Susan Blaakman, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, FNAP, FAAN

(Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Specialty Director, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program
Professor of Clinical Nursing

Education

PhD in Health Practice Research, 2011. University of Rochester School of Nursing. Rochester, NY
Post-Master's Certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, 2000. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY
Masters in Nursing, 1996. University of Rochester School of Nursing. Rochester, NY
BS in Nursing, 1993. University of Rochester School of Nursing. Rochester, NY
BA in Honors Psychology, 1988. SUNY Oswego. Oswego, NY

Bio

Susan Blaakman has been a member of the psychiatric nursing faculty at the University of Rochester School of Nursing since 1999. She has taught and advised students at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral level, and has been specialty director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program since completing her doctorate in health practice research in 2011. A founding member of the School of Nursing’s Wellness Task Force, she co-directs the wellness goal in the school’s strategic plan, is the co-director of clinical scholarship, and the program director of a federally-funded education project addressing childhood trauma.

As a nationally-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, she has acquired vast clinical expertise in psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, crisis intervention, tobacco dependence intervention, high-risk youth behaviors, research with vulnerable populations, motivational interviewing, and health behavior change across the lifespan. She also serves as a project nurse, senior leader, and co-investigator in general pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Blaakman has co-authored many publications and was honored with the 2013 Rochester Academy of Medicine Nursing Award for her clinical research. She was inducted as a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice in 2020 and of the American Academy of Nursing in 2022. Blaakman’s active professional memberships include Sigma Theta Tau, the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association for whom she is a founding member of the Motivational Interviewing Task Force, former co-chair of the Tobacco Dependence Council, and expert consultant for a national project aimed to reduce vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable populations in conjunction with the CDC and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. She earned a bachelor's degree from the Honors College at SUNY Oswego and bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

Professional Experience

Professor of Clinical Nursing,: University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY. 2020 - Current
Research Project Nurse,: URMC General Pediatrics (Pediatric Asthma/Health Behavior), Rochester, NY, US. 8/2006 - Current
Nurse Practitioner TAR,: URMC/Community (Psychiatric Mental Health), Rochester, NY, US. 6/2000 - Current
Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing,: URSON (Specialty Director Family PMHNP Program), Rochester, NY, US. 2011 - 2020
National Research Service Award,: URSON (Self Determination Theory and Caregive Smoking Bans for Asthmatic Children), Rochester, NY, US. 4/2009 - 4/2011
Loretta C. Ford Pre-doctoral Fellow,: URSON (Health Practice Research), Rochester, NY, US. 9/2006 - 9/2008

Awards

Selected Fellow: American Academy of Nursing, 2022
Dr. Jeremy A. Klainer & Pamela York Klainer Endowed Dean’s Discretionary Award in Nursing: for the Wellness Task Force (Chair), University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2021
Outstanding Scholarly Practitioner Faculty Award: University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2020
Elected Distinguished Fellow in Nursing: The National Academies of Practice, 2019
Writing for Publication Fellowship Award: University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2019
Selected Commencement Faculty Marshall: University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2019
Public Service Fund Award: Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, 2017
Benjamin Franklin Fire Writer's Award, First Place: National Fire Heritage Center, 2016
Nursing Award: Rochester Academy of Medicine, 2013
Eight & Forty Respiratory Nurses Scholarship: American Legion, 2010
Janssen Student Scholar: American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2009
American Nurses Foundation Presidential Scholar Award: American Nurses Association, 2009

Presentations

Minding the gaps: Faculty strategies to enhance writing competencies for diverse students in NP distance education.: Posey, K., Prol, L., Taylor, L., Cranwell-Bruce, L., Berg, S., Thanavaro, J., Lawrence, M., & Fagan, K.; National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 48th Annual Conference, NONPF, 2022
Motivational interviewing for the athletic staff.: Training series, SUNY Geneseo Athletics Department, 2022
Mitigating secondary trauma: Cultivating wellness and compassion for clinical supervisors and faculty.: Gallegos, A., Mitchell, J.; Coming Together for Transition Age Youth: 1st Annual Interprofessional Forum for HRSA-Funded Grantees, Students, and Affiliated Community Partners (Virtual)., HRSA, 2022
Be a wellness warrior or your own health hero (no capes required).: Volunteers in Partnership leadership conference., University of Rochester, 2022
Road to joy: How do we get there in advanced nursing practice?: New York State Regional Conference, The Nurse Practitioner Association, 2022
Motivational interviewing for the behavioral health provider.: Virtual professional development., URMC Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness, Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, 2021
Motivational interviewing for campus residential life staff.: Training series, SUNY Geneseo Office of Residential Life, 2021
Self-determination theory and asthma medication adherence for urban adolescents.: PAS 2021 Virtual, E-PAS2021, Pediatric Academic Societies, 2021
Motivational interviewing for providers of sexual assault victims’ services: Virtual Workshop Series provided by MINT panel, King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, Seattle, WA., 2021
The road to joy: How do we get there in healthcare?: Virtual fall induction ceremony, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Epsilon Xi., 2021
Motivational interviewing for the behavioral/health provider.: Training series, SUNY Geneseo Student Health and Counseling Interns, 2021
The ‘Compassionomics’ of motivational interviewing: Skills to decrease the costs of caring: American Psychiatric Nurses Association 34th Annual Conference [delayed by COVID-19], APNA, 2020
Be a wellness warrior: Prepare mentally & stay healthy during a crisis.: Experience Rochester Virtual Lecture Series, University of Rochester, 2020
Community health worker perspectives on breastfeeding influences: An evolving resource for underserved mothers.: PAS 2020, Pediatric Academic Societies, 2020
Motivational interviewing for the behavioral/health provider.: Training series, SUNY Geneseo Student Health and Counseling Interns, 2020
Motivational interviewing for the behavioral/health provider.: Training series, SUNY Geneseo Student Health and Counseling Staff, 2020
The ‘Compassionomics’ of motivational interviewing: Decreasing the costs of caring [unable to present due to COVID-19].: The Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State 36th Annual Conference, The Nurse Practitioner Association, 2020
Motivational interviewing for the athletic staff.: Training series, SUNY Geneseo Athletics Department, 2020
The ‘Compassionomics’ of motivational interviewing: Decreasing the costs of caring [unable to present due to COVID-19].: Annual Master’s Program Preceptor Workshop and Recognition Day., University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2020
Still up the behavior change river without any OARS?: Advancing your motivational interviewing skills for challenging clinical problems: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2019
Parents’ experiences of providing nutrition to children receiving palliative care.: Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care, 2019
Parents’ experiences of providing nutrition to children receiving palliative care.: Dysphagia Research Society Annual Society, 2019
Motivational interviewing for the faith-based health liaison.: Training series, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2019
Motivational interviewing for the case manager.: Training series, Cayuga County Community Mental Health Center, 2019
Depressive symptoms among urban teens with asthma: A focus for providers.: PAS 2018, Pediatric Academic Societies, 2018
Educational updates: Annual Master’s Program Preceptor Workshop and Recognition Day., University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2018
Professional boundaries in care management: Why (and how) we care.: Care Management Summit, Accountable Health Partners/URMC, 2018
Up the behavior change river without any OARS?: Applying the spirit of motivational interviewing and listening skills for challenging clinical problems.: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2018
Designing and delivering quality distance education: Challenges and opportunities to teach the next generation of PMHNPs.: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2017
Motivational interviewing skills for the psychiatric mental health nurse.: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2017
Motivational interviewing for preceptors: What’s your next step?: Annual Master’s Program Preceptor Workshop and Recognition Day., University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2016
Motivational interviewing and medication adherence among urban teens with asthma: Early experiences in the school-based asthma care for teens (SB-ACT) program.: PAS 2016, Pediatric Academic Societies, 2016
Motivational interviewing skills for the psychiatric mental health nurse across settings: So tired of wrestling, so ready to dance.: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2016
Firsthand experiences with online learning at the University of Rochester.: University of Rochester Online Learning Symposium, University of Rochester, 2016
Motivational interviewing in NP practice: Where does that leave you?: The Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State Annual Conference, The Nurse Practitioner Association, 2015
Standardized patients in PMHNP education: Opportunities for developing intra- and inter-professional competencies.: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2015
Interprofessional approaches for pediatric depression.: Pediatric Nursing Workshop, Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, 2013
Tobacco Dependence Council Interactive Panel.: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2013
Needs assessment: Tobacco dependence education in graduate psychiatric nursing and pharmacy schools,: Webinar, Smoking Cessation Leadership Center, 2013
Embracing change: Using the theory of structural empowerment to develop a family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner curriculum: American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, APNA, 2012; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Motivating health behavior change in the school health office: Rochester City School District, 2012; Rochester, New York
Tobacco Dependence Council Interactive Panel: APNA, 2012; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Building skills: A workshop designed to help you intervene effectively with your patients who smoke: APNA, 2012; Louisville, Kentucky
Asthma medication adherence among urban teens: Barriers, facilitators, and experiences with school-based care: Strong Children's Research Center, 2012; Rochester, New York
Occupy Well Street: A call for interprofessional action for kids diagnosed with depression: Regional Conference, Sigma Theta Tau Epsilon Xi Chapter, 2012; Rochester, New York
How to go smoke-free: Behavioral Health Teleconference, Smoking Cessation Leadership Center/St. Francis Medical Center, 2012; Lynwood, California
Self-determination theory and caregiver smoking bans for asthmatic: Scientific Symposium, NINR, 2011; Washington, District Of Columbia
Preliminary results of an asthma education and secondhand smoke reduction program to prevent respiratory illness among premature infants: Pediatric Academic Societies, 2011; Denver, Colorado
A pilot study to enhance preventive asthma care among urban adolescents with asthma: Pediatric Academic Societies, 2011; Denver, Colorado
Caregiver characteristics and smoking bans for asthmatic children: State of the Science Congress on Nursing Research, 2010; Washington, District Of Columbia
Self-determination theory and caregiver smoking bans for asthmatic children: Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, 2009; Washington, District Of Columbia

Publications

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2022). Guidelines for Distance Education & Enhanced Technologies in Nurse Practitioner Programs.. NONPF.
Blaakman, S.W., Fagnano, M., Borrelli, B., Riekert, K.A.., & Halterman, J.S. (2022). Self-determination theory and asthma medication adherence: Motivational considerations for historically marginalized adolescents.. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. PMID: 35788313 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.06.001
Blaakman, S., Fagnano, M., Borrelli, B., Riekert, K.A., & Halterman, J.S. (2022). Self-Determination Theory and Preventive Medication Adherence: Motivational Considerations to Support Historically Marginalized Adolescents with Asthma. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. PMID: 35788313 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2022.06.001
Halterman, J.S., Riekert, K.A., Fagnano, M., Tremblay, P.J., Blaakman, S.W., Tajon, R., Wang, H., & Borrelli, B. (2021). Effect of the school-based asthma care for teens (SB-ACT) program on asthma morbidity: A 3-arm randomized controlled trial.. Journal of Asthma. PMID: 33307900 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1856869
Shankar, M., Fagnano, M., Blaakman, S. W., Rhee, H., & Halterman, J. S. (2019). Depressive symptoms among urban adolescents with asthma: A focus for providers. Academic Pediatrics. PMID: 30578922 PMCID: PMC6586550 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2018.12.004
Blaakman, S.W., Borrelli, B., Weisenthal, E.N., Fagnano, M., Tremblay, P.J., Stevens, T.P., & Halterman, J.S. (2015). Secondhand smoke exposure reduction after NICU discharge: Results of a Randomized Trial.. Academic Pediatrics. PMID: 26210908 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2015.05.001
Blaakman, S.W., Cohen, A.R., Fagnano, M., & Halterman, J.S. (2014). Asthma medication adherence among urban teens: Barriers, facilitators, and experiences with school-based care.. Journal of Asthma. PMID: 24494626 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2014.885041
Blaakman, S.B., Tremblay, P.J., Halterman, J.S., Fagnano, M., & Borrelli, B. (2013). Implementation of a community-based secondhand smoke reduction intervention for caregivers of urban children with asthma: Process evaluation, successes and challenges.. Health Education Research, 28, 141-152. PMID: 22717938 PMCID: PMC3549585 DOI: 10.1093/her/cys070
Halterman, J.S., Riekert, K., Bayer, A., Fagnano, M., Tremblay, P., Blaakman, S., & Borrelli, B. (2011). A pilot study to enhance preventive asthma care among urban adolescents with asthma.. Journal of Asthma. PMID: 21599562 PMCID: PMC3279119 DOI: 10.3109/02770903.2011.576741
Sharp, D.L. & Blaakman, S.W. (2010). The significance of tobacco dependence in persons with mental illness. In N. Monson (Ed.), Treating Tobacco Dependence in Persons with Mental Illness: Breaking Barriers and Implementing Changes.. American Psychiatric Nurses Association Counseling Points..
Halterman, J.S., Borrelli, B., Conn, K.M., Tremblay, P., & Blaakman, S. (2010). Motivation to quit smoking among parents of urban children with asthma.. Patient Education and Counseling. PMID: 19796913 PMCID: PMC2856779 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2009.09.004
Sharp, D. L., & Blaakman, S. W. (2009). Report from the APNA Tobacco Dependence Council. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. PMID: 21659256 DOI: 10.1177/1078390309353068
Sharp, D. L., Cole, R. E., Kourofsky, C. E., & Blaakman, S. W. (2009). Intervening with youth who engage in fire-setting. In K. Geldard (Ed.). Practical Interventions for Young People at Risk, 102-112.
Sharp, D., Bellush, N., Evinger, J., Blaakman, S., & Williams, G. (2009). Intensive tobacco dependence intervention with persons challenged by mental illness: Manual for nurses. American Psychiatric Nurses Association Tobacco Dependence Resource Center.
Sharp, D.L., & Blaakman, S. W. (2009). A review of research by nurses regarding tobacco dependence and mental health. In L. Sarna & S. Bialous (Eds.). Annual Review of Nursing Research, 27, 297-318.
Sharp, D. L., Blaakman, S.W., Cole, R. E., & Evinger, J. (2009). Report from a national tobacco dependence survey of psychiatric nurses. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. PMID: 21665804 DOI: 10.1177/1078390309336746
Sharp, D. L., Blaakman, S.W., Cole, R. E., & Cole, E. C. (2006). Evidence-based multidisciplinary strategies for working with children who set fires. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nursing Association, 11, 329-337.
Cole, R., Crandall, R., Kourofsky, C. E., Sharp, D., Blaakman, S.W., & Cole, E. (2006). Juvenile Firesetting: A Community Guide to Prevention and Intervention. .