Joanne DeSanto Iennaco, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, FFNMRCSI

About

Joanne DeSanto Iennaco is a Professor of Nursing with a co-appointment in Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. She also serves as the Director of the Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the Yale School of Nursing.

Holding a PhD in chronic disease epidemiology from Yale University’s School of Public Health, Professor Iennaco’s research is centered on the impact and measurement of aggression exposure on healthcare workers within inpatient psychiatric and hospital environments. Her current work involves a collaboration with nursing leaders to influence policy regarding workplace violence in healthcare (Beeber et al, 2023, Schimmels et al, 2025). In recognition of her significant contributions, she received the Grayce M. Sills Distinguished Service Award from the New England Chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association in 2024.

Professor Iennaco led the multi-site Aggressive Incidents in Medical Settings (AIMS) study, which assessed both worker exposure and patient aggressive events in inpatient medical settings. Furthermore, she was the United States lead onthe PERoPA-Study (Perceptions of Patient and Visitor Aggression in Healthcare Organizations), an international investigation involving nursing managers in Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. Her experience also includes serving as a clinical interventionist, leading MBTI groups, for Dr. Soohyun Nam’s WISHES study and CBT for insomnia groups for Professor Nancy Redeker’s randomized controlled trial, the Heart Sleep Study. Earlier in her career, she collaborated with Yale’s Occupational and Environmental Medicine research team, examining the effects of psychosocial workplace factors on health.

Board-certified as both a Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and an Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist, Professor Iennaco brings a wealth of clinical expertise to her academic roles. Her recent accolades include being named a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine (2024), a Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (2022), and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (2021). She also received the 2021 Dorothy Sexton Mentorship Award, and the 2016 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. As a 2010-2012 Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI) Scholar, her project focused on the Effects of Aggression Exposure in Psychiatric Settings on Employee Health and Work Outcomes. Earlier in her career, she was also honored with the St. Joseph’s College Outstanding Faculty Award (1999) and a Faculty Service-learning Award from the Maine Campus Compact (1998).

Professor Iennaco recently served as the President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association New England Chapter, and is a member of the European Violence in Psychiatry Research Group (EviPRG), the International Research Collaboration in Clinical Aggression (IRCCA), Sigma Theta Tau International, the American Public Health Association, and the Society for Epidemiologic Research. Additionally, she contributes her expertise as a member of the Board of the Connecticut Health Policy Project, and previously served as a Trustee of the Yale-China Association.

Research Interests/Clinical Practice

Research Interests

Dr. Iennaco’s current research is centered on workplace violence within healthcare settings, encompassing aggression measurement and the effects of aggression exposure on healthcare workers. Her broader research interests include psychiatric epidemiology and occupational mental health. Specific areas of focus are depression, anxiety, stress, sleep, suicide, aggression and violence, psychotherapy strategies (CBT-I, MBT-I, MI) and the interconnectedness between mental and physical health.

Clinical Practice

Professor Iennaco’s clinical practice is dedicated to addressing the complex mental health needs of young adults and adults. She maintains a weekly outpatient practice at the Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC). Her prior experience includes administrative and staff roles within various adult psychiatric settings, such as inpatient units, admissions, emergency departments, day treatment programs, and outpatient clinics, as well serving as a visiting mental health nurse.

Selected Publications/Presentations

Publications

Schimmels, J., Iennaco, J., Delaney, K.R., Hauenstein, E., Sharp, D., Brewer-Smyth, K., Kverno, K, Patch, M., Cadena, S., Blaakman, S., Arends, R., & Beeber, L. (2025). Protecting our Nursing and Healthcare Workers with Comprehensive strategies for Promoting Workplace Safety: An American Academy of Nursing consensus paper. Nursing Outlook, 73, 102425.

Nam, S., Jeon, S., Ordway, M., Yau, L, Mazure, C., Sinha, R., & Iennaco J. (2024). Mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia in Black women: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 47(1094-1106). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-024-00521-2

Iennaco, JD, Molle, B, Lauvrud, C., & Almvik, R. (2024). Measurement & Prevalence of Aggression. In Violence and Coercion in Mental Health Settings – Causes, Consequences, Management, 2^nd Edition. (Editors. Hallett, N, Whittington, R., Richter, D., & Eneje, E.) Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-61224-4_5

Iennaco, JD, Depukat, D., Molle, B., Parkosewich, J, & Allegra, M.A. (2024) The Aggressive Incidents in Medical Settings (AIMS) Cohort Study. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 50, 166-176. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjq.2023.11.005

Beeber, L., Delaney, K., Hauenstein, E., Iennaco, J., Schimmels, J., Sharpe, D., & Shattell M. (August 23 2023). Five urgent steps to address violence against nurses in the workplace. Health Affairs Forefront. DOI: 10.1377/forefront.20230822.174151

Wong, A.H., Ray, J.M., Eixenberger, C., Crispino, L.J., Parker, J.B., Rosenberg, A., Robinson, L., McVaney, C., Iennaco, J.D., Bernstein, S.L., Yonkers, K.A., & Pavlo, A.J. (2022). Patient experiences and care observations during agitation events in the Emergency Department: Implications for systems-based practice. BMJ Open, 12(5), e059876. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059876.

Tommasini, N.R., & Iennaco, J.D. (2022). A model program to manage behavioral emergencies and support nurses in the medical setting. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 46(1), 37-44.

Redeker, N.S., Yaggi, H.K., Jacoby, D., Hollenbeak, C.S., Breazeale, S., Conley, S., Hwang, Y., Iennaco, J., Linsky, S., Nwanaji-Enwerem, U., O’Connell, M., & Jeon, S. (2022). Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia has sustained effects on insomnia, fatigue, and function among people with chronic heart failure and insomnia: the HeartSleep Study. Sleep, 45(1), zsab252. Doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsab252.

Iennaco, J.D. (2021). Mental Health Promotion. In M. Frenn (Ed.), Health Promotion: Translating Evidence into Practice (Ch 10, pp. 200-215). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.

Iennaco, J.D. (2020). Aggression and Violence. In M. L. Potter & M. D. Moller (Eds.), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: From Suffering to Hope (2^nd ed., Ch 30, pp. 836-855).Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Iennaco, J.D. (2020). The nursing process in psychiatric mental health nursing. In M. L. Potter & M. D. Moller (Eds.), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: From Suffering to Hope(2^nd ed., Ch 10, pp. 219-238). Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Iennaco, J.D. (2020). The nurse-patient relationship and therapeutic communication. In M. L. Potter & M. D. Moller (Eds.), Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: From Suffering to Hope(2^nd ed., Ch 9, pp. 185-218). Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Folgo, A., & Iennaco, J.D. (2020). Staff Perceptions of Risk Factors for Violence and Aggression in Ambulatory Care. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment, and Rehabilitation, 65(2), 435-445.

Wong, A., Ray, J.M., & Iennaco, J.D. (2019). Workplace violence in healthcare and agitation management: Two sides of the same coin. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 45(2), 71-73.

Xie, J., He, G., Ding, S., Pan, C., Zhang, X., Zhou, J., Iennaco, J.D. (2019). A randomized study on the effect of modified behavioral activation treatment for depressive symptoms in rural left-behind elderly. Psychotherapy Research, 29(3), 372-382. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2017.1364444

Wong, A.H., Ruppel, H., Crispino, L, Rosenberg, A. P., Iennaco, J.D., Vaca, F.E. (2018). Deriving a framework for systems-based approach to acute agitation in the Emergency Department: A multi-institutional study. The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 44, 279-292.

Iennaco, J.D., Whittemore, R., Dixon, J. (2017). Aggressive Event Incidence using the Staff Observation of Aggression Scale-Revised (SOAS-R): A Longitudinal Study. Psychiatric Quarterly, 88(3), 485-499. doi: 10.1007/s11126-016-9462-y.

Hamrin, V., & Iennaco, J.D. (2016). Evaluation of Motivational Interviewing to Improve Psychotropic Medication Adherence in adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. PMID:27487472 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2015.0187

Iennaco, J.D., Tebes, J.K., & Jacobs, S.C. (2016). Public health concepts in public psychiatry. In S.C. Jacobs, & J.L. Steiner, J.L. (Eds.), The Yale Textbook of Public Psychiatry, (pp. 97-114). New York: Oxford University Press.

Tsai, J., Iennaco, J.D., Giard, J., & Hoff, R.A. (2016). Evidence-based public psychiatry. In S.C. Jacobs, & J.L. Steiner, J.L. (Eds.), The Yale Textbook of Public Psychiatry, (pp. 249-260). New York: Oxford University Press.

Xie, J., Zhou, J., Gong, L., Iennaco, J.D., Ding, S. (2014). Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in the intervention of psychiatric disorders: A review. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 1(2), 232-239.

Bowers, L., Stewart, D., Papadopoulos, C., & Iennaco, J.D. (2013). Correlation between levels of conflict and containment on acute psychiatric wards: The City-128 study. Psychiatric Services 64(5), 423-430. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.201200328.

Iennaco, J., Dixon, J., Whittemore, R., Bowers, L., (January 31, 2013). Measurement and Monitoring of Health Care Worker Aggression Exposure. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 18, No. 1, Manuscript 3.

Primich, C., & Iennaco, J. (2012). Diagnosing adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: the importance of establishing daily life contexts for symptoms and impairments. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19, 362-373.

Iennaco, J.D., Cullen, M.R., Cantley, L., Slade, M.D., Fiellin, M., & Kasl, S.V. (2010). Effects of externally rated job demand and control on depression diagnosis claims in an industrial cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology, 171(3), 303-311. (Advance Access published December 24, 2009 doi: 10.1093/aje/kwp359).

Hamrin, V., Iennaco, J., & Olsen, D. (2009). A review of ecological factors affecting inpatient psychiatric unit violence. Implications for relational and unit cultural improvements. Issues in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, 30(4), 214-226 .

Cullen, M.R., Vegso, S., Cantley, L., Galusha, D., Rabinowitz, P., Taiwo, O., Fiellen, M., Wennberg, D., Iennaco, J., Slade, M.D., & Sircar, K. (2006). Use of Medical Insurance Claims Data for Occupational Health Research. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 48, 1054-1061.

Iennaco, J. D. (1999). Results of a State Task Force to Prevent Adolescent Suicide. In J. L. McIntosh, Suicide ‘98 (pp. 172 – 173). Washington, D. C.: American Association of Suicidology.

Presentations

Iennaco, J.D. (June 2025). Sleep Solutions. Invited podium presentations at the Academic Congress of Hematology Nursing, the Xiangya School of Nursing, Changsha China, and Xiangtan Central Hospital, Xiangtan, China.

Cong, X., Iennaco, J.D., Xie, J., Chen, L., Hu, M. (December 2024). Evidence-Based Behavioral and Mental Health Interventions in Rural Communities: Global Perspectives. Panel presentation at 23rd Annual Chia Conference: “Behavioral and Mental Health Care in Rural China”, Changsha, China.

Schimmels, J., Beeber, L., Delaney, K.R., Iennaco, J.D., Shattell, M. (October 2024). Violence Against Nurses in the Workplace: We Need to Act NOW! Podium presentation at American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.

Iennaco, J.D. (April 2024). Reducing Arousal and Improving Sleep using MBTI & CBTI: Sleep Strategies for your Toolbox! Podium presentation at American Psychiatric Nurses Association New England Chapter Annual Conference, Portsmouth, NH.

Hauenstein, E., Iennaco, J.D., Delaney, K., Shattell, M. (April 2024). Violence Against Nurses in the Workplace: We Need to Act NOW! Podium presentation at the International Society of Psychiatric Nursing Annual Conference, Providence, RI.

Iennaco, J.D. (October 2023). Connecting How Mindfulness Practices Impact Sleep Disturbance. Podium presentation at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Annual Convention.

Iennaco, J.D. (May 2023). The Impact of Aggression Exposure on Psychiatric Workers: A Call for Changes in Practice. Silver Hill Hospital Grand Rounds, Silver Hill Hospital, CT.

Iennaco, J.D. (April, 2022). Sleep Strategies to Enhance your Toolbox. CT APRN Society Annual Conference 2022, Mystic, CT.

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2019). Measuring Both Sides of Aggression: Aggressive Event & Worker Exposure Characteristics in Inpatient Psychiatry. Paper presented at the 11^thEuropean Congress on Violence in Clinical Psychiatry, Oslo, Norway.

Heckemann, B, Iennaco, J.D., Duxbury, J, Riahi, S., & Hahn, S. (October, 2019). Dealing with patient and visitor aggression in healthcare: a workshop exploring future responsibilities in leadership. Paper presented at the 11^th European Congress on Violence in Clinical Psychiatry, Oslo, Norway.

Heckemann, B, Iennaco, J.D., Duxbury, J, Riahi, S., & Hahn, S. (October, 2019). Comparing settings: a survey of nurse managers exploring organizational safety culture against aggression in psychiatric and general hospitals. Paper presented at the 11^thEuropean Congress on Violence in Clinical Psychiatry, Oslo, Norway.

Iennaco, J.D., Molle, E., Parkosewich, J., & Depukat, D. (October, 2019). Characteristics of Patient Aggression in Inpatient Medical Settings. Paper presented at the CT Nursing Research Alliance Annual Conference, Hartford, CT.

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2019). Preventing the Ills of Too Many Pills! Using Collaborative Deprescribing. Paper presented at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) 33^rd Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.

Molle, E., Iennaco, J.D., Parkosewich, J., Depukat, D., & Allegra, M. (October, 2019). Aggression in Medical Settings and Missed Care: A Descriptive Study. Paper presented at the CT Nursing Research Alliance Annual Conference, Hartford, CT.

King, B., Vanderhoef, D., Mooney, L., Iennaco, J.D., Katz, S., Cox, S., & Thompson, B. (October, 2019). Graduate Education Panel: Preceptors and Students: Benefits and Challenges. Panel Discussion presented at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) 33^rd Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA.

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2018). Skills Enhancement for Aggression Management (SEAM) in Inpatient Medical Settings. Paper presented at the Sixth International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector: Advancing the Delivery of Positive Practice, Toronto, Canada.

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2017). Neurobiology of Sleep & CBT for Insomnia. Pre-conference Workshop, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ.

Iennaco, J.D. (May, 2017). Standards for Monitoring Aggressive Behavior in Clinical Settings. Paper presented & Discussion at the European Violence in Psychiatry Research Group Spring Meeting, Split, Croatia.

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2015). Using Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) in Practice: A Skills Building Workshop. Pre-conference workshop, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) Annual Conference, Orlando, FL.

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2015). The Role of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse in the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) Model of Care. American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference. Orlando, FL (Paper Presentation with J. L. Tolarba).

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2013). When is Monitoring of Restraint Episodes Misleading? American Psychiatric Nurses Association Annual Conference. San Antonio, TX (Paper Presentation).

Iennaco, J.D. (October, 2012). Understanding Aggressive Events Targeting Staff Members. Third International Conference on Violence in the Health Care Sector. Vancouver, British Columbia (Poster Presentation) www.oudconsultancy.nl/Resources/Proceedings_3rd_Workplace_Violence_2012.pdf.

Media/Editorial Coverage

Social Media | Weblog Essays | Videos

Iennaco, J.D. (2020-present). Quieting Minds Weblog. (Mindfulness Exercises and Strategies to Support Mental Health) https://quietingminds.blogspot.com/

Iennaco, J.D. (2020-present). Jo Iennaco: You Tube Mindfulness Channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW-Vg5sKOD_ff77pOTBb_-A

Iennaco, J.D. (2009-2013). Mental Notes by Joanne Weblog. http://mentalnotesbyjoanne.blogspot.com/

Media Coverage

Aggressive Incidents in Medical Settings (AIMS) Study Coverage: Beresford, L. (May 16, 2024). “Push for Safer Hospitals: Improve Violence Reporting. https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/push-safer-hospitals-improve-violence-reporting-2024a10009br

Southwick, R. (May 9, 2024). “Too many nurses are being assaulted. Some say they are being blamed for the attacks. Chief Healthcare Executive. https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/too-many-nurses-are-being-assaulted-some-say-they-are-being-blamed-for-the-attacks-

Guyer, S.P. (May 8, 2024). “To address the teen mental health crisis, look to school nurses”. Time Magazine. To Address the Mental Health Crisis, Look to School Nurses | TIME

Southwick, R. (April 26, 2024). “Understanding the scope of aggressive incidents in hospitals. Safer Hospitals. Chief Healthcare Executive. https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/understanding-the-scope-of-aggressive-incidents-in-hospitals-safer-hospitals

Editorial Coverage

Baker, D.W. (January 12, 2024). The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety 50^th anniversary Article Collections. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 50, 163.

Phillips, J.P. (2023). Measuring healthcare workplace violence in real time: The AIMS Cohort Study. Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 50, 164-165.