Debra W. Obeirne, MD, FASAM
Candidate for Regional Director
Region V - Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
Debra W. Obeirne, MD, FASAM received her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. She completed her psychiatry residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland. After residency, Dr. O’Beirne served as a Psychiatrist in the United States Army. She then practiced at two Veterans Administration Medical Centers, where she developed her interest in Addiction Medicine.
Dr. O’Beirne is presently the Medical Director for the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board in Fairfax, Virginia. She is board certified in Addiction Medicine. She is a Fellow of the American Society for Addiction Medicine (ASAM). She presently serves as President for the Virginia Society for Addiction Medicine (VaSAM) and as Acting Director for ASAM Region V. She has served on the planning committee for several conferences, including two ASAM national conferences and ten VaSAM state conferences.
Candidate Questionnaire Responses
1. What have been your greatest contributions to ASAM or to the field of addiction medicine over the last 10 years?
Providing leadership and promoting the growth of the Virginia chapter of ASAM; facilitating networking and relationships with other state chapters; and developing excellent Addiction Medicine educational programs.
2. How would your election to the ASAM Board of Directors benefit ASAM and the field of addiction medicine?
If elected, I would use my experience with the growing Virginia chapter to support and encourage the growth of Region V state chapters. I would like to develop a strong regional network and promote regional activities. Since my forte is educational programming, this would not only build a strong regional Addiction Medicine community, but also provide much needed Addiction Medicine education throughout the Region.