By Karl Northwall, MD, DLFAPA
PSV President
Catawba Hospital
Catawba, VA 

The Spring 2026 PSV meeting was held April 10 and 11. The theme was Exploring Diagnostic Dilemmas through Case Studies.  This theme was inspired by those times in the doctor’s lounge when you seek out a colleague’s second opinion, the times when you seek out a medical student just to tell them what happened, and the times when you wake up in the middle of the night because the solution has just appeared in your mind.  This innovative format let us present more speakers than usual, several of whom were residents.

Dr. Mark Downey, the only Virginia legislator who is a physician, was recognized for presenting a physician’s point of view to the legislature.  I urge you to contact your legislator on matters of concern to you.  Personal contact is effective.

We were able to lobby effectively in blocking a bill that would let psychologists prescribe.  This will probably be an ongoing battle as they intend to bring it up again.  There is a lack of mental health professionals in Virginia.  It is not enough to oppose bad ideas; we need to support options such as collaborative care.  

The Executive Board decided to have just one PSV meeting a year in the fall.  It will take place over the full weekend and offer more CME. We have been losing money having 2 meetings a year.  I thank everyone who let us know their opinions regarding this issue.  This will start with the 2027 Fall meeting.  In the Spring we will host Chapter events designed to strengthen connections among members. 

We need to recruit more members.  We are down 25% over the past couple of years.  In particular, we need more resident and early career members.  I encourage local chapters to have meetings and invite all psychiatrists in their area.  

The world continues to be more challenging than 10 years ago.  Please act on your opinions and let our new president, Dr. Shariff Tanious, know of matters the PSV should have an opinion on.