Electronic Spring 2026 | Issue 66
President's Message
By: Adrienne Adams, MD, MS
Happy Spring, members! As I reflect on our accomplishments and our upcoming events and activities, I realize this will be my last presidential message. So, I will borrow an introduction from one of my current favorite series as a tribute.
Dear Gentle Reader,
Over the past year, the Illinois Psychiatric Society (IPS) has continued in its efforts to follow the mission statement:
raise awareness of mental health needs
improve quality, parity, equity, and access to evidence-based psychiatric care for all
to represent the profession of psychiatry and to serve the needs of the membership
This year, we have continued to fight for our patients by forming the coalition- the Illinois Collaborative Care Model Workgroup and by working to expand opportunities to promote and initiate collaborative care in underserved districts and communities.
The Government Affairs Committee and our Executive Board continue to monitor the federal and local landscape for concerns, including, but not limited to, mental health parity, telepsychiatry practice, and the promotion of integrative and collaborative care. The Executive Board also met with Senator Ventura to discuss the Psilocybin Advisory Board bill, SB 2772, and recommended multiple edits to provide guardrails to protect our citizens.
Our many wonderful committees, including the Planning Committee, continue to support our members with educational and professional opportunities. The 2026 Virtual Series involves the navigation of career paths in the world of psychiatry, exploring topics such as private practice, best practices for court testimony, involuntary admissions, and various practice settings. For our resident members, we always have popular resident fireside chats that include topics such as fellowships, dealing with patient suicide and the aftereffects, how to deal with social media, and countering digital misinformation. There is also the upcoming brunch meeting for all members who are navigating the next tier of their careers. More to come on that.
Our Membership Committee will introduce innovative ways for an increased community among us, such as hosting virtual “Coffee Talk” style sessions where the members suggest the topics, the introduction of secure chat groups, and better access to learning about IPS and APA initiatives.
The Health Equity and Anti-Racism Committee (HEAR-C) has continued its mission for community engagement. HEAR-C will again organize the Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K for our district branch, creating several teams within Illinois with a goal to have increased participation from members all over the state. I am proud to say Illinois has been the top district branch for raising donations for 3 straight years.
During the summer we will continue our efforts providing mental health resources for our legislators during their community health fairs.
Our Carl Bell Memorial Award topic for 2026 promises to be an interesting prompt for many submissions from our high schools. This year, as President, I was also able to run a career day presentation at our 2025 Carl Bell Memorial Award winner’s high school. The talk was a PowerPoint presentation given to multiple classes called “Can We Talk.” The presentation introduced them to the career path of psychiatrists, the many things we do, the distinction between psychiatry and psychology, and differentiating normal stress from anxiety. They especially loved the IPS brain fidgets, and I received many questions during and after the presentation.
I also met with representatives from my presidential charity of choice, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and saw all the wonderful work that they do for youth in need. And so, I humbly request donations for this wonderful charity.
Due to the efforts of our lobbyist and GAC, IPS also hosted a Working Lunch with Representative Lindsey LaPointe and Representative Katz-Muhl who are the chair and deputy chair of the Mental Health and Addiction Committee for Illinois, which was held at one of our historic hospitals Endeavor Health Evanston Hospital thanks to the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Of course, we are all looking forward to the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting being held in San Francisco, where we will learn from our leaders and explore the future of psychiatry. IPS will have a meet and greet where I look forward to seeing you all!
So, as I sign off, I want to again thank all the committees, task forces, executive board, council, and our executive staff for their dedication to our organization and its mission. I have been honored to hold this role as President and know that when I pass the role to President-Elect Dr. Weinstein, IPS will be in good hands.
I will end my message with a famous African proverb. If you wish to move mountains tomorrow, you must start by lifting stones today.
~ Adrienne Adams, MD, MS IPS President 2025-26
Mantra: W—Well-being, A—Advocacy, R—Resilience.