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Newman leaves
APA for new opportunity
(November
2007 Issue)
By Phyllis Hanlon
In August, Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., executive director of the
Practice Directorate for the American Psychological Association
(APA), announced his decision to step down at the end of the year.
In January 2008, he will become provost and vice president for Academic
Affairs at Alliant International University.
A member of the APA staff since 1986, Newman has served in his
current role since 1993. He also led the APA Practice Organization
(APAPO) since its creation in 2001. The APAPO promotes professional
interests of practitioners and engages in advocacy activities that
the APA cannot, due to tax laws.
Throughout his 21 years at the APA, Newman has focused on advocacy
and public education. "There is a whole range of things we've been
working on so psychologists can participate more in the delivery
of health care," he says. While the APA already had a good advocacy
program, Newman introduced the idea of using the courts and legal
system as a complement to existing legal advocacy. Through various
advocacy efforts, the APA was able to deal with hospitals on practice
issues and with managed care companies on coverage issues.
In the public education arena, Newman cites the creation of the
Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA) as a major accomplishment.
"We've been able to educate employers in ways they can develop programs
based on psychological principles," he says.
Newman has also been highly involved in securing prescriptive rights
for psychologists. Although only two states (Louisiana and New Mexico)
currently have this privilege, he notes that in the past the issue
failed to attract serious attention. "Now it is commonplace. A dozen
states have it on the agenda," he says.
Additionally, Newman and the APA have been integrally involved
with the World Health Organization (WHO). "There has been a lot
of collaboration and input on the International Classification of
Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) manual," he says. This
manual rates how a patient's disorder affects his ability to function
in daily life.
Newman views the recent passage of the Senate's version of a mental
health parity bill (S. 558) and the House's adoption of a similar
bill with optimism. He anticipates that the law will be on the books
by the end of the year.
The search for a successor is underway. Applications were accepted
through October 19. Newman advises his successor to "be persistent."
He says, "It is critical to listen to input and feedback of your
constituents in the practice community. But it is just as important
to lead and know how to incorporate the perspective of leadership
of practice."
Nonprofit Alliant International University, which offers degree
programs in business, education, and psychology, has six California
locations, a campus in Mexico City and programs in Hong Kong and
Tokyo. In 2001, the California School of Professional Psychology
and United States International University combined to become Alliant.
Newman will operate from the Scripps Ranch campus in San Diego,
Alliant's largest facility.
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