John MacLeod has completed his three-year term as chair of the Committee on Non-Medical Clinical Training (CNMCT). Phyllis Tyson has been appointed new chair.
During Dr. MacLeod's tenure, important changes in the membership of The American began, as increasing numbers of nonmedical applicants requested full clinical training. The committee reviewed the waiver process of the institutes of The American to insure proper evaluation of applicants and the maintenance of standards. Based on the success of this process, the membership of The American overwhelmingly approved the recent bylaw amendment to allow acceptance without need of a waiver for applicants with a doctorate in psychology, social work, or medical science.
“I found it a challenge,” MacLeod observed. “Over one hundred applications were reviewed and processed.” He also praised CNMCT: “Working with the committee was a great pleasure. They were very dedicated and savvy psychoanalysts, who were helpful to the association in insuring the the selection of well-qualified applicants and to the institutes in conveying overall policy.”
Marvin Margolis, chair of the Board on Professional Standards, who has worked closely with MacLeod, had the following to say: “Dr. MacLeod deserves our deep gratitude for his leadership as chairman of CNMCT during the difficult years of our ultimately successful experiment with nonmedical applicants. The careful selection of the initial group of candidates has set a high standard that the local institutes are prepared to follow in their now autonomous selection of doctoral level nonmedical candidates. Under Dr. MacLeod's chairmanship, sound criteria have also been established for the continued evaluation by CNMCT of waiver applications for MSW level and other qualified nonmedical applicants.”
With the approval of the bylaw amendment, MacLeod felt it was an appropriate time to step down. Under his successor, Dr. Tyson, CNMCT will continue to evaluate the waiver process for nonmedical, nondoctoral applicants and plans increased outreach to assist institutes in preparing these applications. With a wealth of experience behind them, the members of CNMCT will offer help to institutes with little experience in evaluating nonmedical applicants.