2026 PPA Award Winners

Distinguished Contributions to the Science and Profession of Psychology

John D. Gavazzi, PsyD, ABPP

Dr. Gavazzi is a psychologist in independent practice in Lemoyne, PA, and a consultant with the Pennsylvania Department of Disability and the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology. A past President of PPA, he has held numerous leadership roles within the organization. His impact extends beyond his professional work through a strong commitment to advocacy and ethics education. He has championed access to quality psychological services and is especially known for promoting prescriptive privileges in Pennsylvania and other states. He has also challenged “social loafing,” encouraging psychologists to actively advocate for their profession and the public, helping make PPA known for its highly active and responsive legislative network among APA state affiliates.

Dr. Gavazzi’s dedication to ethics education is evident in his service on PPA’s Ethics Committee (including as chair), his internationally recognized Ethics and Psychology platform, and his many articles and workshops. His workshops go beyond memorization of laws and standards, pushing participants to think critically, seek consultation when needed, and rely on overarching ethical principles to guide decision-making.

Distinguished Service Award

Jeanne M. Slattery, PhD

Dr. Slattery is a Past President of PPA and currently serves as PPA’s Representative to APA and Secretary of APA Division 31. In addition to this service, she has served PPA in countless roles, including Secretary, Public Interest Board Chair, President of the Pennsylvania Psychological Foundation, Interpersonal Violence Committee Chair, as well as participating as a member on many PPA committees. Dr. Slattery has provided many outstanding continuing education programs and articles to the PPA community, on many topics including professional ethics and diversity. As an academician as well as a clinician, she has helped advance the needs of students and academic psychologists in PPA, a constituency that is sometimes not as visible in our association. Dr. Slattery is an open and outstanding communicator, collaborator, colleague, and professional role model, with a strong dedication to advancing the mission of PPA.

Public Service Award

Keren L. Sofer, PsyD

For more than a decade Dr. Sofer has provided expert testimony, often on a pro-bono or low bono basis, for asylum seekers, survivors of domestic violence and crime, and other extreme hardships in immigration court. Through this experience Dr. Sofer was well acquainted with the challenges faced by immigrants and the professionals who advocate for and serve immigrant communities. Throughout the Winter and Spring of 2025 Dr. Sofer heard from her professional network in this area including attorneys, paralegals, and advocates, that in the face of mass deportations and changes in immigration policy, they were facing unique and grueling demands. Dr. Sofer was also hearing from her clinical colleagues as they struggled with how to respond to the trauma they saw being inflicted by changes in federal policy on people in their own communities and beyond. In response to these challenges, Dr. Sofer organized and launched the "Sustaining Your Impact" series, mobilizing a diverse group of 20 Pennsylvania based psychologists and mental health professionals to provide complimentary live virtual talks designed to foster connection and build resilience. These sessions engaged over 300 immigration professionals across Pennsylvania and the nation. As a dedicated member of the psychological community, Dr. Sofer’s work exemplifies the highest standards of the profession and brings the PPA’s values into the heart of the most pressing social issues of our Commonwealth. Dr. Sofer’s ability to mobilize a psychological response to a pressing social need demonstrates the unique impact mental health professionals can provide.

Psychology in the Media Award

Julie A. Radico, PsyD, ABPP, ACC

In the past two years, Dr. Radico has been published in Psychology Today almost 30 times on topics including gender bias at work, the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries, ways to achieve one’s personal goals, positive self-talk, understanding stress, and how to help loves ones who are struggling. In 2024, Dr. Radico and two colleagues published You Will Get Through This: A Mental Health Tool Kit - Help for Depression, Anxiety, Grief, and More, a book described as an “all-in-one guide to taking charge of your mental health, with research-proven strategies to alleviate daily struggles such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, ADHD, and insomnia.” The book received a starred review and was named a Best Reference Book by the Library Journal and received praise from notable readers, such as Donald Altman, MA, LPC, best-selling author of The Mindfulness Toolbox. Additionally, Dr. Radico has launched a YouTube channel, Undercomplicating Stuff, with engaging videos to help the public navigate popular topics, with easy to implement ideas. Dr. Radico maintains a website, drjulieradico.com, where you can watch her videos, read her blog posts, and listen to her appearances on mental health focused podcasts.

PPA Award for Distinguished Contributions to School Psychology

Susan Edgar-Smith, PhD

Dr. Edgar-Smith is a Pennsylvania-licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist who has been involved in training school psychologists at Eastern University since 2005. She currently serves as Dean and Professor of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, where she develops college-level strategic initiatives, contributes to university-wide planning and policy-setting, and writes, oversees, and manages multiple state and local grants and contracts. She also teaches several courses each year and continues to support and train school psychologists.

In addition, Dr. Edgar-Smith has made significant contributions to the field, publishing 15 scholarly works in peer-reviewed journals and professional newsletters, including The Pennsylvania Psychologist, Journal of Preventing School Failure, Current Issues in Education, Journal of Youth Ministry, Counseling and Values, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, and the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.