May was Mental Health Awareness Month. During Mental Health Awareness Month (May) nominations were accepted for the 2023 Division of Pediatric Psychology Awards of Excellence. Please join us in congratulating our deserving 2023 Award Winners!
Pediatric Psychology Award for Outstanding Innovations in Clinical Practice
The Outstanding Innovations in Clinical Practice Award highlights the outstanding commitment and accomplishments of a pediatric psychologist whose primary focus has been to optimize the delivery of care and outcomes for patients and their families. Dr. Cousino’s continued work developing the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center (CHC) Psychosocial and Education Program (M-COPE) is changing the way congenital heart care is delivered at U-M and is influencing practices at many other centers across the country. One of her nomination letters read, “Dr. Cousino goes above and beyond in her work and embodies a focus on innovation in clinical practice. She has the vision to see the possibility of new ways of delivering care and improving health, and she has the resourcefulness, drive, creativity and collaborative approach to turn this vision into reality. Dr. Cousino’s innovations in clinical practice are transforming care in real-time and inspiring change within U-M and beyond.” Another nominator wrote, “It is a joy to watch her interact and support the patients and families that she works with in her clinical service delivery, but also to see the behind the scenes ways she continues to champion for additional and expanded programming.”
Pediatric Psychology Award for Excellence in Education and Mentoring
The Excellence in Pediatric Psychology Education and Mentoring Award honors psychologists who display exemplary mentoring to pediatric psychology graduate students, interns, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty. It recognizes those individuals who have been outstanding in supporting, encouraging and promoting education and training, professional and personal development, and career guidance to junior colleagues. Education and training that reflect the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are particularly notable. Dr. Birnbaum is a true champion for trainees and junior faculty. As one nominator stated, “He provided excellent feedback and made time for supervision even during his busiest weeks. He encourages his trainees to serve on the DEI committee and get involved with Wolverine Pathways, and he leads by example as he is also active in both of these endeavors. He is honest with his trainees about the realities of being a psychologist, and he makes time to check in to see how his trainees are doing.”
Pediatric Psychology Award for Excellence in Contributions to Diversity
The Excellence in Pediatric Psychology Contributions to Diversity Award honors a pediatric psychologist who professionally promotes understanding and activism for diversity in policy, practice, community outreach, and research. Dr. Ross is the co-lead of our Division’s DEI Committee and has been a strong voice and leader in this area. One nominator noted: “Dr. Ross demonstrates commitment to diversity-related efforts through her ongoing research projects, for which she has obtained grant funding, but also through the thoughtfulness with which she considers diversity and health equity-related factors in clinical care and supervision on the CL service, and in each of her interactions with other healthcare professionals.”
Champion of Pediatric Psychology Award
This award is presented to an individual (or group) who serve(s) as a Champion of Pediatric Psychology by advocating for and promoting full integration of pediatric psychology in the comprehensive healthcare of patients and their families. Dr. Kris Kullgren is a Champion of Pediatric Psychology through her efforts within the Division, Department, University Health System, and larger field of Pediatric Psychology. As the Director of the Pediatric Psychology CL program, Dr. Kullgren manages all aspects of the clinical service including program development, patient care standards, and supervising trainees. As our service line lead, Dr. Kullgren oversees clinical operations and strongly advocates for increased psychology support. She is a Champion for her patients, trainees, and our Division. As one nominator wrote, “Dr. Kullgren's work in Trauma Informed Care and mentoring trauma informed care promotes improvement of patient care and the resilience of staff at the bedside. She has dedicated extraordinary time to helping to develop and promote curricula to teach the universal practices of TIC through different departments at Mott which will impact numerous lives including patients, families, and staff.”
Outstanding Pediatric Psychology Trainee Award
This award is presented to a Pediatric Psychology Trainee (practicum student, intern, fellow) who demonstrates excellence in patient care, scholarly activity and/or commitment to diversity and inclusion beyond expectations of their training level. Contributions could include: provision of exceptional patient care to individual patients; identifying areas of weakness that lead to clinic and/or research improvements; commitment to DE&I/health equity discussions; or contributions to grants and publications, either as lead or contributing investigator. As one nominator wrote, “Dr. Dusing has a talent for being a supervisor. Her supervision style is approachable and encourages the supervisee to gain confidence in themselves as well as learn in the moment... I can confidently say Dr. Dusing greatly improved my training as a practitioner.”
2023 Awards Committee:
Emily Fredericks, Ph.D.
Jennifer Butcher, Ph.D.
Dawn Dore-Stites, Ph.D.
