Eileen Hirsch, CFNP, CPMHNP

Year joined UMass: 2019

Clinical Interests: My goal is to improve the lives of students as they adapt to the challenges of being at a large and exciting University setting. I am interested in addressing the developmental and biopsychosocial needs of each individual. This comprehensive approach from the context of family, relationships and educational experience helps guide diagnostic clarity and approach to treatment. I believe students are best served from a multidisciplinary approach and utilization of all available resources.

Professional Experience: My journey started out as a nurse on neurology unit at MGH, caring for bone marrow transplant patients at Boston Children's Hospital, operating room nurse and Mercy Hospital ICU/CCU nurse. Then my career took a turn, and I became a Family Nurse Practitioner and worked in Pediatrics, Primary Care and Women’s Health Cancer Prevention Program. It was working as a Primary Care Provider at a rural school-based health center that I started treating anxiety and depression with consultation. It was that experience that led me to appreciate the combined effectiveness of psychiatric medications and therapy. I consulted with psychologists, educators and family members to address student learning issues. This led to my pursuit for a graduate degree as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. I trained in psychotherapy and psychopharmacology. I worked as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at The Baystate Health Child Partial Hospitalization Program and several years in college mental health.

Education: Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nursing Graduate Program, Northeastern University, Boston, Ma; Master of Science in Nursing /Family Practitioner, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Ma; Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Salve Regina College, Newport, R.I.

Certifications/Licenses: Register Nurse/Nurse Practitioner; Certified as Family Nurse Practitioner by American Nurses Credentialing Center; Certified as Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner by American Nurses Credentialing Center

More About Me: I enjoy being in motion. I particularly enjoy swimming in the ocean and lap swim. I love playing tennis with family and friends. I have been an avid biker for many years and enjoy traveling abroad on my bike. I love baking and chocolate. I have a Bernese Mountain dog named Doolin who is available for pet therapy at CCPH.