George-Peraza-Smith

Dr. George Byron Peraza-Smith, DNP, RN, AGPC-NP, GNP-BC, GS-C, CNE, FAANP

Dean/Director, DNP, RN to BSN, AGPC-NP & Graduate Specialty Programs

Biography

Dr. George Peraza-Smith is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). He obtained his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Case Western Reserve University, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in nursing administration from the University of Texas Medical Branch. He has both a gerontological nurse practitioner post-master’s certificate from the University of South Florida and an adult nurse practitioner post-doctoral certificate from Brandman University.

Dr. Peraza-Smith is board-certified as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP), a gerontological nurse practitioner, an APRN gerontological specialist, and a certified nurse educator. He is the immediate past president of the Florida Nurses Association and the immediate past inaugural president of the Gerontology Nursing Certification Commission (GNCC) for which he remains a trustee on the board. The GNCC offers an APRN gerontological specialist certification to distinguish APRNs who possess expert knowledge, experience, and skill in managing the complex health needs of older adults.

Dr. Peraza-Smith has been teaching in MSN and DNP online and hybrid programs for over 10 years. He has held academic leadership positions such as professor, program director, department chair, and associate dean. Dr. Peraza-Smith resides in Zephyrhills, Florida with his husband and two children.

Publications

Nwogu, C.A., Keilman, L.J., Peraza-Smith, G.B., Cacchione, P.Z., Bronner, S., Devereaux Melilo, K., …Harris, M. (2022). Basic considerations for understanding and treating delirium psychosis in older adults. Advances in Family Practice Nursing, 4(2022), 67-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfpn.2021.12.003

Arms, T., Keilman, L.J., & Peraza-Smith, G.B. (2022). Culturally informed mental health care of marginalized older adults. Advances in Family Practice Nursing, 4(2022), 37-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yfpn.2021.12.002

Harris, M., Devereaux Melillo, K., Keilman, L.J., Peraza-Smith, G.B. et al. (2021). Supporting evidence for geropsychiatric nursing as a subspeciality of gerontological advanced practice nursing. Geriatric Nursing, 42(1), 247-250. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2020.11.00

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (2021). Building APRN gerontology workforce capacity through new APRN Gerontological Specialist certification, Partner Perspective, 22(4), 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carage.2021.04.007

Peraza-Smith, G.B. & Kiresuk, T. (2019). Best practices in the management of major depression for older adults in primary care. Advances in Family Practice Nursing, 1(2019), 15-32. doi:10.1016/J.YFPN.2018.11.001

Harris, M., Devereaux Melillo, K., Keilman, L.J., Peraza-Smith, G.B. et al. (2019). Basic considerations for understanding, diagnosing and treating symptoms of primary non-dementia psychosis in older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 40(2), 220-224. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.03.004

Peraza-Smith, G.B. & Bone, Y. (2019). Mental health issues and men: A primer. In Manual of Men’s Health: A Practice Guide for APRNs and PAs (pp.163-172), Quallich, S.A. (Ed.). Springer Publishing Co. ISBN-13: 978-0826191137

Ramira, M.L., Peraza-Smith, G.B., McLeod, R.& Clark, M.J. (2018). Challenges, barriers, and satisfiers of foreign-educated physicians with family nurse practitioner role in the United States. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 25(1), 12-22.

Harris, M., Walmer, M., Nwogu, G.A., Peraza-Smith, G.B. & Cacchione, P. (2017). Basic considerations for the treatment of geriatric depression in primary care. Geriatric Nursing, 38(4), 258-261. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2017.05.011

Peraza-Smith, G.B. & Kiresuk, T. (2016). Exemplars in advanced practice gerontological nursing: A GAPNA series – GAPNA consensus statement proficiencies 3 and 4. Geriatric Nursing. 37(4), 322-325. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016.06.010

Simmons, M., Peraza-Smith, G.B., Harris, M. & Scanland, S. (2015). Application of resources for non-pharmacological interventions to improve dementia care in nursing homes. Geriatric Nursing, 36(3), 242-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2015.04.007

Kiresuk, T. & Peraza-Smith, G.B. (2014). Case study II: Moving beyond the Beers List to translating the evidence into practice. Geriatric Nursing, 35(5), 401-403.

Peraza-Smith, G.B. & Bone, Y., Buchner, B., Pittman, O., Beauchesne, M., Carlisle, H., …Wysocki, K. (2014). Primary care diagnosis and management of adults with depression, Clinical Practice Brief, AANP Practice Committee.

Peraza-Smith, G.B., Jansen, M., Beauchesne, M., et al. (2014). Guideline for Primary Care Management of Headaches in Adults, Clinical Practice Brief, AANP Practice Committee.

Peraza-Smith, G.B. & Kiresuk, T. (2013). Case study: Moving beyond the Beers List to translating the evidence into practice. Geriatric Nursing, 34(5), 430-431.

Serafin, J., [Peraza-]Smith, G.B., & Keltz, T. (2013). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) elders in nursing homes: It’s time to clean out the closet. Geriatric Nursing, 34(1), 81-83. doi:10.1016/S0197-4572(12)90405-X

Bone, Y. & [Peraza-]Smith, G.B. (2012). Critical care nursing and delirium management in the mentally ill client. Clinics of North America Critical Care Nursing, 24(1), 101-104. doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2012.01.005

Presentations

Peraza-Smith, G.B., Daniel, K., Mullaney, S., Shaughnessy, M., & Serafin, J. (October 2, 2021). APRN Gerontological Specialists Certified: Promoting Our Practice in the Next 40 Years. GAPNA 2021 40th Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, September 30-October 2, 2021.

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (August 27, 2021). APRN Gerontological Nursing Pearls for Practice. Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, 2021 Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, August 26-27, 2021.

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (November 5, 2020). FNA Townhall: COVID Response. Florida Nurses Association, Orlando, FL. (Virtual)

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (July 23, 2020). FNA Townhall: COVID Response. Florida Nurses Association, Orlando, FL. (Virtual)

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (April 13, 2020). FNA: COVID Impact on Long-Term Care Residences. Florida Nurses Association, Orlando, FL. (Virtual)

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (November 2, 2019). Men and mental health. Diverse nurses: Making the impossible possible. American Association for Men in Nursing, Orlando, FL, October 31-November 2, 2019.

Arms, T., Keilman, L. & Peraza-Smith, G. (October 4, 2019). Culturally informed mental health care of marginalized older adults. Las Vegas, NV, GAPNA 38th Annual Conference, October 3-5, 2019.

Peraza-Smith, G.B., Adams, J., Briggs, E., & Messmer, P. (September 12, 2019). Advocate nurse: Transforming the future for patients. Florida Nurses Association Membership Assembly, Howey-In-The-Hills, FL, September 12-13, 2019.

Peraza-Smith, G.B. Cacchione, P., Harris, M. Keilman, L.J., & Lewitz, A. October 25, 2018). Pre-Conference: Psychosis and Older Adults: Assessment, Diagnosis, and Management. 37th GAPNA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX, October 26-29, 2018.

Koch, J., Todd, B. & Peraza-Smith, G.B. et al. (June 30, 2018). Setting Pace for Leadership Development – Opportunities within AANP. AANP 2018 National Conference, Denver, CO, June 26-July 1, 2018.

Washington-Brown, L., Metzger, R., & Peraza-Smith, G.B. et al. (June 30, 2018). Opening the Door to Leadership Opportunities & Engagement: Where Do I Stand?  AANP 2018 National Conference, Denver, CO, June 26-July 1, 2018.

Peraza-Smith, G.B., Ramira, M.L., & McLeod, R. (October 29, 2017). Experience of Foreign-Educated Physicians Transition to Family Nurse Practitioner Role in the United States. Sigma Theta Tau International 44th Biennial Convention, Indianapolis, IN, October 28 – November 1, 2017.

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (October 29, 2017). Implementing Team-Based Psychiatric-Mental Health Undergraduate Nursing Course. Sigma Theta Tau International 44th Biennial Convention, Indianapolis, IN, October 28 – November 1, 2017.

Leners, C. & Peraza-Smith, G.B. et al. (June 24, 2017). Leadership Opportunities with AANP.  AANP 2017 National Conference, Philadelphia, PA, June 20-25, 2017.

Peraza-Smith, G.B. (Keynote, April 28, 2017). Advancing Gerontological Practice: A Model for the Future – The APRN Gerontological Specialist. GAPNA Florida Gulf Coast CE Symposium 2017 – Management of Older Adults. St. Petersburg, FL, April 28-29, 2017.

Ramira, M. L., Peraza-Smith, G.B., & McLeod, R. (2017). Challenges and Satisfiers of Foreign Educated Physicians with the Family Nurse Practitioner role in the U.S. GANES: Catalyzing Nursing Education and Scholarship for Global Health. April 2-4, Miami, FL.