Jesse Herron DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMH-BC is the Director of PMHNP Residency at Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center. He has been nominated for the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 40 Under 40 Award for her outstanding contributions to nursing and her community
Jesse has been awarded the 2024 Illinois Nurses foundation 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders Award. Designed to highlight young nurses that are making a lasting difference in the healthcare industry, this award celebrates those who shape the future of nursing.
Pioneering Mental Health Nursing and Research
Amidst a national mental health crisis, Dr. Herron has been a leading force in the field. He is deeply involved in groundbreaking research on “Chronic Stressors & Alcohol/Drug Abuse in Middle-Aged Adults,” aiming to uncover underlying causes of the increased midlife mortality among certain populations. As the sole clinician assessing participants with suicidal ideation, Dr. Herron’s dedication to this critical work is both evident and essential. His approach ensures the safety and care of each participant, emphasizing his commitment to mental health support and suicide prevention.
Dr. Herron has also demonstrated visionary leadership by developing policies to improve suicide assessment and intervention across multiple healthcare systems. At the University of Illinois Health System, his work with the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) and SAFE-T Protocol has led to a significant increase in nursing confidence in suicide assessments, while also reducing patient self-harm incidents by over 50%.
Advocate for LGBTQ+ Healthcare and Quality Improvement
Beyond his work in mental health, Dr. Herron is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ patient care. His service on the Rush Affirm Patient Advisory Board has brought about meaningful improvements for LGBTQ+ patients within the Rush Medicine System. Additionally, Dr. Herron’s role on Loyola University Chicago’s Quality Improvement & EBP Committee has helped implement initiatives that impact thousands of students, such as the introduction of the Headspace mHealth app for mental health support and advancing the availability of Narcan within campus A.E.D. units.
Leader in Veteran-Centric Mental Health Education
Dr. Herron’s dedication to supporting veterans is highlighted in his role as Director of Illinois’ first Veteran-centric PMHNP Residency Program at the Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center. Here, he mentors and develops residents to become highly skilled psychiatric clinicians, directly addressing the mental health needs of our veteran community. His commitment to veterans extends through his involvement in the Veterans Administration VISN 12 APRN Subcommittee, where he advances APRN presence and advocacy across multiple VA facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
A Dedicated Educator Shaping Future Nurses
As an Affiliate Clinical Associate Professor of Nursing at Loyola University Chicago, Dr. Herron is recognized as a rising star for his contributions to the Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing and DNP PMHNP programs. He has transformed the curriculum for psychiatric assessment across the lifespan, equipping students with a robust foundation to address complex mental health needs in their clinical practice.
Jesse Herron: Compassionate Care in Every Interaction
Despite his remarkable professional accomplishments, Dr. Herron’s dedication to each patient and colleague remains at the forefront of his work. Known for his signature phrase, “How can I help support you?” Dr. Herron embodies the compassionate spirit of nursing, offering unwavering support to those around him and inspiring others through his kindness and commitment.
Congratulations to Jesse Herron and Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Medical Center for this prestigious honor! The Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Award for Emerging Nurse Leaders is proven to open career doors for its recipients. INF is proud to celebrate nurses like Jesse who have made a lasting impact in the healthcare industry.
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