Electronic Fall 2025 | Issue 64

President’s Message

By: Adrienne Adams, MD, MS

The summers continue to be busy, and summer 2025 did not disappoint. As we enter the fall season, or as I like to think of it, “pumpkin season,” our council, committees, and executive board multitask advocacy, community outreach, education, membership, and upcoming legislative events.

Highlights from summer 2025 include IPS’s commitment to community outreach. We participated in Speaker of the House Welch’s Back to School Fair and Senator Curran and Representative La Ha’s Senior Fair. Unfortunately, our 3rd fair was cancelled due to weather conditions. At these fairs, we provide information about mental health resources and services available, including information on 9-8-8, which is a vital source for those in crisis. Hopefully, over time and with continued efforts to reinforce the importance of mental health care, those in need will start to seek help and receive the care they need and deserve.

This year marked our 5th APA Moore 5K Run, Walk, and Roll where IPS members put their hearts and “soles” (feet) into this cause, becoming the Top Fundraising District Branch for the 4th year in a row. The Moore Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program was established in 2021 in recognition of Bebe Moore Campbell, who was a mental health equity champion and a New York Times bestselling author. She worked tirelessly to bring public awareness to minority mental health. This program supports individuals and community organizations that have undertaken innovative awareness programs and/or have provided services to improve the mental health of young people of color. I am proud that IPS and our members have continued to support this initiative by participating in the 5K so enthusiastically.

The Carl C. Bell Memorial Award, which is in its 3rd active year, was developed in his honor for the continued importance of mental health equity, ending community violence, and inspiring our youth for future greatness. Our 2025 topic highlights community, which was a tenet of Dr. Bell’s work. He developed community-based mental health initiatives with the goal of encouraging inclusivity and developing stronger communities. Our 2025 winner was able to join us at the IPS 2025 Annual Meeting in person, accompanied by her family, to accept her award.

Some other highlights of Summer 2025 include:

  • A well-attended Riverview Terrace Networking event for our emerging psychiatric professional members

  • Brunch with Congressman Danny K. Davis, thanking him for his exceptional contributions and outstanding record during his impressive career!

  • Fireside Chats for our resident members with our robust faculty of varying backgrounds and career paths

  • Continued legislative meetings with the goals of ensuring the well-being and continued mental health care for not only Illinoisans but nationally.

Our 2025 Annual Meeting - Resilience, Renewal, and Revitalization: Cultivating Well-Being During Times of Change was a celebration of gratitude, fellowship, and thoughtfulness. Our planning committee scheduled outstanding speakers for our sessions including:

  • Wendi Willis El-Amin, MD, who introduced and explored the concept of social determinants of resilience.

  • Carol A. Bernstein, MD, who discussed strategies and solutions for physician wellness during this era.

  • Lise Van Susteren, MD, who made a call to action for mental health professionals to stand up for protection against climate change and its impact on mental health.

We applauded our award winners and thanked our attendees and membership for their continued support.

Continuing in the new tradition of our immediate past president, Dr. Houston, of selecting a charity of choice for a yearlong opportunity to spotlight the charity. This year, my charity is Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Since 1887, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls has provided support and services to children and families to build brighter futures. Per their recent impact brief:

  • 100% of their high school seniors have graduated.

  • 2,423 therapy sessions were provided to kids and their families.

  • 95% of youth living in their program have advanced to the next grade.

  • 99.6% of the funds used to provide these services are from generous donors.

Mercy Home for Boys and Girls spoke to me for several reasons. I care about people, but as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, caring for marginalized and underprivileged youth is my passion. Several of my patients have benefited while at Mercy Home, and so as a physician but also as a mom any charitable group that gives youth a fighting chance to reach their potential I wholeheartedly support –  I  am of the belief that the youth are our future and if they fail, our society will fail. Thus, I encourage all to volunteer their time, donations, etc. to help our young be successful citizens.

This Fall 2025 we have more upcoming events including:

IPS will continue to be at the forefront of Illinois policies and legislation, with the legislative session opening, our lobbyist, Mark Peysakhovich, Governmental Affairs Committee, the Council, Executive committee, assembly representatives, and Negotiating committee will be advocating for legislation promoting the wellbeing of all those who reside in Illinois with safe, equitable, and evidence-based health care, as well ensuring we have legislation that protects our practicing psychiatrists.

While advocacy is important, our members are just as valuable. I will work with one of our newest committees, called the Membership Committee chaired by Dr. Khandra, whose top committee goal is member engagement. I will stand by my pledge to meet with any psychiatry department or physician group that requests my attendance over the next year in order to talk about IPS, provide mentorship opportunities to our ECP, trainees and encourage members of all stages.

I will conclude by thanking you all for this opportunity to serve as your president, our excellent IPS staff (Kristen Malloy, Meghan Engelbrecht) who keeps IPS running so smoothly, and to past presidents (Drs. Alam, Bennett, Swaminathan, Busch, Scherer, Weinstein, Tinwalla, Lancia, and Houston) for their support and mentoring.

And remember my mantra for 2025-26:

  • W- Wellbeing

  • A - Advocacy

  • R - Resilience

I look forward to talking with you all again soon.

Adrienne Adams, MD, MS