Feature
The following psychologists were recently given APA Presidential Citations in recognition of their outstanding contributions to psychology:
Donna Christian-Christiansen, MD, U.S. Virgin Islands delegate to Congress, was honored for her long-term dedication to improving the health and mental health functioning of her home territory. Throughout her career, Christian-Christiansen has advocated for issues such as funding for substance abuse, mentally ill homeless and outpatient mental health services. In her last term, the congresswoman again introduced legislation to achieve parity in Medicaid funding and access to SSI benefits for Virgin Islands residents.
Patrick H. DeLeon, PhD, JD, APA Past-president, was recognized for outstanding leadership in psychology and public policy. DeLeon has held that the best way to advance psychology is to ensure that psychology is benefiting the public and addressing the needs of the underserved. He has carefully attended diversity issues during his editorships and when appointing members to APA governance groups. In addition, DeLeon has made notable public policy efforts to gain prescription privileges for appropriately trained psychologists. He was also recognized for underscoring the importance of teaching psychology in schools, highlighting education's critical role in psychology's infrastructure and fighting for better recognition of psychological science.
Thomas L. Jackson, PhD, was honored for his outstanding contributions as a member and past-chair of the Committee on Accreditation (CoA). Jackson created a closer relationship between CoA and APA's governance and enhanced the APA accreditation process to the benefit of students, faculty members and the profession. Jackson served as professor and director of clinical training in the psychology departments of University of South Dakota and the University of Arkansas. He has served as a chair and member of both the South Dakota and Arkansas professional licensing boards. His work reflects a career dedicated to enhancing the quality of professional education and to ensuring the protection of the public.
