As my presidential year ends, I have never felt prouder of the work psychologists are doing to make the world a better place.
This was a year of extreme challenges and welcomed successes: from major natural disasters and the Jan. 6 insurrection to the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and a return to school and work for many. Throughout my time as your president, I have seen the power of psychologists coming together and using science to promote healthier outcomes for individuals and communities.
Most notably, psychology has been instrumental in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychology will continue to play a key role in addressing vaccine hesitancy, dealing with ongoing social and emotional fallout from the pandemic, and helping to shape the future of work and education.
A highlight for APA this year has been our historic strides in addressing racism and health disparities. We have been deliberate in focusing on psychology’s role in dismantling systemic racism in the United States. In February, APA’s Council of Representatives adopted a resolution to guide our efforts to counter racism. We are now focused on psychology’s role in helping to expose, and to ultimately dismantle, racism operating across society, from within education and science to government and public policy.
I am most proud of the work of the Presidential Task Force on Psychology’s Role in Achieving Health Equity. I encourage you to read the special issue of American Psychologist focused on health equity, published by APA. We have also proposed a resolution to council articulating a vision of psychology’s role in achieving health equity, including increasing the number of people of color in the education and leadership pipeline and helping practitioners develop competence in working with diverse populations.
I want to thank all our members who selflessly gave their time and expertise to APA this year. None of our important work could have been accomplished without your volunteer leadership. I also want to thank APA staff, who continue to unite to make a difference in society.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your president this year. In years to come, I know that APA will continue to thrive and have a major impact on society.
