Canadian psychiatrists welcome new president Dr. Nachiketa Sinha
—Ottawa, ON, September 17, 2017—
Last night the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) welcomed Dr. Nachiketa Sinha as its new CPA President.
Dr. Sinha is a consultant-psychiatrist practicing in New Brunswick, as well as an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University. His clinical interests centre around providing equity in treatment and he is recognized nationally for his role in providing culturally appropriate care to the First Nations communities of New Brunswick.
“It is an honour and privilege to serve as CPA’s new president,” says Dr. Sinha. “As psychiatrists it is our responsibility to ensure we keep striving for timely and appropriate care for our patients. We are about patient-centered care and the Canadian Psychiatric Association is a leader in providing that vision and more awareness of mental health matters. I am proud that our members work tirelessly to become the voice of those who sometimes have no voice.”
A graduate of Karnatak University in Dharwad, India, Dr. Sinha received his training in psychiatry at Cambridge Deanery and worked at the Bedfordshire and Luton NHS Trust in the United Kingdom. He also has an executive MBA in healthcare from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business and is the author of an internationally recognized self-help book, Empowered and Strong.
Dr. Sinha was elected twice to the position of president of the New Brunswick Psychiatric Association (NBPA) in 2015-2016, and again in 2016-2017. Prior to his NBPA presidency, he was the association’s treasurer and played a significant role in revitalizing the association and making psychiatry a relevant voice in the province.
He remains active in initiating important changes to mental health delivery in New Brunswick and has a unique ability to bring stakeholders together for a common goal. He played an instrumental role in the introduction of Community Treatment Orders (CTOs) in New Brunswick.
“As psychiatrists, we have only one language: the language that speaks of patient care; only one religion: the religion that bows to the welfare of patients; and one race: the race that finds honour in fighting for the rights’ of our patients,” says Dr. Sinha.
Dr. Sinha is the past treasurer of the New Brunswick Medical Society and sits on the Executive Committee of the Canadian Psychiatric Association. He has been a sitting member of the CPA’s Board of Directors for the last three years. Dr. Sinha also sits on the board of the Foundation of the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and was chair of the CPA’s Council of Provinces.
The Canadian Psychiatric Association is the national voice for Canada’s 5,200 psychiatrists and more than 900 psychiatric residents. Founded in 1951, the CPA is dedicated to promoting an environment that fosters excellence in the provision of clinical care, education and research.
