Div. 31 had an outstanding presence at the APA 2021 convention! I would like to share the highlights of our Business Meeting, Programming and Social Hour and Awards. Thank you to our Executive Board, speakers, and award winners. You are making a difference across the country and in your SPTAs to serve psychologists and your communities. Special thanks to our amazing convention chair, Dr. Eric Russ, for putting together an exceptional program, and our stellar executive director, Dr. Connie Paul, who is the glue that holds Div. 31 together.
Division 31 had a strong presence with outstanding programming for convention. All programs were pre-recorded, and will be available until November, on-demand from the convention portal. I have found this very convenient, even listening to programs while I walk or jog—a welcome change from the long hours of sitting at a typical convention!
I was privileged to be part of two programs: The crucial role of SPTAs in maintaining psychology service viability during and after COVID-19 and Work, Family and Leadership: Finding your Work-Life Flow in a Crisis. It was great to be able to highlight some of the amazing work each of you in SPTAs provided during the pandemic, as well as to reflect on work life management as a psychologist in such a stressful year. Other programs I’ve been enjoying include ones focused on building leadership and diversity in SPTAs (Shout out to Connecticut and North Carolina Psychological Associations!). There are some terrific programs on advocacy including focus on the ACC, state advocacy (Shout out to Idaho Psychological Association and California Psychological Association!). As many of you are continuing to use telehealth during our second year of the pandemic, the programs on telehealth in medical settings and telehealth advocacy will be particularly relevant.
Friday morning and afternoon we held our annual business meeting. We were joined by visitors including Dr. Jennifer Kelly, APA president; Dr. Sandy Shullman, APA past president; Dr. Arthur Evans, APA CEO; Dr. Jared Skillings, chief of Professional Practice; Dr. Kate Brown, chair, Advocacy Coordinating Committee; Dr. Dan Abrahamson, deputy chief of Practice; and Javier Aquino, State Advocacy. We appreciated this opportunity for bidirectional communication between APA and state associations! We are planning to host a series of townhalls with APA leaders and staff and Div. 31/SPTA leaders monthly through 2021. Stay tuned!
On Friday evening, we presented Div. 31 awards and enjoyed a signature cocktail, “the SPTA.” It was great to see so many friends across the country from SPTAs and APA staff.
Awards included:
- Outstanding Psychologist Award: Dr. Lucy Sant’Anna Takagi, PsyD, New Jersey Psychological Association
- The Early Career Psychologist Initiative Award: District of Columbia Psychological Association
- APA Committee on Rural Health (CRH), Excellence in Rural Health in Psychology Award Recipient: Dr. Emily Selby-Nelson, West Virginia Psychological Association
We also were pleased to host the ceremony for eight Karl F Heiser APA Presidential Awards for Advocacy! This is a presidential award and Dr. Jennifer Kelly presented.
- Adam Andreasson, PsyD, Missouri Psychological Association
- Mark Babula, PsyD, Ohio Psychological Association
- Julie Bindeman, PsyD, Maryland Psychological Association.
- Alice Ann Holland, PhD, Texas Psychological Association.
- Julie Jacobs, PsyD, JD , Colorado Psychological
- Greg Jurenec, PhD, Wisconsin Psychological Association
- Brad K. Potts PhD, Ohio Psychological Association
- Pete Stavinoha, PhD, Texas Psychological Association
In addition, we welcomed a new Div. 31 fellow: Dr. Anne Klee, Connecticut Psychological Association
We enjoyed the outstanding programs presented on behalf of Div. 31, and connecting with the speakers on Saturday at our Mix and Mingle. I can’t wait to continue to check out a few more as they will remain available until November with your convention registration. Although I missed seeing everyone in person and enjoying San Diego, I hope we will be together soon in 2022.