Ronald Rozensky, PhD, is a scientist-practitioner who received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. As an undergraduate at the University of Illinois he was captivated by the elegant science of psychology and has been dedicated to psychology ever since. As an independent and hospital-based practitioner, scientist, academic departmental chairperson and educator, community mental health administrator, associate dean for international programs, journal editor and author, he focuses his career on the integration of science and practice. Rozensky believes that “No matter 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.”

In practice over 20 years in Illinois, Rozensky served at Evanston Hospital’s department of psychiatry, and at Northwestern University, as assistant chair for research then associate chair for ambulatory services directing the state-funded community mental health programs while teaching and supervising students. He is board-certified in both clinical and clinical health psychology (ABPP).

The last eight years Rozensky served as professor and chairperson of the department of clinical and health psychology at the University of Florida where, under his leadership, the department increased its total research expenditures from less than a million to almost $10 million per year. The department is responsible for a “24-7” hospital and community-based, multispecialty clinical service as well as having both an APA-accredited graduate program and internship in clinical psychology. Rozensky teaches the advanced psychotherapy course and provides clinical supervision and direct patient care. Students awarded him both the Classroom Teacher and Supervisor of the Year Awards. In 2001 the department was named “APAGS Department of the Year” and Rozensky was awarded “Outstanding Educator” by the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Science Centers. He is currently the associate dean for international programs.

Rozensky founded the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings and was editor for 13 years. He has published five books, numerous chapters and peer reviewed journal articles on health psychology and professional issues. He received a $1 million grant from SAMHSA to found the National Rural Behavioral Health Center.

Rozensky’s leadership accomplishments include: APA’s Board of Directors; two terms on APA’s Council, representing Illinois, then Div. 31; chair of APA’s Board of Educational Affairs and Board of Professional Affairs; president, Illinois Psychological Association. He has also chaired or served on numerous task forces and workgroups including Work Force Analysis & Psychology; BEA’s Advisory Council on Accreditation; two APA Presidential Initiatives, Practice Guidelines for Geropsychology and for Treatment of Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Clients; workgroups on Telehealth, Practice Expansion in Health Care, Evaluation of APA’s Research Office. He was also APA’s representative to JCAHO.

Dr. Rozensky’s honors include APA Fellow, Divs. 12, 29, 31, 38 and 42; APA’s Heiser Presidential Award for Advocacy; Distinguished Psychologist Award—Illinois; Outstanding Educator—APAHC (Section 8, Div. 12); Distinguished Practitioner—National Academy of Practice; invited plenary speaker, Group of Trainers in Clinical Psychology—United Kingdom, Oxford, England.

I am honored to be nominated as a candidate to serve as president of the American Psychological Association.I have two overarching goals inseeking this responsibility: First, all psychologists must work together to strengthen our field and build the best future we can build for psychology. Second, all psychologists must work together to have a strong, articulate and coordinated approach to advocating for the entire field of psychology. My goals, initiatives and leadership experiences in science, practice, education and public service are detailed at www.RozenskyforAPAPresident.com.

As your president, I will continue to vigorously advocate for mentalhealth parity; institutional review board reform; improved health-care reimbursement rates; increased research funding; expanded funding for education and training; tenure protection; practice expansion including prescriptive authority and hospital privileges; guaranteed peer-reviewed research funding; license mobility; and ensured diversity throughout our field. Advocacy also must include making certain that our association addresses its own relevancy to members and potential members.

As APA president, my theme will be “Celebrating our Past, Enjoying our Present, and Building Psychology’s Future: Educating Psychologists for Science, Practice and Public Service.” This theme highlights our interrelatedness as members of one “Family of Psychology” and how we will work together successfully to build our future.

It is essential that we have a strategic, optimistic and enthusiastic approach to bringing together the diverse communities of interest in psychology to accomplish this. My leadership record illustrates that I am a successful consensus builder. I have the experience and enthusiasm to bring us together and the skills necessary to confront the important issues impacting the lives of all psychologists. I am proud to be a psychologist and a member of “The Family of Psychology.” I look forward to working with each of you to successfully build the best and strongest future for all psychologists.