psychology CHICAGO, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is pleased to host the Honorable Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy as commencement speaker and honorary degree recipient at the Chicago Campus commencement on June 10, 2011 in downtown Chicago. Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), served in the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of the 1st Congressional District of Rhode Island from 1995 to 2011. Rep. Kennedy has been a tireless advocate for mental health research and services, and for eliminating the stigma around mental health issues. Among his many achievements, Kennedy was the lead sponsor of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.
which provides access to mental health treatment for tens of millions of Americans who were previously denied care. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090409/CSOPPLOGO ) "Patrick Kennedy's tremendous accomplishments in advancing both treatment and access to mental health services embody the values of The Chicago School, and is consistent with our focus on developing engaged practitioners who are creative and purposeful agents of change in the communities they serve," said Dr. Michele Nealon-Woods, president of The Chicago School. "We are deeply honored to welcome Congressman Kennedy, whose work serves as a model to our students of dedication, innovation and service." In addition to the Mental Health Parity Act, Kennedy authored and co-sponsored dozens of bills to increase the understanding and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including the National Neurotechnology Initiative Act, the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act, the COMBAT PTSD Act, and the Alzheimer's Treatment and Caregiver Support Act. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Distinguished Service Award, the Society for Neuroscience Public Service Award, the Autism Society of America Congressional Leadership Award.
the Depression and Bipolar Support Paul Wellstone Mental Health Award, and the Epilepsy Foundation Public Service Award. Since choosing not to run for a ninth term, Kennedy has turned his attention to developing the One Mind for Research Campaign to improve funding and unify research efforts in brain science. On May 25, 2011, the 50th anniversary of his uncle John F. Kennedy's "moonshot" address in which he challenged America to send a man to the moon, the One Mind Campaign concluded a three day conference that challenged the world to conquer brain and neurological disorders — a "moonshot to the mind." The conference brought together prominent neuroscientists, representatives from government, advocacy groups and the pharmaceutical industry, and culminated in the release of a 10-year plan for neuroscience research and funding. The goals of the plan include developing public and private partnerships to share research in order to make progress on addressing brain disorders -- from schizophrenia to traumatic brain injury.
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