Dr. Aparna Kumar is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC) who works to ensure that mental health care is accessible, evidence based, and integrated across health care settings. Her research aims to improve outcomes for women, children and families by showing how and why mental health influences many aspects of our lives. She is an assistant professor at Thomas Jefferson University and the program director for the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program. In addition, she is the Chief Community Officer at Dear Pandemic. She received training from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, (BSN, MSN, PhD), The University of Malawi (MPH), and Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (MA). Kumar has had the privilege to live in sub-Saharan Africa for several years, which continues to shape her exploration of culture, diversity, and community as it impacts mental health care.