Nadine J. Kaslow, PhD

Video Statement

Biography

I am professor, vice chair for faculty development, and director of postdoctoral fellowship training at Emory University School of Medicine department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and chief psychologist at Grady Health System. I currently serve on APA's Board of Directors and I am an APA fellow. In addition, I am past president of three APA divisions (Society of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Society for Family Psychology) and the American Board of Professional Psychology and American Board of Clinical Psychology. I have enjoyed being involved with leadership development programs: Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine, Woodruff Leadership Academy and Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology.

Science: I am editor of the Journal of Family Psychology. I have 20 years of funding from the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. My research focuses on culturally competent assessment and treatment of suicidal behavior and family violence in African-Americans, with a focus on women, youth depression, family systems medicine, and education and training. I am author of more than 250 publications and served on National Institute of Mental Health study sections.

Education and training: I am a former chair and board member emeritus of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers and former chair of the Council of Chairs of Training Councils. I chaired the 2002 Competencies Conference and have been a leader in the competencies movement. I served on APA's Board of Educational Affairs and chaired the Georgia Psychological Association's academic affairs committee. I received the APA Distinguished Contributions for Education and Training Award and the APPIC Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Training.

Practice: I am board-certified in clinical psychology, clinical child and adolescent psychology, and couple and family psychology, and serve as a private practitioner through the Emory Clinic and the psychologist for the Atlanta Ballet. I am a former associate editor of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. I also served on APA's Board of Professional Affairs and received the Rosalee G. Weiss Lecture Award and the Florence Halpern Award for Distinguished Contributions to Clinical Psychology.

Public Interest: I work at Grady Health System, an inner-city hospital serving marginalized populations, underscoring my commitment to working on behalf of social justice for patients and communities. I learned much about policy endeavors as a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Primary Care Public Policy Fellow. One of my most gratifying experiences was working with members of Congress on the Health Care Fairness Act to include psychology. For these efforts, I received a Karl F. Heiser Award for Distinguished Contributions in Advocacy in Psychology. I helped many people whose lives were affected by Hurricane Katrina, but none meant more to me than assisting trainees from affected areas. I was touched when these efforts were acknowledged with an APA Presidential Citation. As a member of Rosalynn Carter's Mental Health Advisory Board and other advisory boards, I am a frequent media guest.

Candidate Statement

Running for APA president reflects my desire to advocate for quality psychological services, state-of-the-art research, competency-based training and credentialing, and reducing mental health disparities. My theme is "Uniting Psychology for the Future." I will engage psychologists representing science, practice, education and public interest to address my initiatives, advance APA's strategic plan and influence policy.

My presidential initiatives:

Create psychologically minded child and family centered health care: With changes in health-care reform, psychologists must play a central and leadership role in delivering and evaluating interprofessional care in patient-centered medical homes for children and their families. Internal and external partnerships need to be employed to optimize health care for children with medical and mental health needs and their families and create and implement effective prevention programs.

Enhance the pipeline for students and early career psychologists: The ongoing crisis in our psychology educational system has resulted in a serious imbalance between the number of graduate students seeking internships and the availability of accredited positions. In addition, with our country's economic difficulties, the job market for early career psychologists is challenging. We must take bold steps toward collaboratively addressing these crises and establishing solutions and recommendations for model and novel internships and jobs.

Recruit and retain scientists in APA: To continue current and upcoming presidential efforts regarding recognizing psychology as a STEM science, engaging early career scientists, and retaining mid-career and senior scholars, creative outreach and programming activities that help ensure that APA is a positive, meaningful home for scientists across the professional lifespan are needed.

Is occupation a sex-linked gene in the Kaslow family? My father and brother are financial planners. My mother and I are psychologists involved in APA. Whether genetic or environmental, psychology is in my blood, heart, mind and psyche. That is why I would love to be your president.