In Memoriam: Dennis Russo

History Spotlight

In Memoriam

Dennis C. Russo, Ph.D., ABPP (1950 - 2023)

 

Dennis C. Russo, Ph.D., ABPP

(photograph courtesy of the Russo Family)

Pediatric Psychology Leader and Cognitive Behavioral Researcher, Clinician, and Administrator

By Michael C. Roberts, Ph.D., ABPP

Society of Pediatric Psychology Co-Historian

 

Dennis Russo, Ph.D., ABPP, served as President of the Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP: Section 5 of Division 12, Clinical Psychology) in 1994 (and as member-at-large of the Board of Directors, 1990-92). His initial work focused on the early applications of behavioral principles to problems of children with autism and intellectual disabilities, which remained a strong focus as his career evolved while he also worked extensively with children and adolescents with chronic illnesses. In Dr. Russo’s article in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology as a “Pioneer in Pediatric Psychology” (2015), he wrote about how he became aware of behavioral psychology’s potential for contributing to resolving problems presenting in pediatric medicine. He sought training and varied experiences to become a major contributor as a researcher, clinician, program developer, and administrator. The Pioneer article outlined his productive career taking on challenging issues facing mental health and medical professionals.

Dr. Russo received his Ph.D. in 1975 from the University of California Santa Barbara and entered the field of psychology, developing and evaluating on applications in pediatric psychology of behavioral and cognitive psychology, and organizing service delivery systems. His leadership was highly valued in academia and healthcare institutions. In a productive career offering multiple opportunities for contributions, he held appointments at University of California, Santa Barbara; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Harvard Medical School; the May Institute; and East Carolina University/Brody School of Medicine. He retired in 2017. In addition to his term as president of SPP, consistent with his primary interests in behavioral psychology, Dr. Russo served as President of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies in 1987-1988.

The range of his research topics can be seen in the publications listed below covering behavioral medicine, integrated care, chronic illnesses and disabilities, traumatic brain injury, autism, pica, self-injurious behavior, epilepsy and seizures, cystic fibrosis, hyperactivity, and pain. His book, Behavioral Pediatrics: Research and Practice edited by Dr. Russo and James Varni (1982) was instrumental in advancing empirical foundations of assessment and intervention as an early compilation for the developing field. In his second book, Behavioral Medicine with the Developmentally Disabled (1988) edited with Jurgen Kedesdy, he brought together his work with developmental disabilities with his orientation to behaviorally-based psychological applications. A chapter on pediatric brain injury (Russo, Dunn, Pace, & Codding, 2007) synthesized his foundations in functional assessment and behavior interventions, while acknowledging how much more needs to be done in “ameliorating problems and enhancing skills in those with ABI [Acquired Brain Injury]” (p. 113).

In addition to being a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in five Divisions, including SPP (Division 54), Dr. Russo received the Wright-Salk-Ross Distinguished Service Award from SPP in 2001. He also held Fellow status with the Society of Behavioral Medicine, the American Academy of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology, and the Association for Behavior Analysis International as recognition of his significant accomplishments.

Gerald Koocher, Ph.D., ABPP recalls that “Dr. Russo was the first non-psychodynamically inclined psychologist on the staff of Boston Children’s Hospital. The chief of psychology at the time, Dr. Joseph Lord, was known to recommend that all psychology trainees would benefit from personal psychoanalysis and often fretted that purely behavioral interventions would almost certainly lead to ’symptom substitution.’ Although hired under pressure to diversify the department’s narrow theoretical orientation, Dr. Russo soon won the hearts and respect of his colleagues, including his wife Debbie who he met when she was a psychology intern and post-doc. He once mused to me, ‘I don’t know what she sees in me, but I’m not complaining.’”

Dr. Koocher continues in his reminiscence, “Dr. Russo was a large, tall man, with a wry sense of humor.  He liked to cultivate an intimidating scowl with trainees, only to quickly give way to laughter. He had a strong inclination for inclusiveness that attracted many pre- and post-docs who he often included as co-authors on publications. He built a strong behavioral medicine program by making substantial alliances with medical staff members that in turn triggered an expansive integration of psychological services focused on behavioral interventions into medical specialty clinics.”

Mary Ann McCabe, Ph.D., ABPP, remembers, “Dr. Dennis Russo was my clinical supervisor in Behavioral Medicine during my internship at Boston Children's Hospital. He was brilliant and ignited a lifelong passion for this work. What's more, he remained a caring, generous mentor for many years. Dennis has left a legacy that will last for generations."

The family's obituary and colleagues’ reminiscences for Dennis Russo noted his professional prominence and contributions, while emphasizing his gregarious personality and family orientation as a Little League coach, world traveler and photographer, and singer of Jimmy Buffet songs.

Finally, as he outlined in his Pioneer piece, it is appropriate to conclude this In Memoriam with “pearls” for pediatric psychology from Dr. Russo.  

 

Pearls from Dennis Russo (2015): Pioneers in Pediatric Psychology

 

 

Dennis Russo: List of Publications

Bird, B. L., Russo, D. C., & Cataldo, M. F. (1977). Considerations in analysis and treatment of dietary effects on behavior: A case study. Journal of Autism & Childhood Schizophrenia, 7(4), 373-382. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01540395

Buck, K., Phelps, K., Levey, S. B., Klie, K., & Russo, D. (2015). Location of care for patients with borderline personality disorder: Challenges and opportunities in finding a home. Families, Systems, & Health, 33(4), 383-389. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000142

Cataldo, M. F., Russo, D. C., & Freeman, J. M. (1979). A behavior analysis approach to high-rate myoclonic seizures. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 9(4), 413-427. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531448

Cataldo, M. F., Ward, E. M., Russo, D. C., Riordan, M., & Bennett, D. (1986). Compliance and correlated problem behavior in children: Effects of contingent and noncontingent reinforcement. Analysis & Intervention in Developmental Disabilities, 6(4), 265-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0270-4684(86)80009-X

Chin, R. J., & Russo, D. C. (1990). Behavioral medicine treatment of an adolescent with cystic fibrosis: A model of coping with chronic illness. In E. L. Feindler & G. R. Kalfus (Eds.), Adolescent behavior therapy handbook (pp. 303-327). Springer Publishing Company.

Christophersen, E. R., Cataldo, M. F., Russo, D. C., & Varni, J. W. (1984). Behavioral pediatrics: Establishing and maintaining a program of training, research, and clinical service. The Behavior Therapist, 7(3), 43-46.

Dreisbach, M., Ballard, M., Russo, D. C., & Schain, R. J. (1982). Educational intervention for children with epilepsy: A challenge for collaborative service delivery. The Journal of Special Education, 16(1), 111-121. https://doi.org/10.1177/002246698201600111

Favell, J. E., Azrin, N. H., Baumeister, A. A., Carr, E. G., Dorsey, M. F., Forehand, R., Foxx, R. M., Lovaas, O. I., Rincover, A., Risley, T. R., Romanczyk, R. G., Russo, D. C., Schroeder, S. R., & Solnick, J. V. (1982). The treatment of self-injurious behavior. Behavior Therapy, 13(4), 529-554. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7894(82)80015-4

Finney, J. W., Russo, D. C., & Cataldo, M. F. (1982). Reduction of pica in young children with lead poisoning. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 7(2), 197-207. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/7.2.197

Ginsberg, A. J., Klonoff, E. A., & Russo, D. C. (1995). Psychological and behavioral sequelae in children with chronic disease: An interactional model. In G. R. Caddy, & D. G. Byrne (Eds.), Behavioral medicine: International perspectives, Vol. 3 (pp. 237-260). Ablex Publishing.

Harvey, A. C., Harvey, M. T., Kenkel, M. B., & Russo, D. C. (2010). Funding of applied behavior analysis services: Current status and growing opportunities. Psychological Services, 7(3), 202-212. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020445

Kedesdy, J. H., & Russo, D. C. (1988). Behavioral medicine with the developmentally disabled: Major issues and challenges. In D. C. Russo & J. H. Kedesdy (Eds.), Behavioral medicine with the developmentally disabled (pp. 1-18). Plenum Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0999-4_1

Koegel, R. L., Russo, D. C., & Rincover, A. (1977). Assessing and training teachers in the generalized use of behavior modification with autistic children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10(2), 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1977.10-197

Larsen, L. C., Russo, D. C., Seitz, F. C., & Carr, J. E. (2012). The medical encounter and clinical decision making. In O. J. Z. Sahler, J. E. Carr, J. B. Frank, & J. V. Nunes (Eds.), The behavioral sciences and health care (3rd ed.) (pp. 292-300). Hogrefe Publishing.

Luiselli, J. K., & Russo, D. C. (2005). Clinical Peer Review: Description of a Comprehensive Model in Behavioral Healthcare. Behavior Modification, 29(3), 470-487. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445504273279

Luiselli, J. K., & Russo, D. C. (2005). Introduction to the Special Issue. Behavior Modification, 29(3), 467-469. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445504273277

Madden, N. A., Russo, D. C., & Cataldo, M. F. (1980). Behavioral treatment of pica in children with lead poisoning. Child Behavior Therapy, 2(4), 67-81. https://doi.org/10.1300/J473V02N04_05

Madden, N. A., Russo, D. C., & Cataldo, M. F. (1980). Environmental influences on mouthing in children with lead intoxication. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 5(2), 207-216. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/5.2.207

Nidiffer, F. D., Ciulla, R. P., Russo, D. C., & Cataldo, M. F. (1983). Behavioral variability as a function of noncontingent adult attention, peer availability, and situational demands in three hyperactive boys. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 36(1), 109-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-0965(83)90061-9

Russo, D.C., & Kedesdy, J. H. (Eds.). (1988). Behavioral medicine with the developmentally disabled. Plenum Press.

Ozbek, I. N., Russo, D. C., & Cataldo, M. F. (1978). A device for training and maintaining fixed-interval behaviors in the nontime-telling population. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11(3), 430.

Rincover, A., Koegel, R. L., & Russo, D. C. (1978). Some recent behavioral research on the education of autistic children. Education and Treatment of Children, 1(4), 31-45.

Russo, D. C. (1985). Clinical training in behavioral health psychology. The Behavior Therapist, 8(3), 43-46.

Russo, D. C. (1984). Computers as an adjunct to therapy and research in behavioral medicine. The Behavior Therapist, 7(6), 99-102.

Russo, D. C. (2015). Pioneers in pediatric psychology: Environments shape behavior. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 40(5), 487-491. https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/jsv003

Russo, D. C. (1993). The primacy of an independent behaviour therapy community in the evolution of clinical psychology. Behaviour Change, 10(1), 13-15.

Russo, D. C., & Budd, K. S. (1987). Limitations of operant practice in the study of disease. Behavior Modification, 11(3), 264-285. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455870113002

Russo, D. C., Cataldo, M. F., & Cushing, P. J. (1981). Compliance training and behavioral covariation in the treatment of multiple behavior problems. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 14(3), 209-222. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1981.14-209

Russo, D. C., Dunn, E., Pace, G., & Codding, R. S. (2007). Pediatric brain injury. In J. W. Jacobson, J. A. Mulick & J. Rojahn (Eds.), Handbook of intellectual and developmental disabilities (pp. 97-114). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-32931-5_5

Russo, D. C., Hamada, R. S., & Marques, D. (1988). Linking assessment and treatment in pediatric health psychology. In P. Karoly (Ed.), Handbook of child health assessment: Biopsychosocial perspectives (pp. 30-50). John Wiley & Sons.

Russo, D. C., & Howard, H. A. (1999). The evolving role of clinical psychology in health care systems. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 6(2), 232-238. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.6.2.232

Russo, D. C., & Koegel, R. L. (1977). A method for integrating an autistic child into a normal public-school classroom. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10(4), 579-590. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1977.10-579

Russo, D. C., Koegel, R. L., & Lovaas, O. I. (1978). A comparison of human and automated instruction of autistic children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 6(2), 189-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00919124

Russo, D. C., & Larsen, L. C. (2012). The physician-patient relationship. In O. J. Z. Sahler, J. E. Carr, J. B. Frank & J. V. Nunes (Eds.), The behavioral sciences and health care (3rd ed.) (pp. 285-291). Hogrefe Publishing.

Russo, D. C., Lehn, B. M., & Berde, C. B. (1993). Pain. In T. H. Ollendick, & M. Hersen (Eds.), Handbook of child and adolescent assessment (pp. 413-438). Allyn & Bacon.

Russo, D. C., & Navalta, C. P. (1995). Some new dimensions of behaviour analysis and therapy. In H. P. J. G. van Bilsen, P. C. Kendall, & J. H. Slavenburg (Eds.), Behavioral approaches for children and adolescents: Challenges for the next century (pp. 19-39). Plenum Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-9406-9_2

Russo, D. C., & Tarbell, S. E. (1984). Child health psychology: Emerging responsibilities of the pediatric health psychologist. Clinical Psychology Review, 4(5), 495-502. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(84)90040-0

Russo, D. C., Tarbell, S. E., & Follansbee, D. J. (1989). Medicine: Learning and the modification of somatic function. In A. J. Brownstein (Ed.), Progress in behavioral studies, Vol. 1 (pp. 81-124). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.

Savage, R. C., Russo, D. C., & Gardner, R. (1997). Traumatic brain injury in children: Neuropsychological, behavioral, and educational issues. In J. León-Carrión (Ed.), Neuropsychological rehabilitation: Fundamentals, innovations and directions (pp. 499-512). GR/St Lucie Press.

Spirito, A., Russo, D. C., & Masek, B. J. (1984). Behavioral interventions and stress management training for hospitalized adolescents and young adults with cystic fibrosis. General Hospital Psychiatry, 6(3), 211-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/0163-8343(84)90042-2

Varni, J. W., Russo, D. C., & Cataldo, M. F. (1978). Assessment and modification of delusional speech in an 11-year-old child: A comparative analysis of behavior therapy and stimulant drug effects. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 9(4), 377-380. https://doi.org/10.1016/0005-7916(78)90018-6

Wilczynski, S. M., Russo, D. C., & Christian, W. P. (2012). Evidence-based practice and autism: Building systemic capacity based on the National Standards Project. In R. K. McHugh & D. H. Barlow (Eds.), Dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychological interventions (pp. 124-140). Oxford University Press.