Oklahoma City – The Oklahoma Psychological Association (OPA) proudly announces the inaugural Friend of Psychology Awards this year, honoring state legislators who have shown extraordinary commitment to improving mental health care for Oklahomans and supporting the integral role of psychologists in achieving this goal.

This year, OPA is delighted to recognize Representative and psychologist Dr. Randy Randleman as a recipient of the 2024 Friend of Psychology Award. Dr. Randleman, who served the Oklahoma House of Representatives for District 15 from 2018 to 2024, has demonstrated exceptional leadership and advocacy for mental health throughout his career.

A proud Oklahoma native from Wilson and a resident of Eufaula, Dr. Randleman, has dedicated his professional life to advancing children’s mental health. Through his Eufaulabased practice, he specializes in psychological testing in schools, prioritizing child-centered care.

Dr. Randleman’s contributions to the field of psychology are extensive, including his service on the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychology (OSBEP) since 2016. His leadership roles within OPA include serving as OPA President, Federal Advocacy Coordinator for the American Psychological Association (APA), and Chair of OPA’s psychologists’ prescriptive authority division.

During his time in the legislature, Dr. Randleman was a steadfast advocate for prescriptive authority for psychologists, introducing related legislation to expand access to mental health care. He also played a pivotal role in advancing OPA’s Licensing Reciprocity Bill, signed into law earlier this year.

Serving through the challenges of the COVID- 19 pandemic and addressing Oklahoma’s mental health crisis, Dr. Randleman’s efforts left an indelible mark on the state’s mental health landscape. His advocacy extended to initiatives such as the rollout of Oklahoma Managed Care and the establishment of a health information exchange.

“Dr. Randleman has been a beacon of hope and progress for the psychological community and the citizens of Oklahoma,” said Dr. Joe James, OPA President. “We are deeply grateful for his unwavering dedication and leadership in advancing mental health care.”

The Oklahoma Psychological Association congratulates Dr. Randleman on this welldeserved honor and thanks him for his outstanding contributions to the field of psychology and the well being of Oklahomans.