2025 Scholarship and Awards Breakfast
Event photos courtesy of our volunteer photographer. ©2025 SIEGE
Second Annual
Scholarship and Awards Breakfast
On October 4, 2025
This event, co-hosted by the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation and the Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses, was a celebration of the next generation of psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners.
In addition to our scholars and their friends and families, attendees included psychiatric nurse practitioners ranging from new practitioners with less than 5 years of practice to veteran providers who have been in the profession for more than 20 years.
“There was so much caring and heartfelt connection that radiated throughout.”
Continuing the Tradition
Since its inception, the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships. Our scholars have gone on to become leaders in their communities and in the nursing profession. We’re proud to provide an update on some of our scholars.
Graduates from Our First Five Years of Scholarships
Emma Oswald (2016) was voted Top ARNP in Psychiatry (Seattle Met Magazine 2022 and 2024). Jane Nwankwookoye (2018) works at a small clinic in Renton that offers a holistic approach using therapy/counseling, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. Kayla Shull (2019) works at a nonprofit behavioral health care center and teaches at Seattle University College of Nursing. Tofik Shkrea (2019) works for a mental health facility providing inpatient and outpatient mental health and addiction treatment. Jeremy Bang (2020) works at an Involuntary Treat Act facility and teaches at Seattle University College of Nursing.
Recent Scholarship Recipients
Aleysha Tsegga (2021) graduated in 2023 and works as pediatric psychiatric nurse practitioner. Holly Brezynski (2021) graduated in 2022 and works as a PMHNP at a community mental health center. Myriam Oluyinka (2022) graduated in 2024 and works as a PMHNP at a community mental health center. Keondra Rustan (2022) graduated in 2025. She is President of the Mary Mahoney Professional Nurses Organization and co-chairs the AAPPN Case Discussion Group. She recently started working as a psychiatric nurse practitioner for a nonprofit which provides services for Seattle’s homeless population. Derek Greenwood (2023) graduated in 2025. He helped co-found a recovery center in rural Washington. He also works as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at a rural critical access hospital.
Meeting the Need
The concurrent rise in depression and substance abuse issues has ignited conversation about mental health and destigmatized diagnosis and treatment. Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners are urgently needed to provide a holistic approach to mental and behavioral healthcare.
Please consider making a gift to the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation to empower the next generation of dynamic, courageous, and inspired nurse leaders.
Many thanks to our sponsors!
AAPPN is Washington’s professional home for advanced practice psychiatric nurses, providing advocacy, education, connection, and resilience for more than 360 members.
Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing: Commitment, Caring, and Leadership
