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Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services’ Patricia Hillis-Clark awarded Fellow status by APA

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Pennsylvania Children’s Services Executive Director Patricia Hillis-Clark, Psy.D., was recently awarded Fellow status by the American Psychological Association (APA).

Fellow status is a distinction bestowed upon members of the APA who have “shown evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions or performance in the field of psychology,” and whose work has “had a national impact on the field of psychology beyond a local, state or regional level.”

“What an incredible honor – I am grateful and humbled to receive this recognition,” said Hillis-Clark. “I feel very fortunate to work for an organization that affords me the opportunity to engage in important and meaningful work that can touch the lives of so many people. Every day, I live my passion, helping those in our care achieve their goals and thrive.”

Hillis-Clark’s Fellow status will take effect Jan. 1, 2023. Nominations to Fellow status, which is a lifetime designation, are made by APA divisions. The APA Fellow Committee reviews each nominee’s application materials and makes recommendations to the APA Board of Directors and Council of Representatives.

Strengthening systems; improving outcomes

A licensed psychologist since 2009, Hillis-Clark has dedicated her career to supporting children, adolescents and young adults with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences, while also investing in the training, mentoring and coaching of other behavioral health professionals.

Her impact is felt every day within the walls of Devereux and beyond. Look below to read excerpts from (APA Fellow) letters of recommendation written by a few community partners.

“Dr. Hillis-Clark’s sustained efforts with state and local officials are continuing to shape and inform statewide best-practice clinical and therapeutic standards. These collective efforts have not only helped to improve outcomes in congregate care settings, but critically, have helped to ensure increased transparency and accountability in these settings. The work that Dr. Hillis-Clark has done in shaping the face of service delivery for children placed in residential settings across the state of Pennsylvania has been truly remarkable in creating systemic change.”
– Bureau of Children and Family Services Director Jennie Pettet, M.S.

“In my years as a chief juvenile probation officer, I knew Dr. Hillis-Clark to be a staunch advocate for changes to the child welfare and juvenile probation division. Her championing of trauma-informed practices helped to shape the investigatory process employed by child welfare employees. … More recently, as the director of the children’s division for Pennsylvania’s largest provider advocacy organization, I have watched Dr. Hillis-Clark as she has partnered with state and local regulatory agencies to support equitable and transparent services in congregate care settings.”
– Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association Director of Children’s Division Jim Sharp, M.S.

“I have worked with Dr. Hillis-Clark for several years as lieutenant and, later, chief of the West Brandywine Police Department located in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Throughout this time, I have come to know Dr. Hillis-Clark as a strong advocate for children and adolescents with mental health challenges. She has worked tirelessly to identify the systemic variables that lead to the marginalization of vulnerable youth. Subsequently, she focuses her attention on strengthening systems and treatment programs to improve outcomes for children and their families.”
– West Brandywine Police Chief Jeffrey Kimes

Learn more about Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services, and learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

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