Leadership
Dr. Sandra Petersen, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BE, FAANP
Senior VP of Health and Wellness
Dr. Sandra Petersen received her most recent years of education from Rush College in Chicago, Illinois, where she obtained a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She successfully completed three residencies and holds certifications in family practice, geriatric medicine, and psychiatric-mental health. Dr. Petersen was also inducted (2016) as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, an elite group of providers who are recognized by their peers for their impact on the nation’s healthcare. She was a founding member of the Assisted Living Federation of America’s Nurse Action Committee and has been involved in the industry for many years. Dr. Petersen is a professor at The University of Texas at Tyler.
Most recently, Dr. Petersen completed a privately-funded study utilizing the PARO robotic pet seal as a non-pharmacological intervention in symptom management in elderly clients with dementia. A journal article reflecting the study’s outcomes was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. Dr. Petersen has been in active practice since 1993 and currently has a private house calls practice in the Dallas area that exclusively serves seniors in assisted living, independent living, and memory care settings. She is a popular speaker and consultant both nationally and internationally.
Over a decade ago, a stroke left her unable to use the left side of her body and connect with language skills; she even had trouble completing a sentence. “The whole experience gave me not only sympathy, but empathy for those that struggle with cognitive decline,” says Dr. Petersen. We are grateful for her experience and insight that help us improve residents’ physical and mental health every day.