President's Message

Adriana P. Hermida, MD, United States
President (2026-2027)

Dear IPA Members and Colleagues,

It is with great excitement and humility that I begin my term as President of the International Psychogeriatric Association. I accept this role as one of service to our members, to our field, and most importantly, to older adults around the world who depend on the knowledge, compassion, and dedication of our community.

I would like to begin by thanking all of you, our members, for the incredible work you do every day to improve the mental health and well-being of older adults. Your commitment to clinical care, research, education, and advocacy is what gives IPA its strength and purpose.

I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to our immediate past president, Ann Margriet Pot, whose thoughtful leadership and dedication have guided IPA through an important period of growth and progress. We are deeply grateful for her service and her continued support of our organization.

As we begin this new chapter, I am delighted to highlight the remarkable international diversity of our new Board of Directors. Our leadership includes colleagues from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, India, Israel, Japan, the Netherlands, South Africa, and the United States, as well as new Board members from Brazil, China, Iran, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the truly global spirit and reach of IPA.

I am also honored to work alongside our new members of the Executive Committee: Secretary Deborah Oliveira (Chile), Treasurer Terence Chong (Australia), and our President-Elect, Clive Ballard (United Kingdom). I look forward to working closely with them in the coming years as we continue to advance the worthy mission of IPA.

As President of IPA, my vision is grounded in engaging with purpose and advancing together. I aspire to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative community where every member feels a true sense of belonging and is empowered to actively contribute. Through meaningful engagement, we will strengthen our global network, share knowledge across disciplines and regions, and support one another in our collective purpose. Guided by respect, collegiality, and teamwork, we will continue to grow as a community that not only advances science and education but ultimately improves the lives of the patients and families we serve.

Education and dissemination of knowledge remain central to our mission. IPA continues to expand initiatives focused on neuropsychiatric symptoms and global education. We are also developing new multilingual educational programs, including a Spanish-language course in geriatric psychiatry designed to bring high-quality training to clinicians across Latin America. Programs like these allow us to reach regions where access to specialized knowledge remains limited. Through collaboration, we can improve clinical care and empower professionals working in communities where resources are scarce.

Our goal is clear: to educate, to engage, and to transform. When we join forces, we can accomplish far more than any of us can individually. Together, we can expand our impact, strengthen our field, and reach the communities that need our expertise most. Toward that end, I invite each of you to share your voice and your vision for IPA. Participate in our working groups, educational programs, committees, and initiatives. Your expertise, ideas, and passion are essential to the future of our field and will enable us to make a lasting difference in the lives of the older adults we serve, our most profound responsibility.

Finally, I kindly invite you to join us at the IPA International Congress in Leiden, the Netherlands, from July 1 to July 3, 2026. It will be a wonderful opportunity for our global community to exchange ideas and strengthen the connections that make IPA such a vibrant and collaborative organization.

Thank you for your dedication to our shared mission. It is my great privilege and honor to serve in this role, and I look forward to working together with all of you in the years ahead.

With gratitude and enthusiasm,

Adriana P. Hermida, MD
Professor, Emory University School of Medicine, USA
President, International Psychogeriatric Association