APA announces candidates for 2001 president

Alice F. Chang

Alice F. Chang, PhD, a classic scientist-practitioner, has worked to promote the discipline and serve organized psychology throughout her career. While on APA's Board of Directors (1994-97), she reinforced APA's commitment to expanding opportunities available to psychologists and also to expand the roles of underrepresented groups within psychology, while maintaining APA's prudent financial planning and resource management.

Chang served/observed on the Council of Representatives for Kansas from 1985 until her election to the APA board. She was a founder and secretary/treasurer to the ethnic-minority caucus 1988-90, Treasurer of the Kansas Psychological Association (KPA) (1979-85), president/founder Kansas Psychological Foundation (1986-92) and Treasurer, Div. 31 (State Association Affairs, 1994-95), as well as an accreditation site visitor (1976­93). She served on the Board of Ethnic Minority Affairs, the Committee of Structure and Function of Council, the Committee of Ethnic Minority Affairs, and currently serves on the Board of Professional Affairs. She was instrumental in the formation of APA Graduate Students and is committed to maintaining their place in APA.

While active in the KPA, she helped develop the state continuing-education criteria for licensure. She was also co-founder of Kansas Psychologists Day in 1991 and 1992.

She has been recognized with the 1992 Kansas Outstanding Contributions to Psychology Award, the 1994 Karl F. Heiser Presidential Award for outstanding professional accomplishments on behalf of psychology, a 1995 Commendation Award from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, the 1995 UCLA Alumni Award of Excellence, 1995 Asian American Psychological Association Distinguished Contributions Award, 1996 APA Distinguished Leader for Women in Psychology Citation, 1996 APA Distinguished Contributions to Practice in Public Service Award, 1996 Div. 18 Harold M. Hildreth Award for Public Service Psychology and the 1997 Tucson International Alliance of Refugee Communities Special Recognition and Appreciation Award.

She began her career as an assistant professor at the University of Arizona. In addition to her academic and administrative duties there, Chang helped establish the Marana Community Mental Health Clinic, which serves Yaqui Indians, migrant workers and indigent people in the rural communities around Tucson.

In 1975, she moved to the Greater Kansas City area and became an assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Chang began the pioneering efforts to open new avenues for psychologists to offer their expertise in medical settings in addition to neurology and psychiatry. She started the medical psychological training tract at the Kansas City VAMC and began private practice at the request of KUMC surgeons, family practice and rehabilitation physicians; and founded the first pain clinic in the area to examine the psychological components of chronic pain. In 1993, Chang returned to Tucson to pursue work in the rural sector, as well as in mental health, policy and law, especially as it effected underserved populations.

In 1995, she organized the Asian American Women's Division in the AAPA. In 1996 she founded the Academy for Cancer Wellness, a nonprofit organization benefiting champions (survivors) of cancer, families and friends, as a result of her challenge with inflammatory breast cancer in 1994.

Chang Presidential Statement

As a survivor of breast cancer, I know a little something about overcoming serious adversity and about the important role psychology plays in living and specifically in health care. Our discipline is now facing its own serious adversity in the rapidly and radically changing market forces effecting our profession, science and training. Some have even compared aspects of our current health-care system to a "cancer." We can make this a time of rebirth and renewal for the discipline and the association by recognizing the very real strengths of our training and expertise as we redefine and expand the role of psychology in our society.

Through mechanisms such as APA's national public education campaign, "Talk to Someone Who Can Help" and the Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention and Training in Psychology, APA has begun the process of responding effectively to the threats and the opportunities facing organized psychology in the 21st century. APA must continue its efforts to promote the value of psychology in the public consciousness and to assure that our training programs address the needs of a changing society and a changing marketplace. All members must have access to training enabling them to adjust to new roles and to take advantage of new applications of their core skills.

Through initiatives like the Advisory Council on Genetic Issues, APA can advance new applications of psychological science and open new career paths for the profession. Forensic and health psychology once represented new frontiers in the practice and science of psychology. The association must develop the resources to identify and promote other new applications of our skills. Our knowledge of such processes as decision-making and test construction have numerous potential applications in an ever more information, and technology- driven society.

Gerald C. Davison

Gerald C. Davison (BA, Harvard, 1961; Fulbright Scholar, University of Freiburg, West Germany, 1961­62; PhD, Stanford, 1965) is professor of psychology at the University of Southern California (USC), where he was also director of clinical training (1979­84) and chair of the department of psychology (1984­90). From 1994 to 1996 he served as interim dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. Previously he was on the psychology faculty at the State University of New York at Stony Brook (1966­79). In 1969­70, he was visiting associate professor at Stanford University and in 1975­76, he was a National Institute of Mental Health Special Fellow at Harvard.

Davison, an APA Fellow, has served on the executive committee of Div. 12 (Clinical) as well as on the Board of Scientific Affairs, the Committee on Scientific Awards and APA's Council of Representatives. He is also a Charter Fellow of the American Psychological Society, on the Advisory Board of the Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration, a past president of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy and has served as publications coordinator for that organization. He served two terms on the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council Committee on Techniques for the Enhancement of Human Performance.

In 1988, Davison received an outstanding achievement award from APA's Board of Social and Ethical Responsibility. In 1989, he was the recipient of the Albert S. Raubenheimer Distinguished Faculty Award from USC's College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. In 1993, he won the Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching, a university-wide prize. In 1995, he received the Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Los Angeles County Psychological Assoc-iation. In 1997, he was given the Outstanding Educator Award of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy.

Among his more than 100 publications, his book "Clinical Behavior Therapy," co-authored in 1976 with Marvin Goldfried and reissued in expanded form in 1994, is one of two publications that has been recognized as Citation Classics by the Social Sciences Citation Index. It appears in German and Spanish translation. His textbook "Abnormal Psychology," co-authored with John Neale and published in 1998 in its seventh edition, is a widely used abnormal text. It is translated into German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.

Other recently published books are "Case Studies in Abnormal Psychology," Fifth Edition (1999) with Oltmanns and Neale and "Exploring Abnormal Psychology" (1996) with Neale and Haaga.

Davison is on the editorial board of several professional journals, including Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Therapy and Research, Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, Journal of Clinical Psychology and In Session: Psychotherapy in Practice. His publications emphasize experimental analyses of psychopathology, assessment, and therapeutic change. His current research program focuses on the relationships between cognition and a variety of behavioral and emotional problems via his articulated thoughts in simulated situations paradigm. He is also a practicing clinical psychologist licensed in California and listed in the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Visit his web page at www-rcf.usc.edu/~gdaviso.

Davison Presidential Statement

One of the most challenging goals for the next APA president will be to confront and reduce the growing tensions, within the field of psychology and the APA itself, between practitioners and scientists. These divisions are neither necessary nor beneficial. As both a clinician and a scientist (and above all scientist-practitioner), I am well positioned to represent both sides.

My research emphasizes the study and application of principles of psychology to complex real-world human interactions. I also write and teach about philosophical and ethical issues in both basic and applied psychology. By experience and commitment I can bring a balanced perspective to our very diverse APA.

Good science and accountable, effective practice are interdependent. I have been guided by this belief throughout my career and have contributed to refining the arguments and promoting the importance of psychological science in education, research and application.

Psychologists are experts on human behavior and complex change processes. We must reaffirm our strengths and identities as psychologists. Our research methodologies, knowledge base in psychological science, and innovative, empirically grounded approaches are indispensable to broad-spectrum assessment and interventions and, in many cases, superior to psychoactive drugs.

I am well aware of and sympathetic to the concerns and uncertainties that clinicians face in this era of managed care. A science-based applied psychology is, to my mind, the best way to maintain a pre-eminent position. We should not underestimate what we have to offer as behavioral scientists.

I have demonstrated an ability to work productively with colleagues, including those with whom I may have differences of opinion, and to communicate with laypersons in a constructive and respectful fashion. These qualities will enable me to serve our organization and to represent APA effectively to relevant governmental agencies and to the public.

Ludy T. Benjamin, Jr.

Ludy Benjamin, PhD, is University Professor of Teaching Excellence in the department of psychology at Texas A&M University, where he has been since 1980. Prior to his appointment at Texas A&M, he spent two years in APA's Central Office as director of the Office of Educational Affairs and eight years on the faculty at Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Benjamin received his PhD in experimental psychology from Texas Christian University in 1971. His scholarship has been divided between the history of psychology and the teaching of psychology. His published works on history have focused on psychology's public image, early psychological organizations and applied psychology, including works on the history of educational, clinical and industrial/organizational psychology. His biography of Harry Kirke Wolfe was nominated for two prestigious history of science awards. Benjamin's publications on teaching have emphasized active learning and teacher training. He is the author or editor of 12 books and more than 100 scholarly articles and book chapters. His work has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Mental Health. In addition, he has served on a number of editorial boards, including American Psychologist, Teaching of Psychology and History of Psychology.

Benjamin teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. He is the recipient of several teaching awards, including distinguished teaching awards from Texas A&M in 1984 and 1994, and the American Psychological Foundation's Distinguished Teaching Award in 1986. In 1996, Texas A&M awarded him a University Professorship in Teaching Excellence. He is one of only four faculty out of 2,500 to hold that distinction at Texas A&M.

Following his tenure in APA's Central Office, Benjamin has remained active in APA. He served on the Council of Representatives, the Committee on Structure and Function of Council, the Board of Convention Affairs, the Board of Educational Affairs, the Task Force on Centennial Celebra-tions, the Committee on Under-graduate Education and the Executive Board for Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools (TOPSS). He has work-ed with the Science Directorate as a workshop leader for the Traveling Psychology Exhibition, and most recently as director of the first three APA Summer Science Institutes.

Benjamin is a Fellow in five APA divisions 1 (General), 2 (Society for the Teaching of Psychology), 3 (Experimental), 26 (History) and 35 (Women). He has served as president of Div. 26 and Div. 2.

Benjamin also has been active in other settings. He chaired the Academic Affairs Committee of the Nebraska Psychological Association, chaired the original Test Development Committee for the College Board's Advanced Placement Psychology Program, served as president of the Eastern Psychological Association and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Archives of the History of American Psychology.

Benjamin and his wife, Priscilla, a children's librarian, have been married for 35 years and share a number of interests including reading, travel, history, theater and baseball. Their two daughters both work in fund raising, one in a university and one in the arts.

Benjamin Presidential Statement

Psychology is a growth industry. The problems of the 21st century are psychological problems: prevention of major illnesses, reducing violence, reducing addictions, reforming education, job training for the information age, better parenting, reducing sexism and racism, better serving an aging population and reducing international conflict. These problems will require psychological solutions.

There is a bright future for psychologists and those who would be helped by what our profession and science can offer, but it is not assured. It will depend on whether our science and profession can act as an integrated whole, which is mostly not happening at present. For example, the two largest organizations working for psychology in Washington (APA and the American Psychological Society) rarely communicate with one another. Psychology and the public have been hurt by this divisiveness. In recent years much of APA's policy and advocacy efforts have been directed reactively at crisis situations, such as health-care reform and managed care. Those are significant issues in which APA and the state associations have done an excellent job in representing psychology and the public interest in battles that continue.

APA, however, needs to take a more proactive role by looking at the long-term needs of the consumer public, as well as the needs of psychological educators, practitioners and scientists. We need to promote a profession that is clearly grounded in our science. We need to shape our science so that it better serves the needs of practitioners and the public. We need to do a better job of informing the public, Congress, state legislatures, and state and federal agencies about what we do. As psychologists, we need to talk less exclusively among ourselves and more effectively to those who might fund our research, take our classes or avail themselves of our services. We must prepare for the Century of Behavior.

Norine G. Johnson

Norine G. Johnson is a scientist-practitioner in full-time independent practice and owner of four psychology businesses: president, ABCS Psych Resources; Access for Change; JPP Consultants and W2W.

She holds the position of clinical assistant professor, Boston University Medical School, department of neurology.

She was director of psychology/psychology internship training, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Boston, for 18 years. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from Wayne State University (1972). Her training included a Harvard Medical School two-year postdoctoral program for Mental Health Planners and Administrators (1975-77).

APA Governance: A member of the APA Board of Directors, Johnson has a proven record of strong leadership, deep commitment and significant accomplishments in the service of psychology as well as the public.

She has proven leadership in major initiatives in practice, education/training and in public interest. She originated the Board of Directors' initiative that resulted in the 1999 APA Council of Representatives' Resolution to make the Effects of the Changing Health Care Scene a matter of the utmost priority for all psychology. She co-chaired with Marty Seligman the 1998 Mini-Convention on Professional Education and Training; initiated, with Sharon Brehm and Dorothy Cantor, the Task Force on Women in Academe; and co-chaired with Karen Zager the Task Force on Adolescent Girls.

A member of the B/D subcommittee involved in coordinating APA's advocacy efforts, Johnson has extensive experience with advocacy and has carried psychology's messages to congressional leaders.

Twice elected as an APA Council Representative (1995-97; 1985-88), Johnson continuously demonstrated her fiscal knowledge and leadership. In a time of fiscal crisis, she served as co-chair of APA's Finance Committee with Charlie Spielberger, proposing solutions that assisted APA in obtaining the strong financial position it holds today. A staunch advocate of education and training, she served as a member of the Committee on Accreditation and was Chair of CoA's Postdoctoral Criteria Committee (1992­98).

State and Divisional Leadership: Involved in state leadership for over 25 years, she served as president, council representative and member of the Board of the Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA).

Johnson is an APA Fellow of Divisions 12, 29, 35, 42, 43 and 51. She is a member of Divisions 9, 37, 50 and 52. Division leadership experience includes serving as president of Div. 35; Executive Committee, Div. 12, Section IV; Board of Directors, Div. 29; and finance chair, Div. 42.

Publications and awards: Johnson has more than 75 publications and peer reviewed presentations in health care, gender issues, policy-making, children/youth, psychotherapeutic approaches, business practices, and applications of neuropsychological assessments and principles. Her recent books include, "Beyond Appearances: A New Look at Adolescent Girls" (co-edited with Michael C. Roberts and Judith Worell) and "Shaping the Future of Feminist Psychology: Education, Research, and Practice" (co-edited with Judith Worell).

A recipient of MPA's 1999 Career Contribution Award, she also received a 1998 Distinguished Leader for Women in Psychology Recognition Award from APA's Committee on Women in Psychology and MPA's 1988 Ezra Saul Award.

Johnson Presidential Statement

I am proud of the successes psychology has accomplished in this century. I look forward to the promise of psychology's continuing positive impact on people's lives. My vision for psychology has three major components.

Impacting the health-care system. The impact upon the public of the changing health care system, the infringement on and opportunities for all psychologists will be my top priority. By convening all constituencies--science, practice, public interest and education--I will use the power of psychology to promote the strengths of psychology and to fight the damaging practices of managed care. We must continue to support APA's major initiatives like the Decade of Behavior, legislative advocacy, and the litigation efforts of the Practice Directorate.

Expanding opportunities for and within psychology. I will propose solutions that better link the science and practice of psychology to national priorities. I support expansion of the marketplace for psychology into health, forensics, women's issues, children/youth, aging, neuropsychology, prescription privileges and niche markets.

This will be better advanced as psychology becomes more inclusive and diverse. To this end, we must continue to support CEMMRAT with its focus on cultural competency and the valuing of diversity, race, culture, gender, class and sexual orientation. I will advocate advancing our technology: distance learning, telehealth, online psychology publications and delivering continuing education into our work places, homes and offices.

Providing a future for students and graduates. I will promote continuing to advance education and training of the highest quality that allows our students and graduates to find good opportunities to utilize their scientific and professional skills.

Just as our practitioners are underpaid and undervalued, many of our academic institutions and their faculty are under attack. We must attend to issues involving tenure with freedom of speech and shrinking faculty size and budgets.

Nathan Stockhamer

I am a psychologist first and a psychological practitioner second; this is because I have always considered myself a professional who represented psychology wherever I worked: on an undergraduate or a graduate faculty, in a medical school, at a hospital center...in a clinical, research or academic situation. My main interest is in the development and recognition of advanced specialty education and training. I received my psychology training and PhD from Teachers College, Columbia University, and my Certificate in Psychoanalysis from the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Psychology. I continued my affiliation with the White Institute as a faculty member teaching theory courses and clinical seminars. I am a Training and Supervising Analyst and a former Fellow in the Council of Fellows. I served as director of various clinical departments. For 12 years I was the director of the clinical services at the White Institute, a New York State licensed psychiatric clinic. In the course of my 38-year association with the White Institute, I have served in many administrative and policy positions.

In my capacity as co-chair of the Div. 39 (Psychoanalysis) Committee on Specialization and Accreditation I participated in submitting the successful specialty application to the Commission for the Recognition of Specialities and Proficiencies Professional Psychology. The 1998 APA Council of Representatives voted to recognize Psychoanalytic Psychology as a specialty in psychology.

My record demonstrates that I have had a positive and progressive influence on the growth and vitality of professional psychology:

* Council representative, Div. 39, four terms.

* President, Div. 39.

* Member, Board of Trustees of the Association for the Advancement of Psychology.

* Vice president of The Group for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy in Psychology, Inc.

* President, The American Board of Psychoanalysis in Psychology, Inc., a specialty board of ABPP.

* Div. 39 Liaison, Interorganizational Council for Accreditation of Postdoctoral Programs in Psychology.

* Director of clinical services (1981-93) at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis and Psychology.

In my various positions in the division, on council and at the White Institute I have attempted to include all eligible people to create a truly diverse population of professionals. I look forward to the opportunity of being able to bring my experience and ability to work enthusiastically and constructively with everyone as the president-elect of APA.

Stockhamer Presidential Statement

My vision for psychology is to harness APA's resources to have an impact on the managed-care problem, which is tormenting the public and the professionals who serve them. This can be done in several ways. First, we should redirect the focus of our Public Education Campaign to alert the public to the dangers of managed care. The problem now is managed care, not an insufficient demand for our services. The Public Education Campaign must target the real problem. Second, legislatively we must not be duped in Congress on managed-care reform the way that we were gulled on the parity issue. We have to recognize that bureaucratic hoops like "independent appeals" procedures, especially if they are in lieu of the right to sue, can thwart patients' access to care. Third, we must support litigation. Yes, we are supporting three lawsuits at present, but we need to amplify that a thousand fold to expect to have an impact. Three cases are less than a small law firm could handle.

I would work for a reconciliation between science and practice. Research thinks that practice is dismissive of it and practice thinks that science is irrelevant. Practitioners have to use relevant research evidence as guideposts to their clinical work and scientists have to use clinical experience in shaping their investigations.

What we need to focus on is a vision for psychology rather than for APA. To emphasize APA's future is to focus on small numbers in the governance. The sole reason for APA to exist is for what it does for psychology. APA must spend its accumulated wealth to ensure the survival of psychology into the next century, not to ensure that APA will survive long after the demise of the profession.



Read our privacy statement and Terms of Use

Cover Page for this Issue

PsychNET®
© 1999 American Psychological Association

APA Home Page . Search . Site Map