WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the close of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Annual Meeting on May 9 in New York, James (Bob) R. Batterson, M.D., assumed the role of Speaker of the APA Assembly of District Branches.Batterson is a board-certified psychiatrist in Kansas City, Missouri, working at Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics and Associate Professor at the University of Missouri.He completed medical school at the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Medicine, residency at the Medical University of South Carolina and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Emma P. Bradley Hospital in Providence, R.I.Batterson has been a member of the APA Assembly since 1999 serving in various capacities, including Area 4 Deputy Representative, Area 4 Representative and Assembly Recorder. He also previously served as President of the Missouri Psychiatric Association.“The Assembly of the APA is where member issues are brought to light which helps the APA be responsive and member-focused, and I hope to make that process as efficient and effective as possible,” Batterson said. “The APA has a great resource in the Assembly and I hope to strengthen awareness of what we can do.”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