APA Div. 22 Rehabilitation Psychology was awarded a Presidential Citation for being a leader through research, practice and advocacy in enhancing the well-being of people living with disability and chronic health conditions.
Led by great leaders such as Kathleen S. Brown, the division has sustained and distinguished service since 1956. Initiatives and mission are accomplished by moving the role of the psychologist integrally into all of health care, especially physical and neurological medicine. The appreciation of all members, from students to fellows, is a hallmark of the division. The two decades of RP conferences are a model for specializations of psychology. From its fund raising to its scientific programming the RP conferences not only provide outstanding continuing education but its inclusivity and professionalism captures the best that psychology has to offer. The assistance in development, support and use of the Health and Behavior codes is both pioneering and most appreciative. The advocacy on social justice as part of health care is innovative, timely and prospective. Rehabilitation Psychology has set high scientific standards while making clinical application fundamental as it focuses on improving outcomes, services and organizations.
As psychology becomes integrated into all of health care and as medicine increasingly becomes appreciative of psychology, the division of rehabilitation psychology provides a beacon for all of psychology to follow. The Division of Rehabilitation is a leader through its research, practice and advocacy in enhancing the well-being of people living with disability and chronic health conditions.