Richard Pessagno is a seasoned Psychiatric-Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse with over 35 years of experience.  His scholarship and clinical focus on thanatology, bereavement trauma, and group psychotherapy.  He has been recognized for his contributions to nursing education, clinical practice, and organizational leadership by the Association for Death Education and Counseling, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, the New Jersey Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses, as well as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  He is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  Dr. Pessagno holds certification in Bereavement Trauma, Thanatology, and Group Psychotherapy and he is Diplomat of American Academy of Experts in Trauma Stress.  Rick serves as a member of Academy's Board of Scientific and Professional Advisors.