PAST AWARDS

ARPA HONORS FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION AWARDS

The Arkansas Psychological Association (ArPA) is proud to recognize individuals and institutions making significant contributions to the field of psychology and the well-being of Arkansans. These annual awards celebrate the dedication and achievements of professionals, volunteers, and legislators who advance mental health care and psychological services in our state.

Celebrating Achievements:

Award recipients are formally recognized during a ceremony at the ArPA Annual Fall Convention. This prestigious event provides a platform to showcase the outstanding work of our colleagues and inspire future generations of mental health professionals.

A Broad Range of Recognition:

ArPA awards encompass various categories, acknowledging excellence in areas such as community mental health, private practice, research, academia, and volunteer service. Nominations are welcome from all qualified individuals, regardless of ArPA membership status.

2009 Award for Outstanding Contribution Recipients

  1. Psychology Undergraduate Student- Greg Wilson
  2. Psychology Graduate Student- Kimberly Babson, MA
  3. Volunteer- Kirk Parry, Ph.D.
  4. Arkansas Psychology Board Member- Russ Dixon, Psy.D.
  5. Legislator- Representative Dawn Creekmore
  6. Early Career Psychologist- Lisa McGill Linson, Ph.D.
  7. Community Mental Health Provider- Tom Burks, LCSW
  8. Private Practice Psychologist- Margaret Robinson Rutherford, Ph.D.
  9. Academician- Jason Warnick, Ph.D.
  10. Researcher- Ana Bridges, Ph.D.
  11. Medical Center Psychologist- Grace Aikman, Ph.D.
  12. Distinguished Psychologist- Jan Church, Ph.D .
  13. ArPA Past President Award- Erin Williams, Ph.D., 2007
  14. ArPA Past President Award- Gary Souheaver, Ph.D., 2008

2008 Award for Outstanding Contribution Recipients

  1. Community Mental Health Psychologist of the Year – Roland Irwin, Ph.D.
  2. Private Practice Psychologist of the Year- Ralph Hyman, Ed.D.
  3. Distinguished Psychologist of the Year- Robbie Thomas-Knight, Ph.D.
  4. Researcher of the Year – Kris Biondolillo, Ph.D.
  5. Academician of the Year – Robert Hines, Ph.D.
  6. Volunteer of the Year- Kevin Rowell, Ph.D.
  7. Legislator of the Year – William L. Walker, Jr.
  8. Psychology Graduate Student of the Year – Iryna Temchenko, M.S.
  9. Early Career Psychologist of the Year- Courtney Ghormley, Ph.D.
  10. Medical Center Psychologist of the Year – Kevin Reeder, Ph.D.

2007 Award for Outstanding Contribution Recipients

  1. Community Mental Health Provider – Tammy K. Alexander, Ph.D.
  2. Private Practice Provider – Robert L. Spray, Jr., Ph.D.
  3. Residential Facility-Pinnacle Point Hospital
  4. Distinguished Psychologist- J. Vincent Roca, Ph.D.
  5. Master’s Level Provider- Rachel Elizabeth Glenn, M.S.
  6. Researcher – Daniel Holland, Ph.D., M.P.H
  7. Academician of the Year – E. Philip Trapp, Ph.D.
  8. Volunteer of the Year- Mr. Aaron Titus
  9. Legislator of the Year – Representative Jim Medley
  10. Licensing Board Member of the Year – Joe Alford, Ph.D.
  11. Psychology Graduate Student of the Year – Joanna Shadlow, Ph.D.
  12. ArPA Past President Award – Lisa McNeir, Ph.D.

2006 Award for Outstanding Contribution Recipients

  1. Community Mental Health Provider of the Year – Dwight Sperry M.A
  2. Private Practice Provider of the Year – Richard Murphy, Jr., Ph.D.
  3. Inpatient Clinician of the Year – John R. Anderson, Ph.D.
  4. Distinguished Psychologist of the Year – Nicholas Long, Ph.D.
  5. Master’s Level Provider of the Year – Bruce M. Cohen, M.S.
  6. Researcher of the Year – Warren Bickel, Ph.D.
  7. Academician of the Year – Tom Poling, Ph.D.
  8. Volunteer of the Year – Joyce Fowler, Ph.D.
  9. Psychology Undergraduate Student of the Year – Ms. Kerin Smith
  10. Psychology Graduate Student of the Year – Tisha Deen, M.A.
  11. Licensing Board Member of the Year – Sabra Hassel, Ph.D.
  12. Past President Award – Roger Williams, Ph.D.
  1. Psychology Undergraduate Student- Greg Wilson
  2. Psychology Graduate Student- Kimberly Babson, MA
  3. Volunteer- Kirk Parry, Ph.D.
  4. Arkansas Psychology Board Member- Russ Dixon, Psy.D.
  5. Legislator- Representative Dawn Creekmore
  6. Early Career Psychologist- Lisa McGill Linson, Ph.D.
  7. Community Mental Health Provider- Tom Burks, LCSW
  8. Private Practice Psychologist- Margaret Robinson Rutherford, Ph.D.
  9. Academician- Jason Warnick, Ph.D.
  10. Researcher- Ana Bridges, Ph.D.
  11. Medical Center Psychologist- Grace Aikman, Ph.D.
  12. Distinguished Psychologist- Jan Church, Ph.D .
  13. ArPA Past President Award- Erin Williams, Ph.D., 2007
  14. ArPA Past President Award- Gary Souheaver, Ph.D., 2008
  1. Community Mental Health Psychologist of the Year – Roland Irwin, Ph.D.
  2. Private Practice Psychologist of the Year- Ralph Hyman, Ed.D.
  3. Distinguished Psychologist of the Year- Robbie Thomas-Knight, Ph.D.
  4. Researcher of the Year – Kris Biondolillo, Ph.D.
  5. Academician of the Year – Robert Hines, Ph.D.
  6. Volunteer of the Year- Kevin Rowell, Ph.D.
  7. Legislator of the Year – William L. Walker, Jr.
  8. Psychology Graduate Student of the Year – Iryna Temchenko, M.S.
  9. Early Career Psychologist of the Year- Courtney Ghormley, Ph.D.
  10. Medical Center Psychologist of the Year – Kevin Reeder, Ph.D.




  1. Community Mental Health Provider – Tammy K. Alexander, Ph.D.
  2. Private Practice Provider – Robert L. Spray, Jr., Ph.D.
  3. Residential Facility-Pinnacle Point Hospital
  4. Distinguished Psychologist- J. Vincent Roca, Ph.D.
  5. Master’s Level Provider- Rachel Elizabeth Glenn, M.S.
  6. Researcher – Daniel Holland, Ph.D., M.P.H
  7. Academician of the Year – E. Philip Trapp, Ph.D.
  8. Volunteer of the Year- Mr. Aaron Titus
  9. Legislator of the Year – Representative Jim Medley
  10. Licensing Board Member of the Year – Joe Alford, Ph.D.
  11. Psychology Graduate Student of the Year – Joanna Shadlow, Ph.D.
  12. ArPA Past President Award – Lisa McNeir, Ph.D.


  1. Community Mental Health Provider of the Year – Dwight Sperry M.A
  2. Private Practice Provider of the Year – Richard Murphy, Jr., Ph.D.
  3. Inpatient Clinician of the Year – John R. Anderson, Ph.D.
  4. Distinguished Psychologist of the Year – Nicholas Long, Ph.D.
  5. Master’s Level Provider of the Year – Bruce M. Cohen, M.S.
  6. Researcher of the Year – Warren Bickel, Ph.D.
  7. Academician of the Year – Tom Poling, Ph.D.
  8. Volunteer of the Year – Joyce Fowler, Ph.D.
  9. Psychology Undergraduate Student of the Year – Ms. Kerin Smith
  10. Psychology Graduate Student of the Year – Tisha Deen, M.A.
  11. Licensing Board Member of the Year – Sabra Hassel, Ph.D.
  12. Past President Award – Roger Williams, Ph.D.


We encourage you to nominate deserving individuals or institutions for these prestigious awards. The nomination deadline is typically August 1st of each year. Please contact us for more information, nomination guidelines, and key dates like selection notification and the awards ceremony.

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Legislative Advocacy

Legislative Grant Award

The Arkansas Psychological Association (ArPA) is pleased to announce that it has received a $10,000 Legislative Grant from APA Services Inc. to support advocacy efforts related to the Master’s Level Practice of Psychology. This grant was awarded through the APA Practice Directorate and the Committee of State Leaders (CSL), which provide funding to state psychological associations for advancing significant legislative initiatives impacting the profession.

We extend our gratitude to APA Services for their support in helping us continue to advocate for psychology professionals in Arkansas.

Read More About the Legislative Grant
Recognizing Excellence in Employee Well-Being

Arkansas Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award

Does your organization prioritize employee well-being and create a positive work environment?

The Arkansas Psychological Association (ArPA), in collaboration with the American Psychological Association (APA), is proud to present the Arkansas Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award. This award recognizes outstanding organizations within Arkansas that demonstrate a strong commitment to employee well-being and fostering a psychologically healthy work environment.