Ana Freed, MS, MSN, APRN, CEN, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Ana Freed holds a BS in psychology from Rutgers University, an MS in Counseling from Northeastern University, an ADN from Florida Southwestern College, a BSN from Western Governors University, and an MSN from Walden University. She started her career in mental health, working as a crisis therapist. Her team received commendations from Police Chief Charles Moose for providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) to multiple locations and members of the community during the Washington D.C. sniper shootings.

Ana has been an emergency department (ED) nurse for 15 years and has frequently worked part-time in substance use disorder treatment or psychiatric hospitals. She earned her board certification in Emergency Nursing in 2023. While working in the ED during COVID-19, it became obvious to Ana that our mental health system was broken and that people needed access to care. The revelation drove her to obtain the education necessary to help others in their journey towards health. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Ana enjoys working with diverse individuals at Sanford Behavioral Health. She values and trusts that the staff will help patients on their journeys to wellbeing. Ana says the stories and life experiences our patients share with her are humbling and inspiring.

In her free time, Ana enjoys attending her oldest son’s musical performances, photography, going to the beach, crocheting, playing with her grandkids, and traveling.

Ana says, “For the wise have always known that no one can make much of his life until self-searching has become a regular habit, until he is able to admit and accept what he finds, and until he patiently and persistently tries to correct what is wrong.” — Bill W.