The writing of these introductory comments was delayed by the aftermath of the recent storm and its impact on the entire region. Although the University was closed for an entire week, all faculty and staff, as well as the great majority of students, are now back at Derner and we are slowly returning to normal. Unfortunately, many people in our community are still dealing with serious problems, including the loss of housing. We have opened the doors of Derner’s clinic to the entire community and we will continue to think of new ways to be of help and to prepare our students for dealing with the unexpected. Your suggestions are always welcome.

This newsletter was planned before Hurricane Sandy, but its focus on the relationship between health and psychology seems very relevant. I hope you will enjoy meeting Associate Professor Carolyn M. Springer, Ph.D., if you have not done so in the past. She does very important work on how psychologists can contribute to improving health and well-being. Jennifer L. Hay, Ph.D. '95, a clinical health psychologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and a faculty member at Weill Cornell Medical College, studies the psychological factors related to cancer prevention.

You will learn about other faculty and alumni who exemplify the empathic psychologist that Gordon F. Derner and the institute that bears his name are known for training. Among them are Beverly Greene, M.A. '77, Ph.D. '83, a professor of psychology at St. John's University, who has devoted her very productive academic career to the psychological impact of bias and inequality, and Derner adjunct professor Gail M. Grace, who counsels parents whose babies and children are in intensive care units at Long Island's North Shore University Hospital.

I am also pleased that you will have the opportunity to read about our recent faculty recruits, selected from a group of highly qualified psychologists and neuroscientists. We welcome them to Derner and are looking forward to having them here for a long time.

I wish you all a wonderful and safe holiday season.

In good health,

Jacques P. Barber
Dean and Professor
Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies