Assembly members, raise awareness of the vital work of the Assembly, and encourage the general membership of the APA to participate in the Assembly,” Pozios said. “I am honored to have been chosen for this role by my colleagues, and I look forward to serving them, our profession, and our patients over the course of the coming year.”

The APA Assembly is a deliberative, advisory body to the APA Board of Trustees. The Assembly represents and serves the needs of the district branches and state associations and recommends actions to the Board of Trustees. The Assembly is officiated by a Speaker, a Speaker-Elect, and a Recorder.

Other recently elected Assembly Officers include:

• Steven Starks, M.D., Speaker-Elect
• A. Evan Eyler, M.D., Recorder

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,000 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.