WASHINGTON, D.C. — At the close of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting on May 22 in San Francisco, Paul J. O'Leary, M.D., assumed the role of Speaker of the APA Assembly of District Branches.

O'Leary is a board-certified psychiatrist working in private practice in the Birmingham, Alabama, area and a clinical assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He also works as a psychiatric forensic expert, testifying in civil, criminal, and military trials and previously served as the medical director of the Fulton County (Ga.) Jail Competency Restoration Project.

He has held numerous APA leadership roles including serving as APA Assembly Executive Committee Vice Chairperson 2018-2019 and member of the APA Committee on Advocacy and Litigation Funding. He has been a member of the APA Political Action Committee Board of Directors since 2013 and a member of the APA AMA Delegation since 2017. For his work with residents and early career psychiatrists, O'Leary was received the 2013 APA Assembly Member-in-Training (MIT) Mentor Award.

O'Leary completed medical school at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, residency and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of Alabama Medical Center, and a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at Emory University.

"I am excited about this opportunity to lead the Assembly as we debate and offer proposals to enhance the profession of psychiatry and improve the treatment of our patients," O'Leary said. "I want to thank my fellow members for having the confidence in me to take on this role."

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, Speaker-Elect and 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 38,500 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.