2026 Elections: Member-at-Large

An APNA Member-at-Large serves a three-year term on the board. View Full Member-at-Large Position Description & Qualifications

• Duties Include: ensuring effective and accountable governance, providing responsible oversight of the association, demonstrating competent and accountable leadership, and ensuring leadership continuity.
• Qualifications Include: Previous APNA volunteer leadership and service, knowledge about global trends and APNA programs, participative leadership style, willingness to commit time and skills necessary to serve.

Candidates

Member-At-Large

Jean F. Villaruz Fisak, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC

Present Position
Installation Director for Psychological Health, U.S. Naval Hospital, Okinawa

Education
DNP, Executive Leadership Program, Duke University School of Nursing, 2019
MSN/PMHCNS, University of Hawaii, 2004
BSN, San Jose State University, 1995
ADN, De Anza College. 1990

APNA Contributions

• APNA Nominating Committee, 2016 and 2022
• APNA California Chapter, President, 2016 – 2019
• APNA Military Council Plank Owner, 2012 – 2016
• Presenter, APNA Annual Conference (2014, 2018); Attendance (2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021)
• Presenter, CPI Conference, 2012; Attendance 2025

Other Experience

• Policy Conversion Course, Duke University, Invited Panel Expert, 2020 – Present
• Defense Health Agency Policy Standardization for Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior – Military, 2013-2018, 2024-Present
• Commanding Officer (CEO) / Director, U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, Italy, 2022 – 2024
• Executive Officer (COO), U.S. Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, 2020 – 2022
• Chief Nurse Officer, U.S. Naval Hospital Guam; Council for Nurse Leaders, Guam, US Territories, 2017 – 2020
• Deputy Director, Naval Center for Combat Operational Stress Control, 2013 – 2017
• Navy Psychiatric Nurse Community Advisor, 2011 – 2014
• Officer in Charge, Mental Health Mobile Care Team-7, Afghanistan, 2012-2013

APNA members should vote for me to serve as Member-at-Large because I believe in advancing psychiatric-mental health nursing through collaboration, representing diverse perspectives, advocating for members, and actively engaging in supporting the APNA’s priorities and initiatives.

I have been to 23 countries over 30 years as an active-duty Navy nurse and have witnessed various different mental health zeitgeists, which sparked my passion for culturally tailored mental health care. This led to being actively engaged in the psychiatric-mental health community through culturally appropriate clinical practice and policy influence. I have also had the privilege of achieving extensive experience in executive medicine, leadership, strategic and financial planning, policy development, and mentorship.

It would be an honor to serve as a trusted member of the APNA Board. If elected, I would uphold APNA’s mission to promote advocacy, education, leadership, and excellence in psychiatric-mental health care. My military service reflects a lifelong commitment to service, integrity, and leadership, and I would bring the same dedication to representing the voices of APNA members and supporting the continued growth and impact of psychiatric-mental health nursing as Member-at-Large.

I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by advocating for initiatives that strengthen professional development, advance nursing education, and promote high-quality psychiatric-mental health care. Specifically, priorities that focus on the value of mental health wellbeing while supporting initiatives that ensure healthcare professionals receive the resources and support necessary to provide compassionate, resilient, and effective patient care.

I am passionate about improving mental health care for patients across the lifespan and among culturally diverse populations and strongly support innovation within the psychiatric-mental health nursing community. I believe in fostering creativity, research, and leadership potential to strengthen our profession and ensure that future nursing scientists are supported, mentored, and empowered in their development. I will continue to campaign for psychiatric-mental health nurses to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and licensure to meet the evolving mental health needs of the populations we serve.

Member-At-Large

Patricia Mulvaney-Roth, DNP, MSN, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, ACNS

Present Position
Associate Professor, Molloy University (Tenured)

Education
2022- DNP, Molloy University
2019-Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult Gerontology CNS, Molloy College
1991-MSN, Adelphi University
1981-BSN, Adelphi University

APNA Contributions

• 2023-2025-Chair of the APNA Scholarly Review Committee
• 2023-2021-Associate Chair of the APNA Scholarly Review Committee
• 2023- JAPNA Author
• 10/2023-Present- Education Council – APNA National Chapter
• 2022- Nursing Made Incredibly Easy Author
• 2019-2018-APNA Board of Directors Student Scholarship Reviewer
• 2013-Present-Poster Reviewer/Judge- APNA Annual Conferences
• 2013-Podium Presenter-APNA Pennsylvania State Conference
• 2012-Present-Abstract Reviewer- APNA Annual Conferences
• 2025 x2, 2022, & 2012-Podium Presenter-APNA Annual Conference
• 2025, 2023 (1st place in Education), 2020, 2017, & 2012-Poster Presenter- APNA Annual Conference

Other Experience

• 2025-International Research Seminar jointly sponsored by Molloy University and the University of the West Indies, Faculty of Health Sciences.
• 2016-2024- American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)
• Pioneering Facilitator for Competency Based Suicide Prevention Training for the PMH Nurse Generalist
• 2000-Present-Crisis Prevention Institute-Master Instructor

APNA members should vote for me to serve as Member-at-Large because I offer a distinctive and well-rounded blend of clinical expertise, experience in research and evidence-based practice, along with academic leadership, and innovative firsts; Introduction of CPI, trauma-informed care, grant writing, and enhanced technology to my organization, improving the quality of care for our patients. I have dedicated my nursing career of more than 35 years to improving healthcare outcomes in a mental health population. I have a continuing commitment to provide exceptional healthcare services to the multicultural populace.

Serving in the co-chair/chair role of the Scholarly Review Committee in collaboration with the education team at APNA provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate and further strengthen my leadership abilities. Planning the annual conference, I, along with the team, offer applicants a platform to demonstrate their leadership, scholarship, and professional expertise, presenting innovative ways to improve mental health care through research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement initiatives. Including many presentations of my own scholarly work through the years. This national level of service is in alignment with APNA’s educational and scientific purposes.

As a member-at-large elect, I am eager to bring my expertise and innovation as an RN, APRN, and professor to support collaborative decision-making and advocate with integrity on key scientific and educational matters.

I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by championing the need to focus on delivering quality nursing care with inclusivity and a lens on social determinants of health (SDOH) as nursing education transitions to competency-based education. All while upholding the APNA’s vision of psychiatric–mental health nurses as culturally responsive leaders shaping health policy. Being a member of APNA since 1998, I would be honored to give back to the organization that has given me so much while empowering future generations of nurses as they grow, thrive, and lead with confidence.