In The Media

Christopher Cleary, DNP, PMHNP-BC, in a purple shirt and blue jacket standing with arms crossed on the terrace at the UC Irvine Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing.
Orange County Register, August 19, 2025

UCI expert answers questions about future of psychedelic medicine

"Chris Cleary is about to become a key player in psychedelic medicine. He’s a mental health nurse, with a doctorate in nursing, who has been tapped by UC Irvine’s Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing to lead the creation of new classes in the use of traditional psychedelics – psilocybin, MDMA and the like – as part of a regimen to treat depression, PTSD and other mental health woes." (Andre Mouchard)
Christopher Cleary, DNP, PMHNP-BC, in a purple shirt and blue jacket standing with arms crossed on the terrace at the UC Irvine Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing.
Orange County Register, August 18, 2025

With UCI and other programs, psychedelics soon could be as controversial as aspirin

"UC Irvine said last month that its Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing is now one of two California schools (UC Davis is the other) planning to start teaching future mental health nurses how psychedelics can be used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and addiction, among other maladies. The school also has tabbed assistant clinical professor Chris Cleary, a mental health nurse with a doctorate in nursing and an active practice in Los Alamitos, to lead the new program, which is likely to start over the next 24 months." (Andre Mouchard)
Anne Marie Watkins on blue background
UCI Health, July 18, 2025

Anne Marie Watkins is one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives

"UCI Health Chief Nursing Executive and Senior Vice President Anne Marie Watkins, DNP, has been named one of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives for 2025. Chosen by the publication's senior editors, the program recognizes licensed clinicians in executive roles for their exceptional achievements in driving innovation, improving outcomes, serving their communities and demonstrating exemplary leadership both within and beyond their organizations." (UCI Health, Modern Healthcare)
KTVU , April 8, 2025

Dealing with psychological weight of economic uncertainty

"Alison Holman, health psychologist at the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing at UC Irvine gives insight on mental health, dealing with economic uncertainty and the current political climate. “One of the more important things people can do in situations like this to not get stuck feeling they’re alone in dealing with this. To be able to find and stay connected with family, friends and people who are there to support you. Getting support from your groups is a really important step to deal with this stress,” said Holman."
San Francisco Chronicle, April 4, 2025

‘Alarming paradox’: California needs thousands more nurses but lacks the capacity to train them

"As dean of the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing at UC Irvine, I witness an alarming paradox each year: Thousands of bright, motivated students apply to our undergraduate nursing program. Research shows that nurses who graduate with a bachelor of science degree receive more in-depth education in evidence-based practice, public health and leadership, leading to better patient outcomes, including lower mortality and fewer hospital-acquired infections. Yet only a handful can be admitted. … The capacity of these programs is constrained by funding." (Mark Lazenby)
Bridging the Gap, March 26, 2025

Nurse-OC: Cultivating Equity Through Healthcare Education

"Nurse-OC is an innovative program at UC Irvine’s Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing that prepares future nurses and nurse practitioners to care for Orange County’s most vulnerable populations. This initiative was made possible by a transformative $5 million grant from CalOptima Health, as part of their Provider Workforce Development Initiative. "
San Francisco Chronicle, March 22, 2025

UC’s most competitive major has a 1% acceptance rate, and it’s not computer science

"“We’re even more selective than getting into Yale,” Mark Lazenby said of UC Irvine’s nursing school, where he’s the dean. … Lazenby, the dean, called on the state to invest more money not only in traditional nursing education, but also in the kind of research-intensive schooling that UC provides to its nursing students. All professors have doctorates and teach their students to interpret medical research or to become researchers themselves. Many students go on to graduate school and become hospital leaders." (Nanette Asimov)
Dallas Morning News, February 26, 2025

Study finds potential link between parental divorce and stroke later in life

"While there’s no question childhood trauma can leave lasting scars that contribute to poor health outcomes later in life, the study has limitations to bear in mind, said E. Alison Holman, a professor of nursing at the University of California at Irvine, who was not involved in the study. " (Miriam Fauzia)
LAist AirTalk with Larry Mantle, January 30, 2025

Collective trauma: the psychological fallout of the LA fires

"The LA fires have destroyed whole communities and displaced thousands of families. The psychological effect of such natural disasters is called collective trauma, a stress response felt by an entire community rather than a sole individual. Collective trauma can have physical effects as well. Today on AirTalk we talk about what collective trauma is and how communities are affected in the long term. We’re joined by E. Alison Holman, professor of nursing and psychology at UC Irvine. " (AirTalk with Larry Mantle)