Veterans Affairs Section Awards

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Section presents six annual awards. These awards cover the breadth of psychological services to veterans and honor those whose work has positively impacted the representation and practice of psychology within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Please nominate a deserving colleague for one of our Awards. We also encourage self-nominations. The awards will be presented during the business meeting of the annual APA convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Award winners will be profiled in the VA Section Newsletter and will serve on the following year’s awards committee.

Early Career Psychologist APA Convention Award

Div. 18 VA Section is pleased to announce a $500 Early Career Psychologist APA Convention Award. The purpose of this award is to highlight the work of VA early career psychologists who participate in the APA annual convention. This award seeks to advance their career development by supporting those who have been accepted to present their original work, either as posters or oral presentations. Award recipients are expected to register, attend, and present at the APA convention in the year of their award. Award recipients will also be expected to present and showcase their work for a Div. 18 VA Psychology Section webinar within 12 months of their award.

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must be members of the Division18 VA Section and be considered an early career psychologist (within 10 years of receipt of their doctoral degree by the application deadline).
• Research papers or posters must have been accepted by an APA division for presentation by the application deadline.
• Applicants must be first author on the accepted research paper or poster. Multiple author submissions are acceptable, but the applicant must be the designated presenter of the poster or oral presentation.
• If the applicant has been accepted to present more than one paper or poster, they must choose only one paper/poster presentation to use when applying for this award. 

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 enhancing the value and roles of psychologists in the VA health care system through research or improvement in clinical service delivery.

Eligibility criteria

• Nominees must be current members of Div. 18. Nominees may join Div. 18 before the nomination submission deadline.
• While nominees do not need to be employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, their work must significantly impact veterans directly or indirectly, or their work must support VA psychologists and/or trainees.
• Nominees must have demonstrated influential positive impacts on a national level. 

Applications must include:

• A 1–2-page nomination letter describing why the nominee is worthy of recognition.
• Curriculum vitae

Excellence in Training Award

This award recognizes psychologists who have engaged in innovative and transformative education, teaching, and training initiatives that have positively impacted VA psychologists and VA trainees. Examples include program development, curriculum development, creation of learning tools/approaches, nationwide training of psychologists, and expanding psychology’s role in the education of health care disciplines within the Veterans Health Administration.

Eligibility criteria

• Nominees must be current members of Division 18. Nominees may join Division 18 before the nomination submission deadline.
• While nominees do not need to be employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, their work must significantly impact veterans directly or indirectly, or their work must support VA psychologists and/or trainees.
• Nominees have made contributions beyond their local workplaces, and have clearly demonstrated influential positive impacts on a regional or national level. 

Applications must include:

• A 1–2-page nomination letter describing why the nominee is worthy of recognition.
• Curriculum vitae 

Excellence in Mentoring Award

This award recognizes psychologists who have a demonstrated track record of fostering the professional development of trainees and/or psychologists within the VA. Their mentorship has enabled trainees and psychologists to expand their professional horizons. They serve as role models to trainees and other psychologists, providing mentorship and sage consultation, assisting their mentees to explore professional development and contributions to the field of psychology, or to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Eligibility criteria

• Nominees must be current members of Division 18. Nominees may join Division 18 before the nomination submission deadline.
• While nominees do not need to be employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, their work must significantly impact veterans directly or indirectly, or their work must support VA psychologists and/or trainees.
• Nominees have made contributions beyond their local workplaces, and have clearly demonstrated influential positive impacts on a regional or national level. 

Applications must include:

• A 1–2-page nomination letter describing why the nominee is worthy of recognition.
• Curriculum vitae 

Excellence in Service Award

This award honors psychologists who have promoted veterans’ health care through engaging in leadership and professional activities such as service at the facility, VISN, and national levels. It also recognizes those who serve veterans through their volunteer work in APA, Division 18, and/or VA Section (serving in either elected or appointed roles).

Eligibility criteria

• Nominees must be current members of Division 18. Nominees may join Division 18 before the nomination submission deadline.
• While nominees do not need to be employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, their work must significantly impact veterans directly or indirectly, or their work must support VA psychologists and/or trainees.
• Nominees demonstrate significant contributions in their service to psychology as a profession. That is, they do not simply sit on boards or committees, but have developed processes, products, or otherwise have improved the field of psychology. 

Applications must include:

• A 1–2-page nomination letter describing why the nominee is worthy of recognition.
• Curriculum vitae  

VA Section Travel Awards

In our ongoing commitment to support the professional development of our VA psychology membership, Division 18 VA Section will be awarding TWO $500 travel awards for Early Career Psychologists or Student members interested in attending the annual VA Psychology Leadership Conference (VAPLC) Conference or the APA Annual Convention.

Eligibility criteria

• Applicants must be members of the APA Division 18 VA Section with Early Career Psychologist or Student status.
• Priority may be given to members who are first-time conference attendees.
• Priority may also be given to members who have been selected to be presenters for plenaries or posters for this conference. 

Applications must include:

• Current CV highlighting your early career or student status and membership with Division 18 VA Section.
• Copy of your registration confirmation.
• Copy of plenary or poster presentation selection (if applicable).

See description for details related to each specific award.

See description for details related to each specific award.

2024
Excellence in Training Award: Noosha Niv, PhD

2023
James Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Shira Maguen, PhD

2022

James Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement: Linda Mona, PhD

Excellence in Service Award: Anne Klee, PhD

2021

Excellence in Service: Charlotte McCloskey, PhD

Outstanding Supervisor or Mentor: Christopher Watson, PhD

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, PhD, 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