APNA Councils

Councils are comprised of a group of members with similar interests in an aspect of psychiatric mental health nursing not addressed elsewhere within APNA. Councils are approved by and report to the APNA Board of Directors. Council chairs will study and review issues pertinent to the council's area of interest and expertise and make recommendations to the Board for the following:

• Position or policy statements
• New programs or activities
• Committee or task force membership

Use the links below to learn more about each of the APNA councils. To gain a better understanding of how councils operate in general, please see the APNA Council Toolkit.

Addictions Council

Susan E. Caverly, PhD, ARNP - Chair
Laura G. Leahy, DrNP, APRN, PMH-CNS/FNP, CARN-AP, FAANP - Co-Chair
Addictions Council for APNA Members*

Administrative Council

Co-Chairs
Kristen Kichefski, MSN, MBA, RN-BC
Suzie Marriott, MS, BSN, RN

Administrative Council for APNA Members*

Child & Adolescent Council

Co-Chairs
Kathleen C. Gaffney, APN, MSN, PMHCNS
Joy Lauerer, DNP, MSN, APRN, BC
Child & Adolescent Council for APNA Members*

Council for Mental Health Advocacy

Kathryn Brotzge, MSN, APRN, NP - Chair
Brenda G. Kucirka, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, CNE - Associate Chair
Click here to see how we are involved in Health Care Reform.

Council for Mental Health Advocacy for Members*

Council for Safe Environments

Jeannine Loucks, MSN, RN-BC PMH - Chair
Council for Safe Environments for Members*

 

Education Council

Diane H. Esposito, PhD, ARNP, PMHCNS-BC – Chair
Shirlee P. Davidson, RN, MSN – Associate Chair
Education Council for APNA Members*

Forensic Psychiatric Nurses Council

Leslie Miles, APRN, BC - Co-Chair
Evelyn J. Perkins, PMH-BC, NE-BC - Co-Chair
Forensic Council for APNA Members*

Practice Council

Dawn M. Vanderhoef, PhD, DNP, RN, PMHNP/CNS-BC - Chair

APRN Branch
Kathryn S. Johnson, MSN, PMHCNS-BC, PMHNP-BC - Co-Chair
Jessica N. Walker, APRN, PMHNP-BC, RN-BC - Co-Chair

RN Branch
Vanessa H. Barlow, MBA, BSN, RN - Chair

Practice Council for APNA Members*

Recovery Council

Constance Noll, DNP, MA, PMHNP-BC, CRNP - Chair
Recovery Council for APNA Members*

Research Council

Co-Chairs
Brandy Mechling, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC
Olimpia Paun, PhD, PMHCNS-BC
Research Council for APNA Members*

Have a question or want to contact a council chair?
Email councilsupport@apna.org

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