APNA 40th Annual Conference
The APNA 40th Annual Conference will be held October 28-31, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. This year's theme is "Building on Strengths: A Resiliency Journey to Improve Wellness & Advance Care".
Wednesday 10/28/26
- Pre-Conference Deep Dive Sessions: Workplace Violence- From Risk to Resilience: Findings and Recommendations from the APNA Restoring Workplace Safety Task Force, panelist ESH’s Dr. Kevin Bryant.
- APNA Welcome & Honors- BH WELL Executive Director Dr. Zim Okoli will receive the APNA Award for Psychiatric Nurse of the Year. View the press release about the award here.
Thursday 10/29/26
- Impact Sessions: Inpatient Safety- From Surveillance to Stewardship: Reducing Enhanced Observation While Balancing Patient Safety, Dignity, and Responsible Use of Resources, presented by ESH’s Dr. Kevin Bryant & Haley Ratliff.
- Lightning Sessions: Addictions- Advancing Psychiatric Nursing Care Through Assessments: Evaluating Nicotine and Cannabis Use Patterns on Cognitive Vulnerability, presented by BH WELL Scholar Dr. Sarret Seng.
Friday 10/30/26
- Poster Presentation- Balancing Safety and Stewardship: A Unit-Based QI Initiative Utilizing Q5 Observation to Reduce Sitter Use, presented by ESH’s Haley Ratliff.
- Lightning Sessions: Connections & Resilience- Strengthening Personal Recovery and Resilience: A Mixed-methods Study of the Role of Peer Support Specialists Within a Psychiatric Hospital Setting to Advance Care, presented by BH WELL’s Zachary Gammon and Dr. Zim Okoli.
- Impact Sessions: Workplace Violence- Compassionate Leadership in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Improving Wellness, Advancing Care, and Supporting Thriving, presented by BH WELL’s Dr. Zim Okoli.
Additionally, BH WELL will host a table in the exhibit hall, booth #525.