Meet Your AAPPN Board Members
A talented group of dedicated volunteers leading your professional association.
Nikki Behner
President
I have been proud to be a member of such an active and progressive specialty organization. Now, more than ever, I believe it is important to highlight and market the skills that psychiatric ARNPs bring to our complex healthcare environment.
Leslie Hite
President-Elect
AAPPN has given me the opportunity to connect with many members across the state and grow professionally as a PMHNP through volunteer opportunities and resources within the organization. I am an advocate for improving mental health access and care in rural areas of Washington.
Danielle DeOliveira
Past Co-President
Since moving from North Carolina three years ago, I have worked at Peninsula Behavioral Health in Port Angeles. I enjoy community mental health and the challenges of working with a wide variety of mental health struggles.
Jean Tang
Past Co-President
I hope to be an effective liaison connecting practice, teaching and research science. I am inspired by the AAPPN mission and its members’ dedication to the profession. It is my honor to serve on the AAPPN leadership team.
Kristine Highlander
Secretary
AAPPN has been integral to my practice since being a student at Seattle University. I’ve enjoyed my service as the chair of the Membership Committee, At-Large Board member, and former President. I am delighted to serve as AAPPN Secretary. My undergraduate degree in English will likely serve me well in this next chapter of AAPPN volunteering.
Danielle Waldron
Treasurer
I have been practicing for the past five years after graduating from Seattle University in 2013. I practice in community mental health and focus on addictions.
Candace Mabbitt
Student Board Member
I am in my first quarter of a Post Grad Certificate program at Frontier University. I have been practicing full time as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner outside of Seattle for the last eight years. I have been in the role of provider, teacher, preceptor, attending, legislative chair and the President of the WA Affiliate of the American College of Nurse Midwives.
Ginni Buccola
Member At Large
AAPPN has been a part of my professional growth and development as a PMHNP from the very beginning of my graduate work at the University of Washington.
What I have appreciated the most is the opportunity AAPPN provides for us to nurture relationships between one another as Advanced Practice Nursing professionals, connecting our different practices and geographic locations under one lovely umbrella.
MaryAnne Murray
Member At Large
I appreciate the work of AAPPN to ensure that PMHNPs can practice to the full extent of their education and licensure. I look forward to bringing my knowledge of substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, integrated care, and a rural perspective to contribute to this great organization.
Steven Pline
Member At Large
It has been a privilege to learn from and with so many of you through the listserv, at conferences, in the CAYA specialty group, as an Education Committee volunteer, and as the Student Member of the Board.
My objectives for a board tenure extension are to (1) Contribute as a volunteer to help maintain and sustain this incredible organization; (2) Encourage student and new member engagement as our profession grows (3) Advocate for equal pay for equal work by healthcare providers.
Meet the AAPPN Advisory Board
A talented group of dedicated volunteers helping the association in the community.
Dana Dean Doering
CAYA Specialty Group Co-Chair
Dana started the Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Specialty Group in February 2021 and currently serves as Co-Chair.
Heather Buzbee
CAYA Specialty Group Co-Chair
In addition to serving as CAYA
Specialty Group Co-Chair, Heather volunteers on the Education Committee
Connie Huffine
Past AAPPN Administrator and Lois Price Spratlen Foundation Secretary
Connie is the volunteer liaison between AAPPN and the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation.