$25

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$40

Non-Member

Speakers

Robi Thomas, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC

Associate Prof. of Nursing 

Dr. Robi Thomas has been a nurse for more than 30 years, and is an associate professor of nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy's Grand Rapids campus. She is also a psychiatric nurse practitioner and works part time at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. She has presented at numerous local, regional, state, national and international conferences, as well as published in numerous books and journals.  Her research interests include perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, suicide prevention, caregiver burden, and caring science.

Dr. Thomas earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Woman's University, her Master of Science from Rush University, and her doctorate from Wayne State University.

Andrea Kwasky, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC
Professor of Nursing

Dr. Andrea Kwasky is dual certified as a Child/Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She received her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Nursing from Western Michigan University, Master of Science in Nursing from Wayne State University with an emphasis on psychiatric/mental health nursing, and Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Oakland University.

Dr. Kwasky is a Clinical Professor of Nursing in the McAuley School of Nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy where she primarily teaches undergraduate nursing students and guest lectures within the Emergency Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner graduate programs. She has 20 years of advanced practice experience in the specialty area of mental health, treating children, adolescents, and adults in outpatient, inpatient, and residential settings. She is involved in several local, national, and international professional organizations and holds board positions with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Michigan chapter and the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses. Her areas of research include suicide prevention, integration of classroom and clinical teaching pedagogy, health economics and improving efficiencies within healthcare systems. She is also currently part of a grant funded research team studying epidemiology and rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury in Ireland.

As an educator, author, advocate and leader, Dr. Kwasky was recognized as a 2016 Nightingale Award winner, named 2017 Educator of the Year by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Michigan chapter), and awarded the 2017 Clinical Practice Award and 2019 Presidents Award by the International Society of Psychiatric Nurses. Most recently, she was an invited member of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and International Society of Psychiatric Nurses collaborative work group that revised the American Nurses Association: Scope and Standards for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Practice which will be published in later in 2022.

Nour Lyon, MS, PA-C
Assistant Professor of Nursing

Nour Lyon is an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator at the University of Detroit Mercy Physician Assistant (PA) program. She is an alumnus of Detroit Mercy’s 5-year PA Program with a clinical background in Surgery and Urgent Care. Lyon's research interest includes simulation technology, for which she was recently awarded Detroit Mercy’s Finding Innovation & Results in Education (FIRE) Grant. This grant will support research in the use of auscultation trainer manikins to promote an active learning environment in the PA classroom and improve learning outcomes. Professor Lyon also enjoys giving back by volunteering her time to serve in the city of Detroit and surrounding communities.

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