ABOUT US
About NCPS
The Northern California Psychiatric Society is organized as a 501(c)6 nonprofit corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of California. NCPS represents psychiatrists living and working in 18 counties in Northern California, stretching mid-state and along the western coastline from the North border to San Luis Obispo County.
ABOUT US
Our Mission
To advance the quality and effectiveness of psychiatric care through advocacy, professional education and camaraderie. The Northern California Psychiatric Society (NCPS) is a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
The objectives and services of the Society are aimed at:
- Improving the treatment, rehabilitation, and care of the mentally ill, the developmentally disabled and the emotionally disturbed
- Promoting research, professional education in psychiatry and allied fields, and the prevention of psychiatric disabilities
- Advancing the standards of all psychiatric services and facilities
- Fostering the cooperation of all who are concerned with the medical, psychological, social and legal aspects of mental health and illness
- Making psychiatric knowledge available to other practitioners of medicine, to scientists in other fields of knowledge, and to the public
- Promoting the best interests of patients and users of mental health services
- Providing education and support to members of the Northern California Psychiatric Society
ABOUT US
Our History
The Northern California Psychiatric Society (NCPS) began in November 1953 and was formally named in May 1954, but the roots of the organization begin prior to World War II in 1939. At that time, the neurologists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists of the San Francisco Bay Area organized the Northern California Society of Neurology and Psychiatry. In its early days the society was dominated by the specialties of neurology and neurosurgery. When World War II started, the society discontinued until after the war.
When the society reconvened in 1946, there was a dramatic change in membership. The war had brought a large number of psychiatrists to the area and Stanford and the University of California, San Francisco had started psychiatric training programs. The focus of meetings changed to an emphasis on psychiatry and the presidents of the society tended to be psychiatrists. At this time, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) was encouraging psychiatric societies across the country to organize as District Branches of APA. By 1953, the formation of a district branch was eminent. When all the psychiatrists listed in the APA directory were contacted and queried about their interest in becoming a member of a district branch, the majority voted in favor. On November 18, 1953, Dr. Bernard Diamond met with an interim committee at the Officers Club in the Presidio to write a constitution. Dr. Bernard Diamond became the first president of NCPS, with Dr. William Bellamy as vice-president after the society’s application to the APA Assembly meeting was approved.
In its 72 years, NCPS can look back on many accomplishments, being at the forefront of mental health and medical matters in many areas. NCPS and its members have played a prominent role in APA and other medical organizations, demonstrating leadership and innovative thinking. In the past 72 years, psychiatry has gained recognition as a medical discipline in San Francisco and nationwide. Today, psychiatry speaks with an eloquent voice and is heard more than ever. It is a safe prediction that NCPS will continue to help shape psychiatry.