Drs. David and Aileen Gruendel of Grand Island have received the Psychologist of the Year Award because of their contributions to the profession, said Julie Erickson, Nebraska Psychological Association executive director.
"We gave them both the award the same year because they are well-deserving," she said. "They have contributed to the profession over a number of years."
The Nebraska Psychological Association presented the awards at its annual business meeting on Thursday at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Lincoln.
"We were surprised, flattered and humbled," David Gruendel said Tuesday via e-mail. "The award is engraved with 'A professional dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in psychology.' That kind of recognition from one's peers is awfully nice."
The Gruendels opened Nebraska's first private practice in clinical psychology in 1975 in Grand Island. Their office at 908 N. Howard Suite 107 serves adults, adolescents and couples.
"We've always wanted to establish a successful practice, be of service to our clients and be a credit to the profession," Gruendel said.
In addition to his practice, Gruendel also serves as coordinator of human behavior/psychiatry for the University of Nebraska Medical Center RHEN Family Practice Medical Residency Program.
He's also past president of the Nebraska Psychological Association and serves on its board of directors and ethics committee.
Mrs. Gruendel chairs the St. Francis Medical Center board of trustees and serves on the Grand Island/Hall County Health Board.
She has served on the Nebraska Board of Examiners of Psychologists for 15 years and was named the YWCA's 2000 Woman of Distinction.
All of those affiliations make it apparent that the Gruendels are "looking toward the future of psychology," Erickson said.
"We met 35 years ago this fall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as first-year students in the doctoral program," Gruendel said of himself and his wife. "Since then, we've shared school, parenthood and our careers. It's very special to us to be able to share this honor as well."
