The New Practitioner of the Year Award recognizes a member whose accomplishments in the profession within five years of graduating from a PMHNP program distinguish them as future leaders in the profession.
Greg Hudson, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP-BC, RN, launched his career as a PMHNP at Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare in Lakewood, WA. A few years later, he transitioned to Community Healthcare (CHC) where he took a new role of Psychiatric Consultant and thrived. AAPPN is proud to honor this amazing new practitioner.
“I love the model of integrated behavioral health with primary care at CHC,” he said. “I spend my time seeing complicated psych patients for direct care and supporting primary care providers with consultation, diagnosis, and treatment. I love the diversity of patients and providers I work with and the fast-paced nature of the work.”
Hudson said AAPPN played a crucial role for him as a new practitioner. “It provided a huge network of other providers to learn from, as well as a smaller community chapter in my area to collaborate with. It has also helped me to hone my knowledge and toolkit as a new provider to better provide care for my patients. It has given me a channel to use my voice as a provider for healthcare reform and breaking barriers to access to mental healthcare.”
The most important lesson he has learned as a PMHNP was “to surround yourself with good people who will challenge you, call you out when you’re wrong, and support you in finding the right course of action.”
He wishes he knew “there’s going to be a pandemic in 2020!” when he started his career. In an unprecedented situation, he strives to be flexible and work with healthcare to deliver care for those who are most vulnerable.
“Healthcare can be frustratingly slow to pivot, but it is possible to bend the system towards justice. Don’t be afraid to challenge commonly held ideas or ‘that’s the way we always have done it’ thinking. Read diverse authors. Seek out mentorship. Find where your passions and interests intersect with healthcare and go that direction.”