Awards and Acknowledgements of CMHSR’s Expertise in the Field of Mental Health

Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D. was awarded the Switzer Distinguished Research Fellowship from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research in 2008. This Fellowship is named for the late Mary E. Switzer and offers researchers the chance for new insights into this particular area of expertise. Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D. was recognized as a “High Performer” by Commonwealth Medicine for her work on the Family Networks Implementation Study, a partnership between UMMS researchers and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D. was honored with the prestigious Armin Loeb Award from the U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (USPRA). The Armin Loeb Award is presented each year to a USPRA member who has conducted “the best designed and most useful research in the field of psychiatric rehabilitation in the preceding year or years… based on quality, significance and contributions to the knowledge base underlying the current and future directions of the field.”

Kathleen Biebel, Ph.D. is the recipient of the Worcester Business Journal and Junior Achievement of Central Massachusetts 9th Annual 40 Under 40 Award. Dr. Biebel is one of 40 recipients to be recognized by the Worcester Business Journal for her accomplishments and contributions to Central Massachusetts in both business and community/volunteer service. Dr. Beibel was honored at a special reception at the Beachwood Hotel, Worcester, MA on September 17, 2008.

Ira Packer, Ph.D. was honored with the 2007 American Academy of Forensic Psychology’s Distinguished Contributions to Forensic Psychology Award. This distinguished award is given annually by the Executive Committee of the American Academy of Forensic Psychology. Dr. Packer is invited to present an address at American Psychology - Law Society (AP-LS) in 2008.

CMHSR is pleased to announce Lillian Tartaglia has received Psychiatry’s Employee Of Distinction award for June 2008. CMHSR is very proud of Lillian Tartaglia, whose outstanding performance has been recognized by the University Of Massachusetts Medical School in choosing Lillian as an Employee Of Distinction. Lillian has worked at UMMS for 25 years making remarkable contributions to the mission and the work of the Center. She is admired and loved by her co-workers at CMHSR for her generous attitude, outstanding patience and comprehensive knowledge of our operations and work. Lillian is always smiling, always willing to drop what she’s doing and offer immediate attention and resolution. Her ability to support multiple projects at a variety of levels and her great friendliness and energy make her an irreplaceable and treasured colleague. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to work with Lillian everyday and we are thrilled that her work is being honored by UMMS.

Karen Albert, M.S. received the UMMS May 2007 Employee of Distinction award for her exceptional work in managing research studies at the CMHSR including the Family Options studies (Principal Investigator: Joanne Nicholson, Ph.D.). The Family Options studies consist of parallel implementation and program evaluation research examining an innovative family centered, strengths-based intervention for families living with parental mental illness implemented in a psychosocial rehabilitation agency (Employment Options, Inc.) in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

Carole Puleo (pictured on the left) and Dianne Williams each received a DMH Forensic Division Recognition award in June 2007. Robert Kinscherff, DMH Assistant Commissioner of Forensic Mental Health, noted when presenting the awards: “Carole Puleo and Dianne Williams are the heart of public sector forensic mental health training in Massachusetts.

Thomas Grisso, Ph.D. received the Honorary Fellow Award from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the primary professional association for psychiatrists in the U.K., in a ceremony at the College’s convention in Glasgow, Scotland. The Honorary Fellow award recognizes outstanding contributions to Psychiatry by members or non-members of the College. The award, requiring nomination and election from within the College, is given on a limited basis in that there can be no more than 150 living Honorary Fellows.

William Fisher, Ph.D. received the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Fisher was recognized for his “long and distinguished record of significant contributions to academic research to improve public sector mental health services.”