Electronic Summer 2026 | Issue 67

Recent Symposium with Representative Patrick J. Kennedy

By: Adrienne Adams

As a member of the IPS Executive Committee I have had the privilege to be active in important mental health legislation, advocacy in mental health issues, and developing long standing relationships with many colleagues. My professional society endeavors correlate nicely with my day job and career as Vice Chair of Education and Academic Affairs within Endeavor Health. The department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, provides quarterly symposiums not only for our organization but for the communities within Chicagoland areas. 

On May 13th we held the symposium “Update in Schizophrenia 2026: From Stigma to Science: Schizophrenia and Chronic Mental Challenges in Modern Psychiatry". We in collaboration with the LeVert Foundation (lmlf2cs.org) presented experts to explore the complexities of schizophrenia including novel technologies, evidence-based treatments, and the lived experience of serious mental illnesses. Our keynote speaker was former congressman and New York Times Best Seller—Mr. Patrick Kennedy who during his 16 years in Congress was a champion for progressive legislation for mental health and substance use disorder treatment and insurance parity. He was the lead sponsor for the celebrated Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act which warranted equitable insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorders. He also was the founder of The Kennedy Forum (nonprofit where stakeholders advance evidence-based practices, policies in mental health and substance use disorders nationally), and he founded DontDenyMe.org (educational campaign for people to understand mental health parity rights and provides guidance and resources to consumers). In addition he also co-developed: One Mind (encourages global investment in brain research) and Psych Hub (online platform that promotes mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention resources). 

For future symposiums and Grand Rounds please feel free to explore https://www.endeavorhealth.org/services/behavioral-health/professional-resources/ceu-presentations.