I am a hospital and community psychiatrist in Vernon, British Columbia, serving the whole of the North Okanagan. I have a particular interest in treating those with complex mental illnesses, including those suffering from treatment resistant psychosis, mood disorders and addiction. I have served as head of department for two terms and continue to be involved in a number of committees locally.My primary focus has been on the development of integrated accessible and appropriate mental health services. Our team started in Vernon initially and later extended across the region with outreach to the Salmon Arm and Revelstoke communities. It has been helpful to work with a great team. I have been a member of the executive of BCPA for many years. As President (2001-2003) I approached the province's division of the CMHA and the Schizophrenia Society to help form the fledgling BC Alliance on Mental Health/Illness and Addiction which has now grown to over 21 member organizations. I served as Vice Chair from 2005-2010.The BC Alliance requested the BC government establish a fund to develop innovative public programs. The response was to provide $10 million to the Community Action Initiative (CAI), a partnership of First Nations, business groups and BC Alliance members. I continued to be involved with this project as the Chair of the BCPA Social and Legislative Committee and a member of the CAI Board until 2011.I became involved with the Canadian Psychiatric Association serving two terms on the Council of Provinces and becoming President in 2011. Serving on the executive has provided the opportunity to understand and work towards better mental health services nationally and to advocate for those services that have a federal jurisdiction including the mental health needs of our military and their families.I have been interested in the need to teach medical students at the Okanagan branch of UBC and have been a clinical assistant professor.