This position is responsible for assisting the president and overseeing other duties as assigned by the president or the board. In the absence of the president, the president-elect performs the duties of the president, and when so acting, has all the powers of and is subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The president-elect year serves as an orientation for the upcoming year as president. More Info
Susie Adams, PhD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAANP
Margaret (Peggy) Halter, PhD, PMHCNS
Susie Adams, PhD, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAANP
PRESENT POSITION
Professor, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. Director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program. PMHNP Faculty Practice affiliated with Brentwood Obstetrics & Gynecology Practice providing mental health services for women and their families. Program evaluation/clinical consultation for community-based services for women with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
EDUCATION
2007: PhD, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
1977: MSN, University of California – San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
1972: BSN, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
APNA CONTRIBUTIONS
APNA Legislative Council 1999-2001; APNA Representative to the ANCC-APNA Logical Job Analysis in 2003; APNA Representative to the National Task Force (NTF) on Quality NP Program Evaluation 2011-2012; APNA Representative to the VA National Council on Academic Affiliations in 2013; and APNA BOD Member-at-Large 2011-2013. In all of these roles the value of active listening, respectful negotiating and building consensus across differing perspectives was critical to reach positive outcomes. The NTF document recognizes the PMH-CNS as qualified educators to teach and lead PMHNP programs during a time of transition in advanced practice nursing education thereby retaining their valuable expertise and leadership.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Over 35 years I have served in a variety of PMH nursing roles: staff nurse, nurse manager, consultation-liaison nurse, director of psychiatric aftercare services for veterans, therapist in private practice, and nursing educator. Since 2006 I have been teaching the ANCC PMHNP Board Certification Review course in live 2-day seminars and weekly webinar formats. I am part of an interdisciplinary addictions research team with Meharry Medical College to reduce fetal alcohol spectrum disorders through prevention and education strategies.
APNA MEMEMBERS SHOULD VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE: I view the role of President as a “servant leader”—someone who keeps the members’ interests and the organization’s mission as guiding forces. As Board-Member-at-Large the past two years, I have “listened” daily to members’ concerns and dialogue on Member-Bridge, a dynamic communication tool which is helping us strengthen our sense of community and purpose as an organization. APNA is the thought leader for psychiatric nursing and is strategically increasing opportunities for psychiatric nursing to be at policy-making tables to improve mental health care for consumers and their families. APNA supports our members to have a leading voice on ways to increase access to mental health care, advocate a recovery model of care, and reduce stigma at local, state and national levels.
HOW I CAN HELP FULFILL APNA’s PURPOSE AS A SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATION ORGANIZATION: With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, we are at a pivotal time in reshaping the health care delivery system to integrate primary and mental health care in the U.S. Through our APNA members’ expertise in practice, research, administration, and education, and collaboration with other disciplines, collectively we can build “best practice models” that truly deliver accessible, affordable, effective holistic health care. APNA provides the links and forums for psychiatric nursing to evolve and strengthen our collective voice. I hope you’ll join me in this ongoing dialogue.
Margaret (Peggy) Halter, PhD, PMHCNS
PRESENT POSITION
Associate Dean, Graduate Program Director, Ashland University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Ashland, Ohio | Editor of Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Elsevier
EDUCATION
2003: PhD, Duquesne University
1990: MSN, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Kent State University
1986: BSN, University of Akron
APNA CONTRIBUTIONS
I have served as the co-Chair for APNA’s Institute for Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) since its inception in 2009. In this role I research issues, serve as a resource for the Association and its members, provide comprehensible policy information for our membership, and act as a consensus gatherer for key issues such as DSM-5 draft comments.
As President of the Ohio Chapter of APNA in 2006, I sought to energize the chapter, organized a statewide conference, and represented APNA at Ohio events. Prior to that I served as the APNA Ohio Liaison to the Ohio Nurses Association Health Policy Council.
I regularly present papers at APNA’s annual conference, and received APNA’s Award for Excellence in Advanced Leadership in 2012 and the Excellence in Media Award in 2009. Additionally, I will attend the American Psychiatric Association’s annual conference as an APNA representative for the DSM-5’s introduction and bring back “Train-the-Trainer” information.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Experience as a staff nurse in general psychiatric units and in a state hospital provided the foundation for my career. Later, as a clinical nurse specialist I worked as an individual and a group therapist. Drawing on these direct care experiences, I served as an educator of undergraduate and graduate nursing students and had the opportunity to encourage strong future psychiatric nurses.
My research focus has been on mental illness stigma, stigma by association, and health policy. As the editor of a psychiatric nursing textbook, I seek to disseminate clear, current, and evidence based information. I serve on the editorial board of JPN and on the Ohio Nurses Association’s Health Policy Council for the past six years.
APNA MEMBERS SHOULD VOTE FOR ME BECAUSE: I believe that my experience and skill set are strong for supporting day-today functioning and the goals of APNA, especially in supporting education for our members on practice topics. Since APNA is a member driven organization, it is important to continue to generate discussion and solicit feedback about issues essential to the profession. I will encourage input and support representative leadership from both psychiatric nurse generalists and from colleagues with advanced training.
HOW I CAN HELP FULFILL APNA’S PURPOSE AS A SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATION ORGANIZATION: APNA is the voice of psychiatric nursing. We have made tremendous strides in advancing the interests of our profession and, more importantly, in advocating for patients. I will support the development of materials such as position papers from our members, including those in practice. The promotion of research efforts and education regarding such topics as mental illness stigma and stigma by association, whereby mental health professionals are stigmatized based on the care they provide, are significant to our profession.
