Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Assistant Professor Dawn Vanderhoef, PhD, DNP, PMHNP/Cs-BC, is the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Education from the American Nurses Psychiatric Association. The award is given to someone who has imparted knowledge, skill and clinical analysis in the field by demonstrating innovative approaches, collaboration with other disciplines and positive mentoring.
“This is a tremendous national achievement. Dawn is recognized as a clinical expert on integrated health care models, an innovator in bringing technology into the academic nursing curricula and a knowledgeable national presenter,” said Linda Norman, DSN, RN, FAAN, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Dean and Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing.
Vanderhoef is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Lifespan) faculty member and has more than 20 years of psychiatric nursing experience. She taught at VUSN from 2003 to 2010. In 2013, she returned to VUSN from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing where she served as the co-principal investigator on a HRSA grant on Enhancing Interprofessional Integrative Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Education to Address Health Care of Personal with Psychiatric Disorders and Other Chronic Conditions (2013). She also actively practices at the Centerstone Community Health Center and has published extensively.
Vanderhoef will receive her award at the annual American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Conference in Orlando, Florida, in October.