The IPA Bulletin may soon have full capability as an electronic version newsletter. Clearly,
distribution of the Bulletin electronically would offer our membership many advantages. For example,
the Bulletin would be promptly distributed, easy to archive and publication and distribution would be
greatly reduced.
Moreover, an electronic format of the Bulletin would afford IPA staff the option of including breaking
news and last minute announcements. “Hold the Press!” Better communication to the members and
more flexibility in providing up-to-date information represent an exciting prospect for IPA members and
sources of news and events around the world. Finally, an electronic version of the
Bulletin would diminish cost concerns about the length of articles and the
volume of materials submitted. In this regard, subject editors and assistant editors would no longer be limited
with submitting local and regional news items or information to IPA members. Therefore, the
IPA Bulletin will be in a better position to serve the regional editors and their constituents.
Assistant editors representing disciplines, countries, regions, and topics, are the lifeblood of the
Bulletin. For those who have contributed this past year, thank you for your contributions and efforts in making the
IPA Bulletin a most successful venture. I am especially grateful to John T. O’Brien, Robert Barber, Robert
Baldwin, Brian Draper, and James Lindesay for their tireless efforts in contributing to each issue of the
Bulletin. Additionally, David Ames, the immediate past editor of the Bulletin
continues to bless us with his wit and wisdom, providing articles and photographs.
David’s latest contribution can be viewed on page 4 of this issue. For all assistant editors, please consider
maintaining at least one or two contributions annually from your region, or discipline in 2004.
IPA’s journal, International Psychogeriatrics, has long been a favorite of mine, with timely articles and
scientific submittals from colleagues around the world. David Ames, Editor-in-Chief, describes (on page
4 and 5) his vision for the Journal, as well as our new relationship with Cambridge University Press. IPA is
fortunate to have the Journal in David’s capable hands, together with the operational
and executive functions of the Journal that are skillfully administered by Marilyn Cain in Melbourne, Fern
Finkel in Chicago, and Cambridge University Press. David’s plans and aspirations for
International Psychogeriatrics are clearly on target as David aims to take the Journal
to the highest level of academic and scientific achievement. Clearly, the Chicago, Melbourne,
London connection is now aligned and organized to process manuscripts that are submitted, reviewed, and
in many cases, published in a matter of months.
This issue of the IPA Bulletin contains a wealth of some diverse news and information pertaining to
the organization, as well as scientific advances in psychogeriatrics. Our President, George Grossberg,
continues to provide the organization and vision for the coming year. George is “resolute” in his “resolve”
to successfully guide IPA into 2004. New and current board members are planning to convene in May at our
Latin American Regional Meeting to be held 26-29 May, 2004, in Santiago, Chile. Profiles for two of our
newly elected/reelected board members can be found on page 6. Moreover, the nomination procedures for
the upcoming 2004 elections are found on page 3 of this issue. Nominations from all countries,
except Canada and the United States, are being considered so the application process for Board of Directors is
open to the vast majority of our membership. Why not consider an application to become a candidate
and serve IPA with your talent, efforts and expertise. This is a great opportunity to participate in IPA at
a very significant level, and develop some great relationships with colleagues all over the world.
I hope that everyone will alert your colleagues and cohorts, and please consider attending one, or both of
the IPA regional meetings held this year in Santiago, Chile, in May or, in Seoul, Korea in September. The
IPA Congress held in Chicago was absolutely exhilarating (see pages 10-14), and the regional meetings
planned for 2004, are sure to provide an equally great forum for professional and scientific exchange, as well
as opportunity to visit two outstanding venues in South America and the Asian Pacific, respectively.
The 2004 New Year brings great opportunities for professional growth and endeavors. The ancient
Babylonians were, perhaps, the first to make New Year’s resolutions, and, I encourage all of you to
consider President George Grossberg's resolve “to join in improving IPA, and making it truly the world’s
leading organization dedicated to improving the mental health of seniors worldwide.”
As Editor-in-Chief of the IPA Bulletin, I also welcome your suggestions, comments and critique
at all times. Happy 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 20, Number
4
Copyright 2008 International Psychogeriatric Association
