IPA Bulletin

President's Message 
Life In Lorne

Edmond Chiu

This Australian summer gave IPA members a real taste of Aussie beach life in Lorne. Its magnificent beach, coastline and backdrop of rain-forested ranges complemented a scientifically very solid Regional Meeting. Outcome, as the theme, was thoroughly engaging due to the very high standard of presentation by many speakers who were brilliant in making a supposedly dry subject come to life. All speakers, whether presenting Plenary or Free papers did such excellent work that the rooms were well filled despite the outdoor attractions. For all this success, the accolade goes to David Ames and his team in Australia for giving IPA another very memorable meeting Downunder.

As at all IPA meetings the Board of Directors met to transact the business of IPA. At this meeting we were delighted to have the Board agree to the “line of succession” of officers. I relinquish my Presidency in September at Nice. Alistair Burns will assume the Presidency (his photo has more photogenic quality to adorn the front pages of this Bulletin). George Grossberg (USA) will be President-Elect, Mario Fioravanti (Italy) will continue as Secretary, Eric Caine (USA) will take on the challenge as our Treasurer. Barry Reisberg will retire from the Board and Executive as his term of Immediate Past President comes to a conclusion. We do thank Barry for his many years of contribution to IPA and recognize his dedication and commitment to the organization.

Some of the highlights of the Board Meeting included the acceptance of the Amaducci Memorial Award for lifetime contribution to Alzheimer’s Disease into the IPA Awards program to add to the IPA Research Awards in Psychogeriatrics. The Selection Committee met at Lorne and will complete its selection of the winner well before our congress in Nice where the first IPA/Amaducci Award will be presented. The generosity of Novartis in support of this Award is acknowledged.

Some of the work to fulfill IPA’s strategic plan continues to bring results. In addition to the successful Latin American Initiative, we have the Board’s commitment to advance the Southeast Asian Initiative (the catalyst will be the Regional Meeting in Hong Kong–October/November 2002).

Philippe Robert reported to the Board on the progress of the Nice Congress planning which is in excellent shape. He was able to speak to many Board members and others to refine the program. Members can be assured of another excellent IPA Congress in Nice. If you have not registered, get to it; otherwise you will regret not going!

Call for Participation by Nurses and Allied Disciplines
Part of my vision for IPA is to have the organization express in reality its genuine multidisciplinary nature. As nurses form a significant proportion of our member-ship, I encouraged an informal meeting of nurses attending the Lorne meeting to get together to think about how they, as a group, may participate more actively within the organization. The head nurse of my unit, Alice Cheung, generously undertook the task to organize this meeting. It is hoped that during the Nice Congress, nurses and other allied health disciplines may meet together informally to examine ways of more active involvement within the organization.

I hope to see you in Nice, where French hospitality, sun, sea and cuisine (do try the bouillabaisse!) await your enjoyment and support of the excellent scientific program—“Bridging the Gap between Brain and Mind.”

Reprinted from IPA Bulletin, Volume 18, Number 2