A Leader in Psychiatric-Mental Health: USU’s Dr. Regina Owen Earns APNA Award for Excellence in Leadership
Lt. Col (Dr.) Regina Owen, associate professor and program director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program in the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing at USU, has been selected for the 2024 APNA Award for Excellence in Leadership.
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Lt. Col. (Dr.) Regina Owen (center), and former colleagues from the 436th Medical Operations Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, Del., took part in the 436th MDOS Family Advocacy Domestic Violence Awareness Month with facility dog, then-Lt. Col. Goldie. (U.S. Air Force photo by Roland Balik) |
May 9, 2024 by Hadiyah Brendel
A Uniformed Services University (USU) associate professor and program director of the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program Lt. Col. Regina Owen, has been selected to receive prestigious recognition for her exceptional contributions to the field. Owen was named as the recipient of the Award for Excellence in Leadership by the American Psychiatric Nurse Association (APNA).
The award honors an advanced practice registered nurse who is a member of the APNA and distinguishes themselves as an accomplished leader. The recipient must demonstrate leadership in psychiatric-mental health (PMH) nursing practice, management, or education.
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Lt. Col. (Dr.) Regina Owen, program director & chair of the PMHNP program at USU, received the American Psychiatric Nurse Association Award for Excellence in Leadership. (Photo by Tom Balfour, USU) |
Dr. Jouhayna Bajjani-Gebara, associate professor and deputy director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at USU, offered a compelling glimpse into Owen’s leadership qualities.
“You know a true leader for how they lead in times of stress,” says Bajjani-Gebara. Owen took over leadership of the program during COVID. “She managed to keep calm, collected, and be there for everybody,” says Bajjani-Gebara. During a tumultuous time, Owen supported 360°–bolstering her peers, supervisors, and the people who reported to her.
“She was able to guide the ship to safe waters during very wavy times,” adds Bajjani-Gebara. Owen’s clear communication was one method she used to eliminate ambiguity and minimize stress in an already challenging time.
Bajjani-Gebara laudes Owen’s strategic thinking. She says Owen approaches everyone with a positive regard and is able to highlight their strengths. Owen also fosters interdisciplinary relationships between departments at USU to fill needs for new courses, recruitment, student wellbeing, and expanding the range of care to include pediatric patients.
Owen also keeps a pulse on current stigma around mental health and understands service members may be hesitant to seek mental health care. With that understanding, she partnered with chaplains on the Naval Support Activity-Bethesda campus to provide care for the community, no matter the form.
The appreciation for Owen radiates throughout her department and team. Bajjani-Gebara says when seeking input for the nomination process, there was no shortage of accolades and examples of excellence offered by the USU community.
Owen extends her positive approach and strength toward all her interactions, including service animals. Owen is one of the handlers for USU’s facility dogs, Maj. Gen. Goldie, and advocates for canine assisted therapy in mental health.
Owen received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas Arlington, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama Birmingham. She will graduate from the USU Master of Education in Health Professions Education on May 18, 2024.
On being selected for the award, Owen expressed an overwhelming sense of honor and gratitude. “Being recognized in such a manner made me feel deeply appreciated for the work I’ve put in and the contributions I’ve made,” she says.
“Moreover, it reinforced my sense of belonging to a team that consistently supports one another. Knowing that I’m part of a group where mutual encouragement and support are the norm is truly heartening and fills me with a sense of pride,” Owen continues.
APNA will present the award to Owen during their annual conference in Louisville, Ky., in October 2024.
