It is my distinct pleasure to introduce Dr. John C. Linton, the 2012 recipient of Division 38’s Nathan W. Perry, Jr. Award for Career Service to Health Psychology. I have had the privilege of knowing Dr. Linton since the outset of my career – which began where Dr. Linton’s career began, at the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology in Morgantown. While it is a challenge to summarize and his career in this introduction, it is my hope that I can convey the breadth and depth of his contributions and the personal qualities that make him such a uniformly trusted and valued colleague.
Dr. Linton’s “home base” has been at the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Charleston where he has enjoyed a distinguished career as a faculty member. He began his career at the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry before moving to Charleston to establish the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry in the Charleston Division. He is now Professor of Psychiatry, Chief Psychologist, and Vice Chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, both roles in which he has served for many years. This academic year he is the interim Chair of the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry. He also has ably directed the APA-accredited doctoral internship in Charleston since its inception 35 years ago, and he has been Director of the medical student clerkship for 21 years. Notably, he has received two prestigious awards in West Virginia in recognition of his commitment and contributions to medical education, i.e., the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service to the West Virginia University School of Medicine (2004) and the William J. Maier, Jr., Health Sciences Education Award (2005).
It is safe to say that he is probably the most widely known and uniformly respected psychologist in the state of West Virginia. His reach extends throughout the entire state as evidenced by his work on numerous state boards and committees. He has served on the WV Board of Examiners of Psychologists and for most of that time was Board Secretary. Likewise, Dr. Linton has also been active in numerous leadership roles in the West Virginia Psychological Association. He is sought out for his expertise in ethics, professional practice, professional affairs, medical and psychology education, and regulatory issues affecting research/education/clinical practice both at the state and national levels.
Since early in his career, Dr. Linton has been involved at the national level. He has been a member of numerous commissions and task forces for the American Psychological Association which include having served on the APA Public Information Committee, the APA Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice, APA/Red Cross state disaster mental health co-coordinator, APA Ethics Committee, the Task Force to Review the Composition of the APA Accreditation Committee, the Commission for the Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology, and APA Council of Representatives. During his career he has been active in several APA divisions: Society of Clinical Psychology, State Psychological Affairs, Rehabilitation, and Health Psychology. He has served on the Executive Committee and as Secretary of the APA Society of Clinical Psychology. He is an APA Fellow and a Fellow in each of the divisions of which he is a member.
His contributions to the Division of Health Psychology in particular are numerous, including his service as Co-chair of Public Information, Representative to the APA Council of Representatives, and Co-chair of the Health Services Committee. He was the founding editor ofThe Health Psychologist and ably served as the editor from 1979 to 1994.
Dr. Linton has consistently made important contributions to professional psychology board certification through his service on the American Board of Professional Psychology, including his tenure as President of the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology and service on the ABPP Board of Trustees and Board of Trustees Ethics Committee. He is board certified in both clinical psychology and clinical health psychology. In the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers, he has had various leadership roles including President. He has been the recipient of several awards in recognition of his outstanding contributions his role as mentor, advocate for the profession, and psychologist leader, i.e., Division 38 Outstanding Contributions to Health Psychology (1991); Karl F. Heiser Award, APA Presidential Citation(1996); Distinguished Professional Career Award-National Register of Health Service Providers(2009); and Outstanding Contributions and Distinguished Service-American Board of Clinical Health Psychology (2010).
In addition to the numerous contributions already mentioned, Dr. Linton also has been an active scholar in the area of health psychology. He has edited a book on obesity interventions and authored numerous book chapters and journal articles. His work includes contributions related to obesity, bariatric surgery, psychological assessment in medical settings, professional issues, ethics, and life-long competencies in clinical health psychology to name a few.
Dr. Linton’s career exemplifies his commitment to education, clinical practice, professionalism, and scholarship. He has personal qualities that have contributed to his effectiveness as an educator, clinician, and leader. These include his kindness, his remarkably wicked and irreverent sense of humor, and his quietly competent manner. He is a consummate professional who has provided sustained, significant contributions to the field of psychology and health psychology in particular, and to the public and patients our profession serves. His many colleagues and the generations of those he has trained have benefited greatly from his wisdom, good counsel, and support.
For all you have done my friend, over your distinguished career, you are most deserving of this award. Congratulations!