This issue of The Bulletin spans the globe, and provides a number of updates
from experts and leaders in the field of psychogeriatrics. In the President’s
message, our exuberant leader, Professor George Grossberg, has focused his
attention on IPA’s infrastructure, i.e. The Journal, the IPA
Bulletin, the IPA
task forces and the administrative and executive functions of the organization,
all of which have undergone substantial change in the last three months. In view
of the fact that President Grossberg has just begun his term, I think it is fair
to say that IPA can expect growing momentum to carry the organization to new
heights. Another favorable sign of IPA’s growth is the impressive number of
new members found within this issue of the IPA Bulletin. Our newest members
reflect the diversity and vitality of IPA and their interest and commitment to
the field of psychogeriatrics will also serve to carry this organization to new
heights.
For those of you who are reading the IPA Bulletin for the first time,
welcome, and congratulations on your decision to join our
congenial and vibrant group of clinicians, educators and researchers. Please
consider attending this year’s scientific programs in
Santiago, Chile, and Seoul, Korea. A comprehensive listing of meetings of
interest can be found in this issue. Those who are fortunate
enough to attend this year’s IPA-sponsored meetings will certainly enjoy two
wonderful venues and experience a new level of scientific
fever with regard to the selected topics of Service Development (Santiago) and
Rapidly Aging Societies (Seoul). Moreover,
you will have the opportunity and pleasure to meet and mingle with your
colleagues and internationally renowned experts on a
highly meaningful basis. In fact, those who attend the planned IPA meetings over
the next two years in 2004 and 2005 will experience
some truly distinct and fascinating regions of the world, South America, Asia,
New Zealand (Rotorua) and Northern Europe (Stockholm). For those who are unable
to attend any, or all of these meetings, stay tuned to the IPA Bulletin as we
will certainly keep you informed of developments and breaking news.
In this issue of the
IPA Bulletin, we are privileged to have reports from
Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Hong Kong. Each article describes professional
developments that broaden our perspective in psychogeriatrics, perhaps unique to
the region, and yet, describing many of the issues and challenges that others
face in their own country or region. In some cases, these reports are of
historical significance and provide an opportunity to reflect on the field of
psychogeriatrics. An electronic email address is provided for the author, in
most cases, that enhances networking and communication and facilitates feedback
to the author. In addition to these reports around the world, a research update
report, On The Web, and The Culinary Corner are included in this and virtually
every issue, represented by the tireless efforts of John T. O’Brien, Robert
Baldwin, Robert Barber, Brian Draper, and James Lindesay. Of interest, Jodi
Metzgar has provided this quarter’s recipe for Fettuccini Alfredo—delicious! A terrific gourmet dish that is sure to please everyone.
Incidentally, Jodi has taken charge of IPA Bulletin and is picking up momentum
of her own with respect to our production process and administration of this
publication—new heights indeed. I hope that everyone is taking advantage of
the electronic version of IPA Bulletin, and that quarterly issues begin to meet
scheduling deadlines in a more timely fashion; Jodi is working hard to bring
this about despite my best efforts to slow her down with procrastination and
delays.
Finally, on a more personal note, I will be leaving the academic environment
of the University of Nebraska to move to the northeastern United States, closer to my spouse’s family, and with the notion
of devoting a bit more time to family and
patient-oriented practice. I will provide an update on my relocation in a future
issue of IPA Bulletin. Additionally, I am hopeful that
our Deputy Editor, Richard Bonwick, will take charge of some future issues, and
would also entertain the idea for a guest editor at
some point in the future, especially with a focus on a specific discipline or
topic.
Stay tuned and best regards.
David G. Folks
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 21, Number 1
Copyright 2008 International Psychogeriatric Association
