During her APA tenure, she grew APAGS into a highly valued and respected force within organized psychology. Among many accomplishments, she helped APAGS win a seat on the APA Board of Directors and Council of Representatives, significantly increased the APAGS budget and staff and wrote several student-focused publications.

Williams-Nickelson says the new position will allow her to help transform America's health-care system and shape the training and leadership potential of future physicians.

"Although the medical community generally supports psychology, I'll now have a chance to bridge some of the historical disconnect between psychology and medicine and demonstrate that psychologists have unique skills that make us well-suited for a variety of nontraditional roles," she says.