PhD, RN, MS, FNP, BC , Doctoral (Alumni)
Anna Liza D. Villena graduated from the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing’s doctoral program in Winter 2008. Dr. Villena has been a nurse since 1993 and is a board certified (American Nurses Credentialing Center) family nurse practitioner since 1998.
In the last eight years, she worked as a primary care nurse practitioner for individuals suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Her research interests include co-occurring disorders of mental illness, substance abuse/dependence and chronic physical disorders. Specifically, Dr. Villena is interested in this population’s health and ethnic disparities, service delivery and utilization, social support, and coping patterns.
Throughout her work as a doctoral student, she has participated in research activities as well as presented in various conferences, such as the Western Institute of Nursing. In addition to the SAMHSA MFP Fellowship, Dr. Villena was awarded the UCSF Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, UCSF Dean’s Health Fellowship, and the UCSF Alumni Award.
She is a member of the American Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau (Alpha Psi Chapter), and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.
In the Fall of 2008, Dr. Villena joined the faculty at The Ohio State University College of Nursing as an Assistant Professor.