APAHC 2026 Election - Candidate Information

Thank you for taking the time to participate in this election cycle. Below you will find the nomination statements of each candidate for open positions, including a link to the CVs. Please review each candidate thoroughly. You will find the ballot to begin the voting process at the bottom of the page after reviewing each candidate. If you have any questions or concerns please contact dr.antusegal@gmail.com.

Treasurer

Anastasia Bullock | Curriculum Vitae

Nomination provided by Phillip Fizur: Dear APAHC Nominations Committee, it is my great pleasure to nominate Anastasia Bullock, Psy.D. for Treasurer of the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers (APAHC) for the term beginning January 2027. I have known Dr. Bullock since we began in this field together as graduate students in 2011 through the present day as colleagues at Cooper University Health Care, and so can attest to the persistent nature of the qualities that I am certain will serve her and the organization well in this position.

I have continued to work closely with Dr. Bullock in a variety of capacities throughout the last 15 years. I believe that she is the very strongest of candidates for Treasurer, owing to her consistent history as a leader throughout this same time span. These include but are by no means limited to Psychology Internship Training Director for a program she began and was responsible for the accreditation of, Lead Psychologist for Hospital-Based Psychology, and first Treasurer and now President of the New Jersey Psychological Association. She has been consistently dedicated to and actively involved in APAHC since joining in 2015. This includes publishing or co-publishing 5 articles in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, a variety of conference presentations and, most recently, as Research Committee co-chair. On a personal note, she is directly responsible for my having joined the organization while I was on fellowship.

Regarding qualifications for the position, Dr. Bullock has a strong commitment to supporting professional associations that serve psychologists in academic health centers, with a particular focus on fiscal stewardship, governance, and long-term sustainability. She previously served two years as Treasurer and is currently President of the New Jersey Psychological Association, where she provided leadership over annual budgets exceeding $1 million and contributed to strategic, board-level decision making. During her tenure in financial leadership, Dr. Bullock played a central role in reversing a five-year operating deficit through membership restructuring, careful evaluation of revenue-generating programming, and the use of data to guide organizational priorities, resulting in a return to profitability. She also contributed to reassessing and updating the association’s investment strategy, supporting a more proactive and growth-oriented approach aligned with long-term financial goals and responsible risk management. In my conversations with her, it is clear that Dr. Bullock is eager to bring her experience in financial leadership, collaborative governance, and academic health care environments to the APAHC Board in service of the organization and its members.

In summary, Dr. Bullock’s enthusiasm, her extensive leadership experience, her meticulousness in all aspects of service, and her principled approach to her work make her an ideal candidate for Treasurer. I can say without hesitation that she is among the kindest, most passionate, and service-oriented individuals I have ever had the pleasure of working with and can assuredly say that the APAHC Board would benefit greatly from and sincerely enjoy serving alongside her. I have spoken with Dr. Bullock; she is willing to be nominated and is excited for this new opportunity to serve APAHC. Please feel free to reach out any questions.

Melissa Faith | Curriculum Vitae

I currently serve as APAHC treasurer. Given that I will be tri-chairing the conference again in 2027, it would be helpful for me to continue to serve as treasurer for the upcoming term. I have appreciated the opportunity to give back to APAHC and would be honored to continue filling this role.

Aimee Murray | Curriculum Vitae

I am submitting my self-nomination for the position of Treasurer for APAHC. As a Member of APAHC and a Member of APA Division 12, I am committed to the mission of our association and eager to contribute to its leadership.

I want to be transparent that I am approaching this role as a dedicated learner rather than a financial expert. My strength lies in my administrative discipline, my attention to detail, and my commitment to organizational transparency. I appreciate the APAHC model which provides a collaborative transition year with the outgoing Treasurer. I fully intend to utilize that time to learn from the outgoing Treasurer, ensuring that I can maintain the high standards of fiscal accountability.

While I do not have extensive formal financial training, it is my department’s practice to root faculty in fiscal awareness. We are required to understand the complexity of funds flow in academic health settings and contribute to the department’s financial strategy. This environment has provided me with a solid foundation in the management of resources within a mission-driven institution and how I can play an active role in it. On a more direct level, I have experience with managing smaller budgets. I currently oversee the wellness activity budget for our child psychiatry fellows and have had previous experience administering a budget as a volunteer sports team manager.

I am a dedicated and approachable colleague who is ready to invest the time necessary to support APAHC’s financial strategies. I would welcome the opportunity to serve the APAHC community in this capacity.

Member-At-Large

Heather Hartman-Hall | Curriculum Vitae

Currently in my 11th year at MedStar Health, I have served in a number of positions in a large academic health care setting, including as an educator, clinician, researcher, consultant, and leader. I have expanded the role of psychologists to include creating and serving in systemwide leadership roles in both GME mental health programming and employee wellbeing. I am a founding leader of our Center for Wellbeing, serving our 37,000+ workforce. These positions have given me a vantage point to better understand the complexities and needs of a large academic health center, as well as the policy and regulatory aspects of the field - all of which continues to inform my understanding of opportunities for integrating and promoting psychologists as leaders in these settings and nationally. I am active in several national professional organizations with a strong professional network. I am committed to inclusion and recognizing the need for diverse experiences and points of view, I am very collaborative, and an excellent communicator. I am passionate about advocacy and awareness to create academic health centers that are humane, equitable, psychologically safe, and committed to promote mental health for the workforce, learners, and the communities we serve.

Sivan Rotenberg | Curriculum Vitae

I am interested in serving as a Member at Large for the Association for Psychologists in Academic Health Centers because this organization’s commitment to advancing psychological practice, training, and leadership resonates strongly with my professional values and experiences. I have grown and developed as a psychology leader as a consequence of my involvement in APAHC, and I am eager to give back and contribute to the organization’s ongoing efforts to support psychologists working at the intersection of clinical care, education, and research.

My experience working as the director for embedded psychiatry services in specialty medicine, has strengthened my understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities inherent in working in academic medicine. I have collaborated across disciplines, supported trainees navigating complex systems, and contributed to initiatives aimed at improving patient care and promoting integrated behavioral health. These experiences have reinforced the importance of advocacy, communication, and strategic collaboration—qualities I would bring to the Member‑at‑Large role.

I am particularly motivated by APAHC’s focus on professional development and fostering a strong community of psychologists across institutions. As Member at Large, I would work to enhance member engagement, and elevate diverse perspectives. I value openness, transparency, and inclusivity, and I would strive to ensure that members feel connected to the organization’s mission and represented in its decision‑making.

Brian Padilla | Curriculum Vitae

Nomination provided by Cassandra Holinka: I am thrilled to nominate Dr. Brian Padilla for an at-large position on the APAHC Board. Dr. Padilla is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine (SoM), and a Clinical Psychologist at UConn Health. He is an expert in integrated behavioral health, health equity, and culturally responsive care, bringing a deep understanding of clinical practice, administrative leadership, and systems-level challenges.

As a former Director of a community health center, Dr. Padilla oversaw multidisciplinary teams and led initiatives focused on clinical productivity and access to evidence-based, culturally appropriate care. His work in developing integrated behavioral health models aligns with APAHC’s focus on advancing psychology in academic medical settings.

More recently, Dr. Padilla developed and now co-directs the Latinx behavioral health clinic within UConn Health’s outpatient psychiatry services. The clinic serves monolingual Spanish-speaking patients and provides consultation and training to other licensed providers and trainees. His career reflects a deep and sustained commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and advancing evidence-based practices across diverse populations.

Dr. Padilla is also an experienced educator. He supervises psychiatry residents in psychotherapy and interdisciplinary collaboration, and he teaches in UConn SoM’s VITALS course, which focuses on current events, health policy, ethics, and law.

Lastly, beyond Dr. Padilla’s professional accomplishments, he is a thoughtful and creative colleague who consistently supports those around him. Dr. Padilla’s expertise, leadership, and inclusive, systems-oriented perspective make him exceptionally well-suited to contribute to APAHC’s priorities and growth.

Lisa Ramirez | Curriculum Vitae

Lisa Ramirez, PHD ABPP is an Associate Professor at the MetroHealth System/Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH. Lisa has served APAHC in a variety of roles, including 2025 APAHC Conference co-chair and current APAHC Council for Faculty and Academic Societies (CFAS) Junior Rep. Lisa is uniquely qualified for the role of APAHC Board MAL given her service to APAHC and her diverse experience in academic health centers. Lisa has served in a variety of roles in her system, including medical education (Psychology Residency and Fellowship Associate Training Director; Block 1 Faculty), program development (Primary Care Behavioral Health; community-based integrated care), administrative (Director of Pediatric Psychology; Chair of Medical Staff Wellness and Engagement Initiatives), and faculty engagement (designated faculty mentor). She has also served in leadership roles and on task forces/advisory committees for professional organizations, including AAMC, SPP, APAHC, and non-profit boards. Given her professional experiences and perspectives, she is familiar with the joys and challenges of our professional identities. Lisa is excited about the possibility of being a meaningful voice for APAHC members, specifically through listening, strategic advocacy, and sharing innovative ideas for furthering the impact of psychologists in academic health centers.