Skip to Main Content

APNA Annual Awards Recipients

CELEBRATE INSPIRING NURSES

The APNA Annual Awards recognize APNA members who demonstrate excellence in psychiatric-mental health nursing practice, education, research, leadership, community efforts, and more. Recipients are nominated by their peers and recognized at the APNA Annual Conference and in communications throughout the year.

2025 APNA Annual Awards Recipients

Matthew Tierney

Matthew Tierney, MS, CNS, ANP, CARN-AP, PMHNP, FAAN
Psychiatric Nurse of the Year
Nominated by Laura Leahy, APN, FAANP, FAAN
“By advocating to include advanced practice nurses as frontline treatment providers who can address the opioid epidemic and helping to empower APRNs of all disciplines to prescribe buprenorphine under CARA (2016), Matt helped to expand the number of providers accessible to prescribe medications for OUD.”

Matt's Story

Gerry JAPNA Use This

Geraldine Pearson, PhD, APRN, FAAN
Award for Distinguished Service
Nominated by Linda Beeber, PhD, PMHCNS, FAAN 
“As Editor (2015-2024), Dr. Pearson made JAPNA the most influential voice of PMH and developed the largest nursing specialty readership while building an inclusive, diverse Editorial Board through whom JAPNA will meet the needs of APNA’s current members and change the face of PMH nursing.”

Geri's Story

Cornelius Metili.news item. jpg

Cornelius Metili, BSN, RN, PMH-BC
Award for Excellence in Practice – RN
Nominated by Smitha Syamala Komatreddy, RN
“Cornelius’ dedication to best practices and patient advocacy continues to transform psychiatric nursing, enhancing outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.”

Cornelius's Story

Gabrielle Abelard headshot AC21 article

Gabrielle Abelard, DNP, PMHNP, PMHCNS-BC, APRN, FNAP, FAAN
Award for Excellence in Practice – APRN
Nominated by Carley Lemay, PMHNP-BC
“By setting a standard of excellence, Dr. Abelard has impacted countless patients, families, and communities through her clinical expertise and compassionate leadership.”

Gabrielle's Story

Maxine Smalling

Maxine Smalling, MS, BS(N), RN
Award for Excellence in Leadership – RN
Nominated by Juanita Goyette, RN
“She has the vision to see what the staff need to provide the highest quality of care to our patients and will fight for it tirelessly to ensure they get it.”

Maxine's Story

Archer Nanda Eliabeth Pic

Elizabeth Archer-Nanda, DNP, PMHCNS-BC
Award for Excellence in Leadership – APRN
Nominated by Bethany Phoenix, PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN
“Widely respected as a clinical expert in psycho-oncology, she consults on challenging cases during bi-weekly clinical supervision to her APRN team, emphasizing both clinical interventions and therapeutic use of self.”

Elizabeth's Story

IMG 0716 Kerry Peterson, Nursing

Kerry Peterson, PhD, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC, CNE, FAANP
Award for Excellence in Education
Nominated by Aimee Techau, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, NE-BC, PhDc
“(She) has been pivotal in PMHNP education for over 17 years, teaching over 100 courses across bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels…and created innovative curricula and secured funding to develop these programs.”

Kerry's Story

Screenshot

Kathryn Phillips, PhD, APRN, CHSE
Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship
Nominated by Karen Corcoran, DNP, PMHNP, CHSE
“Her scholarship seeks to understand and enhance mental wellness and address disordered eating…and is also studying outcomes for a grant which funds PMHNP tuition and enhances the curriculum…”

Katy's Story

Joanne Patterson

Joanne Patterson, DNP, MSN, PMHNP-BC
Award for Innovation – Individual
Nominated by Kathleen McCoy, DNSc, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC FAANP, FNKF
“This DNP took to the streets in her tiny house on wheels…visiting locals, meeting people where they live, bringing her tiny, warm, inviting home and big vision to people personally, warmly, and intelligently.”

Joanne's Story

Past Recipients of APNA Annual Awards

Recipients of the APNA Psychiatric Nurse of the Year Award:

2024: Kathleen Schachman, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FIAAN, FAANP 
2023: Bethany Phoenix, PhD, RN, CNS, FAAN
2022: Joyce Shea, DNSc, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2021: Evelyn Parrish, PhD, APRN-BC, FAANP
2020: Linda Beeber, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
2019: Susie M. Adams, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
2018: Mary Moller, DNP, ARNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, CPRP, FAAN
2017: Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN
2016: Barbara Jones Warren, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FNAP, FAAN
2015: Kathleen Delaney, PhD, PMH-NP, RN
2014: Katherine Baltazar, PMHNP
2013: Jocelyn Perez BSN, RN, MA
2012: Mary Ann Nihart, MA, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC
2011: Barbara L. Drew PhD, PMHCNS-BC
2010: Kathleen Buckwalter , PhD, RN, FAAN
2009: Marlene Nadler-Moodie, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2008: Kevin Huckshorn, RN, MSN, RCADC
2007: Lynn DeLacy, PhD, RN, CNAA
2006: Kris A. McLoughlin, MSN, APRN, BC, CSAC
2005: Judith Haber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN
2004: Kevin Gournay
2003: Dorothy E. Hill RN, C
2001: Karen Babich, PhD, RN, FAAN
2000: Barbara E. Wolfe, PhD, RN, CS
1999: Gail W. Stuart, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN
1998: Suzanne Lego, PhD, RN, CS, CGP, FAAN
1997: Grayce M. Sills RN, PhD, FAAN
1996: Virginia Trotter-Betts, MSN, JD
Other past recipients include Victoria Conn, MSN, RN and Claire Giffin-Francell, MS, RN.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Distinguished Service:

2024: Diane Allen, DNP, PMHRN-BC, FACHE(R)
2023: Mary Ann Nihart, MA, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC
2022: Gail R. Stern, MSN, RN, PMHCNS-BC 
2021: Carol Essenmacher, DNP, NCTTP
2020: Barbara J. Limandri, PhD, PMHCNS-BC
2019: Marlene Nadler-Moodie, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2018: Michael Rice, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN
2017: Cheryl Puntil, MN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2016: Julie Carbray, PhD, FPMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, APN, FAAN
2015: Jeanne Clement, EdD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
2014: Ruth “Topsy” Staten, PhD, ARNP-CS
2013: Helen M. Birkbeck APRN
2012: Mary Moller, DNP, ARNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, CPRP, FAAN
2011: Shirley A. Smoyak PhD, RN, FAAN
2009: Gail W. Stuart, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN
2008: Edna Hamera, PhD, ARNP
2007: Fernando A. Duran RN, MS, FAAN
2006: Grayce M. Sills RN, PhD, FAAN
2005: Patricia Brown, PhD, ARNP
2004: Jane A. Ryan RN, MN, CNAA
2003: Marybeth L. O’Neil RN, MS, NES
2002: Rosanne M. Radziewicz RN, PMHCNS-BC
2001: Rebecca A. Sherwood DNSc, PMHCNS-BC, RN

Recipients of the APNA Award for Innovation – Individual:

2024: Diane Vines, RN, PhD, CNS, RRT
2020: Georgia L. Stevens, PhD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2019: Joseph Giovannoni, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, APRN-RX
2018: Connie Mele, MSN, RN, PMHCNS-BC, CARN-AP
2017: Richard Ray, MS, RN, PMH-BC
2016: Elaine McGrane Olmstead, RN MS, PMHCNS
2015: Angela Thomas, MSN, BSN, PHN, RN
2014: Sharon Katz, RN, FPMH-NP, PMH-CNS, BC
2013: Marian W. Roman PhD, PMHCNS-BC
2012: Nidhi Chabora, APRN, RX, BC
2011: Michael Terry, DNP, FNP, PMHNP
2010: Dawn Vanderhoef , DNP, RN, PMHNP/CNS-BC
2009: Kathleen M. Regan, RN, MHA, CNA, BC
2008: June Esser, MSN, PMHCNS-BC
2006: Lesley Lynn Arle, RN, MN

Other past recipients include Verna Carson, PhD, RN, CS; Susan Napier, RN; Rose E. Constantino, PhD, JD, RN, FAAN; Marilyn Verhey, PhD, RN, CS; Captain Lisa Davison and Captain Mary Moore; and Margot S. Gorske, RN, MSN, Barbara Olesko, MSN, RN, CS, NP; and Sharon Valente, PhD, RN, FAAN.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Innovation – Chapter:

2020: Arizona
2019: Kentucky
2018: Florida
2016: Colorado
2012: Pennsylvania
2010: Minnesota
2009: California
2008: Pennsylvania
2007: South Dakota
2006: Oregon

Other past recipients include the Iowa, Pennsylvania, and California Chapters.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Excellence in Practice – PMH-APRN:

2024: Helen Rodriguez-Romanacce, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C
2023: Joy Lauerer, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2022: Kristen Bomboy, DNP, APRN-CNP, PMHNP
2021: Donna Gaffney, BSN, MA, MS, DNSc, PMHCNS-BC
2020: Michelle Giddings, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-BC
2019: Francine Pingitore, PhD, PMHCNS-BC
2018: Jess Calohan, DNP, PMHNP-BC
2017: Julie Worley, PhD, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
2016: Mindy Cohen, RN, APN, CGP, DRCC, CARN
2015: Mary Conklen, MSN, APN, PMHCNS-BC
2014: Ellen Blair, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, NEA-BC, FAAN
2013: Joanne M. Matthew MS, RN, PCNS
2012: Pamela Marcus, RN, APRN, PMH-BC
2011: Patricia Cunningham, DNSc, APN PMHNP/CNS-BC, FNP-BC
2009: Ann M. Wilkinson, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2008: Kathleen Wheeler, APRN, PhD; Susan O’Toole, PhD, RN, CS
2006: Ann Bispo, MS, RN, CNS
2005: Mary J. Reed, PhD, APN, CS, BC
Other past recipients include Mary Harpe; Vivien Dee, DSNc, RN, FAAN; Mary Moller, MSN, ARNP, CS; Naomi R. Carey, MSN, RN; Kimberly Littrell, MS, RN, CS; Marcia L. Clark, RN, C; Nancy P. Hanrahan, MS, RN, CS; Carolyn V. Billings, MSN, RN, CS; Beverly S. Richards, DNS, RN; and Carol K. Witherington, PhD, RN, CS , Diana C. Nelson, MSN, RN, CS, GNP; and Sandra Talley, PhD, APRN, BC.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Excellence in Practice – RN-PMH:

2024: Capt. Thi Lua, BSN, PMHN-BC
2023: Maj. Francis Ugoh, RN
2022: Sarret Seng, RN, BSN, BA
2021: Asneth Thomas-Rowe, BSN, RN
2020: Heather McCormick, BSN, RN-BC, PHN
2019: Vanessa H. Barlow, MBA, BSN, RN
2017: Aimee-Lynn Sheltry, BSN, RN-BC
2016: Heike Barnett, BSN, RN
2015: Janette O’Connor, BS, BSN, MS, RN-BC
2014: Michael Polacek, MSn BSed RN
2013: Donna M. Riemer RN-PMHN
2012: Martin Bosch, RN
2011: Marcia Melby, RN-BC, PMH
2010: Sherry Davis, RN
2009: Regina F. Janney, RNC, MS
2006: Elizabeth Moore, BSN, RM-PMH
2005: Robert Billman, RN, BSN
Other past recipients include Linda M. Jacobs, RN, BSN, and Colleen L. Eccleston, BSN, RN.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Excellence in Education:

2024: Jennifer Graber, EdD, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2023: Kate Pfeiffer, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC
2022: David Foley, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, MPA
2021: Michael Terry, DNP, FNP, PMHNP
2020: Rosalind De Lisser, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
2019: Diane Esposito, PhD, ARNP, PMHCNS-BC
2018: Teena McGuinness, PhD, PMHNP-BC, FAAN
2017: Sattaria “Tari” Dilks, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
2016: Joy A. Lauerer, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, RN
2015: Dawn Vanderhoef, PhD, DNP, RN, PMHNP/CNS-BC
2014: Carole Shea, PhD, RN, FAAN
2013: Merrie J. Kaas DNSc, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
2012: Brenda Marshall, EdD, NP-BC
2011: M. Jane Suresky, DNP, PMHCNS-BC
2010: Michael Rice, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN
2009: Bethany J. Phoenix, RN, PhD
2008: Susan Adams, PhD, APRN, BC; Genevieve Chandler, RN, PhD
2007: Kathryn Hoehn Anderson PhD, ARNP, LMFT
2006: Anne Bateman, EdD, APRN, BC
2005: Sharon Valente, PhD, APRN, FAAN
Other past recipients include Carole A. Shea, PhD, RN, CS; Margery Chisholm, EdD, RN, CS; Robert Anders, DrPH, RN, CS; Shirley Smoyak, PhD, RN, FAAN; and Mary Ann Boyd, DNS, PhD, RN, Anne Hopkins Fishel, PhD, RN, CS; and Elizabeth Poster, PhD, RN.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Excellence in Research:

2024: Jamie Zelazny, PhD, MPH, RN
2022: Mercy Ngosa Mumba, PhD, RN, CMSRN, FAAN
2021: Ursula Kelly, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
2020: Olimpia Paun, PhD, PMHCNS-BC
2019: Janet Ann York, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
2018: Brenda Marshall, EdD, PMHNP-BC, ANEF
2017: Jill Bormann, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN
2016: Janice H. Goodman, PhD, PMHCNS-BC
2015: Jane Mahoney, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC
2014: Jeanne Marie Stacciarini, PhD, RN
2013: Genevieve E. Chandler RN, PhD
2012: Karen Farchaus Stein, PhD, RN, FAAN
2010: Lora Beebe, PhD, PMHNP-BC
2009: Nancy G. Buccola, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC
2008: Nancy Hanrahan, PhD, RN, CS; June Horowitz, PhD, RN, CNS-BC, FAAN
2007: Lora Beebe, PhD, APRN
2006: Linda Chafetz, RN, PhD
2005: Judith Haber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN
Other past recipients include Carol A. Glod, EdD, RN; Geoffry McEnany, PhD, RN, CS; Michelle Laraia, PhD, RN; Sharon Tucker, DNSc, RN; Kathryn R. Puskar, DrPH, RN, CS, FAAN; Linda Napholz, PhD, RN; and Jaclene Annette Zauszniewski, PhD, RN, C, Kathleen C. Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN; and Claire Burke Drauker, PhD, RN, CS.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Excellence in Leadership – RN:

2024: Gretchen Johnson, DNP, MSN, RN-BC
2023: Leigh Lackey, BA, RN, BHCMII
2022: Donna Ecklesdafer, MSN, RN
2021: Stephanie Verdeflor, MSN, RN-BC
2020: Suzie Marriott, MS, BSN, RN-BC
2019: Brynne Delaney Calleran, MSN, BSN, BS, NE-BC, IN/RN-BC, PMH/RN-BC
2018: Jacqueline Lopez, BS,
2017: Marybeth McManus, MPA, BSN, RN-BC
2016: Kristen Kichefski, MSN, MBA, RN-BC
2015: Diane Allen, MN, RN-BC, NEA-BC
2014: Michele Moreau, BA, RN-BC
2013: Judy S. Linn BS, BSN, MS
2012: Anne Kelly, RN
2008: Margaret Edwards, RN, MSN, NEA, BC
2007: Sue Odegarden, BSN, RN
2006: Gretchen Sandvik, RN, BSN
Other past recipients include Susan M. Griffin RN, MSN , PMH-BC; Kathleen Waters, M.Ed., RN; Brenda Kamel, RN, C; and Marilyn Dennis, RN, C.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Excellence in Leadership – APRN:

2024: Lt. Col. Regina Owen, DNP, PMHNP-BC
2023: Kathleen T. McCoy, DNSc, APRN-BC, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, FAANP
2022: Major Renel Ramos, DNP, MSN, RN, NPP, PMHNP-BC 
2021: Barbara (Bambi) Carkey, DNP, PMHNP-BC, NPP
2020: JoEllen Schimmels, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN
2019: Matthew Tierney, MSN, PMHNP-BC, FANP-BC, FAAN
2018: Tess Judge-Ellis, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FAANP
2017: Lora Peppard, PhD, DNP, PMHNP-BC
2016: Kathy Johnson, MSN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC
2014: Christine Tebaldi, MS, PMHNP-BC
2013: Gail R. Stern MSN, PMHCNS-BC
2012: Margaret Halter, PhD, APRN
2011: Lisabeth Johnston, PhD, APRN, CS
2010: Mary Rosedale, PhD, PMHNP-BC, NEA-BC
2009: Nancy P. Hanrahan, RN, PhD
2008: Nancy Dillon, PhD, RN, CNS
2007: Carole Farley-Toombs, MS, RN, CNAA, BC
2006: Shari Y. Baron, MSN, CS, CGP
2005: Barbara Jones Warren, PhD, APRN, BC

Other past recipients include Nancy Valentine, PhD, RN, CNAA, FAAN; Patricia A. Chiverton, EdD, RN; Kenneth Larson, RN, BSN, MPA; Suzanne Luongo, RN, C, BSN; Ellen M. Flowers, MS, RN; Elizabeth Wackerman Carter, DrPH, MS, RN; Sue Scipione, MSN, RN, C; and Lynn C. Delacy, RN, MSN, CNAA, Luc R. Pelletier, MSN, RN, CS, CPHQ; and Regina L. Ashwill, MSN, RN.

Recipients of the APNA Award for Media:

2018: Karen Foli, PhD, RN, FAAN
2016: Jeannine S. Loucks, MSN, RN-BC PMH
2014: Nancy Hanrahan, PhD, RN, FAAN
2009: Margaret B. Halter, PhD, APRN
2008: Kathleen Wheeler, APRN, PhD
2007: Diane Wieland, PhD, APRN, BC
2006: Betty Vreeland, MSN, APRN, NP-C, BC
2005: Ruth “Topsy” Staten, PhD, ARNP-CS

Your dynamic community of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.

Connect with fellow psychiatric-mental health nurses, be the first to know about evidence-based resources and programs, and participate in exclusive opportunities to advance the care and treatment of those with mental health & substance use needs.

JOIN TODAY MEMBER COMMUNITY

Footer Cta