Electronic Winter 2024 | Issue 61

IPS at the APA Assembly

By: Arden Barnett, MD, IPS Representative to the APA, Assembly

In November, your Illinois APA Assembly representatives Linda Gruenberg, Arden Barnett, Joshua Nathan, and Susan Scherer had the opportunity to meet new APA Chief Medical Officer and CEO Marketa Wills, MD, MBA, (pictured above) when we attended the Assembly winter meeting in Washington, DC.

Dr. Wills' presentation to the Assembly was inspiring, as well as her vision for the APA. It was also challenging. Dr. Wills is the first black American and first female to lead the APA.

She wants to focus on leading with "frankness, openness, and transparency", as she develops a new strategic plan for the APA. She has promised to be very inclusive and hear the views and opinions of all APA members, as well as communicate activities and decisions of the APA administration to members clearly and timely.

We were very encouraged by her promise when in dialogue with the district (state) branches to "assume positive intent from others", and in conversation show "civility and disagreeing without disrespect".

She also said she would be accountable to us (members) for administration actions - all while developing a positive culture in the APA.

The APA has had a business model before, but she will be developing the first strategic plan for the organization.

When we met with her at lunch, we did discuss the issues we face in Illinois for practicing psychiatrists. Illinois does always seem to be at the forefront of trends and activity that will move to other states. She was aware of that, and committed again to APA support for the activities that IPS does to advocate for psychiatrists and our patients. 

In our first meeting with her, she was open, quite friendly and listened to us intently. This was definitely a positive start to what we see as a developing relationship with our new medical director.

In other Assembly news, the APA Treasurer reported the APA continues to work to recover from pandemic and post pandemic lows in income. Along with the Budget and Finance committee, they are developing a plan to establish and maintain a balanced budget without drawing on reserves.

The Assembly did approve a number of action papers (AP's), which will be posted on the IPS website for members to review. 

Specifically, I would like to mention an AP developed by residents, who spoke strongly and with passion of the need for this AP. The AP is to "Advocate for the Creation of a Workgroup to Assess and Standardize Safety Criteria across Psychiatry Residencies". We heard testimony of threats and assaults experienced by residents from around the country, and all your Illinois representatives supported this important AP.

We next meet before the annual meeting in May 2025. Please contact the IPS or any of us if you have any comments or questions about how your Assembly delegates can represent you.