Barbara L. Andersen, PhD, President
The Society for Health Psychology (SfHP, APA Division 38) was founded in 1978 as a constituent part of the American Psychological Association (APA). I note these facts as my career is as old as that of the division’s (please don’t do the math). I wasn’t trained in health psychology or anything remotely like it. My internship at UCLA, choosing a consultation-liaison rotation in OB-GYN and helping gynecologic oncology patients cope with a terrible illness, made all the difference. I began collaborating with oncologists, basic scientists, and others and never looked back.
Today, SfHP has over 3,000 members. Then, as now, SfHP is committed to being the professional home for innovators in health psychology research, practice, and education. We know that there are other professional options clamoring for your energy, time, and, on occasion, your money.
For these reasons and more, SfHP began a Long Range Planning (LRP) process over one year ago (March 2021) to grow and enhance the Society for every member and in so doing, drive the narrative in research, clinical efforts, and the translation. The LRP began with 40+ members, national and international who contributed in six LRP areas (see figure: base of the pillars are topics). Unique to this LRP is the specification of milestones and expected timelines , some already begun and others extending into next 2-4 years. We will evaluate, modify as necessary, and achieve new, stated goals. Realignment of infrastructure, communication venues, and fiscal resources begun 6 months ago and continues at full speed. SfHP Council and Committees are picking up the charge as they organize and lead implementation with 2022-2023 initiatives and programming.
We take this opportunity to publicly thank these leaders and friends–the best and brightest–who spent hours in discussing, writing, revising, and committing to move SfHP forward now and into the future.
2021-2022 Long Range Planning Task Force
Task Force Chair: Barbara L. Andersen
Pillar Leadership Team: Research – Barbara L. Andersen, Clinical – Daniel Bruns, Presidential – Zeeshan Butt, Translation – Shawna Ehlers-Wilbur, Administration & Finance – Barbara Keeton, Membership & Board – Ali Weinstein
Advisory Panel: Stephen Gillaspy, Gil Goldzweig, Vanessa Hintz, Vickie Mays, Katherine McGuire, Anja Mehnert, Urs Nater, Anne Marie Plass, Mitch Prinstein, Neil Schneiderman, Maria Die Trill
Row Chairs/Members:
Administration & Finance: Barbara Keeton (chair); Zeeshan Butt, Rashelle Hayes, Marquisha Lee, Barbara Ward-Zimmerman
Communications: Claire Conley (chair); Christopher France, Kenneth Freedland, Julie Radico, Kristin Schneider, Adrienne Williams
Awards & Recognition: Bernadine Pinto, Annette Stanton (co-chairs)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Deb Bowen (chair); Norman Anderson, Tanecia Blue, DeWayne Williams
Education & Training: Crystal Park (chair); Andrea Bradford, Mark Lumley, Suzanne Miller, Tim Smith, Ted Wagener
Health Advocacy & Policy: Kate Brown (chair); Helen Coons, Pat Kobor, Kristen Riley, Kim Smolderen