Michael Kwashie

Board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) candidate specializing in psychiatric-mental health, with 7+ years of progressive clinical leadership across emergency psychiatry, community behavioral health, and substance use treatment. Advances evidence-based, doctoral-level practice in psychiatric assessment, diagnostic formulation, medication management, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for populations with severe and persistent mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Combines advanced clinical expertise with a Project Management Professional (PMP) credential and MBA to drive care-delivery improvement, interdisciplinary coordination, and systems-level outcomes.

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at UMass Memorial Medical Center — Community Health Link (CHL) (2024-09 – Present)

• Deliver psychiatric services to patients across a community behavioral health center, including comprehensive assessments, medication consultations, and follow-up care under an advanced practice agreement with a supervising physician.
• Develop diagnostic formulations, problem lists, and individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the clinical team, ensuring ongoing evaluation and coordinated care.
• Provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to patients with opioid use disorder.
• Partner with a multidisciplinary Adult Outpatient team across Worcester, Leominster, and Fitchburg clinics to coordinate clinical and medical services.
• Maintain comprehensive EMR documentation and apply current knowledge of psychiatric medications and evidence-based practice for patients with severe and persistent mental illness, chronic substance use, and comorbid medical conditions.

Emergency Psychiatric Charge Nurse at UMass Memorial Medical Center — Emergency Department (2019-04 – 2024-08)

• Delivered direct patient care across a 30-bed emergency mental health unit, accruing 3,000+ hours of specialized psychiatric nursing experience.
• Led an interdisciplinary team (LICSW, psychiatrist, PMHNP) in evaluating mental health patients to determine cognitive status and appropriate level of care.
• Coordinated patient transfers from the emergency department to inpatient psychiatric facilities for continuity of care.
• Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify substance use disorders and collaborated on individualized, multidisciplinary care plans.
• Administered medications and monitored withdrawal symptoms to ensure safe, supervised detoxification.
• Delivered therapeutic interventions and patient/family education on addiction, recovery, and coping strategies.

Registered Nurse at The Shattuck Cottages (2022 – 2024)

• Provided nursing care within a 30-resident facility supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and opioid use disorder in the Massachusetts Avenue / Melnea Cass Boulevard area.
• Conducted hourly safety checks and resuscitative interventions, including oxygen administration, vital sign monitoring, and CPR for patients at risk of overdose.
• Assessed daily patient care needs and collaborated with direct and ancillary staff on individualized care.
• Delivered medication administration, harm-reduction education, and emergency response as needed, with complete documentation shared across the care team.

Registered Charge Nurse at Tara Vista Behavioral Health Center (2018-05 – 2019-04)

• Delivered direct patient care across a 25-bed acute psychiatric unit, accruing 1,000+ hours of experience for individuals with psychiatric and substance use disorders.
• Planned and managed nursing care using the nursing process, performing ongoing assessment and reassessment per standard procedure.
• Participated in discharge planning and coordinated follow-up care for patients with substance use disorders.
• Delegated care appropriately based on staff competency and scope of practice.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Psychiatric & Mental Health – Walden University (2024 – 2026)

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Walden University (2020 – 2023)

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Project Management (PMP) – Florida Institute of Technology (2014 – 2016)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Southern New Hampshire University (2018 – 2020)

Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance – University of Massachusetts (2011 – 2013)

Associate degree in Nursing – St. Joseph School of Nursing (2015 – 2017)