Actualising the Psychologist Role in an Academic Health Sciences Centre: Reflections on the Journey

As the recipient of the Canadian Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession, it is my pleasure to share my work in this article. Through the unifying lens of a psychologist working in an academic health sciences centre, I present my work within each of the dimensions that make a career in this setting rewarding and ultimately a self-actualising journey. These dimensions include the team setting, the integration of clinical services, research and training, being on the frontier of evidence-based practice, working within the health system, the academic path to promotion, scholarship in an academic health sciences context, the opportunity for curiosity and finding meaning in work and involvement in the field. Throughout the article, I share lessons learned working as a scientist-practitioner within an academic health sciences centre, as well as examples to illustrate the generation of critical research questions from frontline clinical challenges and the rapid translation of research into practice that this context facilitates. The theme of adaptability is woven throughout as a key attribute for succeeding in this dynamic setting that is continually challenged on multiple fronts. Finally, I highlight the opportunity this context provides to generate personal meaning, a sense of purpose and feelings of mattering by making a difference that may be localised at a patient level or impact the broader health system at large.