By Badr Ratnakaran MBBS
Carilion Clinic
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine
Roanoke, VA

The 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) was held from May 4-8 in New York. The theme of the Annual Meeting was addiction, including its prevention and recovery.

The outgoing APA President, Dr. Petros Levounis, talked about his efforts in focusing on dispelling myths and misconceptions along with interventions for substance use disorders, including technological addictions. The incoming APA President, Dr. Ramaswamy Viswanathan, presented his Presidential Theme on Lifestyle Psychiatry, focusing on regular exercise, plant-based diet, sleep, stress reduction, avoiding substance use, and improving social connections.

Outgoing APA CEO and Medical Director Dr. Saul Levin reminisced on his 13-year term with the APA and the importance of mentorship in leadership. Dr. Marketa Wills will succeed him.

Registration is open for the 2024 Fall Meeting of the Psychiatric Society of Virginia. The meeting will be held at Hilton Richmond Downton, Richmond, VA, from October 4-5, 2024. Our meeting theme will be “Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry and Improving Mental Health.”

This year, we proudly announce our partnership with the Virginia Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists (VCCAP). Together, we will provide sessions that enhance our understanding of mental health and related issues, address ongoing challenges to child mental health care, and update us with advances and psychosocial issues in psychiatry. We also extend a special invitation to our resident and medical students to submit abstracts for the poster competitions to be held at the Fall Meeting.