Howard Maziar Fund for Innovation in Leadership

In April 2021, GPPA's incomparable Dr. Howard Maziar turned 75 years old. To mark the occasion, his wife, Patty, and son, Michael, approached the GPPA Foundation about creating a dedicated fund within the foundation in Dr. Maziar's name to support and encourage the next generation of GPPA's leaders. This fund – the Howard Maziar Fund for Innovation in Leadership – will work to identify Georgia's up and coming leaders in the field and to provide opportunities to invest in the future psychiatrists of Georgia.

Howard Maziar, MD

Dr. Maziar is a longstanding pillar for the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association, the field of psychiatry and the patients he has served. His leadership, wisdom, compassion and mentorship have been invaluable to the GPPA. Dr. Maziar has served GPPA and its members in virtually every capacity–President, Board of Trustee Member, American Psychiatric Association Assembly Representative, GPPA Political Action Committee Founder and Co-Chair, GPPA Foundation Co-Chair, GPPA Delegate to the Medical Association of Georgia House of Delegates, and the list goes on. In 2008 he was a member of the inaugural class of the Medical Association of Georgia’s Georgia Physician Leadership Academy whose purpose is “to develop physician leaders who will enhance the medical profession and the health care system and the quality of life in the state.” In 2009 he was selected by GPPA members as the “Psychiatrist of the Year” which “recognizes Georgia psychiatrists for exceptional contributions to their patients, profession, and community.” In 2021 he was chosen by the then President of GPPA, Coleen McLemore, MD for the Distinguished Service Award, the award "honors individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment serving the mental health community” and “made committed contributions to resolve issues facing those with mental illness.” In presenting the award she stated “I could count on Dr. Maziar to always be there with his smile and great sense of humor. I could hear the wisdom and guidance which comes with institutional history and experience. He always steers us to consider the values important to our members and patients.” His years of service in engaging in the political arena are notable as well, with his having made strong and lasting relationships with various state leaders across Georgia. Additional community activity includes Dr Maziar currently serving on the Board of the Center for Victims of Torture, Georgia Division as well as the Board of the Anti-Defamation League, Southeast Region.

A special area of interest for Dr Maziar has been fostering continued inclusion and leadership training of young psychiatrists entering the profession. In line with this interest and to commemorate his 75th birthday, in 2021 his wife and children created and seeded with a $5000 gift the “Howard Maziar Fund for Innovation in Leadership Training” within the GPPA Foundation. The goal of the Fund is to “identify and support future generations of GPPA leaders and find opportunities to stimulate, encourage, and support their interest in advocating for public policy that will ensure high-quality and equitable health care for patients with mental illness.” The fund has continued to grow and has been funding endeavors consistent with its goals. The contribution is tax deducible and may be made in honor or memory of an individual. The donor will receive confirmation of their donation.

Dr. Maziar embodies leadership in all ways, and GPPA, the American Psychiatric Association, the specialty of psychiatry, and the patients of Georgia are better for his service throughout the many years. We look forward to many more.