Voted into office by the membership, these leaders will begin their terms during the APNA 39th Annual Conference at the Annual Meeting & Town Hall this October.
Thank you to all of the members who put their names forward during this year’s Call for Nominations, the 2025 APNA Nominating Committee who put together the slate, and to all who voted in this year’s elections!
From President-Elect on the APNA Board of Directors to the members who will select next year’s slate of candidates on the 2026 Nominating Committee, meet the psychiatric-mental health nurses chosen by their peers to help lead the association:
Marie Cowart Endowed Professor, Co-Founder & Co-Director, Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment, Assistant Dean for Research and Full Professor (Tenured)
I bring a blend of expertise spanning research, community-based clinical practice, teaching, entrepreneurship, and policy in psychiatric-mental health nursing. For over twenty years, I have been committed to expanding access to high-quality, personalized mental health care, work that began with my own lived experience as a mother navigating a fragmented system in search of support for my child.
My career has been rooted in advancing behavioral health through innovation, advocacy, and collaboration. I have led initiatives that improve care for individuals, families, and communities while actively working to shape mental health access policies at the local, national, and international levels. These efforts advance APNA’s mission to lead, improve care, and shape the future.
As President-Elect, I will elevate the voice of psychiatric-mental health nurses, influence policy, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. I respectfully ask for your vote to help shape a unified, forward-looking future for our profession and the communities we serve.
Assistant Vice President, Patient Services, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
I bring a strong combination of executive leadership, clinical expertise, and a long-standing commitment to advancing psychiatric-mental health nursing. As Assistant Vice President of Patient Services in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, I lead large, interprofessional teams and manage complex systems of care—always with a focus on quality, equity, and workforce development.
My involvement with APNA spans over a decade and includes serving as the APNA Kentucky Chapter President, contributing to national committees, and being selected as a Board of Directors Scholar in 2009—a recognition of my early leadership potential. Since then, I’ve continued to grow as a leader, championing initiatives that support culturally responsive care, team member well-being, and professional development.
As a board member, I will bring a collaborative, forward-thinking perspective grounded in both frontline experience (as both an RN and APRN) and strategic vision. I’m passionate about helping APNA sustain its impact as a charitable, educational, and scientific organization—and ensuring that we continue to elevate the role of PMH nurses nationwide.
Sr Specialty RN, Psych Consult Service RN on the dedicated Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT), Parkland Memorial Hospital
“Over 52% of APNA members are bedside nurses, and I believe that perspective deserves a strong voice in our national leadership. I continue to work at the bedside, and I carry the experiences of my peers with me into every leadership space I enter. I take pride in being a reliable presence at the bedside, where real change often begins. My commitment to practice and leadership has been recognized locally and at the state level, and I’m honored to be the 2025 recipient of the APNA Award for Excellence in Practice – RN.
I will continue to advocate for psychiatric-mental health nurses to have access to trauma-informed models, leadership development, and the tools to shape system-level change. By uplifting the voices and skills of our diverse workforce, I believe we advance not only our profession—but also the care we provide.”
“The Nominating Committee has a critical role in shaping the future of our organization, and I am prepared to help lead a diligent and inclusive process that yields a ballot of exemplary candidates from across the country.”
“As a previous member of the Board of Directors and state chapter president, I am familiar with the purposes, infrastructure, and processes of the organization. As such, I am familiar with what is a Board Member looks like: Being a voice for PMH nurses and the populations we serve.”
“I have been actively involved with APNA since the beginning of the organization. I have learned a lot about the inside workings of APNA. I want to support this organization by nominating strong nurse leaders to continue the important work of APNA.”
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.
