Branko Radulovacki

Branko Radulovacki M.D., known professionally as Dr. Rad, is a practicing physician and 2014 Democratic candidate for the United States Senate from Georgia.^[1]

Early life and education

Radulovacki was born in Belgrade, the capital city of the former Yugoslavia, in 1962. At age 4, his family moved to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where he learned English as a second language. In 1970, at age 7, he and his family immigrated to the United States where he became a naturalized citizen.^[2] He attended public school (3rd -12th grade) in Evanston, IL, a suburb of Chicago. His non-academic pursuits included scouting, ice hockey, Medical Explorers club, and varsity tennis at Evanston Township High School.

He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and Russian studies in 1984 from Amherst College,^[2] where he continued to play competitive tennis (1980-1982), was voted Chi Psi fraternity president (1982-1983), and was elected to campus-wide office (1983-1984). In 1988, he earned an MBA in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago. Two years later, he enrolled in Loyola University’s post-baccalaureate program, accumulating sufficient science credits to enter medical school at the University of Illinois in 1992. Upon completion of medical school in 1996, he earned the David Mortimer Olkon scholarship, was awarded membership in AOA (a medical honor society), and was named a Dr. C.M.Craig Fellow. Dr. Rad completed a psychiatry residency at Yale University in June 2000.^[3][4]

Professional career

Prior to entering the field of medicine, Dr. Rad’s professional experience in business and finance included investment banking (Brown Bros. Harriman and Co 1984-1985, Morgan Stanley 1987), fundraising (the Alzheimer's Association 1986), and sub-contracted market research (Booz-Allen Consulting 1995-1996).

After completing his medical residency at Yale University, he moved to Atlanta to open a private practice at the Ridgeview Institute as a board-certified psychiatrist. For nine years, he served as Ridgeview’s Director of Partial Hospitalization, treating inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, addictions or dual diagnoses.^[5]

In 2003, he joined the Professional Advisory Board of Skyland Trail, a mental health care facility in Atlanta, GA. In 2008, he was named co-Chair of the Professional Advisory Board.^[5]

In 2007, he joined the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association (GPPA).^[6]

In 2009, he earned a second board-certification in addiction medicine.^[7]

He opened a solo practice in Vinings, Georgia in 2009, establishing a successful small business in its first year. He currently sees a limited number of outpatients and serves as a clinical consultant to Atlanta’s Lazarus Ministries, LifeGate Counseling, and Penfield Christian Homes.^[3]

Mental health advocacy

In 2007, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an investigative series into 115 patient deaths under suspicious circumstances in Georgia’s state-run psychiatric hospitals.^[8] In response, Dr. Rad wrote an op-ed for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in which he said:

People often imagine a wall of separation between those who are mentally ill and those who aren't. This imaginary wall makes those who are healthy feel immune to the threat of mental illness. But, in fact, no such wall exists. Mental illness is a great equalizer. It strikes both rich and poor, white and black, young and old. From large cities like Atlanta to small towns like Thomaston, mental illness is everywhere.

As long as Georgians believe the mental health crisis is really someone else's problem, our elected leaders will be free from constituent pressure to fix it. Free to reallocate funds set aside for mental health care. Free to ignore gaping holes in our collective safety net.

So what can we do? Today, each of us can choose to be an everyday hero -- like Nehemiah -- and help those with mental illness. It's a moral call for me. I urge you to make it yours, as well.^[9]

That same year, “recognizing the need to galvanize a meaningful response to the Georgia’s state mental health crisis,” he launched FaithWorks, an interfaith volunteer effort to “build bridges between faith communities, mental health advocates, and those struggling with the effects of mental illness or addiction.^[10] FaithWorks organized and sponsored annual Mental Health Conferences featuring renowned experts, advocates, service providers, and family members of those with mental illnesses addressing urgent issues in mental health care. These nondenominational events were hosted by Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Temple Sinai, and Trinity Presbyterian Church.^[11]

In 2008, Georgia’s Governor and the Department of Human Resources expressed interest in privatizing the state’s psychiatric hospitals.^[12] In response, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an opinion by Dr. Radulovacki saying privatization would worsen the state’s mental health crisis:

Before going into medicine, I earned an MBA and worked to maximize profits for several different companies. I believe in the free market system. But for-profit companies aren’t the answer to our state’s mental health crisis.

Here’s why: A for-profit company puts profitability, rather than high quality patient care, atop its list of priorities. This undermines the goal of providing innovative health care to the mentally ill.

In a free market system, for-profit companies succeed or fail based on their ability to provide what customers want. If enough customers refuse to do business with a company – because of poor quality products, or inferior customer service – market pressures force that company to respond.

But as “customers,” our state’s mentally ill do not have free market power. They are in desperate need of immediate care. They cannot choose to take their business elsewhere, or wait until the quality of service improves. They have no insurance, no money, and – without an ombudsman to help them – no voice and no options.

They must rely on the state to provide the care they need.^[13]

In early 2009, Georgia dropped its plan to privatize its mental health system.

In 2010, Dr. Rad led a team in founding CHIP (Community Health Interfaith Partnership), a model partnership between mental health care providers, community-based primary care physicians, and faith communities. In his volunteer role as the organization’s first president/CEO, he guided the nonprofit organization from concept to reality.

2014 US Senate race

Dr. Rad declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, representing the state of Georgia, in June 2013.^[1] He and his fellow candidates in the Democratic Primary are all political newcomers. Early interviews have focused on his positions on health care (the Affordable Care Act), education, and immigration.^[14] In August 2013, following veterans’ suicides at the Atlanta VA Hospital, Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) called for field hearings.^[15] In response, the Albany Journal published an op-ed from Dr. Rad stating:

It is rare, in the current political climate, to find Republicans and Democrats agreeing on anything. However, I agree wholeheartedly with Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) that our veterans deserve ready access to quality mental health care. Since they’re not getting this care at Atlanta’s VA Hospital, Wednesday’s congressional hearing is worth the effort. Unfortunately, that hearing will not generate the response this crisis deserves unless we look beyond government spending and commit to building a community-based safety net for veterans in need of mental health care^[16]

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Awards and honors

Dr. Rad is a lifetime member of Alpha Omega Alpha, the medical honor society.

He has been voted a “Top Doc” by his professional colleagues six consecutive times (2007-2013)^[17] U.S. News & World Report named him a “Top Doc” (2012).^[18]

NAMI/National Alliance on Mental Illness twice named him an “Exemplary Psychiatrist” (2009, 2010).^[19]

MHA/Mental Health America named him a “Hero in the Fight” (2009).^[20]

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution featured him as a “Holiday Hero” (2010).^[21]

Personal life

Dr. Rad has a psychiatry practice in Vinings, a suburb north of Atlanta. He resides in midtown Atlanta with his wife, Susan, and two children, Katie (age 16) and Ryan (age 14). A former ALTA tennis city champion, he is now an avid runner who has completed seven marathons and three 50-mile ultramarathons.^[22] In 2011, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. Within a year, he was a cancer-free survivor.

He came to faith as an adult, was baptized and now worships at Northpoint Community Church. He has described the impact of his beliefs on his life: “My life's aim is service to others, in a spirit of compassion and humility.” When questioned via Twitter about the influence of faith on his role in the U.S. Senate, he responded, “I completely support separation of church & state."^[23]

Dr. Rad and his wife, Susan, have been married 22 years. A former advertising executive and University of Chicago MBA,^[24] she is the author of Pregnant with Hope: Good News for Infertile Couples.^[25] The book grew out of a non-denominational Bible study she created for infertile couples seeking help and hope.^[26] Susan is an active volunteer at the children’s school and an at-home mom.

References