Kenneth M. Adams, Ph.D., professor of psychology in the Medical School and professor of psychology in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, retired from active faculty status on February 26, 2021.

Professor Adams received his B.S. (1970), M.A. (1973), and Ph.D. (1974) degrees from Wayne State University. He coordinated neuropsychological assessments and research at the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital and was a lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (1974-77). He founded the neuropsychology service at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and was division head (1981-87) and chief psychologist (1978- 87). He joined the University of Michigan faculty in the Medical School and College of Literature, Science, and the Arts in 1987 and was appointed chief of the psychology service at the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, where he was training director for psychology programs and then associate chief for all educational programs in the Mental Health Service. He served as chair of the Ann Arbor VA Biomedical Ethics Committee. He was board certified in clinical psychology and clinical neuropsychology.

Professor Adams’ teaching focused on fundamental psychological science and clinical phenomena. He served on dissertation committees at Michigan, Wayne State University, and the University of Windsor, and was an external examiner at Tilburg University (Netherlands), the University of Bergen (Norway), and the University of Helsinki (Finland). His research focused on effects on the brain of non-cerebral conditions such as pulmonary disease and kidney dialysis. He also explored the acute and chronic effects of substance abuse on brain-behavior health. Professor Adams served as an official with multiple organizations. He was a four-time elected member of the American Psychological Association’s Council of Representatives, served on its Committee on Accreditation, and was elected president of the Division of Clinical Neuropsychology. He was the executive secretary of the International Neuropsychological Society, and later president. He was a recipient of numerous awards, notably the Distinguished Career Award from the International Neuropsychological Society (2016) and a commendation for his service on the Institutional Review Board for Medical Research (2014). He was a fellow of the Michigan Psychological Association (1993) and the American Psychological Association (1983).

The Regents now salute this distinguished psychologist for his service to the University of Michigan by naming Kenneth M. Adams, professor emeritus of psychology, Medical School, and professor emeritus of psychology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.