2025 Elections: President-Elect
An APNA President-Elect serves a three-year term on the board: One as President-Elect, one as President, and one as Immediate Past President. View Full President-Elect Description & Qualifications
- Duties Include: Representing the association as requested, mentoring current and prospective board members, assuming the functions of president in the absence of the president,
- Qualifications Include: Informal and formal leadership experience, knowledge of APNA, ability to work with diverse styles and personalities to facilitate teamwork and consensus
Candidates
Diane E. Allen, DNP, PMHRN-BC, FACHE(R)
Present Position
Psychiatric Nurse Consultant
Education
DNP, University of New Hampshire, 2018
MSN, University of Dundee, Scotland, UK, 2005
BSN, Rivier University, Nashua, NH 1996
ASN, Rivier College/St Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, Nashua, NH 1994
APNA Contributions
- Council for Safe Environments Steering Committee, 2010-2012, 2021-present
- Council for Safe Environments Chair, 2012-2018
- Workplace Violence Prevention Task Force, 2008, 2025 -present
- Nominating Committee (National), 2024
- Board of Directors, 2018-2021
- Seclusion and Restraint Task Force, 2007-2023
- Executive Director Selection Committee, 2019-2020
- Mass Violence Prevention Task Force Chair, 2018
- Violence Prevention Task Force Chair, 2016
- Awards & Recognition Committee, 2015
- Janssen Scholars Seclusion and Restraint Workgroup Advisor, 2012
- New England Chapter Annual Conference Chair, 2011
- New England Chapter, New Hampshire Representative at Large 2011
- Annual Conference Presenter 12X
- Scholarly Review Committee
- JAPNA Author & Editorial Reviewer
- CE Reviewer
- Conference Poster Reviewer
Other Experience
- Transitions in Practice (ATP) Program
- Key Elements of a Safe Environment- Faculty-Presenter
- Competency Based Training for Conducting the One Hour Face to Face Assessment for Patients in Restraint or Seclusion- Faculty Presenter
- S.E.C.U.R.E (Safer Environments via Collaborative, Unified Response to Emergencies), training provided to NH law enforcement personnel and hospitals in New Hampshire Hospital Association
APNA members should vote for me to serve as President-Elect because as a Psychiatric Mental Health nurse, I take pride in my career supporting individuals with mental illness. I believe that PMH nurses will reach their full potential when they are respected and recognized as specialists in health and wellness. I am eager to help others appreciate the talents and skills of PMH nurses. My goal is to highlight PMH nurses as engaging personalities and proficient communicators who have a positive impact on patient behavior. Additionally, I aim to enhance public awareness of PMH nurses by demonstrating their value both in clinical outcomes and financial terms.
I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by: inspiring nurses to leverage their expertise to enhance nursing practice and emphasize the importance of PMH nurses. I am concerned that the emphasis on risk management and violence may overshadow the primary objective of providing therapeutic care, potentially discouraging skilled nurses from pursuing this specialty. Practice research is essential for the advancement of PMH nursing, particularly in light of rising costs and ongoing nursing shortages. My goal is to fully utilize APNA’s established communication channels and identify new methods to effectively disseminate information regarding evidence-based best practices. By developing innovative approaches to illustrate the impact of our presence, words, and actions on patient recovery, we can reshape public perception of our profession and pave the way for the future.
Eugenia Flores Millender, PHD, RN, PMHAPRN-BC, FAAN
Present Position
Marie Cowart Endowed Professor
Co-Founder & Co-Director, Center of Population Sciences for Health Empowerment
Assistant Dean for Research and Full Professor (Tenured)
Education
2013 PhD, Florida Atlantic University
2011 – PMHNP Certificate; Rush University
2006 MS, Florida Atlantic University
1999 BSN, Florida Atlantic University
1992 AA, College of Lake County
APNA Contributions
- 2024 – present, Committee Member, APNA CPI conference
- 2023 – APNA JAPNA Editor Search Committee Member
- 2015 – 2023 – Attended APNA National Conference
- 2019 –2022 – APNA National Board Member at Large
- 2018 – 2020 – Board of Directors, Florida APNA chapter
- 2018 – 2020- Co-chair, Advanced Practice Council, APNA Florida Chapter
- 2018 – 2020 – Co-chair, Entrepreneurship Committee, APNA Florida Chapter
- 2015 – Presenter; Florida APNA State Conference
- 2010, 2015, 2017 & 2019 – Presenter, APNA National Conference
Other Experience
- 2022 to present, American Academy of Nursing, Psychiatric, Mental Health & Substance Use Expert Panel; Vice-Chair (2022 to 2024), Chair (2024 -present).
- 2022 to present, American Nurses Association/SAMHSA Minority Fellowship Program; National Advisory Committee Member (2019-2022), Chair (2022-2024), and Principal Investigator/ Nurse Educator (2024-present)
- 2017 – present, Founder and President, Caring 4 All of You, Inc – Telehealth Psychiatric and mental health Practice
- 2013-Present, Center for Child Counseling; Board of Directors (2013-present) Board Vice-Chair (2016-2022), Board Chair (2022 – present)
- 2013- 2017, Founding Director, Nurse Managed Community Health Center at FAU
APNA members should vote for me to serve as President-Elect because 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.
I can help fulfill APNA’s purpose as a scientific and education organization by:leveraging my broad expertise in research, clinical practice, teaching, policy, and entrepreneurship to reduce mental and behavioral health disparities. I am dedicated to strengthening the psychiatric-mental health nursing workforce, promoting culturally responsive care, and shaping policies that improve outcomes for both the individuals we serve and the nurses delivering that care. With a proven ability to turn vision into action, I will work collaboratively to uplift our profession, support our members, and foster innovation, ensuring APNA continues to lead the way in transforming mental health care.
