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.

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.
• The Section is inviting brief article submissions (400-900 words) for the upcoming 2025 special edition of Psynopsis  on innovations in psychological care and access in health settings.  Dr. Kerry Mothersill is the guest editor.  Due July 1 2025.  See the Psynopsis link for details: Psynopsis – Canadian Psychological Association  You can contact Dr Mothersill if any questions. Kerry.Mothersill@recoveryalberta.ca
• Section student representative Aidan O’Callahan (UBC) has organized a student-led, cross country virtual Q & A session for May 14^th 2025 12 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, and features two current residents in hospital-based residencies  (Dalhousie; University of Manitoba).  Contact Aidan for information or to register aidanoca@student.ubc.ca, or scan the QR code in this flyer(PDF)
• 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

Past Winners

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

Past Winners

2024 (inaugural)

Gillian Alcolado

St Boniface Hospital
Winnipeg, MB