R. Bob Smith, III Excellence in Psychological Assessment Award: Anne E. Kazak, PhD, ABPP

R. Bob Smith, III Excellence in Psychological Assessment Award: Anne E. Kazak, PhD, ABPP

SCCAP is delighted to announce that Anne E. Kazak, PhD, ABPP, is the recipient of the 2023 R. Bob Smith, III Excellence in Psychological Assessment Award. The Bob Smith Award is given to an individual that has made significant contributions to the field related to evidence-based assessment. Dr. Kazak currently serves in several leadership positions including the Enterprise Director of the Center for Healthcare Delivery Science at Nemours Children’s Health, based at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, and the co-Director of the Center for Pediatric Traumatic Stress,. She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Sidney Kimmel  Medical School of Thomas Jefferson University, Professor Emerita at University of Pennsylvania, and Affiliated Professor in the College of Health Sciences and Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Delaware. Dr. Kazak is a former editor in chief of four psychology journals – American Psychologist, Health Psychology, the Journal of Family Psychology, and the Journal of Pediatric Psychology.

Dr. Kazak was selected for this award based on her leadership in the development of the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) in conjunction with key partners and colleagues who have promoted ongoing research and adaptation of PAT. The PAT is a brief evidence-based caregiver report screener used across a range of pediatric health conditions to identify areas of risk and resilience across the child and family’s social ecology in order to inform intervention and provide optimal care. The PAT incorporates understanding of medical traumatic stress and is highly consistent with a preventative orientation to psychological care for children and families. It strongly aligns with health equity by focusing on universal screening of all children and families. This assessment also has wide reach as it is utilized by clinicians and researchers both in the United States and globally with cultural adaptation and translation in 20+ languages. Building on its impact, current research focuses on implementation science and identifying strategies to increase the use of the PAT as a first step in a clinical pathway of evidence-based care.

Dr. Kazak’s experience as a clinician, researcher and administrator has helped to advance integrated behavioral and medical care for children and families globally. As a leading expert, she is a frequent consultant and reviewer on national and international projects related to pediatric psychology. She has contributed over 300 peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters to further the field.

Notably, Dr. Kazak has garnered her numerous awards and accolades, including the Cummings American Psychological Cummings PSYCHE Prize for integrated care, Presidential Citation from American Psychological Association, Significant Contribution to the Profession of Psychology and to Humanity from the Philadelphia Society of Clinical Psychologists, and the Compassionate Champion Award from the Office of the Governor in Delaware. In addition to her significant professional accomplishments, Dr. Kazak has a Certificate in Digital Photography from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She integrates her clinical vantage point thoughtfully within her photography work. Her photographs include landscapes, animals, street photography and portraitures. Explore them at her website,  www.annekazakphotography.com or more recent work at https://annekazak.zenfolio.com/.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kazak!