 
Dr. Cynthia Belar, APA Executive Director for Education, is presented
the Paul Nelson Award by Dr. Steve McCutcheon, Chair of CCTC, in a
surprise reception at the offices of the National Register, November
2008.
Since the inception of the Paul Nelson Award, CCTC has recognized
three outstanding psychologists as worthy of this highest honor in
professional education and training. Of course, Dr. Paul Nelson was the
original recipient of this eponymous award.In 2007, Dr. Ted Packard was
the unanimous choice of CCTC members, who recognized him for his many
contributions to the APA Committee on Accreditation (CoA), including his
distinguished tenure as Chair of CoA. In particular, CCTC applauded Dr.
Packard’s outstanding leadership at the “Snowbird Summit”, during which
the re-organization of CoA was forged, thereby creating a Commission
that better represented the diverse constituencies in professional
psychology education.
In 2008, an equally distinguished recipient was recognized. In the
spirit of consensus by which CCTC operates, Dr. Cynthia Belar was
selected by acclamation. The nomination letter from Dr. Elizabeth
Klonoff reads: “Cynthia Belar’s contributions to education and
training in psychology are well known. A clinical health psychologist,
she has been actively engaged in teaching, research and practice for 25
years. Her articles have formed the basis for much of what we now know
to be contemporary clinical psychology.
Dr. Belar has done clinical work and research in interdisciplinary
health-care settings throughout her career, including seven years as
chief psychologist at the Los Angeles Kaiser Permanente Medical Care
Program. She founded one of the first formal tracks in medical
psychology in a predoctoral clinical psychology program at the
University
of Florida. She is
also one of the founders of Div. 38 (Health). She served as the Director
of Clinical Training at
Florida
for many years. In 2000 she took what was supposed to be a three-year
sabbatical from her post there as a professor and associate chair for
academic affairs in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, to
head the Education Directorate at APA. Luckily for all of us, she
is still there. Her contributions to the field are very well known
and she has led the Education activities of APA with distinction and an
unwavering commitment to quality at all educational levels. Her ability
to bring together diverse groups of all kinds -- different levels of
training, different training models, different specialties within
psychology --- speaks to her skills as a mediator and statesperson. She
is able to bring all of the education community together to speak as a
single voice in favor of psychology.”
A brief history of Paul Nelson: In a career spanning more
than 50 years, including 24 of them at APA, Paul Nelson, Ph.D., has been
a central force in shaping accreditation, psychology specialization, the
development of training councils, and the preparation of psychology
faculty. Dr. Nelson has been one of APA’s most visible representatives
of education since before APA formed its Education Directorate. As the
director of accreditation for 15 years, Dr. Nelson was instrumental in
reorganizing the accreditation system, developing guidelines, and
fostering the development of the Committee on Accreditation. He also
served as the initial interim director of the Education Directorate and
from there, became the deputy executive director of the Directorate and
director of the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Education and
Training.
During the past decade, Dr. Nelson has been instrumental in bringing
together diverse, and sometimes conflicting, groups to address key
issues in education and training. The Council of Chairs of Training
Councils is one venue through which Paul’s legacy continues. Often
called the “ultimate diplomat,” Dr. Paul Nelson has left an indelible
mark on the field of professional psychology. To honor his knowledge,
integrity, and stewardship of psychology, CCTC presents the Paul Nelson
Award.
Definition/criteria: CCTC recognizes individuals who have
distinguished themselves through significant, long-term service to the
professional education and training community by bestowing on them the
Paul Nelson Award. In the mold of Dr. Nelson, individuals are recognized
for making exceptional contributions to the collegial environment and
culture of psychology education and training, as evidenced by leadership
in bringing together parties in a common purpose to address important
problems.
Rationale: The existence of CCTC speaks to Dr. Nelson’s vision
of bringing together people with conflicting points of view, in a manner
that allows them to forge alliances and relationships that create the
foundation for finding common ground and resolving problems. While many
awards already recognize outstanding “achievement” in psychology, the
Paul Nelson Award recognizes the spirit and model of collaboration
established by Paul in his work with CCTC, a true statesman and
diplomat.
Frequency: The Paul Nelson award will be on the CCTC agenda
every spring for consideration of bestowal. Because CCTC reserves the
award for truly exceptional and extraordinary contributions to the
professional education community, the award is not necessarily granted
on an annual basis, but rather, is determined at the discretion of CCTC
following an annual review of nominees.
Selection process: Any member of CCTC shall have the right to
nominate a person to receive the Paul Nelson Award. The nomination shall
be forwarded to the President of CCTC,
and all nominations will be considered at the spring meeting. The
decision to give the award shall be by consensus, in keeping with the
usual practice of CCTC. The award will be presented at an appropriate
time and place, dependent on the recipient.
Funding: The award should be recognized with an engraved
plaque. Funds for the plaque may be collected by voluntary donations
from CCTC members.
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