Virginia R. Shaw, Ph.D.
Professional Affiliations
Virginia is the Branch Chief of the Maui Family Guidance Center, Child
and Adolescent Mental Health Division, Department of Health, State of
Hawaii. She joined the Maui Family Guidance Center on 2/22/96 as a
Clinical Psychologist and since October 1996 she has been the Branch Chief.
Her 25+ years of post-doctoral clinical experience includes adult and
children’s mental health services in public and private settings. She
received her B.A. in psychology and sociology from Kansas Wesleyan
University, her M.A. in clinical-community psychology from Wichita State
University, her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Southern
Mississippi, her predoctoral clinical psychology internship at the
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and a postdoctoral fellowship
in clinical neuropsychology at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute.
Professional memberships include the American Psychological Association,
International Neuropsychological Society, National Academy of
Neuropsychology, and Hawaii Psychological Association.
Her 25+ years of post-doctoral clinical experience includes adult and
children’s mental health services in public and private settings. She
has experience in mental health care administration, psychological and
neuropsychological assessment, individual and group psychotherapy, family
therapy, consultation and research. She received her B.A. (Magna
cum laude) from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1973, her M.A. in
clinical-community psychology from Wichita State University in 1975, and her
Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi
(APA-approved) in 1984. Her predoctoral clinical psychology internship
(APA-approved) was at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at
UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute.
She has received numerous national and local awards for professional
excellence and humanitarian civic service. For example, Certificate of
Appreciation Award from the Maui County Health Volunteers, 2010; Community
Appreciation Award from Mental Health America of Maui, 2009; Service
Appreciation Award from The Community Children’s Council of Maui, 2007;
Certificate of Appreciation from Maui Youth and Family Services, 2003;
Certificate of Recognition from the Hawaii Special Parent Information
Network, 2003; Who’s Who of America Women since 1991; National Distinguished
Service Registry in Rehabilitation, 1989; Dallas Mayor’s Appreciation Award
for assistance with handicapped employment in 1987; Who’s Who Among Human
Services Professionals; Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America, 1993; and
most recently, Who’s Who in the World. Her participation with
community service organizations includes being Secretary, (2003-2005), Vice
President (2005-2006), President (2006-2007), and Director (2008-2010) for
Soroptimist International of Maui; and Secretary (2006-2007) and Vice
President (2009-2011) for Maui Business and Professional Women.
Beginning 1975 she has had several professional publications, paper
presentations, and seminar and workshop presentations. Dr. Shaw has
made local, state, national and international conference presentations in
the area of clinical neuropsychology and head injury rehabilitation since
1987. She has made numerous presentations at state and national
conferences (including NARMH) on Hawaii’s system of care, Felix Consent
Decree, rural mental health, interagency accountability, and family
engagement since 2001. Other memberships include the American
Psychological Association, International Neuropsychological Society,
National Academy of Neuropsychology, and Hawaii Psychological Association.
NARMH Positions and Projects
Dr. Shaw was elected to the NARMH Board this year for her first term.
Virginia looks forward to serving on the Board and making significant
contributions in raising awareness of mental health needs and in providing a
venue for rural researchers. Since 2006, she has attended several
NARMH Annual Conferences where she was also involved in paper presentations
and workshops.
Rural Mental Health Involvement and Contributions
Virginia is a native of Kansas and has been involved in the field of
rural mental health services for the past 36 years. Virginia currently
lives on the island of Maui in Hawaii and has lived and worked in other
rural communities in California, Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. As a
rural researcher, Virginia has presented papers at several NARMH conferences
since 2006.
Virginia has served on one of the Governor’s Mental Health Transformation
Grant Work Groups to develop and implement a comprehensive mental health
plan for Hawaii. As a Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist, she
has worked in rural communities for the State of Texas, State of California,
and State of Hawaii. Virginia participated in the Lt. Governor’s
Substance Abuse Taskforce and was on the Hawaii Governor’s Commission on
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Board for the Terms 2003-2007 and
2007-2011. In addition, she has been recognized for her rural
behavioral work experience with the System of Care developed during the
Felix Consent Decree to improve mental health services to children in
Hawaii.