Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Antonio Puente, professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, has been selected to receive the American Psychological Association's (APA) prestigious 2009 State Leadership Award. The award is given to an individual who represents outstanding service to their state and significant participation in local or national advocacy and legislative efforts advancing the profession of psychology.

UNCW chair and professor of psychology Mark Galizio stated, "Puente's expertise and international success has brought recognition to UNCW and has been of critical value to the development of our department and our students."

Puente is among the national and international leaders working to develop and improve the practice of psychology. He served as the APA's representative to the American Medical Association's (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology Panel from 1994, when the first non-physicians were allowed to participate in the process, until 2009. Last year, Puente was chosen as the only non-physician to serve on the 17-member editorial voting panel. This group receives recommendations from the 120-member Advisory Panel and votes on what health care procedures can be done in the United States, how procedures are performed and how such procedures are valued and reimbursed.

He is also a member of the APA's Committee for Psychological Tests and Assessments. This 13-member committee of researchers and experts in educational and psychological testing will revise the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, which is widely used as a source of information concerning test development and use. This committee met for the first time in 1950 and meets approximately every 20 years to discuss revisions.

"I am humbled and honored and just plain old lucky," said Puente about receiving the state leadership award. "UNCW is often considered to have an important regional mission; we also work and have an impact at the national and international level."

Puente has been a member of the UNCW faculty since 1981 and is the author of seven books and more than 160 scientific and professional articles. In 2005 he founded Centro Hispano on the campus of UNCW and served as its director until 2007. He also maintains a private practice in clinical neuropsychology and is involved with Tileston Health Clinic where he helps provide mental health services for those who could not otherwise afford care.

Puente will receive the award in March during the APA State Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

Media contact:
Jamie Smith, UNCW media relations, 910.962.3171 or smithj@uncw.edu