The Scientific Program Committee of the Mental Health Service Conference meets in-person three times during the year to select the program for the meeting, which is held each fall. The first meeting is held at the time of the prior year’s meeting, where the incoming chair and members of the Committee, who were appointed or reappointed on September 1, begin planning the next meeting. Also, during the meeting, the Committee for the current meeting meets daily to review any programmatic issues, assist in monitoring sessions, and fill any vacant roles of introducing speakers. The second in-person meeting is usually held in late January to select the scientific program. The Committee also meets for a third time during the APA Annual Meeting to finalize arrangements, speakers, and programmatic issues. The APA CEO/Medical Director assigns a staff member to serve as the APA Administration Liaison to the Scientific Program Committee.

Staff Liaison

• Kara Dixon

Committee Members

• Lawrence Malak, M.D., DFAPA – Chairperson
  2024-2025
• Margaret Balfour, M.D., Ph.D., DFAPA
  2024-2027
• Maria Bodic, M.D., FAPA
  2024-2027
• Robert Cotes, M.D., DFAPA
  2022-2025
• Karandeep Gaind, M.D., DFAPA
  2023-2025
• Sherin Khan, L.C.S.W.
  2024-2027
• Anna Ratzliff, M.D., Ph.D.
  2022-2025
• Lisa Razzano, Ph.D., CPRP – Representing Specialty Org Psychology
  2024-2027
• Donna Rolin, Ph.D., APRN – Representing Specialty Org Nurse/NP/APNA
  2022-2025
• Karthik Sivashanker, M.D., M.P.H.
  2024-2027
• Steve Sugden, M.D., M.P.H., FAPA 
  2024-2027
• Erik Vanderlip, M.D., Ph.D., FAPA
  2024-2027
• Margaret Emerson, APRN, DNP, PMHNP-BC – Corresponding Member (Representing Nursing)
  2024-2025
• Lena Green, DSW, L.C.S.W. – Corresponding Member (Representing Social Work)
  2024-2025
• Aude Henin, Ph.D. – Corresponding Member (Representing Psychology)
  2024-2025
• Mandar Jadhav, M.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Dwight Kemp, M.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Christopher Lim, M.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Souparno Mitra, M.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Brandon Newsome, M.D. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Rikinkumar Patel, M.D., M.P.H. – Corresponding Member
  2024-2025
• Curtis Adams, M.D. – Consultant
  2024-2025
• Priscilla Jones – Liaison (PsychSIGN Student Liaison)
  2024-2025
• Octavio Martinez, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H., DFAPA – Liaison (Psychiatric Service Journal)
  2024-2025