Ashley Cerny, 2026 Nursing Excellence
“I remember the moment I learned about the PMHNP profession.
“As a research assistant in the Cognitive Neuroimaging Laboratory at McLean Hospital, I was a new graduate with a BS in Counseling and Psychology. Sitting among my fellow research assistant peers, I searched the internet for mental health professions and… there it was. It was love at first sight: PMHNP, the perfect combination of science, patient care, mental health, and autonomy.
“By 2011, I had graduated from the University of Washington and spent three years at Therapeutic Health Services. Here, I was fortunate to be trained by the sagacious director of psychiatry, Susan Caverly, PhD, ARNP.
“My career trajectory has modeled that of many PMHNPs: from employee to independent contractor and, finally, to opening a private practice in my small, rural community on Whidbey Island. Focused on women’s mental health, it is rich, fulfilling work, and an honor to support my fellow women and community members.
“Parallel to private practice, my husband, Paul Samuelson, ARNP, and I built a product we ourselves were wanting: a robust admin support service that doesn’t require clinicians to forgo ownership of patients, charts, or their business.
“We built a service that holds PMHNPs’ wellbeing, autonomy, and business health at the forefront. In a medical culture where we are identified as ‘midlevel providers,’ bolstering our autonomy and showcasing our individual expertise is a meaningful venture. Our business, Emote, is my response to our ‘midlevel’ status.
“This award is an honor to receive. I accept it as a bright opportunity to highlight the value of supporting our fellow PMHNPs.”