American Psychiatric Nurses Association Announces 2019 Annual Awards Recipients


As we celebrate the extraordinary individuals and chapter who are nurturing our workforce and embracing leadership roles, we send a message that psychiatric nurses can have a significant influence on our nation’s overall health.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) announces the selection of nine outstanding individuals from the field of psychiatric-mental health nursing, and one APNA chapter, to honor for excellence at the APNA 33rd Annual Conference in New Orleans in October. These award recipients lead by example, make a positive impact and elevate the work of those around them.

“Psychiatric-mental health nurses are the whole health connection,” APNA President Gail R. Stern, RN, MSN, PMHCNS-BCsays. “As we celebrate the extraordinary individuals and chapter that are nurturing our workforce and embracing leadership roles, we send a message that psychiatric nurses can have a significant influence on our nation’s overall health.”

For daring to innovate and giving voice to other nurses and the patients they serve, the recipients below were nominated by their colleagues and chosen for recognition by a committee of their peers.

Susie M. Adams, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Professor of Nursing, Faculty Scholar for Community Engaged Behavioral Health, Nashville, TN, will be awarded Psychiatric Nurse of the Year, honoring her career-long passion for community engagement and psychiatric-mental health nursing, which improved the lives of those with mental health and substance use needs, strengthened communities, and inspired new nurses.

Marlene Nadler-Moodie, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, Clinical Nurse Specialist, San Diego, CA, will receive the Award for Distinguished Service. Her work exemplifies the possibilities for psychiatric-mental health nurses: as an advocate for patients, as a community and APNA leader, and as a dedicated servant of psychiatric-mental health nursing as a whole.

Diane H. Esposito, PhD, ARNP, PMHCNS-BC, Visiting Professor, Palm City, FL, will receive the Award for Excellence in Education. Her drive to help improve nursing education included spearheading the creation of an undergraduate education faculty toolkit to expand psychiatric-mental health resources for nursing students nationwide.

APNA Kentucky Chapter, will receive the Award for Innovation – Chapter. This chapter is intentional about ensuring diverse perspectives are represented in conference programming and looks outward to participate in their community, enriching the mental health care conversation.

Joseph Giovannoni, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, APRN-RX , Honolulu, HI, will receive the Award for Innovation – Individual. His innovative practice, including a model guided by loving kindness and compassion, has resulted in improved outcomes for both individuals on probation and victims of sexual abuse.

Matthew Tierney, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FANP-BC, FAAN, Clinical Faculty and Clinical Director of Substance Use Treatment and Education, San Francisco, CA, will receive the Award for Excellence in Leadership – APRN. His leadership both ensures care for stigmatized individuals with substance use disorders and that new nurses in the field receive expert mentorship and support.

Brynne Delaney Calleran, MSN, BSN, BS, NE-BC, IN/RN-BC, PMH/RN-BC, Nurse Clinician, Nurse Educator, Magnet Designation Specialist, Bronxville, NY, will receive the Award for Excellence in Leadership – RN. Her accomplishments include leading initiatives around the pursuit of Magnet status for the hospital where she works. It was among the first freestanding psychiatric hospitals to achieve this designation.

Francine Pingitore, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Johnston, RI, will receive the Award for Excellence in Practice – APRN. Her body of work with child and adolescent group therapy promotes a person-centered approach to care and includes programs for individuals living with eating disorders.

Vanessa H. Barlow, MBA, BSN, RN, Supervisor Charge Nurse, Alabaster, AL, will receive the Award for Excellence in Practice – RN. Her achievements have included both implementing strategies for de-escalation and restraint reduction and a career-long dedication to offering mentoring and guidance to her team.

Janet Ann York, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Director PMHNP Residency, Charleston, SC, will receive the Award for Excellence in Research. For decades, Janet has applied her research to clinical work, trainings, and advocacy to ensure that the standards of care for psychiatric-mental health nursing remain current.

About the APNA Annual Conference:

The APNA 33nd Annual Conference will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, October 2-5, 2019, in New Orleans, Louisiana. In addition to honoring this year’s awards recipients, the APNA Annual Conference offers hundreds of varied sessions and networking opportunities to more than 2000 psychiatric-mental health RNs and APRNs who attend each year.

About the APNA:

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is a national professional membership organization committed to the specialty practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing and wellness promotion, prevention of mental health problems and the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders. APNA’s membership is inclusive of all psychiatric-mental health registered nurses including associate degree, baccalaureate, advanced practice (comprised of clinical nurse specialists and psychiatric nurse practitioners), and nurse scientists and academicians (PhD). APNA serves as a resource for psychiatric-mental health nurses to engage in networking, education, and the dissemination of research.

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

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