WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today announced the 2020 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia will not take place in the wake of numerous travel restrictions and public health guidance associated with the pandemic spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). The meeting was scheduled for April 25-29. In lieu of the Annual Meeting, the APA will work with speakers to develop an online educational product this spring.

“After careful deliberations, we came to the conclusion it is not possible to hold the APA’s 2020 Annual Meeting,” said APA President Bruce Schwartz, M.D. “A large number of our physician members are restricted by their respective institutions from traveling to conferences and meetings to help stop the spread of COVID-19, making it impossible for lecturers and registrants to attend the medical conference. The latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Pennsylvania health authorities supports our judgment that travel restrictions, meeting restrictions and social distancing are the required, safe and responsible actions. Public health must come first.”

APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A. added: “We are in the midst of a public health emergency and must not add to the spread of the disease. Our doctors are needed to treat patients who are affected by the disease and its mental health impacts.

“While we understand that not holding the meeting may interfere with attaining required CME credits, we are working to disseminate scientific knowledge online.”

Further details on registration, refunds and the online educational product this spring will be released soon on the APA website, psychiatry.org/annualmeeting.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 38,500 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information please visit www.psychiatry.org.