Leigh Powers Author

Leigh Powers, DNP, MSN, MS, APRN, PMHNP-BC is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN with her Master’s degree in 2004 and doctorate degree in 2012. She has also received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from American University in Washington, DC and a Master’s degree in Applied Biology/Microbiology from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Powers has been serving the mental health community since 2004, working in both community mental health centers and private practice for over 15 years. She has also served as the administrative medical director at LifeCare Family Services. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Powers has continued to educate future clinicians. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of North Florida, Brooks College of Health and serves as an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). Dr. Smith-East is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from the University of Florida with two Master’s degrees: one in Nursing and the other in Health Education and Behavior. She received a doctoral degree from the University of North Florida and is currently a PhD candidate of Nursing at the University of Central Florida. She also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Behavior with a certificate in Gerontology from the University of Florida.