Rebecca Harmon, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC

Assistant Professor of Nursing

Rebecca Harmon is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Virginia Health School of Nursing. After obtaining a BSN and a Masters in Community Mental Health Nursing from Louisiana State University in New Orleans, she moved to Virginia and began practicing as a clinical nurse specialist at Western State Hospital. Dr. Harmon has been teaching psychiatric mental health nursing to graduate and undergraduate nursing students at the University of Virginia since 1993 and has received the Excellence in Teaching, Innovative Teaching, and Faculty Excellence Awards. She lectures on mental health nursing issues to nursing and community groups, has published articles in professional nursing journals, and was recently named a  Hemmings Fellow for sevice in education of new nurses.

• NIH BioSketch

Research Focus

History of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Appreciative Inquiry in Nursing

Clinical Focus

Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Teaching Focus

Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Publications

Journal Articles

Harmon, R.B., Fontaine, D., Plews-Ogan, M., & Williams, A. (2012). Achieving transformational change: Using appreciative inquiry for strategic planning at a school of nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 28(2), 119-124.

Bowser, D., Utz, S., Glick, D. & Harmon, R. (2010). A Systematic Review of the Relationship of Diabetes Melltus, Depression, and Missed Appointments in a Low-income Uninsured Population. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 24(5), 317-329.

Bowser, D., Utz, S., Glick, D. F., & Harmon, R. (2010). A systematic review of the relationship ofdiabetes mellitus, depression, and missed appointments in a low-income, uninsured population. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 24(5), 317-329.

Bowser, D. M., Utz, S., Glick, D., Harmon, R.B., Rovnyak, V. (2009). The relationship betweendiabetes mellitus, depression, and missed appointments in a low income, uninsured population. Diabetes Educator, 35, 966-977.

Harmon, R. (2009). Cruel or caring: Hydrotherapy in psychiatric nursing in the first half of the 20thcentury. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 30, 8, 491-494.

Bowser, D. M., Utz, S.W., Glick, D., Harmon, R., & Rovnyak, V. (2009). The relationship between diabetes mellitus, depression, and missed appointments in a low-income uninsured population. The Diabetes Educator, 35(6), 966-977.

Harmon, R. (2008). Teaching psychiatric mental health nursing in the People’s Republic of China. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 22, 12, 328-333.

Harmon, R. (2005). Nursing care in a state hospital before and during the introduction ofantipsychotics, 1950-1965. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 26, 3, 257-279.

Books

May, N., Becker, D., Frankel, R., Haizlip, J., Harmon, R., Plews-Ogan, P., Shorling, J., Williams, A., & Whitney, D. (2011). Appreciative inquiry in healthcare. New York: Crown Publishing.

May, N., Becker, D., Frankel, R., Haizlip, J., Harmon, R., Plews-Ogan, M., Schorling, J.,Williams, A., Whitney, D. (2010). Appreciative Inquiry in Health Care: Positive Questions to Bring Out the Best. Brunswick, Ohio: Crown Custom Publishing, Inc.

Awards & Honors

• Jeanette Lancaster Faculty Excellence Award, University of Virginia (2008)
• Innovative Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2006)
• Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2005)
• Innovative Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2005)
• Innovative Teaching Award, University of Virginia (2004)
• Sigma Theta Tau Research Dissemination Award, Beta Kappa Chapter Sigma Theta Tau (2003)

Certifications

• Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Board Certified (PMH CNS, BC)
  Issued by American Nurses Credentialing Center
  Valid 2008-2012

Presentations

• The Evolution of Nurse’s Role in Shock Treatments, 1930s-1960s
  Agnes Dillion Randolph Inaugural International Nursing History Conference, Charlottesville, Virginia
  (September 3, 11)
• Teaching Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing in China
  Sigma Theta Tau International 39th Biennial Convention, Baltimore, Maryland
  (June 11, 07)
• The Water Cure: Hydrotherapy in State Hospitals in the 1950s
  American Association for the History of Nursing, Annual Conference, White Plains, New York
  (June 9, 09)
• Teaching Psychiatric Nursing in China
  University of Virginia School of Nursing International Lecture Series, Charlottesville, Virginia
  (September 9, 06)
• Recognition and Intervention with Substance Abusing Individuals,
  International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses Annual Conference Denver, Colorado, Presented with Anita Thompson-Heisterman
  (July 4, 06)

Public Service

• Mental Health Volunteer , Augusta County Regional Free Clinic (2006-)
• Mental Health Volunteer, American Red Cross (1980-)
• Continuing Education Approval Committee, Virginia Nurses Association (1987-)

Professional Service

• Continuing Education Approval Committee, Virginia Nurses Association (1987)