Who am I? I'm an advocate for all psychologists; I believe in putting members first. I'm willing to look bad sometimes in order to do good for others. I was only 27 when I was first licensed as a psychologist and I'm 41 now. I've made mistakes over that time, and I also did some things well. I have an independent practice in Columbus, Ohio, focused on evaluations and medical records reviews. I was raised in a small town in upstate New York; it was an environment where money was tight but grit and character were abundant. I moved to the Midwest for school, fell in love with my wife who is also a psychologist, and never left. I like letting you know what I think so I blog about psychology at www.psychology.newsopens in new window. You can also follow @DrFinnerty on Twitter to see resources I share online, and learn more about me at www.toddfinnerty.comopens in new window. In addition, I write the free Reviews & IME's Newsletter every week; if you subscribe to it you'll receive a free list of referral sources. My book "Supplementing Your Income with Medical Records File Reviews and IME's 2017: A Guide for Psychologists and Physicians" includes an even larger directory of hundreds of referral sources.
I'd be happy if you voted for me, but I wouldn't be satisfied with just winning this election. While I've run for APA president in 2012, 2014, 2015 and now 2017, my cause isn't to win the presidency, it's to win change. We'll reform APA to put APA members first again. One example of taking a members-first approach is my history of advocating for all psychologists (not just some psychologists).
They say in 1932 Babe Ruth pointed to the fence and called a shot that became a home run. It's my turn. Here's my called shot: We're going to end the practice of requiring an APA-accredited internship for employment. We've already scored a run: The Department of Veterans Affairs is now hiring some psychologists who didn't have APA-accredited internships. We'll score another run by banning employers requiring an APA-accredited internship from advertising in APA publications or recruiting at convention. Requiring an APA-accredited internship leads to age discrimination. This will get easier to prove over time since all APA-accredited doctoral programs will soon graduate only people who've had APA-accredited internships. Psychologists who survived the internship crisis will get older but won't be joined by new, younger psychologists who also didn't have APA-accredited internships. Requiring an APA-accredited internship will disproportionately impact older psychologists (and age discrimination can apply to someone as young as 40). Just like employers can't require applicants to be a recent graduate due to the potential for age discrimination, they won't be able to require APA-accredited internships due to the potential for age discrimination. This is just one example of how we'll put members first. The theme of my presidency will be "Members First" not APA first. APA wasn't formed to advance APA.
Finnerty's candidate statement
Members are demanding reform at APA; APA has been reluctant. Can we diagnose an association with narcissism? Far too often APA conversations are association-centric instead of member-centric. The question becomes "How do we generate more money, attention and influence for the association?" instead of "How can our association serve our science and our members better?" Posing self-centered, narcissistic questions has led APA to unscientific policies that have harmed the public and harmed our members. I know what it's like to scratch my head and wonder whether APA is with me or against me. It's because APA has stopped putting members first.
I've now run for APA president four times. I know from experience that it isn't pleasant to lose elections. However, it's electrifying to stand up for what you believe in. It's exciting to hear ideas you championed become mainstream and to see changes taking place that you helped influence. We can and will change APA's focus. Change is inevitable; we will win. We'll put members first again. The theme of my presidency will be "Members First" not APA first.
Do you have ideas or questions? Call me at (330) 495-8809 or email toddfinnerty@toddfinnerty.comopens in new window. I have an independent spirit and appreciate alternative perspectives. I've offered a different perspective that has been critical of APA. While criticism is important, the time for lifting pitchforks, lighting torches and leading angry mobs to the gates of APA is over. We've already heard too many vague tirades, empty promises and narcissistic rants. We don't need more words; they have little value without supporting action. Now is the time to wipe the sweat from our brow, roll up our sleeves and get to work. I have a demonstrated history of advancing practical solutions that put members first. APA wasn't formed to advance APA.