On behalf of NHPA and the APA Committee of State Leaders (CSL), we are pleased to announce that our very own Dr. Julie B. Wolter received the Annual State Leadership Award this year!
Each state, provincial, and territorial psychological association (SPTA) and Division 31 (State and Provincial Psychological Association Affairs) was invited to submit one nominee for this honor. Dr. Wolter was presented the award at the Practice & SPTA Leadership Conference (PSLC) last month.
Dr. Wolter’s incredible commitment to local and national advocacy efforts is evident in her leadership involvement in two state psychological associations and APA Divisions 31 and 42.
Dr. Wolter has been actively involved in the New Hampshire Psychological Association (NHPA) since she joined the Board over six years ago as Chair of the Behavioral Healthcare Advocacy Committee (BHAC). She led the effort to develop the annual NH Mental Health Workforce Survey, collaborated with leaders of other mental health guilds, and shared the results with various stakeholders (e.g., state legislators, insurance executives, NH Insurance Department Behavioral Health Commission members, etc.) to effect legislative and policy changes. Her actions resulted in the elimination of the requirement for prior authorizations for testing and the increase of NH Medicaid reimbursement rates for certain mental health services.
As BHAC Chair, Dr. Wolter also leverages her strong working relationships with insurance and government policymakers to solve systemic problems. She creates and facilitates remote Town Hall Meetings for NHPA members to engage with Anthem insurance executives, bringing together providers and payers to decrease animosity and resolve issues.
As the NHPA Director of Professional Affairs, Dr. Wolter’s collaborative work with our lobbyist on state-level mental health legislation is particularly noteworthy. She develops, coordinates, and provides testimony before the NH legislature, recently advocating for improved integrated care access at a NH Commerce Committee meeting. Dr. Wolter stays on top of proposed legislation related to mental healthcare and coordinates with other NH mental health organizations to increase the strength of advocacy efforts.
Dr. Wolter also serves as Federal Advocacy Coordinator for the Rhode Island Psychological Association (RIPA). In addition to her SPTA commitments, Dr. Wolter is involved in Division 31 as a Member-at-Large and Division 42 as Chair of the Advocacy Committee, Division Advocacy Partner, and Member-at-Large.
Through her various leadership positions, Dr. Wolter works tirelessly to advance our profession via legislative gains and nurturing partnerships. She serves as a bridge between two SPTAs and APA, increasing the power of advocacy efforts. Her accomplishments exemplify how psychological expertise and relationship-building skills can influence policy and improve mental healthcare delivery systems at local, state, and national levels. We are proud to have her on our team and want to congratulate her for all the effort and energy put into this work. We are excited she was recognized at the national level for her efforts.
Congratulations Dr. Julie B. Wolter!
