Robert Kerns, PhD, professor emeritus and senior research scientist of psychiatry, has been honored with the 2025 Award for Excellence in Heath Psychology Research by the Society for Health Psychology.
The award recognizes psychologists who have made significant contributions to academic literature, underscoring the value of psychological science in health and healthcare. It honors exemplary work by scientists who inspire other researchers, serve as role models, and support the Society for Health Psychology’s mission to promote academic excellence.
The award was presented at a ceremony on June 18.
Kerns is one of three directors of the Pain Management Collaboratory Coordinating Center (PMC), a Yale-based research center that supports 16 large-scale pragmatic clinical trials of non-drug approaches to manage pain.
The PMC was established in 2017 to develop, implement, and test methods of treating pain and related conditions in veterans and active-duty military members without medication. Last year it was awarded a funding extension to continue its work for six years.
Kerns retired from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System and service to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2016 following a nearly 38-year career. His primary area of scholarly and academic interest is in the fields of behavioral medicine and health psychology, with a more specific interest and expertise in pain and pain management.