Gregory Saunders, 2026 Outstanding Volunteer
“I came to nursing later in life. I had always wanted to be a nurse, but the opportunity to pursue that path did not come until my late 30s. My wife’s work in mental health helped inspire me to pursue a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner role, and I found that the work fit naturally with what matters most to me. At the core of what I do is a genuine passion for helping people feel better and move forward in their lives.
“I completed my Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health, along with a certificate in Nursing Leadership, at Washington State University Tri-Cities in May 2025. Since graduating, I have had the opportunity to practice at Kadlec Behavioral Health, in Richland, WA, while also developing my private practice, River Rock Psychiatry, PLLC, in Kennewick, WA.
“I love the team I work with at Kadlec and the collaboration and experience that come from being part of that organization. At the same time, I have a real passion for River Rock Psychiatry and the opportunity it gives me to continue developing my own personalized approach to psychiatric care.
“What I value most about being a PMHNP is the privilege of being invited into people’s lives during some of their most vulnerable moments. People share things with me that they may have never told anyone else. I feel honored to be able to sit with someone in those moments, really hear and listen to what they are experiencing, and then try to help them find a way through it. That therapeutic relationship is what gives the work meaning for me.
“My approach to psychiatry is comprehensive and collaborative. I believe strongly in evidence-based medicine, including careful psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy, while also recognizing that mental health is influenced by much more than a diagnosis or medication.
“I have a growing passion for incorporating principles from functional and integrative medicine into my practice and considering the broader biological, psychological, social, nutritional, lifestyle, and other factors that may be contributing to how someone feels. Rather than viewing these approaches as mutually exclusive, I try to bring the useful components together and look at the whole person.
“I incorporate medication management with psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, interpersonal therapy, and motivational interviewing. Shared decision-making is central to how I practice. I want patients to understand what we are treating, why we are considering a particular approach, and what other options may be available.
“Ultimately, my goal is fairly simple: help people feel better, function better, and build greater stability and resilience in their lives. I often describe it as working together to keep moving the needle forward, even when progress happens in small increments.
“I joined AAPPN while I was still a doctoral student because I wanted to learn from other psychiatric nurse practitioners and become connected with the professional community I was entering. I joined the Education Committee in October 2025, shortly after graduating, and that experience has become an important part of my professional development.
“One thing becoming a PMHNP has reinforced for me is how much there is always left to learn. I can usually take away something valuable—even if it is only a nugget—from an interaction with a patient, a colleague, a conference presentation, or a committee discussion. AAPPN has provided a place where I can continue that learning while also contributing.
“Through the Education Committee, I have particularly enjoyed helping develop educational topics and programming that can translate into practical improvements in the care PMHNPs provide.
“Receiving the AAPPN Volunteer of the Year Award is especially meaningful because I am still relatively new to both the profession and the organization. I did not become involved expecting recognition. I became involved because I wanted to learn, contribute, and be part of the professional community.
“To be recognized this early in my career reinforces my belief that being part of a profession extends beyond the work we do individually with our patients. It also means learning from one another, sharing our experiences, supporting our colleagues, and contributing to the continued development of our profession.
“Entering nursing later in life has given me perspective on the importance of maintaining balance and building a sustainable career. Outside of work, I exercise regularly, enjoy skiing and hiking, and prioritize time with family and friends. Those parts of my life help keep me grounded and remind me of the importance of the same balance and resilience that I encourage in my patients.
“I am grateful to AAPPN for welcoming me first as a student and now as a colleague. Receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award so early in my career is an honor. More than anything, it encourages me to continue learning, contributing, and finding ways to make a positive impact on my patients, my colleagues, and the profession.”