Biography
Born in Cuba, I received degrees from the University of Florida (bachelor's) and the University of Georgia (PhD) with postdoctoral training at Northeast Florida State Hospital. I was a clinical psychologist at a teaching psychiatric hospital and a professor of neuroanatomy at a medical school before becoming professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). I am a visiting professor at the Universidad de Granada (Spain) and UCLA. Since 1982, I've maintained a private practice in clinical neuropsychology. In 2002, I founded and now co-direct (with a PharmD) a bilingual mental health clinicopens in new window for the poor and uninsured in our region.
I have authored or edited eight books, 85 book chapters and 110 journal articles (in English, Spanish and Russian). My research focuses on the interface between culture and neuropsychology. I founded and edited Neuropsychology Review, the Journal of Interprofessional Healthcare, and the Journal of Interprofessional Education & Practice and a book series on clinical neuropsychology. I have lectured in over a dozen countries and supervised fellows or visiting scientists from Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Spain and the United States. I have taught 7,750 undergraduate students, supervised 33 theses and nine postdoctoral fellows.
In terms of leadership, I am a past-president of the North Carolina Psychological Association, the North Carolina Psychological Foundation, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, Div. 40 (Society for Clinical Neuropsychology) and the Hispanic Neuropsychological Society. I served two terms as a Div. 40 Council Representative. Other leadership positions include chair of the Psychology Academy of the National Academies of Practice and several APA boards and committees, ranging from the Board of Convention Affairs to the Committee for Psychological Tests and Assessments. I recently served on the Joint Committee for Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Between 1993 and 2008, I was APA's representative to the American Medical Association's Current Procedural Terminology panelopens in new window and was then elected to the editorial panel of the CPT as a voting member. I also was on the Center for Medicare and Medicaid's Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee.
I have received several awards, including: Fulbright Scholar Award, 1983 (Argentina); UNCW's Distinguished Faculty Scholarship Award, 2009; and the North Carolina Psychological Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008. APA awards include: Karl Heiser Award, 1996; Presidential Award, 2006; State Leadership Award, 2009; and Distinguished Professional Contributions to Independent Practice, 2011.
I am married to Linda, with whom I have three children: Krista, a clinical psychologist at a psychiatric hospital in Florida; Antonio Nicolas, a PhD neuropsychology postdoc at Johns Hopkins University; and Lucas, a PhD candidate in political economics at Stanford.
I have served psychology vigorously as an advocate and leader, the public in my clinical practice, the scientific community (in the United States and abroad) and generations of students as a professor of psychology. After 35 years of leadership with APA and other national health, pedagogical and science organizations, I seek to establish APA as a leader while holding true to its long, diverse and rich history.
Puente's candidate statement
Psychology is my passion and calling. That is why I have spent 35 years helping psychology have a seat at the table.
APA has stood for the interface of science, pedagogy, practice and public service. The four serve as the foundation for modern psychology. But for far too long each leg has stood in isolation from the others.
Psychology is facing winds of change and uncertainty. We are being challenged by Congress, legislatures and the public to prove our worth. Some have given up, accepting the status quo, not joining or leaving APA, believing that the dreams that brought them to psychology are no longer achievable.
I am not willing to allow our profession, whose foundation is based on science, to be beaten down. Nor am I willing to allow psychologists to be left behind. This uncertainty is an opportunity to develop a new common vision for psychology — an APA for all members.
George Miller said half a century ago, "Give psychology away." I say, "Bring psychology back." As a teacher, scientist, clinician and policymaker, not only do I believe this vision, I live it as a father of two APA members.
The following will be accomplished:
1. Develop a task force to invigorate integration within and outside of APA.
2. Address decreasing APA membership.
3. The internship crisis will end.
4. Our advocacy message will be cohesive and integrated especially for the practice of psychology.
This is what I want for my children, students, clients and you, but most of all for society. Let us dream and work together to place APA where it should be — as a leader in today's world.
I am Tony Puente and proud to be a psychologist. I would be honored and privileged to serve you as president of APA.