By Devnandini (Devna) Rastogi, M.D.

Dr. Rastogi is a board-certified psychiatrist and the Psychiatry Residency Program director at Creighton University School of Medicine — Phoenix, based at Valleywise Behavioral Health Center in Mesa, Arizona. She also serves as block director for the MS2 Brain & Behavior course and holds academic appointments as associate professor (affiliate faculty) at Creighton University, assistant professor of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and clinical associate professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Phoenix. A recipient of multiple teaching awards and recognized as a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Rastogi has contributed significantly to medical education and curriculum development. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has presented nationally on topics ranging from clinical psychiatry to physician wellness and mental health equity.

I believe if you complain about something, you must be willing to be part of the solution. For years, I realized our state legislators would better affect change if they were informed about issues regarding waste of time and resources. It was on my to-do list to provide this education and express my opinion, but like many things on such a list, they remained a forever future goal.

In January 2025, Arizona Senate Bill 1125 was proposed to allow psychologists to obtain a license to prescribe psychotropic medications in collaboration with licensed physicians. As residency program director at Creighton University, and with my passion about scope-of-practice issues, I was asked to testify regarding the difference in education between psychologists and medical professionals. I was stressed, having one day to prepare how to succinctly discuss salient points. I prepared a three-minute presentation and was given two minutes. I was cut off before finishing, which is lamentable for such consequential issues. I learned testimony is a formality. The bill was subsequently passed. The real work must occur before testimony. Our duty is to keep our legislators apprised of our concerns. We rarely sway anyone at the time of testimony if they have done their due diligence and already know how they will vote.

As a program director, my focus is on the next generation of doctors prioritizing their voice along with their skills. No one understands better than we do what our patients need. Our residency program is part of the APA 100% Club for this reason — to help the Arizona Psychiatric Society and APA members give counsel and vote on critical issues. I am developing a fourth-year advocacy elective so my residents can understand the process and become comfortable talking with legislators ahead of testimony and votes. The goal is to prepare them to meet their responsibility and use their knowledge and guidance in the most influential way.