SFCP Graduation 2012

With boxes of books (ready for the move) hidden away, and fresh flowers decorating the space, the last graduation to be held at 2340 Jackson Street was a lively, upbeat celebration.

Four analyst graduates were introduced and awarded diplomas by Mary Margaret McClure who reported their accomplishments, their thoughts about training and their plans for the future – analytic and personal. Our new graduate analyst members are: Diana Fuery, Ph.D.; Amy Handler-Caldarola, M.F.T.; Israel Katz, M.D.; and Celeste Schneider, Ph.D. You can learn more about each of them, in their own words, in our May SFCP newsletter.

One PAPPTP graduate was celebrated but could not be present. She is Shamala Kanchan, M.D., a psychiatrist in private practice in Los Altos.

The graduation speech by Marcia Dillon, M.D., entitled “A Personal Perspective” offered the graduates and graduation guests a fascinating personal and organizational account of Marcia’s career as a child and adult psychiatrist, an analytic candidate, a psychoanalyst in private practice and a devoted teacher, administrator and important friend to SFPI&S and SFCP. Beginning her candidacy in 1976 and becoming the first female president of SFPI&S in 1992, Marcia experienced important aspects of our history first hand. Her description of the history of psychoanalysis locally as well as nationally was a rich reminder of our legacy. Her speech can be found now in the SFCP library in the archival section. It will also be printed in the September newsletter.

Two special faculty members who are leaving their current roles were celebrated at graduation too. Lisa Buchberg, D.M.H., who had been MC for graduation for the previous 8 years and has been Curriculum Committee Chair for the past 5 years was acknowledged for her intellect, humor and huge conceptual and practical contributions to the analytic curriculum. Mary Margaret McClure, D.M.H., concludes five years as the first Psychoanalytic Education Division Chair at the end of June. Her grace, vigor and determination as a leader were recognized. She has been tireless in her efforts to insure the highest educational standards at the same time she has worked to promote more flexible access to personal analysis for candidates, greater access to teaching for faculty, greater access to classes for prospective candidates and a number of related initiatives that have promoted a future-oriented vision of analytic training and the mission of SFCP.

The graduates were honored at the Graduation Dinner which followed at Servino Ristorante in Tiburon. The weather was perfect, the views were stunning, the service and food were outstanding and everyone who came had a great time. We hope to return next year and look forward, in the meantime, to enjoying the company and contributions of our new graduate analysts in our new home at 444 Natoma Street.