The Institute on Psychiatric Services (IPS) has always been APA’s venue for ideas, discussion, learning, and networking about community mental health care. So much so that until 1995 it was called the Institute on Hospital and Community Psychiatry. IPS is now identified, too, as APA’s forum in which clinical psychiatrists can gather and join in a process in which the newest ideas in psychiatric practice are percolated while also participating in sessions that offer nutsand-bolts clinical skills enhancement.

Because community psychiatrists have these issues on their minds every day, it’s no surprise that our colleagues who strongly identify with community and public-sector work regularly flock to the IPS.

The benefits are manifold. Letting community psychiatrists from across the generational spectrum speak for themselves makes this come alive. When asked, “Why do you attend the IPS?,” here’s a cross-section of responses:

• Melinda Randall, M.D.:  After spending the year working hard to help people with mental illness in my community, I look forward to the IPS, where I have found practical, inspiring workshops and lectures. I leave feeling recharged and better equipped to implement evidence-based interventions.

• Ken Thompson, M.D.:  The IPS is “the” national meeting in American psychiatry focusing on public service. For that reason, this year’s meeting in New York City is especially important. Health care reform is happening, and the IPS is the place to learn about it and discuss where and how public-sector psychiatry fits in.

• Lesha Shah, M.D.:  I’m a PGY-3 at Baystate Medical Center. I first attended the IPS as a medical student and am returning as a resident because of its welcoming environment, clinically oriented presentations, and the exciting sense of potentiality that the programming and attendees foster. I look forward to attending as an APA Public Psychiatry Fellow this year.

• Linda Gochfeld, M.D.:  It’s a smaller meeting with a rich content of interest to community and public-sector psychiatrists. It’s a chance to catch up with old friends and colleagues who are doing exciting things.

• Charles Huffine, M.D.:  The members of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists, who are very involved with this meeting, will assure that the most progressive and current issues are discussed: integrated primary-behavioral health care, recovery in mental health, and many others.

• Timothy Stone, M.D.:  Compared with the annual meeting, the crowd is smaller, and the sessions tend to be geared more toward the topics that interest me—namely those related to community psychiatry.

• Paul Rosenfield, M.D.:  For me, the IPS is the most relevant, interesting, and engaging meeting for community psychiatrists. I have been inspired by hearing about the work others are doing, especially related to recovery. I have learned about new strategies to deal with shared challenges, and I have enjoyed meeting up with like-minded colleagues. This conference is small enough to feel comfortable, has outstanding presenters, and stays true to its mission without unnecessary distractions.

• Sonmolu Shoyinka, M.D.:  IPS is the place to go to get information on the most cutting-edge, innovative thinking in public psychiatry today. If you want to meet the best and brightest minds in the field and to get your thinking stimulated and challenged, don’t miss it!

These commentaries by our colleagues speak volumes about the IPS, and this year’s institute promises to be a forum where real-life psychiatry of the future will be inspired, debated, and shaped.

Hunter McQuistion, M.D., is a member of the IPS Scientific Program Committee and president of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists.