Message from the President

Since The Reitan Society was founded in or about 1993 by Drs. Gensemer and Raymond, our organization has played a prominent role in promoting responsible scientific neuropsychological practice through the use of the Halstead-Reitan Battery. The presence and influence of our organization in the professional neuropsychological community throughout North America at the present time is, arguably, more important than ever before.

Consumers of neuropsychological services, including court systems, have become much more sophisticated in appreciating the qualities necessary for valid neuropsychological evaluation. Many have come to appreciate (as noted by Dr. Ralph M. Reitan on several occasions) that the HRB is the only battery that yields validated conclusions in respect to impairment of brain function among individuals. The Reitan Society has been, and will continue to be, a guiding light as our profession struggles to come to grips with the growing expectation that neurodiagnostic activities be based on sound scientific practice.

Our Postgraduate Seminar in June of 2004 was a resounding success with over fifty people in attendance. Dr. Jim Hom inspired us with clinical studies of several forensic cases, Dr. Tony Semone took us into the fascinating neuropsychological world of criminal homicide, and Dr. Joe Reed presented and discussed criteria for admissibility of neuropsychological evidence in court and the characteristics of the HRB that fulfill these criteria. A definite highlight of the program was Dr. Reitan's comprehensive presentation of the many clinical advantages of the HRB.

This year's Seminar on June 24 and 25, again at the Westward Look Resort in Tucson, Arizona, has shaped up to be at least as stimulating and useful clinically as last year's program. The Seminar will address practical clinical issues relating to emotion, autism, symptom validity and scientific practice through presentations by a number of highly experienced and knowledgeable neuropsychological practitioners and research scientists: Drs. Reitan, Wolfson, Dodrill, Russell, Goldstein and Ranks. In addition, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Joe Reed has agreed to deliver the keynote address at our banquet dealing with education of the courts in respect to HRB results as hard science.

I would like to congratulate Drs. Wolfson and Semone who received unanimous Board approval at our 2004 meeting for the positions of President Elect and Treasurer, respectively. I also wish to thank Dr. Prouty for her good work as our Treasurer over many years, and Drs. Leifer, Moore and Trautman who kindly accepted nominations to remain on the Executive Board for another term. In addition, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the helpful advice and considerable assistance of the Chair of the Program Committee, Dr. Ira Gensemer, in developing the 2005 Seminar program.

As I began my first year in office as President of The Reitan Society, Dr. Jose Vega assumed the position of Past President. I wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Vega for all of his work and initiatives over his two-year term as President of the Society, as well as for his input and advice over the past year.

I am truly honoured to have the opportunity to provide leadership in an organization that is playing such an integral, positive role in the development of the profession of clinical neuropsychology. Please join me and other members of The Reitan Society as we come together as friends and colleagues to share clinical knowledge and expertise at our 9th Annual Postgraduate Seminar.

James E. Sweeney, Ph.D.

Become a Member or Renew Your Membership

To join the Reitan Society, send $50 ($5 students) to Aileen Lee, Ph.D., 235 Rim Shadows Drive, Sedona, AZ 86336, email: alee@kachina.net, tel: (520) 203-1774. Or please visit the Membership page of this site, where you can download a membership application.