Committees, Caucuses, & Special Interest Groups
Committees, Caucuses, & Special Interest Groups
The Heart of Our Community
AAGP's committees, caucuses, and special interest groups are the engine behind the organization's work — and the heart of its community. Made up of dedicated member volunteers, these groups drive the initiatives that advance geriatric psychiatry as a field, strengthen the association, and ultimately improve the lives of older adults and those who care for them.
AAGP Committees
Finance-Audit Committee
Chair: Secretary-Treasurer, Jordan Karp, MD
Vice Chair: Secretary-Treasurer-Elect, Lisa Boyle, MD, MPH
The Finance-Audit Committee provides oversight of AAGP's financial health, accountability, and long-term sustainability. The committee works closely with AAGP leadership and staff to ensure responsible stewardship of the organization's financial resources while supporting the association's mission to advance the mental health and wellness of older adults.
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The committee is responsible for monitoring financial performance, reviewing budgets, overseeing investments, and ensuring appropriate internal controls and financial policies are in place. Through transparent financial oversight and strategic planning, the committee helps position AAGP for continued growth and organizational resilience.
By safeguarding the association's assets and promoting sound fiscal management, the Finance-Audit Committee plays a critical role in supporting AAGP's programs, services, educational initiatives, and long-term strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor AAGP's financial performance and organizational fiscal health.
- Review and recommend annual operating budgets and financial policies.
- Oversee audits, investments, and financial reporting processes.
- Ensure appropriate internal controls and financial safeguards are maintained.
- Support long-term financial planning and sustainability initiatives.
- Provide financial recommendations and guidance to the Board of Directors.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Finance-Audit Committee supports the financial planning and oversight of the AAGP Annual Meeting by reviewing budget performance, monitoring financial outcomes, and helping ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of the organization's largest educational event.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Secretary-Treasurer, Jordan Karp, MD
Vice Chair: Secretary-Treasurer-Elect, Lisa Boyle, MD, MPH
The committee is composed of AAGP leadership with responsibility for financial oversight and strategic planning. Members work closely with AAGP staff, accounting partners, and investment advisors to ensure sound financial management and transparency throughout the organization.
Clinical Practice Committee
Chair: Amita Patel, MD
Vice Chair: Karen Reimers, MD
The Clinical Practice Committee supports AAGP's mission by advancing excellence in the clinical care of older adults through the development, dissemination, and promotion of evidence-based best practices in geriatric psychiatry. The committee serves clinicians across disciplines who are dedicated to improving mental health outcomes for aging adults and their caregivers.
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The committee focuses on translating emerging research, clinical innovations, and evolving standards of care into practical resources that support clinicians in everyday practice. Through collaboration with other AAGP committees and subject matter experts, the committee helps ensure that members have access to timely, relevant, and clinically meaningful information.
The Clinical Practice Committee also serves as a resource to the organization on matters related to patient care, treatment approaches, clinical guidelines, and emerging issues affecting the mental health and well-being of older adults.
Key Responsibilities
- Promote evidence-based clinical practices in geriatric psychiatry.
- Develop and disseminate clinical resources, toolkits, and guidance documents.
- Identify emerging clinical issues affecting older adults and their caregivers.
- Support rapid-response educational resources related to new treatments, policies, or public health concerns.
- Collaborate with other AAGP committees on initiatives that impact patient care.
- Provide clinical expertise and recommendations to AAGP leadership when requested.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Clinical Practice Committee contributes to the development of clinically focused educational programming at the AAGP Annual Meeting. Committee members help identify timely topics, recommend faculty, and support educational sessions that translate research findings into practical applications for clinical care.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Amita Patel, MD
Vice Chair: Karen Reimers, MD
The committee includes psychiatrists, physicians, advanced practice providers, psychologists, social workers, and other professionals with expertise in the care of older adults. Members work collaboratively to advance clinical excellence and improve patient outcomes across diverse care settings.
IDEA Committee
Chair: Ali Asghar-Ali
Vice Chair: Melanie Gentry
The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee advances AAGP's mission by promoting a professional community that values diverse perspectives, equitable opportunities, and inclusive practices across all aspects of geriatric mental health. The committee works to ensure that AAGP's programs, policies, leadership, and educational initiatives reflect the needs of the diverse populations served by the organization.
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The committee is committed to addressing disparities in mental health care for older adults and fostering an environment where all members feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to contribute. Through collaboration with other AAGP committees, community organizations, and professional partners, the IDEA Committee helps strengthen the organization's commitment to equity and belonging.
By supporting culturally responsive education, expanding outreach efforts, and promoting diverse representation within the field, the IDEA Committee helps advance AAGP's vision of improving mental health and wellness for all aging adults.
Key Responsibilities
- Promote inclusion, diversity, equity, and access throughout AAGP programs, policies, and initiatives.
- Identify and address disparities affecting the mental health and wellness of older adults.
- Support the development of culturally responsive educational resources and programming.
- Collaborate with community organizations and professional partners to expand outreach and engagement.
- Advise AAGP leadership on IDEA-related priorities, opportunities, and best practices.
- Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for members across disciplines, backgrounds, and career stages.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The IDEA Committee supports the development of inclusive and culturally responsive programming for the AAGP Annual Meeting. Committee members help identify topics related to health equity, diversity, access, and underserved populations, while also encouraging diverse representation among speakers, moderators, and educational content. The committee also supports initiatives that create a welcoming and inclusive experience for all attendees.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Ali Asghar-Ali
Vice Chair: Melanie Gentry
The committee includes AAGP members from a variety of professional backgrounds, practice settings, and lived experiences who are committed to advancing equity and inclusion in geriatric mental health. Members collaborate with other committees and external partners to ensure IDEA principles are integrated throughout the organization's work and strategic priorities.
Membership Committee
Chair: Gauri P. Khatkhate
Vice Chair: Syeda Farheen
The Membership Committee advances AAGP's mission by fostering a strong, engaged, and inclusive community of professionals dedicated to the mental health and wellness of older adults. The committee focuses on attracting, retaining, and supporting members across all career stages and disciplines while ensuring that AAGP continues to deliver meaningful value and opportunities for professional growth.
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The committee works to strengthen connections among members through networking, mentorship, engagement initiatives, and member-focused programming. By understanding the evolving needs of the membership, the committee helps shape programs, resources, and services that support professional development, collaboration, and long-term involvement within the organization.
Through strategic recruitment, retention, and engagement efforts, the Membership Committee plays a critical role in expanding AAGP's reach and building a vibrant professional community committed to improving geriatric mental health care.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement strategies to recruit, retain, and engage AAGP members.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the member experience and increase membership value.
- Support networking, mentorship, and professional development initiatives across career stages.
- Promote member engagement through Special Interest Groups (SIGs), committees, and volunteer opportunities.
- Evaluate membership trends and engagement data to guide strategic decision-making.
- Foster outreach efforts to expand membership among diverse disciplines, practice settings, and geographic regions.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Membership Committee supports member engagement and networking activities during the AAGP Annual Meeting. The committee helps welcome new members, promotes opportunities for involvement within the organization, and supports events designed to foster professional connections, mentorship, and collaboration among attendees.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Gauri P. Khatkhate
Vice Chair: Syeda Farheen
The committee includes members representing a variety of disciplines, career stages, and practice settings who are committed to strengthening the AAGP community. Members work collaboratively to support recruitment, retention, engagement, and professional development initiatives that advance the organization's mission and strategic goals.
Public Policy & Advocacy Committee
Chair: Aaron Greenstein, MD
The Public Policy & Advocacy Committee advances AAGP's mission by promoting policies, programs, and initiatives that improve the mental health and well-being of older adults. The committee serves as AAGP's voice on legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues that impact geriatric mental health, patient care, workforce development, research, and access to services.
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Through collaboration with policymakers, professional organizations, advocacy coalitions, and community partners, the committee works to raise awareness of the unique mental health needs of aging adults and the importance of a strong geriatric mental health workforce. The committee also helps identify emerging policy issues and provides guidance to AAGP leadership on advocacy priorities.
By equipping members with resources, education, and opportunities for engagement, the Public Policy & Advocacy Committee empowers AAGP members to advocate for policies that improve care, reduce disparities, and strengthen support systems for older adults and their caregivers.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor legislative, regulatory, and public policy developments affecting geriatric mental health.
- Develop policy statements, advocacy resources, and educational materials for members and stakeholders.
- Collaborate with partner organizations, coalitions, and advocacy groups to advance shared priorities.
- Promote awareness of workforce shortages and barriers to accessing mental health care for older adults.
- Support grassroots advocacy efforts and member engagement in policy initiatives.
- Advise AAGP leadership on public policy, advocacy, and governmental affairs issues.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Public Policy & Advocacy Committee contributes policy-focused educational programming to the AAGP Annual Meeting, including sessions addressing legislative developments, advocacy priorities, healthcare policy trends, and issues affecting older adults and the geriatric mental health workforce. The committee also helps connect members with opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts at the local, state, and national levels.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Amy Abramowitz
Vice Chair: Karen Dionesotes
The committee includes clinicians, researchers, educators, trainees, and other professionals with interests in public policy, advocacy, and health systems improvement. Members work collaboratively to advance AAGP's advocacy agenda and strengthen the organization's role as a trusted voice in geriatric mental health policy.
Articles & Resources
- https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coverage/InfoExchange/publiccomments
- https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/appi.ajp.22179004
- https://www.appi.org/Products/General-Interest/Psychiatrists-Guide-to-Advocacy
- https://www.theopedproject.org/
Research Committee
Chair: Jennifer Gatchel
Vice Chair: Adam Mecca
The Research Committee advances AAGP's mission by promoting scientific discovery, innovation, and scholarship that improve the mental health and wellness of older adults. The committee supports the development, dissemination, and application of research that advances the field of geriatric psychiatry and strengthens the evidence base for clinical care, education, and policy.
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The committee serves as a resource for researchers, clinicians, educators, and trainees interested in advancing knowledge related to aging, mental health, and brain health. Through collaboration, mentorship, and professional development opportunities, the committee helps foster the next generation of investigators while supporting established researchers across a broad range of disciplines and practice settings.
By encouraging research excellence and facilitating collaboration among members and partner organizations, the Research Committee helps ensure that AAGP remains at the forefront of innovation and scientific advancement in geriatric mental health.
Key Responsibilities
- Promote and support research initiatives that advance the mental health and wellness of older adults.
- Foster collaboration among researchers, clinicians, educators, and interdisciplinary partners.
- Support research mentorship and career development opportunities for trainees and early-career investigators.
- Identify and promote funding opportunities, research resources, and scholarly collaborations.
- Recognize excellence in geriatric mental health research through awards and recognition programs.
- Advise AAGP leadership on research priorities, emerging trends, and opportunities for innovation.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Research Committee plays a central role in supporting the scientific content of the AAGP Annual Meeting. The committee contributes to the development of research-focused programming, promotes opportunities for the presentation of original research, and supports recognition of outstanding scientific achievements through awards, lectures, and scholarly activities. The committee also helps foster networking and mentorship opportunities for investigators at all career stages.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Jennifer Gatchel
Vice Chair: Adam Mecca
The committee includes researchers, clinicians, educators, trainees, and interdisciplinary professionals dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge in geriatric mental health. Members collaborate to promote research excellence, support scholarly development, and strengthen AAGP's role as a leader in research and innovation related to aging and mental health.
Nominations Committee
Chair: Melinda Lantz
The Nominations Committee plays a vital role in identifying, recruiting, and developing leaders who will help guide the future of AAGP. The committee is responsible for overseeing the nominations process for elected leadership positions and ensuring that the organization maintains a strong pipeline of qualified, engaged, and diverse leaders.
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The committee works to identify members with the experience, expertise, and commitment necessary to advance AAGP's mission and strategic priorities. Through thoughtful succession planning and leadership development, the committee helps ensure continuity, organizational stability, and effective governance.
By fostering leadership opportunities and encouraging member involvement at all levels of the organization, the Nominations Committee helps build a strong foundation for AAGP's continued growth and success.
Key Responsibilities
- Identify and recruit qualified candidates for elected and appointed leadership positions.
- Oversee the nominations and election processes in accordance with AAGP bylaws and policies.
- Promote leadership development and succession planning throughout the organization.
- Encourage diverse representation within AAGP leadership and governance structures.
- Evaluate leadership needs and recommend strategies to strengthen the leadership pipeline.
- Support member engagement by creating pathways for future leadership opportunities.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Nominations Committee supports leadership development and member engagement activities during the AAGP Annual Meeting. The committee helps identify emerging leaders, promotes opportunities for volunteer service and governance involvement, and facilitates conversations about future leadership within the organization.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Melinda Lantz
Vice Chair:
The committee is composed of AAGP members with leadership experience and a commitment to the organization's long-term success. Members work collaboratively to identify future leaders, support governance excellence, and ensure that AAGP leadership reflects the breadth of expertise and perspectives within the field of geriatric mental health.
Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committee
Chair: Kathleen Rogers
Vice Chair: Aarti Gupta
The Continuing Medical Education (CME) Committee is responsible for ensuring the development, accreditation, and delivery of high-quality educational activities that advance the knowledge, competence, and performance of professionals serving older adults. The committee helps ensure that AAGP remains a leading source of evidence-based education in geriatric mental health.
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The committee provides strategic oversight for AAGP's educational portfolio, including continuing education activities, certificate programs, webinars, online learning opportunities, and emerging educational initiatives. Through collaboration with subject matter experts and educational partners, the committee helps identify learning needs and develop programs that address the evolving challenges facing the field.
By fostering lifelong learning and professional development, the CME Committee supports AAGP members in delivering high-quality care and advancing the mental health and wellness of aging adults.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the development and accreditation of AAGP educational activities.
- Identify educational needs and emerging topics within geriatric mental health.
- Support the development of certificate programs and continuing education offerings.
- Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and educational best practices.
- Review and guide educational content across AAGP learning initiatives.
- Explore innovative educational formats and professional development opportunities.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The CME Committee plays a vital role in ensuring the educational quality and accreditation of the AAGP Annual Meeting. The committee helps guide educational objectives, evaluates learning needs, and works with faculty and planners to ensure programming meets the highest standards for continuing education.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Kathleen Rogers
Vice Chair: Aarti Gupta
The committee includes clinicians, educators, researchers, and interdisciplinary professionals with expertise in adult learning and continuing education. Members work closely with AAGP staff and accreditation partners to support the organization's educational mission.
Teaching & Training Committee
Chair: Brandon Yarns
The Teaching & Training Committee advances AAGP's mission by supporting the development of the current and future workforce in geriatric mental health through education, mentorship, and professional development initiatives. The committee is dedicated to strengthening the pipeline of clinicians, educators, researchers, and leaders committed to improving the mental health and wellness of older adults.
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The committee oversees programs and initiatives that support learners and professionals at all career stages, from medical students and residents to fellows, early-career professionals, and experienced practitioners. Through mentorship, leadership development, workforce initiatives, and educational programming, the committee helps foster lifelong learning and professional growth within the field.
The Teaching & Training Committee also serves as the organizational home for several key workforce development initiatives, including the Scholars Program and engagement with Fellowship Training Directors. By supporting training pathways and career development opportunities, the committee helps ensure a strong future for geriatric psychiatry and geriatric mental health care.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and growth of the geriatric mental health workforce.
- Oversee educational, mentorship, and professional development initiatives for members at all career stages.
- Support and enhance the AAGP Scholars Program and Fellowship Training Directors Program.
- Promote leadership development and create pathways for future organizational leaders.
- Foster collaboration with educational institutions, training programs, and professional partners.
- Develop resources, workshops, and programming that support career advancement and workforce recruitment.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Teaching & Training Committee contributes significantly to educational and workforce development programming at the AAGP Annual Meeting. The committee supports trainee-focused initiatives, mentorship opportunities, career development sessions, leadership programming, the Scholars Program, and engagement with Fellowship Training Directors. These activities help connect learners and early-career professionals with experienced mentors while promoting careers in geriatric mental health.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Brandon Yarns
Vice Chair:
The committee includes educators, clinicians, training directors, researchers, trainees, and other professionals dedicated to advancing education and workforce development in geriatric mental health. Members work collaboratively to strengthen training pathways, expand mentorship opportunities, and support the next generation of leaders in the field.
Communications Committee
Chair: Saumya Bhutani
The Communications Committee supports AAGP's mission by ensuring that members, partners, stakeholders, and the broader community remain informed, engaged, and connected to the organization's work. The committee helps shape AAGP's voice, brand, and communication strategy while promoting awareness of the association's programs, initiatives, educational offerings, and advocacy efforts.
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The committee works to enhance member engagement through clear, consistent, and impactful communication across a variety of platforms, including the AAGP website, email communications, social media, digital marketing campaigns, and member publications. By leveraging modern communication tools and best practices, the committee helps strengthen AAGP's visibility and expand its reach within the field of geriatric mental health.
Through strategic communications, storytelling, and brand stewardship, the Communications Committee helps position AAGP as the leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the mental health and wellness of older adults.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and support communication strategies that advance AAGP's mission and strategic priorities.
- Promote AAGP programs, educational activities, membership opportunities, and advocacy initiatives.
- Support the organization's branding, messaging, and public awareness efforts.
- Enhance member engagement through digital communications, social media, and marketing campaigns.
- Collaborate with committees and leadership to communicate organizational priorities and accomplishments.
- Evaluate communication effectiveness and identify opportunities to expand outreach and engagement.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The Communications Committee plays a critical role in promoting the AAGP Annual Meeting before, during, and after the event. The committee supports marketing campaigns, attendee communications, website content, social media engagement, and promotional materials that help drive attendance, highlight key educational content, and showcase the impact of the meeting to members and external audiences.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Saumya Bhutani
Vice Chair:
The committee includes members with interests and expertise in communications, marketing, digital engagement, branding, education, and outreach. Working closely with AAGP leadership and staff, committee members help strengthen the organization's visibility, support member engagement, and ensure consistent communication of AAGP's mission and priorities.
Annual Meeting Program Committee
Chair: Ganesh Gopalakrishna, MD
Vice Chair: Mirnova Ceide, MD
The Annual Meeting Program Committee is responsible for developing and delivering the premier educational event in geriatric psychiatry. Through thoughtful planning, innovative programming, and a commitment to educational excellence, the committee helps ensure that the AAGP Annual Meeting remains the leading forum for advancing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and promoting professional growth in the field.
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The committee works to create a dynamic learning environment that reflects the diverse communities served by AAGP and encourages the exchange of ideas across disciplines, career stages, and practice settings. By identifying emerging topics, recruiting expert faculty, and supporting scientific presentations, the committee plays a critical role in shaping the educational experience of Annual Meeting attendees.
In partnership with AAGP leadership, volunteers, and staff, the committee continuously evaluates and enhances meeting content to ensure it remains relevant, engaging, and aligned with the organization's strategic priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and oversee the educational content and programming for the AAGP Annual Meeting.
- Identify emerging topics and trends in geriatric psychiatry and aging-related mental health.
- Encourage member participation through scientific submissions, poster presentations, and educational sessions.
- Ensure Annual Meeting programming aligns with AAGP's strategic plan and educational mission.
- Participate in subcommittees and workgroups focused on specific aspects of meeting planning.
- Foster future leadership within the committee and support succession planning.
Annual Meeting Contributions
The committee serves as the primary architect of the AAGP Annual Meeting, overseeing session development, scientific programming, speaker recruitment, and educational content selection. Committee members help ensure that the meeting offers high-quality, accessible, and relevant educational opportunities that meet the needs of clinicians, researchers, educators, trainees, and other professionals dedicated to the mental health and well-being of older adults.
Leadership & Structure
Chair: Ganesh Gopalakrishna, MD
Vice Chair: Mirnova Ceide, MD
Membership is open to all AAGP members and renewed annually. The committee includes clinicians, educators, researchers, and other professionals committed to advancing the educational mission of AAGP through the development of exceptional Annual Meeting programming.
AAGP Caucuses
Advanced Practice Nurses Caucus
Advanced practice nurses discuss their participation with AAGP and their role in the late-life mental health care system.
Disaster Preparedness Caucus
The Disaster Preparedness Caucus discusses and develops ways in which we can learn more from any disaster—both natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes, and man-made disasters including terrorist attacks—and take steps to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of older adults.
Early Career Psychiatrists Caucus
Early Career Psychiatrists (ECPs) are Psychiatrist Members of the AAGP whose careers are within the first seven years following the completion of an ACGME-accredited residency or fellowship training program. The AAGP ECP Caucus is aimed at bringing together ECPs for networking, developing projects, and sharing ideas about learning and career development specific to ECPs.
Ethics Caucus
This caucus is an opportunity for discussion of professional issues relevant to ethics in the geriatric psychiatry field.
MIT Caucus
Chair - Joanna Georgakas, MD
AAGP members-in-training discuss MIT participation within AAGP, and issues related to training and career development.
More information
Do you want to join the MIT Caucus? Please click here to sign up for our AAGP MIT Caucus Listserv.
Retirement Age Caucus
This forum is an opportunity for members of retirement age, or approaching retirement age, to discuss issues related to retirement and the roles retiring members can take in the AAGP.
VA Caucus
This forum is an opportunity for those who work in the VA or are interested in the VA to discuss issues related to mental health care and older veterans.
AAGP Special Interest Groups
Ethnic Minorities Interest Group
This interest group is an opportunity for discussion of professional issues relevant to minority professionals in the late-life mental health field and the roles members can take in the organization.
International Medical Graduates Interest Group
This caucus provides a forum to discuss issues relevant to IMGs, including impact of being an IMG on career decisions, and roles and opportunities for IMG members within AAGP.
LGBT Interest Group
Chair: Steven Smilowitz, MD | This forum is an opportunity to discuss professional issues relevant to LGBT attendees and the roles members can take in the organization.
Training Directors Group
Women’s Interest Group
This forum is an opportunity for discussion of professional issues relevant to women professionals in the late-life mental health field and the roles women can take in the AAGP.
Consider Joining a Committee, Causcus, or Special Interest Group
Getting involved in AAGP is easy! During the annual meeting, simply show up at a committee or caucus meeting and be a willing volunteer or use the form below to contact our executive office to get you connected.