Candidates for president
Meet the candidates for Div. 54 president.
Scott Powers

Candidate Statement
It is indeed an honor to be nominated for the position of APA Div. 54 president. Our society has been a home to me since I was a graduate student and continues to be such a wonderful and welcoming group of professionals. To me, this is such an exciting time to be a pediatric psychologist because of the collective potential of the clinicians, educators, researchers, advocates and students who are members of SPP. I believe the future has no limits for our field and that our society is making a meaningful, positive impact on child health. The idea of helping to lead our organization along with such a talented group of colleagues and friends is energizing and also humbling. Some of the goals I would like to advance if elected to this position include: development of pediatric psychologists as vital members and leaders 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. Most of all, I think our highest priority is mentoring and helping students and early career colleagues succeed with their goals and become the leaders of tomorrow. I would very much appreciate your support.
Celia Lescano

Candidate Statement
To put it simply, I love pediatric psychology. While it pains me to realize that I have been a member of this organization for 23 years (am I really that old?!), SPP has always been near and dear to my heart. I am completely honored and humbled to be nominated for this position. I know that there are two very strong women who precede me and, should I be elected, I look forward to working with Drs. Jelalian and Berry, learning from them, and continuing their vision for where SPP is headed. Both of them mentioned the “changing landscape of health care and reform” in their candidate statements, and I have no doubt that this will continue to be a very important topic for our field for many years to come. As we elbow our way into these discussions and stick our feet in doors that are positioned to be closed on us, it is increasingly important for pediatric pychology to have a strong voice and to have a seat at the table. My career has been dedicated to working for inclusion and fighting for those who are often not heard. I look forward to the possibility of being a voice for the future of pediatric psychology.