Electronic Fall 2026 | Issue 68

From the Desk of Your Executive Director

By: Kristen Malloy

Looking Forward to the IPS Annual Meeting

Our 2026 Annual Meeting is just around the corner, and I am really looking forward to seeing so many of you on October 3!

This year’s theme, “The Elephant in the Waiting Room: Confronting Today’s Psychiatric Challenges,” could not be timelier. We have a full day planned, with educational sessions exploring some of the issues that are shaping psychiatry today, including neuroscience, technology, psychedelics, and other challenges facing our profession.

One of the things I enjoy most about the Annual Meeting is seeing the variety of members who come together. We have students, residents, fellows, early-career psychiatrists, long-term members, and colleagues from all different practice settings. It is a great reminder of just how broad and diverse our IPS community is.

Our poster competition has also become one of the highlights of the meeting. Each year, this competition grows to include even more impressive work from medical students, residents, and fellows than the year before, and I am always excited to see what they bring to our meeting. Providing a place for our future colleagues to present their work and connect with practicing psychiatrists is something I am particularly proud of.

The day will wrap up with our IPS Awards Dinner, giving us an opportunity to recognize members who have made meaningful contributions to your profession and our organization. It is always one of my favorite parts of the day because it gives us a chance to pause and celebrate the people who give so much of their time and talent to psychiatry.

When I think about how far our Annual Meeting has come, it is pretty remarkable. Seeing it grow from just a small dinner event into a full-day educational and networking event, with a poster competition and awards ceremony, has been incredibly rewarding.

That growth would not be possible without the many people who put their time and energy into making this meeting happen. A very special thank you goes to our Planning Committee, led by Dr. L. Joy Houston, for bringing their expertise and professional networks into play while putting together the details for all of the year’s IPS events. And a BIG Thank You also goes to our Administrative Coordinator, Meghan Engelbrecht, for all of her work that happens behind the scenes to prepare for a smooth day.

For those of you attending this year, I hope you take advantage of the entire day. Come ready to learn, but also take some time to catch up with an old colleague, meet someone new, visit the poster presentations, and enjoy the evening. Those personal connections are an important part of what makes IPS special.

I look forward to seeing you all on October 3!