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Congratulations to CARE member Lisa Merlo Greene

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Dr. Lisa Merlo Greene named an American Psychological Association Citizen Psychologist

Honor recognizes psychologists who improve communities, benefit society

WASHINGTON — Dr. Lisa Merlo Greene of the University of Florida has been named a 2018 APA Citizen Psychologist by the American Psychological Association for her efforts to improve the community in Gainesville, Florida and beyond.

Merlo Greene 1“Dr. Lisa Merlo Greene exemplifies the definition of a Citizen Psychologist by using psychology to make her community a better place,” said 2018 APA President Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD. “Helping to improve lives one community at a time is how we can change the world.”

Dr. Merlo Greene was honored for her work as the founder of Be the Kind and her service as a founding Board member of Drawn from Valor. Be the Kind is an organization created to spread positivity in the community through monthly projects serving those in need of assistance and cheer (e.g., resettled refugees, incarcerated individuals, cancer patients, those experiencing homelessness, hurricane victims, low-income mothers and children). Drawn from Valor is a nonprofit charity that creates free animations and entertainment to help educate and empower young people suffering from medical or psychological conditions, and their families.

Launched by Daniel, the Citizen Psychologist Initiative recognizes APA members who engage their communities through public service, volunteerism and board membership. Representing every branch of psychology, Citizen Psychologists serve as long-term volunteers for Habitat for Humanity; participate in church ministries; and volunteer as expert speakers for non-profit organizations, among other roles.

The goals of the APA Citizen Psychologist Initiative include:

  • Demonstrating how psychology contributes to the public good and improves communities.
  • Educating high school, undergraduate and graduate school students through internships, postdoctoral fellowships and lifelong learning about how to become a successful APA Citizen Psychologist.

“Through their efforts, Citizen Psychologists work toward APA’s mission to use psychology to benefit society and improve people’s lives,” Daniel said.

News release provided by the American Psychological Association.