For the first time in its 118-year history, APA has a strategic plan, with three goals. I am committed to these goals and will work to make them a reality.
1.) Maximize organizational effectiveness. Years of service to APA in many capacities provide me the multiple perspectives needed to address this goal. APA membership is aging; it is critical that we make APA a viable home for younger psychologists. Without the next generation, APA will no longer be the strong force it is today.
2.) Expand psychology’s role in advancing health. My work as a practitioner and educator in medical settings and my experiences in Sen. Clinton’s office are particularly relevant to this goal. With the passage of mental health parity and health-care reform, APA has the opportunity to make psychology an integral part of health care. We need to both advocate for psychology and train psychologists to take their rightful place in health care.
3.) Increase recognition of psychology as a science. Advocating for psychology as a science on NIH interdisciplinary research teams has been the hallmark of my research career. I think psychology is an awesome science and as good as any of my biomedical colleagues’ sciences. Yet, psychology does not get the recognition it deserves. I want to use the APA presidency to address this issue on a larger scale than I have been able to do in my own scientific work.
Why now? Why I am seeking the APA presidency now? After 35 years in academia, I have given up my administrative duties to devote my time to research and service. I am grateful for my career as a psychologist and service to psychology is my way of giving back. I would be honored to serve as APA president and ask for your support.
On November 1, 2010 the APA election closed; I was very fortunate to be elected the 2012 President of the American Psychological Association. I am grateful to all those who supported me during the campaign and want to thank the other presidential candidates – Drs. Bersoff, Craig, Woody, and Cerbone – for their professionalism and camaraderie during the election process and for their many years of dedicated service to psychology and APA.
I look forward to working with all my colleagues as we continue to strengthen the association and position psychology in the forefront of science and patient care.
