Candidates for APA President
I have spent the past two decades as an advocate for psychology including currently drafting recommendations for health-care reform for the Secretary of HHS and Congress as vice-chair of an advisory committee in HRSA's Bureau of Health Professions. I received APA's Heiser Presidential Award for Advocacy for supporting psychologists' hospital practice privileges and APA Div. 52's Outstanding International Psychologist Award for my efforts linking U.S. and international educational programs. I founded the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings and was editor for 13 years and published five books and numerous chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles on health psychology and professional issues.
I am a scientist-practitioner with a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. As a University of Illinois undergraduate, I was captivated by the elegant science of psychology and have focused my career on the integration of science and practice as a scientist, independent and hospital-based practitioner, academic departmental chair and educator, community mental health administrator, associate dean for international programs, journal editor and author. I believe that no matter in which of the many branches of psychology or diverse work settings we find psychologists, it is our rich, shared heritage of basic and applied science, critical thinking, and dedication to service that shape psychology's future.
I am board certified (ABPP) in both clinical and clinical health psychology and have been in practice my entire career. At Evanston Hospital/Northwestern University I was assistant chair for research, then associate chair for ambulatory services directing state-funded community mental health programs for the underserved. I then served as professor and chair of the University of Florida's department of clinical and health psychology where, under my leadership, the department increased its annual, extramural research support from less than $1 million to almost $8 million a year. The department is responsible for hospital and community-based, multi-specialty, clinical services as well as both an APA-accredited doctoral program and internship in clinical psychology. I teach graduate seminars in advanced psychotherapy and behavioral medicine and an undergraduate honors research seminar while providing clinical supervision and direct patient care. Students awarded me the Classroom Teacher and Supervisor of the Year Award twice and my department received APAGS Department of the Year and APA's Service in a Culture of Science awards. I was named Outstanding Educator by the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Science Centers. Maintaining my commitment to the underserved, I received a $1 million grant from SAMHSA to found the National Rural Behavioral Health Center.
My leadership accomplishments include APA's Board of Directors and Council; chair of APA's Boards of Educational Affairs and Professional Affairs; vice-chair of CRSPPP; President of the Illinois Psychological Association. I chaired or served on a number of tasks forces including Work Force Analysis & Psychology; BEA's Advisory Council on Accreditation; and two presidential initiatives. I am an APA Fellow (Divs. 1, 12, 29, 31, 38 and 42); Distinguished Practitioner—National Academy of Practice; and was an invited plenary speaker, U.K.'s Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology, Oxford, England.
Rozensky's candidate statement
My goal as APA president is to ensure all psychologists work together to strengthen our field and build the best future we can for psychology. We must highlight our interconnectedness as scientists, clinicians, educators, applied scientists and in public service, and identify and solve the challenges of the future.
Health-care reform must include adequately reimbursed psychological services. Currently, I have an active role in drafting health-care reform recommendations. We must advocate for continued research funding and education and training support when the current economic stimulus dollars return to baseline. With experience as chair of a "Research One" university department, I can advocate effectively for the importance of basic and applied funding. With broad experience in international education, I am well prepared to be your spokesperson on the global stage.
Psychology's future depends on understanding our education pipeline and detailing career opportunities for the next generation. Having chaired the work group that helped secure funding for APA's new Center for Workforce Analysis, I will assure APA takes a data-based lead in building our future.
During my presidential year we will concentrate on enhancing the quality of life of all psychologists during difficult economic times while highlighting research and practice expansion opportunities for psychology in public health. We will vigorously advocate for improved health-care reimbursement and parity; increased research funding based on peer review; IRB reform; expanded funding for education and training; practice expansion; and ensuring diversity throughout our profession. We will address our association's relevancy to members and potential members.
I am a successful consensus builder who can bring together all psychologists as one, unified voice. I am prepared to help us not only weather current economic challenges but put in place solutions that assure the long-term vitality of psychology and our association. Thank you for your No. 1 vote. For more information please visit my Web site.
