Public Service Psychology Now

Dr. Glenn Ally is a clinical neuropsychologist and has been a medical psychologist since 2004. He was instrumental in the legislative effort resulting in the 2004 passage of the initial prescriptive authority legislation in Louisiana and was also instrumental insubsequent RxP legislation passed in 2009. He has testified before several state legislatures on behalf of prescriptive authority for specially trained psychologists and continues to be a strong advocate for prescriptive authority.

Dr. Ally retired from practice in Lafayette, Louisiana after 40 years in practice. He had a large hospital practice in which he provided consultation and services to Lafayette General Medical Center, emphasizing services on the Acute Rehabilitation Unit, the Mental Health Unit, and the cancer center. Dr. Ally was on active medical staff at LGMC, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, MeadowBrook Rehabilitation Hospital, and Louisiana Physical & Rehabilitation Hospital. Currently, Dr. Ally continues to provide medical psychology services to Joseph Henry Tyler Mental Health Center, a large community mental health center in Lafayette.

Dr. Ally has extensive experience in the governance of the American Psychological Association, having served several terms on the Council of Representatives and CAPP. He has served on several APA committees and was Chair of the RxP Committee. He is a past President of Division 55 and a Fellow of Divisions 55, 42, and 31. In Louisiana, Dr. Ally is a past President of the Louisiana Psychological Association. He is a former member of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Dr. Ally is currently the President of the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists. He is the current Secretary for the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

https://www.apadivisions.org/division-18/sections/justice

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Take a listen a fascinating episode of Public Service Psychology Now when we sit down with Dr. Mark Olver, winner of a Best Paper Award in 2021 for "An Examination of Latent Constructs of Dynamic Sexual Violence Risk and Need as a Function of Indigenous and Nonindigenous Ancestry". Dr. Olver describes the potential impact of his work on the justice system in Canada.

Please take a listen to this engaging interview with Dr. Donell Barnett - APA 2018 Citizen Psychologist Award winner. Dr. Barnett describes his contribution in hopes of making a lasting and meaningful impact on a treasured community.  

Please listen as we talk with Dr. Edgar Villarreal, VA Section Chair

Join us for a discussion with Dr. Ashley Batastini the 2022-2023 Division 18 President as she discusses some initiatives for this year

Join us today as we talk to Dr. Fran Greenfield Shahar about her experiences living and thriving with a mental illness.

Dr. Maysa Akbar Chief Diversity Officer at American Psychological Association describes equity, diversity, and inclusion at APA and ways that psychologists in public service can contribute to EDI. 

In this episode, we interview with Dr. Tamara Lyn about her leadership roles in the Bureau of Prisons, service to the psychology community, and her current role as an executive coach.

Division 18 President, Dr. Tiffanie Fennell provides updates on division activities and upcoming events.

Public service psychologists are not simply defined by the setting in which we work. In this episode, we interview Dr. Nadine Kaslow, who served as Division 18 president from 2018-2019. Dr. Kaslow shares about stepping into new roles as a public service psychologist, supporting essential healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how Division 18 members have a critical role in public health during global healthcare crises. She describes updating the Division’s strategic plan during her time of service, and  challenges within the division during this period. Dr. Kaslow provides reflection and insight on the steps towards leadership within APA Division, as well as the organization as a whole. Candid advice for early, mid and advanced career psychologists is shared, including pivotal moments in Dr. Kaslow’s career that helped her conceptualize her successes and professional values as a leader.

"I've gained more than I've given," Dr. Anne Klee remarked about her rewarding experience as a leader and long-time member of Division 18, her professional "home in APA". In this episode, we interview Dr. Klee, who served as President of Division 18 from 2013-2014. She discusses her accomplishments, leadership skills and lessons learned, advice for emerging leaders, and thoughts on the importance of the division's role in promoting public mental health issues in organized settings and supporting public service psychologists.

"It doesn't get any better than Division 18", Dr. Robert Morgan said in reference to members of the division. We agree! In this episode, we interview Dr. Morgan, who served as President of Division 18 from 2009-2010. He shares about his stewardship during lean years when Psychological Services was not yet financially viable, success with increasing membership and member engagement, and how public service psychology addressed the discrepancy between the number of people needing access to mental health services and the availability of those services. He also shares lessons learned, advice for aspiring leaders, and his thoughts on public service psychologists' leading the way in health service delivery developments and opportunities. 

In this episode, we interview Dr. Femina Varghese, former president of Division 18 from 2014-2015. Dr. Varghese served during the time the Hoffman Report came out. She describes serving through that challenging time, and some of her unique contributions, including strategic planning, new division awards, and finding ways to engage members. Fun fact: She's was not only the youngest to serve as our division's President, but also she was the first psychologist of color.

In honor of our 75th anniversary, we are interviewing former presidents of Division 18. In this episode, we interview Dr. Shirley Glynn, president from 2016-2017. She discusses the unique start to her presidential term, reasons to get involved in Division 18 leadership, and the unique position of Division 18 in the current social-cultural climate.

We continue to celebrate Division 18's 75th anniversary through a series of interviews with former division presidents. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Tim Lawler, president from 2008-2009. He shares about the events that were going on around the time of his presidency and prioritizing initiatives (e.g., SMI specialty, division journal) that were already in the works to maintain their momentum. Given his experience living abroad for much of his life, he reflects on some ways public service psychologists can benefit from learning from our international colleagues. 

In this episode we interview Dr. Linda Bodie, president of Division 18 from 2011-2012 as part of our special 75th anniversary series. Dr. Bodie describes efforts to increase membership in the division, especially among early career psychologists. She discusses the importance of cultivating and maintaining connections with all the sections and being open to conversations about controversial topics. Dr. Bodie describes how APA's initiatives (e.g., evidence based treatment for returning military service members, Veterans and their families, preventive health with respect to obesity and tobacco use), aligned with Division 18's, and the importance of "having a seat at the table". Finally, she reflects on the future of Division 18, where we've made some strides and still have a ways to go.

In celebration of Division 18's 75th anniversary, we are speaking with former presidents of the division. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Tim Carmody, president from 2015-2016. Dr. Carmody describes his presidency in the setting of the Affordable Care Act and APA's organizational crisis as a result of the Hoffman Report. Acknowledging that the sections are the backbone of Division 18, Dr. Carmody describes how he sought to understand the values and priorities of each of the sections. He talks about staying focused on the division's mission to serve the underserved and marginalized communities and shares his thoughts on the future of Division 18.

We continue to celebrate Division 18's 75th anniversary through a series of interviews with former division presidents. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Robert Kerns, president from 2003-2004. With the same name and occupation has his father, Dr. Kerns says he was groomed for a meaningful career as a public service psychologist. He describes some of the major issues public service psychologists were grappling with at the time, like guild issues threatening VA psychologists and pursuing his initiatives to build the division's capacity for training, scholarship, and advocacy. He reminds us it is a privilege to serve the public.

Dr. Kerns welcomes your messages at robert.kerns@yale.edu.

We continue to celebrate Division 18's 75th anniversary through a series of interviews with former division presidents. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Steven Norton, president from 2010-2011. He describes the emergence of our division on social media and the newly formed SMI-SED Section, as well as a forward thinking approach to interdivisional Convention presentations. Dr. Norton offers reflections on how psychologists in public service set the standards and the critical role we can play in addressing current social issues, like racial injustices and law enforcement reform.

In honor of our 75th anniversary, we are interviewing former presidents of Division 18. In this episode, we interview Dr. Dolly Sadow, president from 2005-2006. Dr. Sadow describes the upsides and downsides of transition to virtual communications, increasing student members' involvement in the division, and advocacy for patients' rights. She shares advice to those interested in leadership and her thoughts on the future of Division 18. One take away message is the importance of building and strengthening community.

In honor of our 75th anniversary, we are interviewing former presidents of Division 18. In this episode, we interview Dr. Rodney Baker, president from 1989-1990. He speaks about the struggle with getting public service psychologists recognized as "practitioners" and his advocacy agenda that resulted in several significant resolutions passed by the APA Council of Representatives. He also offers valuable leadership advice. One take away message is "do what needs to be done".

Save-the-date for Dr. Baker's webinar on the history of Division 18 on Wednesday, August 4 at 3:00pm Eastern. More details to come!

This is an official statement of Division 18 of the American Psychological Association and does not represent the position of the American Psychological Association or any of its other Divisions or subunits.