Early Career Psychiatrists
The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) Section of Early Career Psychiatrists aims to represent and support psychiatric trainees/residents and early career psychiatrists across the world.
In 2003, the WPA Executive Committee created the Young Psychiatrists Council, targeting all trainees and early career psychiatrists registered in national psychiatric associations. Later, in 2009 this was restructured as the WPA Early Career Psychiatrists Council, with one representative nominated for a term of three years by each WPA Member Society. In 2014, a group of early career psychiatrists proposed the creation of a WPA Early Career Psychiatrists Section, and in 2015 the Section was established (Pinto da Costa, 2020).
WPA early career psychiatrist section membership
Overarching term, as it represents and supports both psychiatric trainees/residents and early career psychiatrists (up to seven years after becoming specialists in psychiatry)
No age limit
No financial membership cost
For further information and to contact the Section of Early Career Psychiatrists, please e-mail: wpa.ecp.section@gmail.com
In 2003, the WPA Executive Committee created the Young Psychiatrists Council, targeting all trainees and early career psychiatrists registered in national psychiatric associations. Later, in 2009 this was restructured as the WPA Early Career Psychiatrists Council, with one representative nominated for a term of three years by each WPA Member Society. In 2014, a group of early career psychiatrists proposed the creation of a WPA Early Career Psychiatrists Section, and in 2015 the Section was established (Pinto da Costa, 2020).
WPA early career psychiatrist section membership
For further information and to contact the Section of Early Career Psychiatrists, please e-mail: wpa.ecp.section@gmail.com
Section Officers
Chair
Lamia Jouini
Leads the committee, chairs meetings, represents the committee in official matters, and ensures the team is progressing on its objectives
Represented Zones: North Africa and Middle East (WPA Zones 11 and 12)
Co-Chair
Alex Vicente Spadini
Supports the Chair, steps in as Chair representative when needed, helps with coordination and decision-making, and may lead specific initiatives
Represented Zones: South America (WPA Zones 4 and 5)
Secretary
Rick Peter Fritz Wolthusen
Handles meeting minutes, maintains records, organises documentation, and reviews/manages applications for section membership
Represented Zones: North America (WPA Zones 1, 2 and 3)
Section Committee Member
Newsletter Editor
Katherine Tan
Makes the call for articles to members, oversees the creation and distribution of the committee’s newsletter on the Section page
Represented Zones: Australia and New Zealand (WPA Zone 18)
Social Media Coordinator
Sara Medved
Manages the Section’s online presence, posting updates, engages with the social media audience, and promotes initiatives.
Represented Zones: Eastern Europe (WPA Zones 9 and 10)
World Psychiatry Exchange Program Coordinator:
Sharad Philip
Oversees the World Psychiatry Exchange program, supports national/local coordinators and participants' general queries, manages the call for institutions, oversees the feedback process and issuing of participants' certificates.
Represented Zones: Asia (WPA Zones 15, 16 and 17)
Conference Coordinator (On Leave)
Tejil Morar
Organises the ECP sessions and activities at the World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP) and other key events.
Represented Zones: South Africa (WPA Zones 13 and 14)
Interim Conference Coordinator
Shwetha Suresh
Organises the ECP sessions and activities at the World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP) and other key events
Communications Coordinator
Fatma Swilem
Facilitates communication with Section members, other sections, WPA bodies, and external organisations.
Represented Zones: Western Europe (WPA Zone 6, 7 and 8)
Section Newsletter
Section Activities
The World Psychiatric Association Exchange Program (WPEP)
The World Psychiatric Association Exchange Program (WPEP) is an annual initiative designed for early-career psychiatrists, with applications typically opening in the fall for the following year. The program provides opportunities for clinical observerships, research projects, mentoring, and educational activities, tailored to the strengths of the host institution and the interests and needs of the participant. Read more here
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