Article archive / April 1, 2010
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 1, 3.
Dr. Paul Dammers has been “reappointed” to the Psychology Board, after having resigned in September last year, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. Dr. Dammers resigned September 4th amid controversy concerning Act 251 and medical psychologists’ dual positions in psychology and medicine.
According to the press release dated March 18th, “Dammers was nominated for reappointment by the Louisiana Psychological Association, as required by statute.”
However, results of the duly conducted election in November produced a list of names that were then submitted to the Governor for his selection. Dr. Dammers’ was not on that list. The results of the election, conducted jointly by LPA and LSBEP, resulted in six individuals being ranked as follows: Dr. John Simoneaux, Dr. Lee Matthews, Dr. Rita Culross, Dr. Tony Young, Dr. Gary Jones, and Dr. Glen Ahava.
Dr. Dammers’ reappointment appears to have come as a surprise to the executive directors of both LPA and LSBEP.
LPA Executive Director, Ms. Gail Lowe, told the Times that she received notice on Friday, March 19th by email and was surprised by the announcement. She said, “Dr. Dammers’ name was not on the list we sent to the governor’s office. The press release must be an error,” she said, “because LPA did not nominate Dr. Dammers for reappointment.”
Responding to questions from the Times, LSBEP Executive Director, Ms. Jamie Monic, noted that, “Dr. Dammers presented his resignation to the LSBEP on September 4, 2009 and agreed to serve until his seat was filled. That resignation, along with Dr. Ally’s, was faxed from this office to the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions on September 14, 2009. Beyond these types of communications, the LSBEP does not have any say or influence regarding board appointments or their authority to hold or continue to hold a seat. This is all handled by the Office of Boards and Commissions.”
She continued, “I was able to confirm with Dr. Dammers, upon his return from vacation yesterday [March 29th], that he did rescind his resignation directly with the Office of Boards and Commissions, but our office does not have details regarding that communication.”
Dr. Dammers’ reappointment falls in the midst of controversy about the passage of Act 251 by the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP) and the Louisiana State Medical Board. At the time Act 251 was passed, without involvement of APA or LPA, the composition of the LSBEP was homogeneous, all MPs or MPs in training. This led some to question the objectivity of the board. Additionally, MPs no longer have to be licensed by the psychology board, and this caused questions about the appropriateness of those same people to sit on the psychology board.
The election in November produced a diverse group of psychologists, and the expectation in some for a more balanced, heterogeneous board once all appointments had been made for 2010. With Dr. Dammers’ reappointment,
the board will continue to have a majority with the MP designation.
It is unclear whether a resignation can be rescinded. According to RS 37:2353, “All appointments shall be from a list provided by the Louisiana Psychological Association.” Additionally, the statute indicates that, “A board member shall not be eligible to succeed himself.” There is no mention in the law about rescinding resignations.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.