IPA Bulletin
Editor's Note 

IPA Course Set for 2003: “Steady As She Goes”
Call for Leaders and a Landmark Meeting Mark the Year Ahead

David Folks

The year 2003 affords IPA members and colleagues unlimited opportunities for participation. We also have a great venue to celebrate the profession at IPA’s Eleventh International Congress. Under the leadership of our President, Alistair Burns and IPA Board of Directors, the year of 2003 will include substantial offerings that “enhance” psychogeriatrics. As described in the President’s message on page 1, IPA’s course in 2003 is clearly set, focusing on regional initiatives; special interest groups and numerous educational activities. New officers have now been selected, and committees, work groups and task forces are steadily making progress. Additionally, IPA’s organizational structure has been strengthened. All of these “enhancements” have resulted in greater stability for IPA. More importantly, with your help, IPA initiatives can move forward in the coming year.

This issue of IPA Bulletin contains a variety of reports and news items that are diverse and substantial. John O’Brien and Robert Barber have kept us up-to-date with recent advances. Brian Draper provides Website reviews and recommendations from the United States and Canada. And the Culinary Corner has a sweet surprise for all those who enjoy “fast food.”

The IPA Board of Directors nomination and election process is underway. On page 6 of this issue, you will find details on nomination procedures. Indeed, the 2003 election will result in an unprecedented number of new BOD Members. IPA needs new leadership and you are encouraged to nominate your colleague, or may choose to apply yourself!

Around the world, IPA members are reporting on the growth and development of psychogeriatric initiatives. Governmental policy is clearly being influenced favorably by our colleagues. In this issue, the demographic imperative and growth of the aging population is described with regard to current developments in Mexico, Canada, Japan, Finland and Norway. We have also included conference reports from Aleksandra Milicevic Kalasic, William Burke and David Ames with regard to Alzheimer Disease International in Serbia, the International Conference on Alzheimer Disease in Stockholm and the World Psychiatric Association meeting in Japan. The scope of topics and depth of information presented at each of these meetings is truly phenomenal.

Professional Conferences

The upcoming IPA European Regional Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland will provide yet another educational and professional conference where cutting-edge psychogeriatric advances are presented and discussed. The IPA meetings in Hong Kong in October 2002, to be described in the next issue of IPA Bulletin, and Rome in April 2002 were truly outstanding. I anticipate that the IPA Regional Meeting in Geneva will also provide a superb offering. Of course, IPA’s International Congress in Chicago, Illinois, USA, is shaping up to be a landmark meeting. Information regarding upcoming meetings can be accessed on IPA’s Website.

A Sense of Accomplishment

Overall, the year 2002 ended with a sense of accomplishment for IPA. Organizational priorities were solidified, and the infrastructure was strengthened —including the relocation of our headquarters to Skokie, Illinois, USA. The year 2003 appears brighter than ever, with the Eleventh International Congress in Chicago as the major event.

I hope to see many of you in 2003, perhaps in Geneva or Chicago. You are also welcome to contact me directly via e-mail at dgfolks@unmc.edu with any suggestions or submittals for the Bulletin. In any event, the course for IPA is steady thanks to the interest and commitment of our leaders and membership. Thanks again for your support, and all the best for the new year.

 

Contact David Folks at the Department of Psychiatry, UNMC, 985575 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha NE 68198-5575 USA, +1.402.354.6360, dgfolks@unmc.edu.

David Folks

Reprinted from IPA Bulletin, Volume 19, Number 4