Veterans Affairs Section Awards

The Div. 18 Veterans Affairs section presents eight annual awards.

Sponsor: Division 18

Description

The Veterans Affairs Section presents eight annual awards including:

  • The James Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement
    This award is named in memory of VA psychologist James Besyner, a longtime member and friend of Div. 18. The recipient will have demonstrated sustained, widespread influence at the highest standard of psychology leadership. The committee seeks an individual who has given voice to psychology's role in health care and who has gained recognition as a leader in advocacy, treatment, research or education.
  • Outstanding Administrator
    The Outstanding Administrator Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills that have significantly improved health care at the local, VISN or national level. Among the examples that the Selection Committee will view favorably are program innovations or unique efforts at empowering other providers in fulfilling their program's mission.
  • Outstanding Clinician
    The Awards Committee seeks an individual for whom direct service is a significant portion of his/her assignment. Examples of clinical endeavors that would support selection include exceptional application of evidence-based treatments, modeling clinical excellence, and dissemination of psychological treatments. Although the committee seeks "unsung heroes" that have been providing the highest standards of direct clinical service, evidence of broader influence may be considered by the committee.
  • Outstanding Director of Training
    The recipient of the Outstanding Director of Training Award will have implemented innovative educational or training programs within psychology, or applied principles of psychology training in broader venues. New ways of teaching, new topics for teaching or expanding psychology's role in the education of other health trainees are examples of innovation. Influences on psychology training and education beyond the local level will be favorably evaluated by the committee.
  • Outstanding Contribution to Psychosocial Rehabilitation
    This award is not limited to members of the VA Section of Div. 18. Rather, the Awards Committee will select any individual who has demonstrated widespread influence in treatment, research or advocacy for people with serious mental illness. Among the accomplishments that would be recognized by the committee are advances in community-based programs, evidence-based treatments and destigmatization. Effective influence beyond the local level will be given strong consideration.
  • Outstanding Researcher
    The Outstanding Researcher will have published peer-reviewed studies on psychological topics relevant to the VA's mission. Research may be directed at any level of analysis, from individual behavior to organizational systems. The Selection Committee will look favorably on a sustained record of studies that has proven influential to health care or to research especially pertinent to VA concerns.
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor
    The outstanding mentor will have demonstrated professional generosity, encompassing perspective and personal conduct that have enabled other clinicians or students to expand their professional horizons in any aspect of psychology. Although mentoring at any level of service is appropriate, direct contact between mentor and mentees is an important criterion.
  • Outstanding Trainee
    The Outstanding Trainee Award is given to a student at any stage of psychology education. The committee will look favorably upon accomplishments during VA training that far exceed expectations for even exceptional trainees. Clinical applications that students develop during their training or extensions of earlier applications tailored to VA patients are examples of significant accomplishments. Although supervision of all trainee activity is essential, the committee seeks evidence that the accomplishments were substantially the work of the trainee.
Past Recipients

2020

  • Outstanding Administrator: Michael J. Potoczniak, PhD
  • Outstanding Clinician: Jessica L. Hackenberg, PsyD
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Nikki S. Panasci, PhD
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Stephen R. McCutcheon, PhD
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Ian H. Stanley, PhD
  • Outstanding Researcher: Patrick S. Calhoun, PhD 
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Eric B. Elbogen, PhD

2019

  • Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Tracey L. Smith, PhD
  • Outstanding Administrator: Greg Reger, PhD
  • Outstanding Clinician: Peter A. Fehrenbach, PhD
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Anne S. Klee, PhD, CPRP
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Mary E. Shea, PhD
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Shannon Blakey, PhD
  • Outstanding Researcher: Eric J. Hawkins, PhD
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Carey A. Pawlowski, PhD, ABPP

2018

  • Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Michael Kauth, PhD
  • Outstanding Administrator: Jay Cohen, PhD
  • Outstanding Clinician: Tiffanie Sim Wong, PhD, ABPP
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Mary Gardner, PhD
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Dana Holohan, PhD 
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Benjamin Buck, MA and Jessica Chen, PhD
  • Outstanding Researcher: Keren Lehavot, PhD
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Scott Michael, PhD 

2017

  • Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Stephen L. Holliday, PhD and Kenneth R. Jones, PhD
  • Outstanding Administrator: Kendra R. Weaver, PsyD
  • Outstanding Clinician: Pamela C. Brown, PhD
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Julie Harmon Aronoff, PhD
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Allison C. Aosved, PhD
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Raymond P. Tucker
  • Outstanding Researcher: Scott R. Sponheim, PhD
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: William Q. Hua, PhD 

2016

  • Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: John McQuaid, PhD
  • Outstanding Administrator: Kathleen O’Donnell, PhD
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Mary E. Shea, PhD
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Glenn Curtiss, PhD
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Samantha Yard, PhD
  • Outstanding Researcher: Mark Reger, PhD
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Tracy Simpson, PhD 

2015

  • Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Mary M. Levenson, PhD
  • Outstanding Administrator: Jefferson D. Parker, PhD
  • Outstanding Clinician: Julie Horn, PhD
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Bruce R. Graunke, PhD
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Zoë Proctor-Weber, PsyD, PhD
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Janelle M. Painter, PhD
  • Outstanding Researcher: no nominations
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Linda R. Mona, PhD

2014

  • Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Miles McFall, PhD (Puget Sound, Seattle Division)
  • Outstanding Administrator: Joel Mitchell, PhD, ABPP (Puget Sound, American Lake Division)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Matthew Davis, PhD, MPH (Hines VA, Chicago)
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Eric Granholm, PhD (San Diego)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Michael Ellwood, PhD, LCP (Richmond)
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: David Scheinfeld, PhD (Central Texas)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Jack Tsai, PhD (West Haven)
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Shiloh Jordan, PhD (Pacific Islands)

2013

  • Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Anthony B. Campinell, PhD (Bedford)
  • Outstanding Administrator: Kim Hamlett-Berry, PhD (Central Office)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Phillip Kleespies, PhD, ABPP (Boston)
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Jeffrey P. Burk, PhD (VACO/Gainesville)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Emma L. Mata-Galán, PsyD (San Antonio)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Aaron Turner, PhD, ABPP (RP) (Puget Sound)
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Sonya Norman, PhD (San Diego)
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Keren Lehavot, PhD (Puget Sound)

2012

  • James Besyner Lifetime Achievement: Kathy McNamara, PhD, ABPP (Honolulu)
  • Outstanding Administrator: Steve Shea, PhD (Orlando, Fla.)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Michael Marks, PhD (Southern Arizona VA)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: John Beauvais, PhD (VA Connecticut)
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Elizabeth Bass, PhD (Atlanta)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Steve Lash, PhD (Salem, Mass.)
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Karen Krinsley, PhD (VA Boston)
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Katherine Dixon-Gordon (Montgomery VA)

2011

  • Outstanding Researcher: Miles E. McFall, PhD
  • Outstanding Administrator: Kathleen M. Lysell, PsyD 
  • Outstanding Director of Training: R. Keith Shaw, PhD, and Anna Okonek, PhD                   
  • Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Linda R. Mona, PhD
  • Outstanding Contributions in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Jay L. Cohen, PhD Outstanding
  • Psychology Trainee: Jennifer M. Craft, MA
  • James Besyner Lifetime Achievement: James K. Besyner, PhD

2010

  • Outstanding Clinician: Lisa M. Fisher, PhD (Boston)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Shira Maguen, PhD, San Francisco; Alex Sox-Harris, PhD, MS (Palo Alto, Calif.)
  • Outstanding Administrator: Bradley E. Karlin, PhD, Central Office; Daniel R. Kivlahan, PhD (Puget Sound, Wash.)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Bernard J. Sladen, PhD (Hines VA)
  • Outstanding Psychology Trainee: Lynette J. Adams, PhD and Audra Crutchfield, PhD (Connecticut)
  • Outstanding Contribution in Psychosocial Rehabilitation: William T. Carr, PhD (Boston) and Michele A. Mick, PhD (Southern Texas Veterans Health Care System)
  • Outstanding Mentor: Richard L. Greenblatt, PhD (Hines VA)

2009

  • Outstanding Administrator: Kenneth Weingardt, PhD (Palo Alto, Calif.)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Alan L. "Dutch" Doerman PsyD (Oklahoma City) and KarenGrantz, PsyD (Louisville VA)
  • Lifetime Contribution to VA Psychology: Richard A. Carothers, PhD (Oklahoma City)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Keith Humphreys, PhD (Palo Alto, Calif.)
  • Outstanding Trainee: Federica Latta, PhD, extern, Edith Nourse (Bedford VA)
  • Outstanding Contributions to Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Jennifer E. Boyd, PhD (San Francisco, Calif.)
  • Outstanding Mentor: Douglas Lane, PhD (Puget Sound, Wash.)

2008

  • Outstanding Administrator: Kevin M. Pernicano, PhD (Louisville VA)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Richard Tingey, PhD (Long Beach, Calif.)
  • Lifetime Contribution to VA Psychology: Robert C. Gresen, PhD (Veterans Affairs Central Office)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Jeanette Hsu, PhD (Palo Alto, Calif.)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Melissa A. Polusny, PhD (Minneapolis)
  • Outstanding Trainee: Vered Hankin and Shanna Murray, Interns, PhD (Hines VA)
  • Outstanding Contributions to Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Dolly Sadow, PhD, ABPP (Bedford VA)

2007

  • Outstanding Clinician: John Billig, PhD (Minneapolis)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Bernadette Lauber, PhD (Pittsburgh)
  • Outstanding Trainee: Jason Johannesen, intern (VA Connecticut Healthcare System)
  • Outstanding Contributions to Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Michael Kauth, PhD (Houston)

2006

  • Outstanding Administrator: Steve Holliday, PhD, ABPP (San Antonio)
  • Outstanding Clinician: David Wakely, PhD, ABPP (Madison, Wis.)
  • Lifetime Contribution to VA Psychology: Edmund Nightingale, PhD, ABPP (Minneapolis)
  • Outstanding Directors of Training: Steve McCutcheon, PhD and JohnBaer, PhD (Seattle, Wash.)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Michele Sherman, PhD (Oklahoma City)
  • Outstanding Trainee: Kristi Van Sickle (Tampa Bay, Fla.)
  • Outstanding Contributions to Psychosocial Rehabilitation: Mo Armstrong

2005

  • Outstanding Administrator: Linda Bodie, PsyD (Cincinnati)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Pamela Fischer, PhD (Oklahoma City)
  • Outstanding Contribution to the VA Section: Richard Carothers, PhD (Oklahoma City)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Larry Gaupp, PhD (VA Connecticut Healthcare System)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Gabriel Tan, PhD, ABPP (Houston)
  • Outstanding Trainee: Bradley Karlin, MS (Palo Alto, Calif.)
  • Outstanding Contribution in Psychosocial Contribution: Christine Wood (Hampton VA)

2004

  • Outstanding Administrator: Celia Michael, PhD (Albuquerque, N.M.)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Kathleen McNamara, PhD, ABPP (Maui, Hawai'i)
  • Outstanding Contribution to the VA Section: James K. Besyner, PhD, ABPP (Dallas)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Michael Neale, PhD (VA Connecticut Healthcare System)
  • Outstanding Director of Training: Robert W. Goldberg, PhD, ABPP (Cleveland)

2003

  • Outstanding Career Contribution to Psychology: Walter Penk, PhD, ABPP (Bedford VA)
  • Outstanding Career Contribution to Psychology: Rod Baker, PhD (San Antonio)

2002

  • Outstanding Career Contribution to Psychology: Bernhardt Blom, PhD (Chicago)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Camilla Madden, PhD (Black Hills, SD)

2001

  • Outstanding Administrator: Richard McCormick, PhD (VISN 10)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Gerald J. Strauss, PhD (Cleveland)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Kenneth Adams, PhD, ABPP (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
  • Special Achievement in Professional Photography: Bob Goldberg

2000

  • Outstanding Administrator: Patrick Boudewyns, Ph.D, ABPP (Augusta, Fla.)
  • Outstanding Clinician: Carroll Ohlde, PhD (Topek, Kan.)
  • Outstanding Researcher: Alina Suris, PhD (Dallas)
  • Outstanding contributions to the VA Section: Robert W. Goldberg, PhD, ABPP (Cleveland)
Last updated: July 2020Date created: July 2014