She.Work
In a weekend filled with celebration and reflection, the Yale School of Nursing paid tribute to its distinguished alumni during the YSN Centennial Celebration. The event, held this past weekend, was a testament to the school’s century-long commitment to advancing better health for all. However, it was two exceptional alumni, Pritma Dhillon-Chattha and Brighid Gannon, who took center stage as they accepted the prestigious 2023 Decade Award.
The Decade Award, a symbol of recognition for outstanding contributions in the field of nursing, was presented to Dhillon-Chattha and Gannon for their remarkable achievements in the decade following their doctorate of nursing from Yale. This accolade, which acknowledges innovative and unprecedented approaches in nursing excellence, shines a spotlight on these two trailblazing individuals.
“Drs. Dhillon-Chattha and Gannon exemplify Yale nurses who are prepared and ready to act wherever they see a need,” remarked Dr. Azita Emami, the Dean of Yale School of Nursing at Yale University.
Pritma Dhillon-Chattha and Brighid Gannon are the co-founders of Lavender, a pioneering online psychiatry and therapy office that operates in five states. Lavender’s inception in 2020 was a direct response to the surging demand for mental healthcare during the early stages of the pandemic. Today, it proudly stands as the largest nurse-owned and nurse-led mental health organization in the United States.
What sets Lavender apart is its unique approach to delivering high-quality mental health care. Through a concierge-level model, board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners offer both psychotherapy and medication management in a single virtual appointment. In March 2023, statistics indicated that 160 million Americans lived in areas with mental health professional shortages. Lavender has been instrumental in bridging this gap, making it easier for individuals from major urban centers to underserved rural communities in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, and Washington to access timely care.
One of Lavender’s fundamental principles is to create opportunities for nurses to thrive fully. This approach not only benefits the nurses themselves but also the communities they serve. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners at Lavender are empowered to practice to their full scope, with a robust support network that encourages collaboration and leadership development. Over the course of just three years, Pritma and Brighid have successfully attracted like-minded Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, expanding Lavender’s team to more than 90 members.
The Yale School of Nursing proudly applauds Pritma Dhillon-Chattha and Brighid Gannon for their well-deserved awards and commends their groundbreaking work with Lavender. These two exceptional alumni embody the values and mission of the institution. As Dr. Emami noted, “Drs. Dhillon-Chattha and Gannon exemplify Yale nurses who are prepared and ready to act whenever and wherever they see a need. In this case, it was the need of an entire community for better, more affordable access to mental health services. They combined entrepreneurship and nursing knowledge to make it happen.”
The YSN Centennial Celebration not only honored the past but also showcased the bright future of nursing excellence represented by Dhillon-Chattha and Gannon, who have left an indelible mark on the profession and the communities they serve.
