Psychologists in Hospitals and Health Centers

Chair: Lesley Graff

lgraff@hsc.mb.ca

Mission:

The Psychologists in Hospitals and Health Centers Section will provide a forum for psychologists who are employed, practice, teach, or conduct research in hospitals and health care settings.

In pursuance of this purpose, the Section:

1. provides information to members about current activities, events, research and practice developments in the area;
2. organizes sessions at the annual CPA Convention that are of interest to members;
3. represents the interests of the Section within CPA through initiating such activities as position papers, guidelines, benchmarks, policy statements, and special meetings;
4. makes representations, on behalf of its members to external organizations or agencies with the approval of the Executive Committee of the CPA Board of Directors;
5. supports psychology leadership in their advocacy for administrative support for psychology practice and research;
6. promotes standards of clinical service and practice-based research; and
7. shares information among Canadian hospitals and health care settings regarding best practice services and the development and deployment of psychologists.

Recent Section Activities

The Section Executive are engaged in a number of advocacy efforts related to professional practice in publicly-funded health settings, in order to ensure robust access to specialist psychological care.

2026 CPA Conference in Montreal, QC

Did you know…

• Dr Sean Kidd and Dr Lesley Graff are co-chairing a national task force on health sector recruitment and retention,  in partnership with CPA, building on the second national think tank meeting co-led by the Section, and the ongoing national community of professional practice in health services meetings hosted by the Section.  This task force was initiated in spring 2025 and includes members representing professional practice leads  across Canada, university clinical departments, trainees, CPAP, CCPPP and CPA executive.  The task force is aiming for action oriented planning and practical solutions to move this critical national workforce agenda forward. A position paper prepared by the task force with recommendations for action was released by CPA  in May 2026 –  Increasing Access, Reducing Costs and Improving Outcomes: maximizing psychologists’ contributions to Canada’s publicly funded health care systems
• The Section, with Dr. Kerry Mothersill as guest editor,  led a special edition of Psynopsis  on innovations in psychological care and access in health settings.  Dr. Kerry Mothersill is the guest editor. You can access the excellent articles in this informative edition here  ( Psynopsis 47.3 EVIDENCE-BASED PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION AND ASSESSMENT: MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY APPLICATIONS  ,
• Section student representative Aidan O’Callahan (UBC) has organized a student-led, cross country virtual Residency Planning Q & A session for May 12, 2026 at 1 pm CST/2 pm EST. This session is for Canadian clinical graduate students at any level of training as it is never too early to prepare for residency.  It features two current residents in hospital-based residencies (Edmonton; Ottawa).   Contact Aidan for information or to register aidanoca@student.ubc.ca
• Canadian Psychology published an article on the imperative to recruit and retain psychologists in the health system (Hudd et al 2024), which was initiated and co-authored by several of the PHHC Section executive.  The review and commentary offers solutions to strengthen the psychologist workforce in hospitals in order to improve access to mental health services.

Excellence in Hospital and Healthcare Psychology Award

Recipients

2026

Dr Sharon Clark (Right)

The Ottawa Hospital,
Ottawa, ON

2025 – Patricia Poulin
The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON
2024 – Gretchen Conrad
The Royal MH Centre Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
2023 – Kim Corace,
The Royal Ottawa MH Centre, Ottawa, ON
2022 – Michele Todd,
The Royal Ottawa MH Centre, Ottawa, ON
2021 – Randi McCabe,
St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, ON
2016 – Julie Eikstedt,
London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON
2015 – Joyce D’Eon,
The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON
2014 – Jonathan Eustace,
University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, AB
2013 (inaugural) – Ian Nicholson,
London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON

Bob McIlwraith Early Career Award

Recipients

2026

Dr. Alysha Renouf

2025 – Danielle Rice
St. Joseph’s Healthcare, Hamilton ON

2024 (inaugural) – Gillian Alcolado
St Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB

Student Best Research Presentation

Recipients

2026

Sofia Escobar

University of Calgary,
Calgary, AB