Residents: This Meeting Is for You!
It's just a few more weeks until we head for Atlanta for APA's 2005 annual meeting, and we budding psychiatrists will discover that it offers so much for us. In addition to providing the latest clinical and research information in psychiatry, the meeting gives us a chance to learn more about career options in our field, including subspecialty fellowships, research, private practice, and public-sector psychiatry, and to meet leaders in our field.
But just as important, the meeting gives us members-in-training a chance to get to know one another. Each year APA schedules a variety of events so that we can meet and socialize with one another, ask questions, share information, and learn more about our profession. The sessions and events I have especially enjoyed were geared to introduce us to APA leaders in various subspecialties. And, given the state of our wallets after years of schooling, it doesn't hurt that many include breakfast or lunch.
If this is your first annual meeting, here are some general guidelines to consider: dress is business casual, but Atlanta can be hot even in the spring, so be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Preregister by April 23 to save on fees and avoid waiting in long lines. Plan your week using the schedule published online and in the February 18 issue of Psychiatric News. The February 18 issue will also help you decide what you'd like to do and see while you are in Atlanta. (Stone Mountain Park is breathtaking.) Use the message boards to locate any long-lost friends or colleagues and to communicate with others easily. Pace yourself by having the goal of attending two sessions a day.
Start your annual meeting odyssey on Sunday, May 22, at 10 a.m. by dropping by the Marriott Marquis for an orientation for residents and medical students titled “How to Survive the Annual Meeting.” Other resident leaders and I will help you navigate the wide array of workshops, discussion groups, and lectures of interest to allow some free time to do some sightseeing.
Also on Sunday morning, members-intraining get a special 25 percent discount at the APPI bookstore in the Exhibit Hall. While you're there, check out the latest APPI publications, booths from the pharmaceutical industry, and exhibits by hospitals and computer software companies.
On Monday, May 23, be sure to arrive promptly at 7 a.m. at the Marriott Marquis for the “Meet the Experts: Sunny-Side Up” Breakfast. Nationally recognized experts meet informally over breakfast in small groups with residents to discuss career issues and opportunities in psychiatry. This year's topics include addiction psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, cultural competency, forensic psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychosomatic medicine, and public and community psychiatry.
This breakfast is one of my favorite annual meeting events and is popular every year. At the breakfast two years ago in San Francisco, I met a child psychiatrist from Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. That meeting led to my current fellowship training position.
That same day, at 6:30 p.m., a reception for residents, fellows, and medical students will be held at the Marriott Marquis.
On Tuesday, May 24, residents who will be joining the “real world” soon may want to participate in a three-part program titled“ How to Launch a Successful Private Practice.” Parts 1 and 2 are back-to-back workshops at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively. Part 3 is a symposium that begins at 2 p.m. All sessions will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center.
On Tuesday, May 24, at 9 a.m. Pedro Ruiz, M.D., APA's incoming president-elect, will lead a resident discussion group titled “Role of Culture in Psychiatric Practice” at the Marriott Marquis.
On Wednesday, May 25, the APA/GlaxoSmithKline Fellows will lead the component workshop “A Bitter Pill? Tailoring Medical Training to Fit Our Contemporary Practice.” It will be held at 9 a.m. in the Georgia World Congress Center.
On Thursday, May 26, the symposium “A Resident's Perspective on Research Training” will be held at 2 p.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center.
The following lectures, workshops, and forums are also specifically designed for members-in-training and medical students:
Sunday, May 22
Noon: Roeske and Bland Award Luncheon for educators, medical students, and residents (Marriott Marquis) | |||||
2 p.m.: “Psychosomatic Medicine: A Session for U.S. and International Residents” (Marriott Marquis) | |||||
Monday, May 23
9 a.m.: “Oral Boards Boot Camp Updated” issue workshop (Georgia World Congress Center) | |||||
11 a.m.: Three workshops run concurrently: (1) resident discussion titled “Tips on How to Be an Effective Psychiatrist” led by Carl Bell, M.D. (Marriott Marquis); (2) “The Psychiatry Resident as Educator: Implementation of a Curriculum” (Omni); and (3) “The Multicultural Dimension of Depression: A Clinical Approach” presented by the APA/AstraZeneca Minority Fellows (Omni) | |||||
Tuesday, May 24
• 11 a.m.: There are several meetings of interest at this time: (1) resident discussion group titled “Effective Teaching: What Psychiatry Residents Need to Know” led by Tana Grady-Weliky, M.D. (Omni); (2) resident discussion group titled “Career Building in Academic and Nonacademic Psychiatry” led by Joel Yager, M.D. (Marriott Marquis); (3) “Quotes and Misquotes: Resident Physicians Working With the Media” presented by the APA Committee of Residents and Fellows (Omni)
Wednesday, May 25
9 a.m.: Resident discussion group titled “Residency to a Research Career” led by Michele Pato, M.D., and Carlos Pato, M.D. (Marriott Marquis) | |||||
11 a.m.: Resident discussion group titled “Core Competencies” led by Richard Balon, M.D., and Carol Bernstein, M.D. (Marriott Marquis) | |||||
Noon: “ABPN Update: Certification in Psychiatry and Its Subspecialties” (Georgia World Congress Center) • 2 p.m.: “Resident as Teacher: Are We Ready for Some Changes?” (Georgia World Congress Center) | |||||
Be sure to enjoy the sightseeing and have fun. See you in Atlanta!
More information about annual meeting opportunities for residents is available by contacting Nancy Delanoche at (703) 907-8635 or [email protected].▪
