Pathways to Housing wins APA Gold Award

APA presented its annual Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards at its 2005 Institute on Psychiatric Services last month in San Diego to innovative programs that deliver services to mentally ill or disabled people, have overcome obstacles, and can serve as models for other programs. This annual competition, begun in 1949, is supported by a grant from Pfizer Inc.

Aaron Kuzemka (left) of Pfizer Inc. presents a check for $10,000 to Sam Tsemberis, Ph.D., executive director of Pathways to Housing Inc. in New York City, winner of the 2005 Gold Award for community-based programs. Alexa Whoriskey, M.D., Pathways' medical director, holds the plaque. Ellen Dallager

The 2005 awards, selected from a field of 54 applications, were presented by Debbie Carter, M.D., chair of the awards committee. All winning programs participated in a special workshop at the institute.

Gold Award winners were presented with a $10,000 check and plaque; Silver Award winners in the other categories received a plaque.

Gold Awards

 Primary Mental Health Care Clinic at the White River Junction VA Medical Center in White River Junction, Vt., won in the category of academically or institutionally sponsored programs. The program was recognized for "its unique application of a model to provide comprehensive psychiatric care within a primary care setting and improve treatment engagement."

Pathways to Housing Inc. in New York City won the Gold Award in the category of community-based programs. The award was accepted by Sam Tsemberis, Ph.D., and Alexa Whoriskey, M.D. Pathways to Housing was selected for the "exemplary success of [its] housing first program in the provision of permanent housing and treatment services for adults with severe mental illnessand co-occurring substance use disorders."