Aastha Krebs, MBA, BSN, RN, wants to help integrate mental health resources into law enforcement agencies, and a recent scholarship will help her achieve that goal. 

Krebs, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, recently received a Healthcare and Nursing Education Foundation Scholarship. She is building on years of experience as an RN in local psychiatric hospitals to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. 

“As a doctorate prepared mental health professional, my goal is to make mental health care more affordable and accessible to the underserved Houston population,” Krebs said. 

Her specific interest lies in working with the Houston Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Response Team. This innovative program partners clinicians with law enforcement officers to provide the highest-level response to individuals in serious mental health crisis. It is a collaboration between the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities). 

Krebs earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Western Governor’s University after receiving her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree from Lone Star College.