CASPER, Wyo. — Psychiatric nurse practitioners Karen Graves and Hanna Powers, along with physician assistant Britanny Hager, recently joined the team of mental health providers at Wyoming Behavioral Institute.
All three will be working with the adult and older adult patients at WBI, an 85-bed inpatient facility specializing in the care and stabilization of people experiencing a mental health crises.
“WBI is pleased to be able to attract a wealth of talent, and with a blend of new and tenured mental health professionals we are able to provide the community with the depth and breadth of service only our hospital is able to provide,” said CEO Mike Phillips.
The intensive programming at WBI includes activities and therapeutic groups to help patients build upon social and emotional strengths. The goal is that once they discharge patients have new, healthier ways to handle personal issues.
“We recognize that Wyoming suffers from an ongoing shortage of mental health professionals, and that people come from communities across the state to receive care. We work hard to assure that the treatment at WBI is of the highest quality”, stated Phillips.
Short bios on each new hire can be found below:
Brittany Hager, PA-C, completed bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Clinical Health Services at the University of Washington, and the EMT program at Tacoma Community College in Washington. She has worked in medical settings caring for adults with mental health and addictions issues for more than five years.
Hanna Powers, PMHNP-MSN, has worked as a nurse for more than five years in Wyoming and neighboring states. She has worked in outpatient, surgical, emergency room and correctional facility settings. She completed bachelor’s degrees in nursing and biology at the University of Wyoming and her master’s degree at the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing in Denver. Hanna is certified as a nurse practitioner to work with individuals of all ages.
Karen Graves, MSN, PMHNP, BC, obtained her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and bachelor’s degrees in nursing and psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has practiced as a nurse for more than 20 years and has specialized in mental health throughout her career. Karen has worked with individuals of all ages in five states, including working at WBI in the past. She has also served as a nursing instructor. Karen is certified as a family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and completed the Neuroscience Education Institute Master Psychopharmacology Program.
For more information about WBI, call 800-457-931 or visit wbihelp.com.
This article originally appeared on Oil City News. Used with permission.
