Psychiatr News August 17, 2007
Volume 42, Number 16, page 18
© 2007 American Psychiatric Association
Institute Promises to Be Fulfilling and Fun
Stephanie Whyche
Grow professionally. Network. Have some fun. Come on down to the
"Big Easy" for APA's 2007 Institute on Psychiatric Services in
October.
Organizers of this year's Institute on Psychiatric Services promise it will
be a well-seasoned gumbo with ingredients ranging from continuing-education
sessions and professional networking, to a mesmeric mix of "Big
Easy" music and lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina.
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Credit: Harry Costner
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So "Come on down!," they say, to the New Orleans
Marriott October 11 to 14 for APA's 59th institute, an event organizers say
will be the most personally and professionally fulfilling meeting of the
year.
Yes, the city's vibrancy, artistic and cultural diversity, and creative
energy suffered an enormous blow after Hurricane Katrina, but in typical Big
Easy style, exciting things to do and places to see are now not only back to
normal but in some cases better than ever, according to Travel and
Leisure magazine, which placed the city on its "where to go
next" list. All key attractions have reopened: more than 1,000
restaurants (including nearly 80 new ones that have joined them), the zoo and
aquarium, gift shops and clothing stores, museums, nightclubs, music venues,
and Harrah's Casino.
"The institute is, without question, my favorite psychiatric meeting,
and New Orleans is among my favorite cities," said Stephen Goldfinger,
M.D., chair of the institute's Scientific Program Committee.
Goldfinger has been spreading the news that institute attendees will learn
about the latest clinical practices and trends in psychiatric diagnosis and
treatment while earning up to 40 hours of category 1 CME credit. Continuing
this year, he said, are relevant, "user friendly" clinical and
didactic learning opportunities. Scheduled are superb lectures, as well as
workshops, symposia, and small-group sessions.
Professional networking and informal consultation will abound as the
Scientific Program Committee is offering numerous activities and venues where
psychiatry residents and other trainees can consult with senior clinicians and
leaders.
Arguably the most compelling sessions at the institute will reflect the
fact that there are places outside of New Orleans' central downtown area that
still show evidence of Katrina's devastating effects. Thus, included in the
institute's program—the theme of which is "Recovery: Patients,
Families, Communities"—will be the following:
- A special professional development track related to disaster psychiatry and
issues of cultural competence organized by APA's Office of Minority and
National Affairs.
- A full-day training session titled "Working with Homeless Mentally
Ill Individuals."
- A symposium in the Health Services Research track titled "Hurricane
Katrina: Responding to Mental Health Needs in an Unprecedented
Disaster."
- The American Psychiatric Foundation hosting for the first time
Conversations at IPS, supported by an unrestricted educational grant
from AstraZeneca (see 'Conversations' Event).
- APA and the American Association of Community Psychiatrists are teaming up
to offer institute attendees opportunities to help reconstruct a damaged
mental health center and provide technical support to local mental health
professionals.
The institute, partnering with the American Psychiatric Foundation, is
soliciting donations to help the West Bank Friendship Club renovate its
kitchen and replace its carpeting. The mental health center was chosen for
this endeavor after consulting with the New Orleans affiliate of the National
Alliance on Mental Illness, which identified the facility as the city's most
needy.
More about NAMI New Orleans and the West Bank Friendship Club is
posted at
<www.namineworleans.org>.
Information on making a donation is available by calling (703) 907-7851.
Further information about the institute is available by calling (888) 357-7924
or e-mailing
apa{at}psych.org.
Related Article:
-
'Conversations' Event
Psychiatr News 2007 42: 18.
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