Elections to the College Council were held on March 31, 2021. We are pleased to announce the following results:
- David Kurzman, Ph.D., C.Psych. – District 5 (GTA East) (Acclaimed)
- Archie Kwan, Ph.D., C.Psych. – District 6 (GTA West) (Elected)
- Melanie Morrow, M.A., C.Psych.Assoc. – Psychological Associate (Non-Voting) (Acclaimed)
The term of office for these Council Members begins on June 18, 2021 and continues until the first Council meeting following the elections in 2024.
We wish to extend our congratulations to the successful candidates and want to thank all those who participated in this year’s College Council elections.
To introduce these members of Council, we are providing the Biographical and Candidate Statements as
they were submitted to the College as part of the election process.
David Kurzman, Ph.,D., C.Psych.
District 5 (GTA East)
Biography
A little about me: I have been a registered Member of the College of Psychologist of Ontario (CPO) for over 20 years, with a practice in Clinical Neuropsychology. I am licensed to practice in Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. I completed my formal education including a BSc from McGill University, an MSc from the University of Victoria, and a PhD from Concordia University. Continuing education has always been important to me and I have completed the Microprogram in Insurance Medicine and Medicolegal Expertise for Canadian Health Professionals through the University of Montreal as well as the coursework requirements towards a post-doctoral Master’s Degree in Psychopharmacology through Fairleigh Dickinson University. I have received the C-CAT (Mental/Behavioral) certification through the joint CSME/CAPDA Catastrophic Training Certification Program and have also completed the CAPDA/CSME CMLE Program. I have held positions at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Sunnybrook and Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, and St. John’s Rehabilitation Hospital prior to entering into private practice. I have been president of the Canadian Academy of Psychologists in Disability Assessment (CAPDA) as well as an active Board Member for many years. I am a member of several psychology-based organizations including OPA, APA, INS, CSME, and ASAPIL. In the past I have served on the College of Psychologists Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee, which was an educational experience and something that I think any registered and practicing psychologist should get involved in, to better understand the process by which the college performs investigations of other members. I have been in private practice for the last 20 years.
Candidate Statement
I have always strived to be involved in organizations that serve to enhance the discipline of psychology through education; collegiality with other mental health professionals; and through education and protection of the public. It has been a longstanding personal aspiration to become involved at the college level to serve the public interest and to protect the public and the discipline of psychology while attempting to resolve any potential conflicts that may arise. I believe that this role is a critical one as it will allow for further growth and flourishment of the field of psychology
Archie B. Kwan, Ph.D., C.Psych.
District 6 (GTA West)
Biography
I appreciate you taking the time to review my biography and statement. I live and work in Mississauga with my wife, Susan who is an elementary school teacher, and teenage children, Daniel (age 19) and Sarah (age 14). In fact, I have a connection to District 6 (GTA West) that is long-standing. I was born in Toronto, grew up in Chinatown, and I am a graduate of public education (i.e., Toronto DSB). My post-secondary and graduate training were completed at the University of Toronto. Some of my most rewarding educational experiences were attained through the School and Clinical Child Psychology Program at OISE/UT, culminating in the completion of both the MA and Ph.D. degrees.
I have worked in the field of school psychology for the past 25 years – a career aspiration of mine since I was a young teen. After spending many years working as a Psychoeducational Consultant at the Peel District School Board, I became the Board’s Senior Psychologist in 2012, and then Psychology Manager. Currently, I am working for the school board as a consultant focusing on projects to advance equity and supports for marginalized and/or under-represented students. I am also teaching a doctoral level course on Psychodiagnostic Systems in the School and Clinical Child Psychology Program at OISE/UT and the experience is invigorating as I have the privilege of working with such talented and committed students.
Candidate Statement
I have been registered with the College since 2007 and, in the role of Senior Psychologist, I have guided professional practice in our large psychology department, adhering to standards of practice and ethical decision-making. I have mentored and supervised numerous early-career psychologists and provided leadership in these critical areas of professional practice in psychology. At this stage in my life and career, I would like to further contribute to the profession through involvement on the Council and various committees. I believe that, with my school psychology background and lived experienced as a racialized individual, I can provide that additional lens to further the work of the College. The mandate of the College is to serve in the best interest of the public and this can best be met by upholding and enhancing standards of professional practice while also advocating for the profession. As a Council Member, I will work hard to assist the College in meeting this vital mandate. Thank you.
Melanie Morrow, M.A., C.Psych.Assoc.
Psychological Associate (Non-Voting)
Biography
H.B.A. Psychology Lakehead University 1990
Member of Canadian ADHD Research Alliance
M.A. Psychology Lakehead University 1992
Member of Northern Ontario Psychology
B.Ed. Lakehead University 1994
Internship Consortium
Affiliated with provincial FASD diagnostic team
Licensed as Psychological Associate 2010
– Clinical Psychology
– Neuropsychology
Work Experience
Employee Assistance Program (Thunder Bay and Kitchener/Waterloo)
– Diagnosis, consultation, clinical treatment
In-patient Mental Health Unit (McKellar General Hospital Thunder Bay)
– Diagnosis, brief treatment, discharge planning
Out-patient Community Mental Health Program (Thunder Bay)
– Wide variety of assessment and clinical services to adults, adolescents and children
Special Education Consultant (Halton Catholic District School Board)
– Diagnosis, identification of exceptional students, IEP planning, consultation
Early Intervention Psychosis Clinic (First Place Clinic and Regional Resource Centre Thunder Bay)
– Diagnosis, treatment planning and intervention with adults and adolescents experiencing first episode psychosis
Concurrent Disorders and Addictions (Thunder Bay-10 years and current position)
– Case management, out-patient and residential services
– Diagnosis, treatment planning, clinical services, consultation
Private Practice (Thunder Bay-current)
– Neuropsychological assessments, diagnosis, treatment planning, consultation
– Adults, adolescents and children
Candidate Statement
I believe that it is important for psychological associates to be represented within the College. We have some challenges that are unique to us and we need to be the ones to bring those issues forward. After many years of clinical work, in a wide variety of settings, I have the necessary perspective and experience to represent the interests of such a diverse group of clinicians. Many of my years as a clinician have been spent in the north and I believe I am in a position to inform others of the distinct challenges and opportunities relevant to the north.