Lisa Reyes-Walsh, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, CNE
770-789-1064 | Dr.reyeswalsh@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL AREAS OF EXPERTISE

I have built my academic career on a strong foundation of innovation, developing accessible, inventive education to enhance the care of vulnerable populations. As a Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) educator and leader, I have integrated my expertise as a family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP), and certified addiction registered nurse – advanced practice (CARN-AP) to influence nursing education and the overall practice of nursing.

Practice/Service: Skilled clinician and healthcare leader with over 30 years of experience working with mental health and substance use disorders clients. 12 of those years as a registered nurse, and nine years as an advanced nurse practitioner.

Hospital Educator: Experienced educator and mentor for over 10 years.

Hospital based neurology clinical educator, new graduate nursing educator, clinical preceptor, course developer, and unit director in the hospital setting including curriculum for:
Resiliency and self-care
Trauma-informed care
Recovery language
Mental Health and substance use disorders among healthcare workers
Staff educational programs (Call to order, medication administration safety, preceptor orientation/development, patient safety).

University Educator:

DNP PMHNP faculty and adjunct faculty Georgia Southern University and Rosalind Franklin University of Science and medicine with expertise in vulnerable populations, substance use disorders, and all clinical courses.
Clinical preceptor for PMHNP students and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) education students over the last eight years.
Emory University Master of Nursing (MN) instructor, and clinical faculty, a curriculum developer for integrated clinical model.
Instructor, Emory University, MSN FNP program.
Adjunct faculty, clinical and simulation instructor in prelicensure nursing foundations and developer of test taking curriculum, Emory University and Kennesaw State University.
Adjunct faculty, clinical instructor, and simulation instructor for prelicensure medical/surgical nursing, mental health nursing, primary care nursing, ambulatory care, and public health nursing, Emory University and Kennesaw State University.
Mental health clinical coordinator and mental health senior instructor, Emory University.
Evidence-based practice course instructor for prelicensure and graduate students, Emory University.
Subject matter expert for $2.7 million Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) Community Academic Partnership for Primary Care Nursing Transformation (CAPACITY) grant, 10% effort, investigating Behavioral Health Integration into Primary Care, Emory University.
Subject matter expert for $2.6 million Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) Advanced Practice Provider Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program grant, 10% effort building an addiction fellowship training program, Emory University.
Evidence-based practice course instructor for prelicensure and graduate students, Emory University.
Subject matter expert for $2.7 million Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) Community Academic Partnership for Primary Care Nursing Transformation (CAPACITY) grant, 10% effort, investigating Behavioral Health Integration into Primary Care, Emory University.
Subject matter expert for $2.6 million Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA) Advanced Practice Provider Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program grant, 10% effort building an addiction fellowship training program, Emory University.
Global health faculty creating curriculum for underserved populations in Dominican Republic both in person and virtually, Emory University.
Rural immersions curriculum for underserved populations in Georgia, Emory University.

Curriculum Developer: Lead instructor in designing and piloting an innovative integrated acute care/mental health clinical curriculum. Lead developer expanding and redesigning the model for 150 students. Additional curriculum development includes:

Created graduate-level curriculum for substance use disorders didactic and clinical course for PMHNP program, Georgia Southern University.
Developed curriculum for MN and prelicensure students, Emory University.
Created DNP curriculum for translational research, leadership, ethics, and project development.

Leadership: Demonstrated leader and mentor, having held positions progressing from Charge Nurse, Clinical Educator, Unit Director, first PMHNP on the advance practice registered nurse (APRN) Committee of the Georgia Medical Composite Board, Addiction Nursing Certification Board (ANCB) Board Member, and State Committee Member of Georgia Nurses Association (GNA) Peer Assistance Program (PAP).

Graduate level nursing mentorship precepting PMHNP and MSN students, 2016- present.
Prelicensure nursing student mentorship and tutoring.
Educating healthcare leaders on substance use disorders within the profession.
Subject matter expert for content evaluation and item writer for CARN-AP certification exam.
Subject matter expert for ANCC PMHNP certification exam.

Consultant: Highly sought out mentor for process improvement, evidence-based practice projects, substance use disorder expertise, and nursing leadership.

Worked with local addiction treatment centers to develop staffing, protocols, and guidelines for nurses.
Healthcare leaders in Emory University Healthcare system, caring for patients with trauma, education and expertise.
Legal nurse expert in addiction cases.

Translation of Evidence in Nursing Practice: Skilled in qualitative and quantitative research methodology, and published in nursing education, and vulnerable populations. Dedicated education unit integrated model publication in nurse educator. Lead investigator on qualitative research published in Dr. Mary de Chesnay’s vulnerable populations nursing textbook. The chapter Life Stories of Affluent Adolescents with Addiction was noted in winning AJN textbook of the year in community nursing in 2011.

EDUCATION

PhD Indiana University of Pennsylvania – Indiana, Pennsylvania
Major: DNP to PhD in Nursing Education
Graduation expected 12/2026

DNP Emory University - Atlanta, GA, 2021, Sigma Theta Tau
Major: Health System Leadership
Project Title: Chief Nursing Officers’ perceptions of nurses recovering from
substance use disorders reentry in health systems

Post Master’s Certificate Georgia Southern University – Statesboro, GA, 2017
Major: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Master of Science in Nursing Walden University – Minneapolis, Minnesota, 2015
Major: Family Nurse Practitioner

Bachelor of Science Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, 2011, Sigma Theta Tau
Major: Nursing

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION

Registered Nurse, Arizona

Registered Nurse, California

Registered Nurse, Georgia

Registered Nurse, Illinois

Registered Nurse, Minnesota

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Arizona

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, California

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Georgia

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Minnesota

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Illinois

DEA License MW3882063, expires May 2028

Addictions Nurses Certification Board (ANCB), Certified Addiction Registered Nurse – Advanced Practice (CARN-AP),
expires January 2029
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Certified Family Nurse Practitioner,
expires October 2030
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Certified Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner,
expires February 2028

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS

Program Chair, PMHNP Program West Coast University
Irvine, California, September 2025 – present

Academic Program Coordinator Walden University, School of Nursing
PMHNP Program Minneapolis, MN, January – September 2025
Contributing Faculty, October 2025 - present

Assistant Professor Kennesaw State University, WellStar School of
& Post-graduate Nursing, Kennesaw, GA, 2023 - 2025
PMHNP Program Director

Assistant Professor & DNP PMHNP Rosalind Franklin University, College of Nursing

Associate Program Director North Chicago, Illinois, 2022 – 2023

Senior Clinical Instructor Emory University, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Atlanta, GA, since 2021
Clinical Instructor, 2019 - 2021
Simulation Instructor, 2019 - 2024

Adjunct Faculty Georgia Southern University School of Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program,
Statesboro, GA, 2017- 2021

Clinical Instructor Kennesaw State University Wellstar School of Nursing, 2015 - 2017

ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS

Psychiatric & Addiction Nurse Berman Center, Atlanta, GA
Practitioner September 2024 - current

Chief Executive Officer, Founder North Atlanta Recovery Associates, LLC., Metro Atlanta, GA
Addiction & Mental Health Services 2016-current

Unit Director Emory University Hospital Wesley Woods, Atlanta, GA
Neuromodulation Unit 2021-2022

Director of Nursing/Consultant Atlanta Detox and Center for Mental Health, Riverdale, GA
Detox & Residential Treatment 2020
Program

Psychiatric Mental Health Centered Recovery, Marietta, GA
Contract Provider 2018-2020
Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Psychiatric Mental Health Blue Ridge Mountain Recovery, Ballground, GA
Contract Provider 2018-2019
Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Psychiatric Mental Health ACORN Recovery, Marietta, GA
Contract Provider 2017-2020
Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Psychiatric Mental Health Alana Recovery, Kennesaw, GA
Medical Director 2017-2018
Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Family Nurse Practitioner Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences, Inc., Atlanta, GA
Contract Provider 2016-2018
Residential Addiction Treatment

Medical Program Manager Davis Direction Foundation/The Zone Marietta, GA
Recovery Community Organization 2016-2017

Psychiatric Mental Health Hope Springs Wellness, Marietta, GA
Contract Provider 2015-2016
Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Family Nurse Practitioner Foundations Recovery Network, Sautee, GA.
Inpatient Addiction Treatment 2014-2016

Clinical Educator Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA
Inpatient Neurology Unit 2014
New Graduate Residency Program 2014-2015

Admission Nurse, Per Diem Foundations Recovery Network, Roswell, GA.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment 2013-2014

Charge Nurse/Staff Nurse Wellstar Cobb Hospital Austell, GA.
Inpatient Neurology Unit 2013-2014

Staff Nurse Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Marietta, GA
Inpatient Cardiac Unit 2012-2013

Charge/Staff Nurse North Atlanta Surgery Center, Atlanta, GA
Outpatient Pain Management 2012 - 2013

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Graduate Level Courses Taught

Psychotherapy, 2025
DNP courses, Translational research, 2023
Advanced pathophysiology, 2023
Simulation Instructor, Public Health Nursing, Emory University, 2022
Simulation Instructor, Mental Health Nursing, Emory University, 2022
Course Coordinator, Instructor, and Developer, Integrated Mental Health/Acute Care Clinical Model, Emory University, 2021
Instructor, Evidence-based Practice (didactic), Emory University, 2021
Clinical Coordinator, Mental Health Nursing, Emory University, 2021
Instructor, Acute and Chronic Diseases (didactic), Emory University, 2021
HRSA CAPACITY Grant Program, Developer of Integrating Behavioral Health into Primary Care Modules, 2020-2021
Course Instructor, Vulnerable Population (didactic), Georgia Southern University, 2020
Instructor, Optimal Wellness (didactic), Emory University, 2019
Clinical Instructor, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Georgia Southern University, 2019
Course Developer and Instructor, Substance Use Disorders (didactic & clinical), Georgia Southern University, 2018
Clinical Instructor, Mental Health of the Individual, Georgia Southern University, 2018

Prelicensure Level Courses Taught

Simulation Instructor, Ambulatory Care Nursing, Emory University, 2022-2024
Instructor, Vulnerable Populations Immersion to Dominican Republic, 2021
Clinical Coordinator, Mental Health Nursing, Emory University, 2020-2024
Simulation Instructor, Mental Health Nursing, Emory University, 2019-2024
Instructor, Foundations in Nursing Practice (didactic), Emory University, 2019
Instructor, Evidence-based Practice (didactic), Emory University, 2019-2020
Simulation Instructor, Foundations in Nursing, 2016-2017
Clinical Instructor, Foundations in Nursing, 2016 - 2017
Simulation Instructor, Mental Health Nursing, 2016-2018
Clinical Instructor, Mental Health Nursing, 2016 - 2018
Simulation Instructor, Adult Health Nursing, 2015-2018
Clinical Instructor, Adult Health Nursing, 2015 - 2018

Professional Nursing

Developer and presenter, Ethical Considerations When Caring for Patients with Substance Use Disorders, Kennesaw State University Ethics Course, 2016-2022
Webinar developer and presenter, A Difficult Conversation: Nurses with Substance Use Disorders, Chief Nursing Executive Educational Webinar, Georgia Nurses Association, 2021
Developer and Presenter of Nursing of Virtual Series - Embracing A Crisis: A Discovery Journey for Nurses, Georgia Nurses Association Peer Assistance Program, 2019-2020
Webinar development, Integrating the Community Resiliency Model with Motivational Interviewing, Emory University, 2020

Specialized Trainings

Lean Six Sigma Training: Yellow Belt, Atlanta, GA, 2021-2022
Teaching Assistant Training and Teaching Opportunity Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 2019-2021
Certified Nurse Facilitator, Georgia Nurses Association Peer Assistance Program, Atlanta, GA, 2016-current

PUBLICATIONS

Lee, M., Paseda, O., Barber, A., Reyes-Walsh, L. M., & Myers, R. E. (n.d.). Exploring students’ experiences with self-care through reflective journaling in a master’s social work program. Manuscript under review, Journal of Social Work Education.

American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2025). APNA Graduate faculty toolkit: Resources for psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner educators. https://www.apna.org/apna-graduate-faculty-toolkit/

Innovation Advisory Committee: Education & Communication. (2024, Q1). Innovation advisory committee education and communication resources [PDF]. American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/globalassets/innovation/guide/iac-education-and-communication-resources_2024-q1-updates_finalfinal.pdf

Coffee, Z., Speight, C., Reyes-Walsh, L., Foreman, J., Davis-Dick, L., Vanderah, T. W., & Gordon, J. S. (2024). Empowering primary care nurse practitioners: A multilevel approach to combating the opioid crisis. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16694

Reyes-Walsh, L. M., Lee, M., Dyess, S., Myers, R. E., Beidler, S., Willet, J., Whiddon, A., Garringer, M., & Porter, K. (2024). Harmonizing perspectives: An interdisciplinary approach to developing a multidimensional theoretical framework of self-care for student success. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 24(11), 193–206. https://doi.org/10.33423/jhetp.v24i11.7472

Walsh, L.M., Pfeiffer, K., Goodson, M., Higgins, M., & Robertson, B. (2021). Integrated mental health and acute care clinical rotation on a dedicated education unit (DEU). Nursing Educator 46(6).

Giordano, N., Febres-Cordero, S., Baker, H., Pfeiffer, K., Walsh, L.M., Gish, A., Axson, S. A. (2021). Opioid-involved training delivered using remote learning modalities. Nursing Open. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1615

Book Chapters

Reyes-Walsh, L. M. (2025). Psychiatric–mental health nursing. In L. Hopp, Introduction to evidence-based practice: A practical guide for nursing (3rd ed.). F.A. Davis.

De Chesnay, M., Walsh, L.M., Szekes, L., Cox, K., … (2012). Life histories: Affluent adolescents and substance use. Caring for the vulnerable: Perspectives on nursing theory. 3rd ed. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS

Community Resiliency Model
Center for Young Adult Addiction Recovery Faculty
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA October 2019

Georgia Nurses Association Peer Assistance Program Faculty training
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA April 2019

GNA/Georgia Board of Nursing Collaborative Session Nursing Peer Assistance Program,
Emory University, Atlanta, GA August 2018

Local Presentations:

Expert Panel Member
Angst Movie Series for High Schools
Greater Metro Atlanta, GA 2019 - 2020

Community Resiliency Training
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA October 2019

Family Support Group
Medicated Assisted Recovery November 2019

Regional Presentations:
Quality and Safety Education for Nurses Conference Virtual Poster Presentation:
Integrated mental health and acute care clinical rotation on a DEU April 2021

Georgia Nurses Association Peer Assistance Program Virtual Series:
Embracing A Crisis: A Discovery Journey for Nurses April - Oct 2020

American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners
Community Resiliency Model
Chattanooga, TN February 2020

Families Anonymous International Convention
Community Resiliency Model
Atlanta, GA June 2019

NURSING PRACTICE/SERVICE

American Society of Addiction Nursing Education Committee 2022 – 2024

American Society of Addiction Nursing Nurse Support Committee 2022 - 2024

Georgia Medical Composite Board APRN Committee 2021 - 2024

GNA Peer Assistance Program State Committee 2021 - present

Addictions Nursing Certification Board Subject Matter Expert 2021– present

Actors Express Suicide Prevention Screenplay Script Writer 2021 - 2021

Community Resiliency Model Trainer 2019 - present

GNA Peer Assistance Program Nurse Facilitator 2016 - 2024

Local Community

Weatherstone Board of Directors Treasurer 2021-2023

C.H.O.I.C.E.S Family Support Group Co-Founder Member 2018 - 2020

Wellsprings Ministry Safe House Volunteer 2018 - 2020

Catholic Church of St. Ann’s Wellness Committee 2018 - 2020

Georgia Overdose Prevention Narcan kits 2017-2024

Bethesda Community Clinic FNP volunteer 2016 - 2018

Davis Direction Foundation – The Zone Board Member 2016 - 2018

Professional Affiliations

American Nurses Association (ANA), 2011 - present
American Psychiatric Nurses association (APNA), 2011 - present
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), 2014 - present
Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, 2006 – present
American Society of Addiction Nursing (ASAN), 2019 – present
Georgia Nurses Association, 2010 – present
International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA), 2018 – present
International Society for ECT and Neurostimulation (ISEN), 2020 - 2024
International Nurses Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning, 2022 - 2024
International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN), 2022 - present
Metro Atlanta Advanced Psychiatric Nurses Group (MAAPNG), 2017 - 2022
United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (UAPRN), Georgia Chapter, 2017- present

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Professional Awards

2022 Mental Health Provider of the year, Atlanta, GA
2021 Emory University Faculty Award – Excellence in Innovation
2021 Unit Director of the Year, Emory Wesley Woods Hospital
2020 High Five Club, Emory University

Scholarship Awards

2021 Emory University DNP Student Award – Social Responsibility
2020 Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Epsilon Chapter
2015 Sigma Theta Tau
2011 Scholarship, Leadership and Service Award, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars
2011 Undergraduate Scholar of Research and Creative Activities, Kennesaw State University
2007 The National Society of Collegiate Scholars