NSU Horizons Spring 2014

31 HORIZONS Distinguished Alumni Awards NSU honored 16 outstanding graduates during its annual Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards. The awards, the most prestigious honor that NSU presents to its past graduates, recognize alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and/or com- munity and are committed to advancing the university’s values and goals. “The true measure of a university’s greatness can be found in the achievements of its alumni,” said George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., president and CEO of Nova Southeastern University. For Mark A. Blais, Psy.D. (’91), associate chief of psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, everything is related to personality. “It’s an area open for explo- ration. I went into psychology interested in assessment, and more and more became interested in the science of personality.” Blais heads a three-year pilot program with the Boston Red Sox to examine personality traits that enhance or impair a player’s ability. “I’m looking for the points where non-ability factors like personality become as important as ability,” he said. “All teams use some form of psychological assessment, but not many are based on the science of personality. Instead, most are based on theories from a coach or player’s perspective on what makes a good player. I saw this as an opportunity to bring empirical science in to see if we could predict successful players.” In his role at Massachusetts General Hospital, Blais’ days are “a bit of a mosaic,” he said. At the academic medical center, he may start with an hour of supervision. Afterward, he may see patients before heading to an administration meeting, followed by research. He also has an active part in the hospital’s internship training. “A chance to work with the best and brightest young psychologists keeps you up to date and connected to new generations. Students keep you in touch with how psychology is being shaped and evolving,” Blais said. Blais lists NSU professor Bady Quintar, Ph.D., as one of his guiding influences. Beyond the professional, Blais had other life-changing events at NSU: He met his wife, Cathy Conboy, Psy.D. (’90), while waiting in line to register for classes. Blais is an eight-time recipient of the Massachusetts General Hospital Psychology Internship Excellence in Teaching Award (1994–2012), and he also received the Department of Psychiatry Mentorship of Clinical Faculty Award in 2007. In 2009, he received the Theodore Millon Award from the American Psychological Association. Mark A. Blais by jodi noding