Joyce K. Laben 1998

Distinguished Faculty and Professor Emerita

Bio

Recognized for her development of the current Tennessee Forensic Mental Health System as well as her lifelong commitment to the mentally ill in the criminal justice system. A nurse and an attorney, she co-authored two reports that led to the creation of the first mental health court in Tennessee, co-authored books on mental health law for nurses and has written multiple articles on legal/ethical issue in health care. Laben has served as Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt, co-founded the Vine Hill Clinic in Nashville and currently sits on several community boards and national health care commissions.