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In 2004, the Johnson Institute created the “Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award” which is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in promoting the understanding of the combined power of faith and science in addiction prevention and recovery. The individual through their research, teaching, writing, or service demonstrates that both the power of spirituality and religion and the power of medicine are important to the prevention, intervention, and treatment of alcohol and other drug addiction.
The “Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award” is presented each spring during the Johnson Institute’s Founders Reception and Dinner in the Twin Cities, MN.
The award’s namesake, Wheelock Whitney, and his late wife Irene, were co-founders of the Johnson Institute. The Whitney’s have made significant and numerous contributions to the Twin Cities recovery community. They were instrumental in creating the St. Mary’s Alcoholism Treatment Unit. They created Family Care and Counseling at JI – insisting that the family is critical to a person’s recovery. Irene and Wheelock Whitney were also helpful in setting up the first adolescent treatment program, a halfway house for youth.
2004 “Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award” honoree – Dr. James B. Nelson. Dr. Nelson is a well-known and highly respected theologian, author and teacher. His book, “Thirst: God and the Alcoholic Experience” clearly articulates the power of both faith and science in addiction prevention and recovery. Dr. Nelson is famous for bringing a new and valuable perspective to the age-old discussion of sin versus disease.
2005 “Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award” honoree – Dr. William Miller. Dr. Miller, a well-known author and nationally known figure in the addiction recovery field, is noted for perfecting “Motivational Interviewing.” That technique has become a popular and very effective treatment therapy that builds on trust, mutual respect, and internal work. The method, which originated in the addiction recovery field, has also been effectively used with enthusiasm in mental health and related fields. Dr. Miller, who holds a Ph. D in clinical psychology from the University of Oregon, is a distinguished professor of psychology and psychiatry at the University of New Mexico.
Besides his renown for motivational interviewing, Dr. Miller is a well-known and prolific author on the subject of addiction and recovery. His works have been published in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, Psychology of Addictive Behavior, Drug & Alcohol Review, Journal of Ministry in Addiction and Recovery, Journal of Clinical Behavioral Medicine, Addictions Newsletter, Journal of Studies on Alcohol as well as publications associated with the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute for Healthcare Research, American Psychological Association and Rutgers Center on Alcohol Studies, among others.
2006 “Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award” honoree – Rev. Dr. Robert H. Albers. Dr. Albers, a graduate of Wartburg Seminary with a doctorate from the Southern California School of Theology, is author of Caring and Community and Shame: Faith Perspective, among other works. He also was founding editor of the periodical, Journal of Ministry in Addiction and Recovery.
Besides his work as professor at United Theological Seminary and Luther Seminary, Dr. Albers has served as guest professor at China Lutheran Seminary in Taiwan; U.S. State Department guest lecturer in Russia, the National Association for Children of Alcoholics; and many task forces on chemical health and clergy education. Throughout his career, a key tenet of Dr. Albers’ life has been the emphasis on the multi-disciplinary approach to alcohol and other drug dependency.
The Johnson Institute has pioneered practices that enhance awareness, intervention, treatment and recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction for more than 40 years. JI materials and training has advanced intervention practice, the “Minnesota Model” of addiction treatment, early work with Employee Assistance Programs and Student Assistant Programs. The Johnson Institute was founded in a church study group in Minnesota by Vernon Johnson, an Episcopal priest in recovery from alcoholism. Today, JI mobilizes and trains people in recovery for advocacy campaigns, conducts policy research, and promotes congregational team ministries.
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