APNA 39th Annual Conference

Oct 15–18, 2025

New Orleans, LA

The APNA 39th Annual Conference took place October 15-18, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year's theme was "Empowered to Innovate and Collaborate: PMH Nurses Shaping Care Excellence".

BH WELL team members, Pooja Bhattarai, Dr. Bassema AbuFarsakh, and Dr. Zim Okoli received 3rd place in the research category for their poster, "Shaping Care Excellence by Examining the Relationship Between Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Mental Illness."

Eastern State Hospital's, Dr. Marc Woods and Leslie Vann received 1st place in the administration category for their poster, "Lost & Found: Transforming Patient Belongings Management Through Trauma Informed Care."

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Podium Presentations:

Okoli, C.T.C., Abufarsakh, B., Seng, S., Koyagi, E., Robertson, H. (2025, October). Shaping Care Excellence in Tobacco Treatment: Outcomes of Empowering Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses and other Mental Healthcare Providers within Community Mental Health Settings. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A (Podium)

Sarret, S., Almogheer, A., Makowski, A., Stith, H., Koyagi, E., & Okoli, C. T. C. (2025, October). Empowering Innovative Access to Mental Healthcare: Factors Associated with the Intentions to Deliver and Use Tele-Mental Health among Medicaid Providers and Beneficiaries. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A (Podium)

Almogheer, Z., Okoli, C. T. C., Moser, D., Schuman, D. & Rayens, M. K. (2025, October). The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Psychological Distress, and Help Seeking Intentions on Nursing Students Seeking Mental Health Services. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Podium) 

Poster Presentations:

Abufarsakh, B., Seng, S., Koyagi, E., Robertson, H., Okoli, C.T. (2025, October). Empowering Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Excellence in Seeking Care: Evaluating A Comic Book Approach for People with Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster)

Almogheer, Z.S., Okoli, C.T.C., Schuman, D.L., Rayens, M.K., Moser, D. (2025, Oct). A Systematic Review Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Mental Health Help-Seeking Among College Students. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A (Poster)

Bhattarai, P., Abufarsakh, B., Okoli, C.T.C. (2025, October). Shaping Care Excellence by Examining the Relationship Between Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Mental Illness. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster)

This poster received third place in the research category.

Brouwer, K., Walmsley, L.A., Koyagi. E., Robertson, H., Abufarsakh, B., Okoli, C.T.C. (2025, October). Mindful Breaths, Smoke-Free Lives: Innovations in Unlocking the Power of Mindfulness to foster excellence in tobacco treatment. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, USA. (Poster)

Strong-Cline, M., Makowski, A., Perry, J., Grubbs, A., Okoli, C.T.C. (2025, October). The Effect of a Hospital Community Garden on Nurses' Professional Quality of Life. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, USA. (Poster)

Podium Presentations:

Bryant, K. (2025, October). Empowering Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Safety: The Impact of Using Post-Assault Surveys in Psychiatric Settings. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Podium) 

Dr. Bryant is a graduate of the Work Learning Program, an evidence based academic practice partnership between UK College of Nursing, Eastern State Hospital, UK HealthCare, and the BH WELL team.

Woods, M. & Jasinski, L. (2025, October). EmPATH in Action: Transforming Psychiatric Emergencies with Treatment-First Care. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Podium) 

Poster Presentations:

Barnes, J. (2025, October). Empowering Psychiatric Nurses: Innovative Strategies to Reduce Restrictive Interventions and Enhance Patient Satisfaction. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster) 

Bowman, T., Florence, M., & McKinney, T. (2025, October). Empowered Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses Innovating Patient Safety:  Providing Nonskid Footwear to Enhance Care Excellence. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster) 

Bowman, T., Florence, M., & McKinney, T. (2025, October). Empowering Psychiatric Nurses Through Innovative Doll Therapy to Reduce Agitation in Patients with Neurocognitive Disorder. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster)

Bryant, K. & Vanderpool, L. (2025, October). Empowering Nursing Staff: Implementing a Post-Assault Calming Room Intervention for Enhanced Recovery and Well-Being. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster) 

Dr. Bryant is a graduate of the Work Learning Program, an evidence based academic practice partnership between UK College of Nursing, Eastern State Hospital, UK HealthCare, and the BH WELL team.

Nelson, T., Clark, N., & McKinney, T. (2025, October). Toward Excellence in Mental Health Care: Integrating and Evaluating the Impact of the Mental Health Associates Residency Program. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster) 

Ratliff, H. (2025, October). Increasing Safety and Decreasing Risk for Geriatric Falls in Inpatient Psychiatric Setting. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster) 

Woods, M. & Vann, L. (2025, October). Lost & Found: Transforming Patient Belongings Management Through Trauma Informed Care. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster)

This poster received first place in the administration category.

Young, W., Chandler, B., Avera, T., Coyle, C., & Bryant, K. (2025, October). Empowered Care: Innovating Menstrual Health Solutions in Psychiatric Settings. APNA Annual Conference, October 15-18, New Orleans, U.S.A. (Poster) 