Excellence in Rural Psychology Award
The APA Committee on Rural Health (CRH) mission is to achieve the full and optimal impact of the science, practice, and advocacy of psychology in rural and remote regions. CRH recognizes the unique experience of psychologists working in a rural and remote context. Moreover, CRH acknowledges the additional skill set needed to function in underserved areas. The establishment of the APA Committee on Rural Health: Excellence in Rural Psychology Award elevates the importance of psychologists in rural and remote regions and recognizes those who demonstrate exemplary leadership. The award demonstrates CRH’s commitment to ensuring the availability of behavioral health care for rural and remote populations and that issues pertaining to rural and remote behavioral health professionals and consumers are kept at the forefront of psychological advocacy, research, education, and practice.
Award
CRH will select one nominee annually to receive the award, which includes a commemorative plaque and a $250 stipend. Press announcements recognizing the award recipient will be disseminated to the recipient’s membership association(s) and other relevant organizations (i.e. a state Office of Rural Health; award recipient’s employer; etc.) The award recipient selected by CRH will be notified by June and will be invited to receive the award in August during the APA Annual Convention.
All nominees must have completed all requirements of a doctoral degree in psychology. Self-nominations are accepted. At the time of application and throughout the award process, the nominee must be a member in good standing with one or more of the following psychological association(s): state; territorial; provincial; regional; national; or ethnic minority. Nominations of sitting members on the Committee on Rural Health and its governing board, the Board for Professional Affairs, at the time of selection will be excluded from consideration. All nominations are to include the following documentation to be considered:
- completed online applicationopens in new window;
- letter of nomination (or self-nomination), 500–1,000 words;
- one letter of support from those familiar with the nominee, 500–1,000 words;
- current curriculum vitae; and
- proof of current membership to one or more of the following: a state, territorial, provincial, regional, national, or ethnic minority psychological association(s).
Letters of nomination and support should identify the areas in which the nominee has made contributions and a lasting impact to psychological advocacy, research, education and training, and/or practice which directly benefits populations of a rural or remote region. Additionally, letters should address the nominees’ leadership activities in practice, scholarship, public interest and/or service of psychology, contributions and scope of influence that advance knowledge for and about rurality, foster understanding of rural and remote lives, and improve the status of underrepresented populations.
Nominations and supporting materials must be submitted by Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., Eastern time.
All application materials are to be submitted via the online award application. The online award application form will time out after 20 minutes, so please have all required documents listed in the "Eligibility" tab ready for upload.
Online applicationopens in new window
For more information, please contact:
Madeline Boening
Advisor, Elected and Appointed Leadership
Governance Office
2026
Catherine Carrico, PhD
2025
Jennifer Blossom, PhD
2024
Megan Lawhon, PsyD, LP
2023
Douglas Knutson, PhD, ABPP
2022
Shawna Wright, PhD, LP
2021
Emily Marie Selby-Nelson, PSYD
2020
Ricardo Gonzales, PhD
2019
Katherine M. Slama, PhD
2018
Lahoma Schultz, PhD
2017
Ray Michael Droby, PhD, CAPT USPHS
2016
James L. Werth, PhD
2015
Paul L. Craig, PhD, ABPPCN
