A look back on 2025 and embracing change and growth in
2026!
“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of
forces working together.” – James Cash Penney
As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting on the first
half of my presidential term as well as looking at an exciting new year
ahead. Time has flown by, and together, we have accomplished so much in
2025:
- Launched a new and improved monthly newsletter on a modernized
platform - Strengthened the Chapter President Coalition, enabling direct
collaboration among chapter presidents and the executive committee - Hosted a leadership retreat that produced key action items,
including:- Establishing the first PaPS statewide conference – the Keystone
Psychiatric Forum, scheduled for October 9–11, 2026 as well the
hardworking and dedicated planning committee represented by all
chapters - Creating a Small Chapter Coalition, which will bring virtual events
and increased collaboration throughout the state in 2026
- Establishing the first PaPS statewide conference – the Keystone
- Streamlined statewide committees and introduced our new Membership
Engagement Committee - Developed objective criteria for the annual PaPS Presidential
Award - Delivered excellent chapter events and member recognition
initiatives - Represented our members through our hardworking and dedicated APA
assembly representatives and committee leaders through their action
papers and insightful input - Achieved ongoing wins through our Government Relations committee,
working closely with the Pennsylvania Medical Society and forming a
strengthened collaborative relationship with the Pennsylvania Society of
Addiction Medicine (PSAM) to increase our impact on key issues impacting
our profession and patients - Continued offering valuable monthly CME events and webinars, with
growing participation - Developed a strategic scope with our current management Next Wave
Group (NWG) to proactively address universal budget and growth
challenges, ensuring the long-term success of our society
A Thought regarding Change and Looking Ahead to
2026!
When an organization embraces a new way of working—whether through
technology, governance, or culture—it’s natural to expect quick results.
But real, lasting change doesn’t happen overnight. It begins with
preparation: aligning teams, setting specific and timely goals, and
creating a shared understanding of why the change matters.
As we outline our vision for 2026, focused on growth and engagement,
here is what we will prioritize:
- Enhanced Member Engagement
- Innovative strategies to increase social media presence
- Launching a membership growth project led by Next Wave Group this
month - Hosting the Keystone Psychiatric Forum CME event at Kalahari Resorts
and Convention Center, combining the highest quality CME education with
the fall beauty of the Poconos to attract not only experienced members
but also early career psychiatrists, residents, fellows, and their
families
- Increasing Non-Dues Revenue
- The initiation of a specialized Sponsorship Growth Committee under
new leadership from NWG that will begin work immediately this month for
2026! - Implementing tactical sponsorship plans from diverse business and
industry partners - Continuing to thank our non dues paying members for their generous
contributions and expanding efforts to include other dedicated members
in this project
- The initiation of a specialized Sponsorship Growth Committee under
- Ongoing Committee efforts to continue to streamline and develop
resources for long term leadership and society efficiency:- Budget Committee will finalize the 2026 budget with a full council
vote on January 28 that includes relevant data from 2025 to create a
fiduciary responsible plan for the year - Awards Committee will create a comprehensive list of chapter,
statewide, and APA/Assembly awards that all members can easily
access - Nominating Committee will develop a thorough document to clearly
define roles and responsibilities for potential new chapter and state
leaders including expectations and specifics for District Branch
committees and full council meetings - Education Committee will continue to deliver outstanding CME events
by collaborating with the Keystone Psychiatric Forum planning committee
and recruitment of top-tier monthly CME webinar speakers (starting with
our very own APA President, Dr. Theresa M. Miskimen Rivera on January
7!)
- Budget Committee will finalize the 2026 budget with a full council
Your New Year Challenge: Help Us Grow!
And finally this year, I invite every member reading this newsletter
to bring ONE NEW PSYCHIATRIST into our PaPS community!
Here are some easy ways to make this happen:
✔ Invite a colleague to a social or networking event so they can
experience the sense of community and support firsthand.
✔ Share the value of advocacy and professional growth through
PaPS.
✔ Remind potential members about flexible dues options—monthly
installments that support APA’s national advocacy efforts, our district
branch lobbying, and provide discounts for conferences and events.
✔ Showcase recognition opportunities—they may already qualify for
awards based on their hard work.
✔ Share this newsletter or encourage them to follow us on social
media (soon expanding to LinkedIn and Instagram!).
✔ Highlight member perks, like discounted, high-quality malpractice
insurance through industry partners such as PRMS.
✔ Point out CME benefits—required credits for licensure can be earned
easily through free monthly webinars and our first annual PaPS
conference in October!
Imagine the impact if each of us brings just one new
member—growing from 1,300 to over 2,000 psychiatrists
strong!
Here’s to a year of growth, innovation, and shared success! Kavita
Fischer, MD, DFAPA