American Psychiatric Association (APA) Convenes in New Orleans May 22-26

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2010

American Psychiatric Association (APA) Convenes in New Orleans May 22-26
“APA Gives Back” Program to donate more than $6,500 to the New Orleans Mission

WHAT: APA’s 163^rd Annual Meeting

WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center (NOMCC), Halls A-J

WHEN: May 22-26, 2010

DETAILS:
The APA’s 163^rd Annual Meeting, the world’s largest psychiatric meeting, will take place May 22-26 at the NOMCC. Top psychiatry experts and researchers will present cutting-edge research, advances in psychiatric genetics and important clinical updates. Several discussions will detail psychiatric studies on how disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the Haitian Earthquake affect mental health.

APA has set up a program entitled “APA Gives Back,” which allows their members to donate money to the New Orleans Mission, a non-profit organization that seeks to alleviate the plight of homeless men, women and children. The Mission provides meals, showers, clothing, shelter, literacy classes and job skills training. The donation from meeting attendees of more than $6,500 will be presented to the New Orleans Mission by APA president Alan F. Schatzberg, M.D., during the Annual Meeting’s opening session on Sunday, May 23.

The APA is a national medical specialty society whose physician members specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses including substance use disorders. The APA’s last meeting in New Orleans was in 2001, and with close to 14,000 attendees, this year’s meeting is set to generate millions of dollars in economic impact.

WEBSITE: www.psych.org/annualmeeting

MAJOR EVENTS:

• Sat, May 22: Workshop: The Behavioral Health Action Network: Reorganizing The Behavioral Health Delivery System in Post-Katrina New Orleans featuring Elmore Rigamer, M.D., NOMCC, Room 350, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Sat, May 22: Workshop: Vulnerability and Resilience: Katrina’s Widespread Impact on First Responders, Clinicians, Youth, and Relocated Survivors featuring Phebe Tucker, M.D., Howard Osofsky, M.D., NOMCC, Room 237, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Sun, May 23: Opening Session featuring APA President Alan F. Schatzberg, M.D., to present APA’s $6,500 donation to The New Orleans Mission, NOMCC, Hall A, 4:30 p.m.
• Mon, May 24: Opening press briefing highlighting APA’s 163rd Annual Meeting, NOMCC, Hall A, Rm. 211, 9-10 a.m.
• Mon, May 24: Convocation featuring Carrie Fisher, actress in the Star Wars Trilogy as Princess Leia, NOMCC, Hall A, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Tues, May 25, Live press briefing where six new research studies will be presented, NOMCC, Hall A, Rm 215, 9-10 a.m

Register for online briefing: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/796102411 
For more information: 703-907-8640 or 504-670-5522
Email: press@psych.org or bcasteel@psych.org

• Tues, May 25: Conversation with Terry Bradshaw, Former NFL Quarterback and Louisiana Native, Hall A, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

EXHIBIT HALL: Halls B1, B2, C, D

HOURS:
Sat, May 22: Publisher’s Book Fair Exhibits: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sun, May 23-Tues, May 25: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

APA NEWS ROOM: Hall A, Rm. 211-213, Phone: 504-670-5522
HOURS:
Sat, May 22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sun, May 23-Tues, May 25: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wed, May 26, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

HOW TO OBTAIN PRESS CREDENTIALS:
Media Registration:
Media representatives must register in the APA News Room: Hall A, Room 211 at the NOMCC. Each press registrant must demonstrate they are working journalist on assignment. Documents required could include photo ID, press credentials, assignment letter from news organization and samples of published work. Each registrant must pick up his or her own press badge.

ONLINE PRESS ROOM: http://www.psych.org/MainMenu/Newsroom/OnlinePressRoom.aspx
MEDIA CONTACTS:
APA Press Office in New Orleans: Jaime Valora, 504-670-5522, jvalora@psych.org
APA Press Office in Arlington, VA: 703-907-8640, press@psych.org
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5048, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com 
NOMCC: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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