Representative to APA's Assembly Committee of Representatives of Subspecialties and Sections (ACROSS)
The Academy provides a single representative to the American Psychiatric Association's Assembly Committee of Representatives of Subspecialties and Sections (ACROSS). This individual plays a key role representing the Academy's interests within the Assembly, sometimes submitting action papers or resolutions on behalf of the Academy and frequently reporting back to the Board on developments that relate to or impact issues connected with Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.
The appointment is a three-year term commencing at the conclusion of the APA's 2026 annual meeting. The selected candidate will be eligible for a second, 3-year term, for a maximum service of six years. The incumbent, Michael Peterson, MD, FACLP, has served two terms and is not eligible for reappointment.
Eligibility
Due to the challenging requirements of the position and policy issues involved, the Board of Directors has determined that only Academy Fellows in good standing are eligible candidates to apply for this role. The application deadline is March 20; the nominations process is detailed below.
Application Process
Nominations will only be accepted online via this application process and must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on Friday, March 20th, 2026. The deadline will not be extended, and nominations submitted via other means will not be accepted.
NEW FOR 2026: Only self-nominations will be accepted; if you know someone who may be a good fit for this important role, please encourage them to apply.
The application will include the following sections:
- Describe your past or present involvement with the APA, including volunteer positions. Comment on experience with ACROSS, if any. Indicate knowledge and experience of the APA's governance structure.
- Explain why you wish to serve in this role and what contributions you can make if selected. This explanation may be strengthened by referring to experience and contributions outside the Academy that would make a candidate particularly qualified for service to the ACROSS.
- A summary of your volunteer history and service with the Academy.
- A statement agreeing to personally attend in full all ACROSS meetings.
What does service as ACLP's representative to the APA's ACROSS involve?
ACROSS meets twice a year, in November, in Washington, DC, and at the APA Annual Meeting each spring. Expenses to attend the fall meeting in Washington will be paid by ACLP, while expenses to attend the APA Annual Meeting, as a member of APA, are not reimbursed by APA or ACLP. Our representative is also encouraged to attend their Area meeting, which usually takes place approximately one month prior to the Assembly meeting (expenses not covered by the APA or ACLP).
Meeting with the Academy Board at the annual meeting, usually on the Wednesday afternoon preceding the first day of the annual meeting, for about 30-45 mins. A written report is requested twice a year: in the spring, in advance of the board's spring meeting; and in the fall, prior to the annual meeting.
What kind of work is expected of the person occupying this role?
Our ACROSS representative is expected to attend all Assembly Plenary sessions and be prepared to participate in discussions of action papers that come to the floor, particularly if they are relevant to C-L Psychiatry. The ACROSS chair will assign interested members to various committees, such as the Reference Committee, Rules Committee, Procedures Committee, etc. Our representative may be asked to attend a Reference Committee to discuss an action paper relevant to C-L Psychiatry, or develop and write action papers that are relevant to C-L Psychiatry. This will be done in collaboration with and/or at the direction of the ACLP Board.
Process & Notifications
March 20: Call for nominations closes
March -April : Nominating Committee reviews candidates, selects and recommends to the Board a single nominee for each role for endorsement
May: ACLP Board ratifies nominee
June: All candidates notified