Background & Experience

Joanne McKenna, APRN, MA, HNC is a nurse practitioner who has worked in the field of Addiction and Psychiatry for over thirty years. As a Nurse Practitioner for forty-two years, Joanne has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to patient care, advocacy and education.

She began her career as a Naval Officer in San Diego, CA. during Vietnam. She went on to work in free clinics and trauma care until she returned to the University of Rhode Island and then became one of the first mid-level providers in the country. During that time Mrs. McKenna was a pioneer in mid-level medicine; before anyone knew what a practitioner between and nurse and a doctor could do. Over 10 years later the NP role was well established and certification gave Joanne the autonomy she deserved.

Mrs. McKenna’s experience with trauma and PTSD in Vietnam and throughout her career influenced her to search to understand the human psyche, which led to the practice of Mindfulness. Joanne became an instructor for Mindfulness-Based-Stress Reduction out of UMASS Medical Center in 1990. She became certified in Holistic Nursing, learning other modalities to include Reflexology and Reiki. She obtained an MA from Emmanuel College in Pastoral Counseling and continues to explore options for teaching and learning. Joanne was an instructor of Psychopharmacology for the ACE certification program at Westfield State College for over 10 years and is developing a series of online courses on common psychiatric illnesses. She has given workshops on Pain, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention, topics in Addiction and Psychopharmacology.

Mrs. McKenna has provided Medication Assistance Therapy to inner-city substance abuse clients at MAP in Providence, RI for the past five years. In addition, she devotes her time to maintenance patients at Journey in Rhode Island. Joanne was an employee of AdCare Hospital for over 25 years. She was the Director of First Contact Services for 10 years. She received the Customer Service Award in 2011.

Joanne McKenna is an accomplished writer and published author of Letters for Priests. Mrs. McKenna served on the Provider Board of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care for five years.