In 2007, when I began researching the history of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, I expected the project might take me two years at most. After all, I had written a history of the NIH Clinical Center, the big research hospital and clinic in Bethesda, in less time than that.

In 1950 an eminent Harvard psychiatrist, Dr. Jacob Finesinger, was recruited to create a full time psychiatry department at The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) in Baltimore. By the time of his death in 1959, Finesinger had built a nationally admired organization. He was succeeded by a series of Chairmen leading to Anthony Lehman, who was appointed Chair in 2000.

 This article is based on Dr. Lehman’s address at the Gala celebrating the 60th anniversary.

 The Department of Psychiatry at University of Maryland celebrated sixty years of its establishment in September 2010. Its accomplishments were highlighted in a day-long program on September 16th that included scientific sessions followed by a gala dinner in the evening.

  Ronald J. Diamond

At last, I have something in common with Michael Jordan and Brett Favre, or perhaps fortunately merely one thing in common. I have been called back from retirement. Devang Gandhi was kind enough to ask if I would rekindle my psychopharmacology column, and I decided to accept. This time around, however, I hope to maintain a slightly different focus.                  

 I find it an ironic and even embarrassing fact that my prior article in this Journal about my planned retirement in June, 2011, was mailed out on the very same day on which, instead, I abruptly announced my permanent retirement on January 1st, 2011. I retired five months earlier than my patients and I had expected, and much earlier if you count the many prior absences that occurred in the Fall of 2010.

I retire next Memorial Day. I've decided to write about my retirement thoughts, experiences, and even surprises while I’m still seeing my patients. I’ve been seeing all of them in psychodynamic psychotherapy since way before my decision in early May and subsequent announcement of my plans in early June. I have seen some patients weekly for many years now, and of course I have many patients who check in once in a while, some for twenty to thirty years now.

A redesigned AMA online resource center at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/practice-management-center.page? offers tools and guidance that help physicians enhance the operation of their medical practices. It has three sections: practice operations, claims revenue cycle management and health insurer relations.

In November 2011, the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) issued its evaluation of the Maryland Board of Physicians (MBP) in connection with the board’s scheduled termination on July 1, 2013. The General Assembly will consider recommendations from the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee in deciding the conditions for reauthorizing the MBP. The DLS noted many deficiencies which are detailed in the report (visit

 

 The Maryland Medicaid Program issued a new Preferred Drug List effective October 1, 2009. To view the updated list, please visit http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mpap/druglist.html. Please note that in a very small number of cases, the generic drug is not preferred and requires authorization through MedWatch, or the brand is also preferred and does not require authorization. Please direct questions or concerns to 410-767-1455.

The Mental Health Services Improvement Collaborative

American Association of Community Psychiatrists; http://www.comm.psych.pitt.edu National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors http://www.nasmhpd.org National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare