SPP at APA Highlights

APA 2024 Recap

Extending from the wildly successful programming at SPPAC 2024, where the question was posed: “What’s Next? Defining the Path Forward for Pediatric Psychology,” Division 54 continued the dialogue by being “All In” at APA 2024!

Across 18 symposia, critical conversations, and skills-building sessions and more than 30 poster presentations, Pediatric Psychology shone brightly in Seattle. It was thrilling to have three days filled with innovative and practical presentations that seamlessly applied equitable and justice-focused work (e.g., Liberation Psychology in Pediatric Psychology Supervision, Practice, and Research; Neurodiversity Affirming Care) to Pediatric Psychology topics, practices, and skills. We were also treated to our Division’s expertise and talents across career stages. Excellent examples of this included: 1) a Critical Conversation exploring challenges for Middle Management in Healthcare, a tricky spot many can find themselves in by Mid-Career, and 2) a panel led by SPP Board Members who spoke about their pathways to leadership–with speakers ranging from Doctoral Candidate to Professor Emeritus! Additionally, our programming highlighted the collaborative nature of Pediatric Psychology, as evidenced by interdisciplinary colleagues from Medicine and Social Work co-presenting across these sessions and posters. Even our Business Meeting showcased innovative work through presentations from our Student Travel Award Winners.

Beyond learning, we had the chance to celebrate and network! Along with the Committee on Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) and Divisions 7, 16, 37, and 43, we hosted a social hour themed: Networking Together to Advance Children’s Mental Health and Well-Being. The Student Advisory Board (SAB) also hosted a successful SPP Trainee Meet-up. Further, our very own Dr. Terry Stancin was awarded the Presidential Citation Award by Division 44, the Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity!

Division 54, you represented Pediatric Psychology so well at APA 2024! We cannot wait to see you in Denver for APA 2025!

-Colleen Stiles-Shields, Siddika Mulchan, and Chim Okoroji (APA Program Chairs)