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Katherine Nordal
assumes leadership role at APA Practice Directorate
(June 2008
Issue)
By Phyllis Hanlon
On April 21, Katherine C. Nordal, Ph.D., stepped into the role
of executive director for professional practice at the American
Psychological Association (APA).
In contrast to Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., the previous executive
director who had a legal background, Nordal brings nearly three
decades of experience as a practitioner to the position. Since 1980,
she has been in independent practice, spending three years in the
public sector. "I have a lot in common with practitioners with public
and private experience who face problems such as incomes decreasing,
practices drying up," she says.
In addition to her practical experience, Nordal has been highly
involved in governmental policy. She worked as an APA Congressional
fellow, has served on APA's Governing Council of Representatives
and its Board of Directors and held the position of chair of the
APA Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice.
Nordal's long-time experience as a practitioner drives her interest
in helping other independent practitioners, "especially those who
work on fee-for-service." She says, "I want to work with congressional/regulatory
bodies to prevent further erosion of fees."
The inevitable shift in behavioral health services will prompt
some "re-thinking the way we do business," according to Nordal.
She envisions integrated models of care in the future in which prescribing
privileges, telehealth, credentialing and accountability as well
as cultural competence merge. "Health care reform will come regardless
of who is in office," she says. "We want a seat at the table, to
be able to be decision-makers and help shape policy. There will
be lots of changes and lots of opportunities."
Additionally, Nordal sees a strong need to help the growing public
health sector. "The seriously mentally ill group is deserving of
psychological attention," she says and encourages young people to
consider serving this population, which "health care has abandoned
in some ways."
Nordal anticipates continuing to work on existing initiatives,
including support for state associations, prescribing authority,
mental health and Medicare parity, public education campaigns, and
policy and guidelines. "There are no shortage of issues," she says.
"The trick is to prioritize those things that will be an issue."
Although she does not anticipate any new projects, Nordal has been
in the position only a short time and says it would be premature
to comment on any specific new initiatives.
Nordal reports that the practice directorate will engage in a strategic
planning process that parallels the APA's. "Strategic planning will
help us target what we do a little better," she says. "I have a
real desire to continue working to enhance the practice as a whole,
to develop the resources, products and services our members need.
My experience as a practitioner forms the foundation of it all."
Norman B. Anderson, Ph.D., APA chief executive officer, based his
decision to hire Nordal on several factors. Practitioners urged
him to select an individual with solid leadership and interpersonal
qualities and a professional background that included experience
in public policy, advocacy, understanding of legal and regulatory
issues and administrative and communications skills.
"So all of these factors were considered during the interview process
and Dr. Nordal clearly and without a doubt personified exactly what
I was looking for," says Anderson. "During the interview process,
it was evident that she possessed the professional background and
interpersonal and leadership skills that our practice community
needed now. It was truly a perfect match."
Anderson adds, "Ultimately, I expect that she will craft a new
vision for our practice work with APA and optimize our very talented
practice staff to achieve that vision."
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