Ayana Jordan, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, has been elected to serve on the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Board of Trustees as the Early Career Psychiatrist (ECP) Trustee-at-Large.
In this role, Jordan will assist the board in prioritizing ECP concerns for the Assembly and Council. She will represent ECP interests and be a voice for ECPs, and assume a fiduciary responsibility to the Association.
The term is for three years.
“Increasing involvement by ECPs within the APA is crucial in understanding psychiatry worldwide, and can also help practitioners gain perspective and appreciate the nuances and similarities of how psychiatry is viewed from a different lens,” Jordan said. “This is undoubtedly a challenging task, but for me, I see this as a priority in my career, at this present time. Being a member of the board as the ECP representative is not just an extreme honor, but will lead me all the more earnestly to furthering my contribution to increased ECP participation.”
Jordan joined the APA in 2013 and has been actively involved. She has been an American Psychiatric Leadership Fellow and an APA/SAMHSA Substance Abuse Fellow. She was a member of the Communications Council for two years, and helped to re-brand and improve the design of the APA website. She also received the APA Resident Recognition Award, given to exceptional residents who demonstrate leadership and embody the values of the APA.
Being a member of the board as the ECP representative is not just an extreme honor, but will lead me all the more earnestly to furthering my contribution to increased ECP participation.
Ayana Jordan, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
At Yale, Jordan conducts health disparities research in substance use disorders and teaches medical students and residents. She leads the Faith-based Response to the Opioid Crisis Committee, which is empowering faith communities in cities across Connecticut to decrease substance use and increase access to treatment.
Jordan said she looks forward to working with ECPs nationwide to prioritize issues they feel must be addressed on a national level.
"I am very passionate about elevating my work within the APA, and hope to use my talent in the role of ECP representative to take action and push psychiatry to the forefront of medicine through networking, collaboration and technological innovation,” she said