Lisa Persad

MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC , Masters (Alumni) Doctoral (Alumni)

Lisa Persad, MSN, RN, PMHNP-BC, is pursuing a PhD at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, in New York City, NY. Her research focuses on trauma-related outcomes in homeless women. A board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner, she provides community-based mental health services for underserved people of color, including homeless women and children.

Ms. Persad is actively engaged in addressing the profound impact of intergenerational trauma, early childhood trauma, racial and other interpersonal traumas that often drive anxiety and depressive disorders. She is particularly excited about the changing mental health landscape and eager to observe the effect of the World Health Organizations (WHO) inclusion of the Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) diagnosis in the upcoming International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11. She is optimistic that the diagnosis will facilitate greater awareness of the sequelae of trauma among mental health providers, innovative evidence-based treatment, and increased access to trauma-specific recovery services among Medicaid enrollees.

Ms. Persad has witnessed the consequences of trauma within her community, professional practice, and personal family history. Through her research and ongoing community engagement, she is deeply committed to reducing the shame and powerlessness that perpetuates ongoing cycles of trauma, poverty, and homelessness.