March 11, 2013 -- House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) received the 2013 State Legislator of the Year Award from the American Psychological Association Practice Organization (APAPO) in recognition of her work to improve access to mental health care. Kotek was presented with the award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. this weekend.
“Improving access to and the quality of mental health care in Oregon is a top priority,” said Kotek. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but I’m grateful for this recognition from the APAPO for our achievements in the Oregon Legislature.”
In addition to her focus on mental health, Kotek was honored for her work on Health Transformation legislation that created Coordinated Care Organizations in Oregon. The Oregon legislation is leading the country in a pilot project to improve health care delivery and bring down health care costs.
“Our work will both save the state money in future years, and improve the ability of Oregonians to receive the care they need,” Kotek said.
"Speaker Kotek has been a champion for mental health in Oregon. Her work to improve access to mental health care has improved the lives of countless Oregonians," said Robin Henderson, PsyD, Past President of the Oregon Psychological Association. “Her leadership and the Oregon Legislature’s work to improve health care generally will have great benefit for us all.”
APAPO's State Legislator of the Year Award is a national award that has been presented annually since 2002 to a state legislator who has prominently championed the goals of professional psychology. Kotek is the first Oregon legislator to receive the award.
