Candidates for president

Meet the candidates for Div. 54 president.

Sharon Berry , PhD

Sharon Berry, PhD, is the Director of Training for the APA accredited internship at Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, having served on the faculty of an accredited program for the past 27 years. She is active within the education and training community, currently serving a number of boards dedicated to training including the APA Board of Educational Affairs, the Council of Clinical Health Psychology Training Programs, and former board member and past-chair of APPIC. A Fellow of both Divisions 54 and 38 (Health Psychology), she has been honored by Division 54 with the 2007 Martin Levin Mentorship Award and the 2014 Wright Ross Salk Award for Distinguished Service. She serves on the editorial boards for both Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology CPPP, and Training and Education in Professional Psychology TEPP.

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be nominated as President-Elect of Division 54, The Society of Pediatric Psychology. I consider SPP to be my psychological “home” and national community. I was privileged to serve six years on the Division 54 Board (2001-06) during which I had the enjoyable task of managing awards for members and students. Since then, I have been involved with many members through coordinating our very successful Mentorship Project. This Division 54 project served as a model for other divisions with over 500 active members involved (trainees and mentors) – a reflection of the generosity of our group and their dedication to students. I am excited about the prospect of serving as your President, and continuing to contribute to the vitality of pediatric psychology. I have a plan for enhancing our connection and relationship with the American Academy of Pediatrics at this time of healthcare reform and look forward to being a strong voice for Pediatric Psychology.

Scott Powers

Scott Powers is professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and staff psychologist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He received his PhD from the University of Alabama and completed internship and fellowship training at Brown University. Dr. Powers is a Division 54 fellow, served as APA convention program chair for SPP (2002) and on the editorial board of the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, and was honored by SPP with the Martin P. Levin Mentorship Award (2011) and Logan Wright Distinguished Research Award (2013).

Dr. Powers is a clinician, scientist, mentor, and research administrator. He founded programs in Cincinnati dedicated to the integration of clinical care, research, and training (Center for Child Behavior and Nutrition Research and Training; The Headache Center). Dr. Powers has earned over $25 million in NIH and foundation grants, published over 130 articles, and served on numerous NIH and foundation grant review panels. He is a mentor to graduate students, residents, fellows, and early career faculty in psychology and pediatrics. Powers is currently Director of Clinical and Translational Research for the Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation and member of the Associate Chairs/Strategic Advisory Committee for the Department of Pediatrics.

Candidate Statement

This is an exciting time to be a pediatric psychologist, and a member of SPP. Our Society is having a meaningful impact, with an annual conference attended by talented students and early career colleagues, the successful launch of a new journal, new grant programs, sound fiscal stewardship, thoughtful strategic planning, and much more. Collectively, as clinicians, educators, researchers, and advocates, pediatric psychologists are making measurable improvements to child health. So, I am honored (and excited) to be nominated for the position of Division 54 president and would appreciate your support.

I believe that our future is bright because of the potential of every member of the Society. In addition to fostering what is already making a meaningful impact, themes I would emphasize as president include:

  • advancing pediatric psychologists as leaders and focusing on ways SPP could assist in leadership training for members at all career stages
  • development of pediatric psychologists as vital members of team science groups
  • accelerating the translation of evidence into practice and advocating for the rights of children to have access to the most effective treatments available
  • listening and responding to the needs of members in this changing health care landscape

Thanks so much for your consideration.