2024 Southern Psychiatric Association and Tennessee Psychiatric Association Meeting Reflection
As part of PRMS’ ongoing efforts to support the behavioral healthcare community and promote the organizations that work towards this mission, we are pleased to highlight the Mississippi Psychiatric Association (MPA) and MPA member, Dr. Tyler Menzies, DO, MS, PGY-2 psychiatry resident in the Mississippi State Hospital Psychiatry Residency Program, as our featured guest blogger. Dr. Menzies shares more about his time attending the 2024 joint Southern Psychiatric Association (SPA) and Tennessee Psychiatric Association (TPA) Annual Meeting held September 11-14 in Chattanooga, TN.
For several years now, the annual SPA meeting has been one of my cohorts’ most anticipated events of the year. I was regrettably unable to attend in 2023 during my first year of residency, but made a decisive effort to attend this year’s SPA/TPA joint meeting. Needless to say, I was not disappointed.
Meeting Theme: "Healthy Minds Through the Life Span"
This year’s theme, “Healthy Minds Through the Life Span,” incorporated a diverse mix of speakers and topics ranging from thorough and engaging reports of preventative strategies for Alzheimer’s disease, to traditional mediative practices to help reduce anxiety, to a review of new-to-market technology for the treatment of a variety of psychiatric disorders. Each presentation generated provocative and engaging discussion among my peers and the other attendees, with experts from the audience often providing valuable insight on the topic based on their own research and clinical experiences.
Building Professional Relationships in the Digital Age
Events such as this also provide an invaluable opportunity for us residents to connect with other psychiatrists with similar interests but greater lived experiences. In the digital age, it is proving increasingly difficult to build professional relationships in a way that is both meaningful and resilient. These meetings are the last bastion of traditional collaborative medicine in an increasingly isolated professional world. Without the opportunity to meet face-to-face and establish a shared understanding of the challenges we are facing, we would not be able to advocate as effectively as we currently do. It is simply impossible to understate the importance of these opportunities to the enduring integrity of the field of psychiatry.
Colleague Perspectives on Joining the SPA
Many of my colleagues also appreciate the social opportunities these events provide. In addition to being a much-needed time to reconnect with friends and colleagues away from the stresses of everyday practice, it also allows us to learn more about the psychiatric community at large within the southern region. Such discussions have prompted several of my colleagues to apply for membership as part of the SPA, and I’ve asked them to share some of their thoughts:
"I wanted to join the SPA to be a part of something bigger than myself," stated Dr. Hannah Richard, PGY-2 psychiatry resident. "Also, I plan on staying in the south once I’m done with residency, so getting involved now helps me get a head start for when I’m practicing."
“I am very focused on community involvement,” reported Dr. Holden Lee, PGY-2 psychiatry resident. “I knew that if I wanted to continue being involved in community advocacy efforts after residency, I needed to start establishing connections now.”
This year’s SPA/TPA meeting was an unforgettable experience with an abundance of learning and enrichment experienced by all in attendance. PRMS continues to provide young physicians like myself with these opportunities, allowing us the chance to grow not only academically, but interpersonally, as well. They make events such as this one possible, without which we would not be able to sustain the lifeblood of psychiatry. My colleagues and I extend our sincere gratitude to PRMS for their enduring generosity, without which we would not have the opportunities to grow into the diverse and engaged physicians of tomorrow.
Dr. Tyler Menzies (center back row) with Mississippi Psychiatric Association colleagues at the 2024 joint Southern Psychiatric Association and Tennessee Psychiatric Association Meeting.
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