As everyone finishes settling back into the new school year, I wanted to update you all with some changes we've made and some upcoming events for the coming months.
We've had some recent changes to the executive board. PsychSIGN is pleased to welcome new regional chairs Anya Bernstein (Stony Brook School of Medicine) and Elizabeth Beckman (University of Minnesota Medical School) to regions 2 and 4, respectively. They are both already actively involved organizing events for their regions and the nation and welcome any suggestions you ma have for the coming year. Feel free to write them and say hello!
We've also began a partnership with the APA's Members-In-Training board, led by Dr. Steve Koh. Essentially, these young doctors represent psychiatric residents in much the same way that PsychSIGN represents medical students in the APA's framework. We hope that this new partnership will result in a smoother transition for our student members as they become resident members. We will also be working together to have greater resident involvement in our regional and national conferences.
Speaking of those conferences, I'd like to formally announce a few PsychSIGN regional conferences coming soon. All of our regional meetings involve wonderful speakers, multi-specialty involvement, and resident advisors. Most even provide free lunch.
First, for those in Region 1 (the region north of NY, including the northeast US and eastern Canada), Matthew Singleton has put together a great meeting on 10/16 in Boston. If you haven't already signed up for this conference, please contact Matthew soon at psychsignr1@gmail.com. Everyone is invited, no matter what region you identify with.
Then on 10/30, regions 2 and 3 are combining forces to host an NYC meeting in partnership with AACAP but featuring a wide range of psychiatric specialists and leaders in the field. If you haven't already signed up to join us at the Hilton, please get in touch with Anya (psychsignr2@gmail.com) to RSVP.
Finally, on the west coast, Steve and Eric have been working on California meeting to be held on 11/13 at UC-Irvine. If you live west of the Mississippi, you shouldn't miss this event. Write to psychsignr6@gmail.com to learn more and sign yourself up.
On top of those meetings, we're all very excited for National Depression Screening Day on October 7th! About a dozen schools have signed up through PsychSIGN to host NDSD events in their cities and have received the full set of materials needed for a great day. If you're interested and haven't yet reached out, please let me know at psychsign@gmail.com.
Have a fantastic fall 2010!
Paul Nestadt, MSIV
New York Medical College
National President, PsychSIGN
