Lekeisha Fiffie, MSN '23, DNP ’24
Alumna Spotlight: Lekeisha Fiffie
Alumna Lekeisha Fiffie MSN ’23, DNP ’24, has over 18 years of experience working in psychiatric and addiction recovery settings. Her career began in correctional, medical-surgical, geriatric and addiction recovery settings, where she gained extensive hands-on learning opportunities.
After both personal and professional experiences that highlighted the need for empathetic and comprehensive psychiatric care, Fiffie chose to specialize in psychiatric and addiction recovery nursing, with a focus on improving patient engagement and adherence to mental health treatments. She incorporates caring science principles into her psychiatric care, emphasizing compassion, empathy and holistic well-being.
“I have a passion for helping vulnerable populations and improving access to mental health care,” shared Fiffie. “I also have a desire to bridge gaps in mental health services, particularly for youth, individuals with substance use disorders and underserved communities.”
Today, Fiffie works as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at a detox recovery center. She provides psychiatric assessments, diagnoses and treatments for individuals with mental health and substance use disorders and oversees detox protocols in psychiatric and addiction recovery settings. In addition, she conducts research and implements evidence-based interventions to improve mental health care accessibility and engagement.
“The most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients achieve stability and improve their quality of life,” noted Fiffie. “I use caring science principles to create a supportive and healing environment, and I advocate for underserved populations and breaking down barriers to mental health care.”
In 2023, Fiffie received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree from Florida Atlantic, and in December 2024, she graduated from the university again with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. She credits the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s philosophy on caring science with shaping her approach to mental health care. Her clinical rotations as a student — especially at a teen homeless shelter — served to strengthen Fiffie’s empathy and dedication to youth mental health.
“My long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive mental health clinic that integrates traditional psychiatry with innovative therapeutic modalities,” stated Fiffie. “I aim to expand access to care through telehealth and holistic interventions, as well as work to reduce missed psychiatric appointments and improve patient engagement. In addition, I plan to start a foundation to help new graduates secure careers that align with their degrees and accomplishments.”