MURIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
October 10, 2024
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 203 of the District of Columbia Health
Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code § 3-
1202.03), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Dr. Bernard Arons
27th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
(Ward 3)
for appointment as a physician licensed to practice in the District member of the Board of Medicine,
filling a vacant seat formerly held by Dr. Aeva Gaymon-Doomes, for the remainder of an unexpired
term to end August 3, 2025.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-mentioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel Bowser
Mayor
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Chairman Phil Mendelson
3 at the request of the Mayor
4
5
6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
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10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
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15 To confirm the appointment of Dr. Bernard Arons to the Board of Medicine.
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17 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, that this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Board of Medicine Dr. Bernard Arons Confirmation Resolution
19 of 2024".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
21
22 Dr. Bernard Arons
23 27th Street, NW
24 Washington DC 20008
25 (Ward 3)
26
27 as a physician licensed to practice in the District member of the Board of Medicine, established
28 by section 203 of the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985, effective
29 March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-99; D.C. Official Code§ 3-1202.03), filling a vacant seat formerly
30 held by Dr. Aeva Gaymon-Doomes, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end August 3,
31 2025.
32 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
33 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
34 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
 CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: ARONS, Bernard Sol, M.D.
Title: Behavioral Health Medical Director
Amerigroup District of Columbia Health
Plan
EDUCATION
Oberlin College, A.B., 1969, Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude (Major:
Religion)
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, M.D., 1973
Other PRESENT POSITIONS
Psychiatric Consultant, 2016 to present
Clinical Professor, Georgetown University School of Medicine.
Clinical Professor, George Washington University School of Medicine
OTHER TRAINING and EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Psychiatric Residency, Administration and Management, Performance
Appraisal and Work Force Discipline, Legislative Operations, Community
Psychiatry, Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry, Individual, Family, Child, and
Group Psychotherapy, Existential Psychiatry, Law and Psychiatry, Hypnosis,
Psychiatric Education, Undergraduate and Post-Graduate
PAST EXPERIENCE
2017 Clinical Professor
Staff Psychiatrist
Colonial Health Clinic
George Washington University
Psychiatrist for Assertive Community
Treatment (ACT) Team 4
Community Connections of DC
Psychiatrist for Assertive Community
Treatment (ACT) Team and Outpatient Clinic
Anchor Mental Health Association of
Catholic Charities, DC
2016-2017 Chief Medical Officer and Staff Psychiatrist
Green Door Behavioral Health
Provided leadership to medical staff including psychiatrists,
psychiatric residents, nurse practitioners, and nurses.
Served as psychiatrist for three Assertive Community
Treatment (ACT) teams providing treatment for over 300
patients. Medication management for clinic patients.
2012-2016 Physician Member, District of Columbia Board of
Medicine
2008-2016
Director, Office of Medical Affairs, and Deputy Chief
Executive Officer for Medical Affairs, Saint
Elizabeths Hospital, Department of Mental Health,
Government of the District of Columbia, 2008 to 2016
Responsible for all general medical and psychiatric
services, nutrition, pharmacy, laboratory, infection control,
psychiatric residency program, dental services, dental
residency program, physical therapy
2004-2008 Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, The
National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.
(NDRI), which advances scientific knowledge in the areas of substance
abuse, mental health, HIV/AIDS, and other related social and health
concerns in order to contribute to the prevention and solution of these
problems.
2002-2004 SeniorScience Advisorto theDirector, National
 Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health,
Department of Health and Human Services, United States
Government
1993-2002
Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration, DHHS, US
Government - responsible for Federal leadership in the
treatment and prevention of mental disorders.
Approximately 130 staff, $850 million in grant activity.
2002-2006 Psychiatrist, Woodley House Behavioral Health Care
Clinic, Inc.
1992-2002 ist, Center for Mental Health, Inc., formerly,
the D.C. Institute for Mental Health.
1986-1993
Division of Epidemiology and Services Research, National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Responsible for
analyzing, coordinating, and developing NIMH policy on
financing mental health care. Served as principal advisor
to the Director, NIMH, on policy regarding financing mental
health services. Served as liaison with other Federal, state,
and local agencies as well as academic institutions on
areas of mental health financing and economics.
February 1993 - Served as Advisor on Mental Health Issues to Tipper
Gore, Office of
August 1993 the Vice President and Chair, Mental Health and
Substance Abuse Working Group for the President's Task
Force on National Health Reform. Involved in all aspects of
developing, advising, and implementing the Clinton-Gore
Administration's positions on mental health.
1990-1992 Branch Chief, Systems Development and Community
Support Branch, Division of Applied and Services Research,
NIMH. Responsible for all State mental health planning
efforts, human resource development program, alcohol,
drug, and mental health block grant technical assistance
for mental health, community support, protection and
advocacy, and all related grants and research
demonstration programs. Responsible for $36 million in
grants and contracts and providing policy advice on $251
million in mental health block grant funds.
1989 Legislative Fellow, Selective Congressional
fellowship for high level Federal Government managers
and scientists to experience the legislative process.
Legislative assistant to Congressman Pete Stark, D-CA,
Chair of the Health Subcommittee of the House Ways and
Means Committee. Responsible for drafting legislation,
speeches, press releases, communicating with the public
and constituents, advising other aides, etc. on drug abuse,
medication pricing, sunglass standards, insurance
coverage, and other issues.
1985-1986 Chief Clinical Advisor, Saint Elizabeths Hospital
(SEH), Senior Executive Service-level position for this
health system with over $120 million budget. Provided
leadership, guidance, and supervision to medical, nursing,
psychology, and social work staffs; advised and
recommended changes in care and treatment, research
activities, and professional development; oversaw
development and implementation of clinical policies and
procedures; directed quality assurance program,
deinstitutionalization plan, patient advocacy program;
maintained liaison with other government agencies,
hospitals, universities, research centers, and local
organizations.
1984-1985 Medi fficer, District of imbia Mental
Health System Reorganization Office: Directed the
development of a plan for a unified, integrated,
comprehensive mental health system for the District of
Columbia with special emphasis on adult services and
research.
1980-1985 Director, Dixon Implementation int
Elizabeths Hospital: Directed the review and analysis of
the commitments made by the Hospital in theDixonv.
Bowen Final Implementation Plan, the major clinical care
and deinstitutionalization plan for the Hospital.
Recommended new and revised hospital policies and
programs to ensure Hospital commitment to the Plan.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the Hospital programs and
policies related to the Plan. Evaluated Hospital
commitment to the Plan and recommended increase
commitment and flexibility to better address patient needs.
Advised key management officials on impact of proposed
and changed programs related to the Plan. Worked with
 the Financial Management Officer on budget projections;
consulted with Hospital officials on services contracts
requiring integration of personnel regulations and other
requirements; coordinated with the Office of Quality
Assurance to ensure policies consistent with governing
Federal policies and regulations. Met with internal and
external groups concerning short- and long-range planning
and other matters. External contacts included the Mental
Health Law Project; the Dixon Implementation Monitoring
Committee; D.C. Department of Health and Human
Services; Office of the Mayor, D.C.; judicial officials,
community mental health organizations, and others.
Also included Clinical Studies and Support Section doing
research on homelessness, community attitudes toward
persons with mental illness, staff attitudes, and other
topics.
1984-1985 Medical Director, Godding/Noyes Division
Saint Elizabeths Hospital: Served as Medical Director of
adult clinical service with 300 inpatients, 300 outpatients,
and 30 admissions monthly. Supervised I2 psychiatrists, 4
general medical physicians, two health technicians, and
support clerical staff. Resolved clinical conflicts and
spearheaded planning and direction. Served as
Administrative Director in absence of Division Director.
1983-1986 Faculty Member: Supervised and administered the
program for the training of psychiatric residents in
intensive psychodynamic psychotherapy and supervised
medical students on third-year clinical clerkships rotation.
1983-1984 Saint Elizabeths Hospital representative to ADAMHA
Administrator's Executive Working Group. Member, SEH
Policy and Planning Team.
1976-1984 Clinical Psychiatrist: Psychotherapist for group of
6-10 long-term intensive treatment psychiatric patients
twice weekly.
1979-1982 Chief,MedicalStudent Program: Coordinated all
medical student education at Saint Elizabeths Hospital
including Georgetown, George Washington, and Howard
University School of Medicine.
1976-1979 Director of Course in Basic Psychiatry: Taught
 an 18-week course to first-year residents on
psychopathology, treatment, psychopharmacology, drug
abuse, crisis intervention, ward psychiatry, etc., to
facilitate a solid foundation for psychiatric training.
1976-1979 Coordinator
ofWardCaseConference:
Discussant at weekly case presentation with interview of a
patient from the training unit at Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
Participant-trainees included social workers, social work
students, residents, medical students, nurses, nursing
assistants, psychologists, psychiatrists, and others.
1976-1979 Ward Administrator: Responsible for a 22-bed
coeducational admission unit with about 60 outpatients.
Unit was the training experience for first, second, third,
and fourth-year psychiatric residents, medical students,
clerks, social work students, and college volunteers. There
were staff meetings, community meetings, milieu therapy,
team meetings, psychodrama, occupational therapy,
recreational therapy, dance therapy, bibliotherapy, and
meetings to coordinate treatment with the Area A
Community Mental Health Center from which most of the
patients came.
1976-1979 Ward Rounds: General interviewing and discussion
of patients with students, staff, and special assigned
students.
Supervision: Six residents in administrative issues; one
advanced psychology intern in group therapy; four trainees
in ward psychiatry; one resident in teaching to Public
Defender Service; others mentioned above; 3-4 medical
students on third-year clerkships; second-year medical
students for interviewing course (number varied yearly).
1976-1981 Community ConsultationCourse: Didactic teaching,
readings with discussion, and group supervision of
residents providing mental health consultation in
community facilities such as schools, visiting nurse groups,
programs for elderly, etc.
C font i 6 . its:
1976-1981
Administered programs, organization of seminars, and
direct supervision of second-year psychiatric residents and
third-year medical students on this rotation providing
psychiatric consultation and liaison services to George
 Washington University Hospital, Georgetown University
Hospital, and D.C. General Hospital.
1980 Special Assistant to the Superintendent for
Accreditation Preparedness in clinical areas.
1975-1976 sultant, NewEt tional Project, Washington,
D.C. Advised on psychological issues in students, group
dynamic issues in students and staff.
1974-1975 Consultant, Intensive Care Unit, George Washington
University Hospital. Advised on psychological aspects of
serious physical illness; staff reactions and stress on an
1.C.U, Unit.
1974-1975 sultant, Public Defender Service, Mental Health
Division, Saint Elizabeths Hospital.
1969-1973 Cleveland Free Clinic. Increasing responsibility under
supervision as a medical student in internal medicine,
pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and psychiatry
(counseling of individuals and groups).
p Family Clinic P C:
1972-1973
Reserve University School of Medicine. As senior medical
student, worked with senior faculty as a preceptorof a
group of first-year students with focus on clinical and social
issues.
1972 HarvardCommunity HealthPlan. Special
clerkship in community medicine, peer review, and record-
keeping systems. Used computerized records to create a
method of peer review for physicians in internal medicine.
1969 Mount Sinai Hospital and School of Medicine,
New York City. Special Clerkship in community medicine,
especially focusing on problems of heroin addiction, death
and dying.
1969-1970 Medical Advisor, Cleveland West Side Child Care
Center.
1965-1973 Many student government committees in college and
medical school.
1968 Volunteer, Archeological Excavation, Tel Gezer,
 Israel
1965-1969 OberlinCollegeHealthPlanBoard. Revised entire
health services to become a prepaid health plan with
individual choice of physicians, and coordinated with local
health clinics.
LICENSES
District of Columbia - 1974-Present
New York State - 2001-Present (inactive status)
Idaho - 2002 - Present
Board Certified, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, October 1977
Diplomat, National Board of Medical Examiners, 1974
HONORS
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary's Award for
Distinguished
Service for the Development of Mental Health: Culture, Race and
Ethnicity, 2002
Certificate of Appreciation, Woodley House, 2002
Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service, U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, for Improvement of lives of persons with disabilities,
2002
The Mental Health Association in New York State, Inc., 2001 President's
Award
Induction into the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame, Cleveland Heights
University, City School District, 2001
Plaque of Appreciation, Alternatives 2001, National Mental Health
Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse, 2001
The Surgeon General's Medallion, 2001
2000 Secretary's Award for Distinguished Service as part of