Sections
Division 18 is the home division for VA psychologists within APA because it’s the only division with a dedicated section for VA psychologists. VA section members include psychologists and other stakeholders who promote the VA’s mission through patient care, research, training, and consumer activities, and who form a national network to share ideas and address concerns.
Check out our brochure (PDF, 209KB) to learn more.
VA Section Executive Committee (elected officers)
Chair
Edgar Villarreal, PhD
Immediate Past Chair
Gayle Iwamasa, PhD, HSPP
VA Section Secretary/Treasurer
Josh Rinker, PsyD
Board of Directors (appointed officers)
Public Relations Committee
Education and Training
Membership Committee
Education and Training Committee
Public Relations Committee
1977-78
Ralph Fingar
1979
Sidney Cleveland
1980-81
Jonathan Cummings
1982
Tom Patterson
1983-84
Kenneth A. Klauck
1985-86
Nanci I. Moore
1987-88
Robert Gresen
1989-90
Thomas Miller
1991-92
Bernhard E. Bloom
1993-94
Robert D. Kerns
1995-96
Joan Freedman Joynson
1997-98
Robert W. Goldberg
1999-00
James Besyner
2001-02
Dolly Sadow
2003-04
Richard A. Carothers
2005-06
Robert A. Zeiss
2007-08
Brian M. Pilgrim
2009
Linda Bodie
2010-12
Anne Klee
2012-14
Tim Carmody
2014-16
Howard Steinberg
2016-18
Monica Roy
2018-20
Tiffanie Fennell
2020-22
Gayle Iwamasa
2022-24
Edgar Villarreal
The VA Section of Div. 18 participates in two conferences each year: APA convention and the VA Psychology Leadership Conference (VAPLC).
Registration for the APA annual convention in Minneapolis in August is open! There are in-person and virtual rates, increasing access to days-worth of learning sessions, CEU’s, meetings and more. We have selected an exciting line-up of symposia, skill-building courses and posters you can learn more about through the convention mobile app (free to download) or online here. We are also thrilled to return to in person social hours, business meetings and committee gatherings. Please add these to your convention plan – we’d love to meet you and connect in person. Lastly, we have much to celebrate and will be announcing awards, passing the torch to new leaders, and expressing gratitude for the amazing accomplishments of some of our members. Learn more about the convention and sign up for email alerts.
The 25th Annual VA Psychology Leadership Conference, co-sponsored with AVAPL and American Psychological Association, was held June 1–3, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas. The theme was Together Again: Recharging Our Community and Reimagining Our Next 25 Years as Psychology Leaders. Invited speakers included Maysa Akbar, PhD, ABPP — Chief Diversity Officer of the American Psychological Association, Donald Remy, JD — Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Chris Diaz, MS — Deputy Chief of Staff and White House Liaison for the Office of the Secretary; Department of Veterans Affairs. Continuing education credits for the VA Psychology Leadership Conference program were sponsored by Division 18. Several of the outstanding and notable presenters agreed to make their presentation materials available for online review and those can be found here. Missed out in 2022? We look forward to your submissions and engagement in 2023! Learn more about the VA Psychology Leadership Conference.
Follow us on 
Connect with us on 
