Irene Joos, PhD, MSIS, RN - Faculty And Director Of Online Learning, La Roche College in Pennsylvania

Irene Joos is currently the Director of Online Learning at La Roche College as well as a faculty member in the CIS/IT Department. Prior to this position, she was the Director of Library and Instructional Technologies at La Roche College. Dr. JOos received her baccalaureate degree in Nursing from Pennsylvania State University. She holds a master's degree in both Medical-Surgical Nursing and Information Science, as well as a doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Joos has taught medical-surgical nursing, foundations, basic nursing concepts and theories, professional nursing role, and nursing informatics courses at diploma, baccalaureate, and masters programs. With a FULD grant, she was instrumental in the installation of interactive video units in the skills laboratory and also managed both the microcomputer and skills laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Learning Resources Center. She teaches Office Automation, Management of Information Systems, Cyberspace, Computer Based Training, Introduction to Databases, and Introduction to Information System courses to undergraduate students in both on campus and online formats. She serves as the faculty advisor for the web site of the student's literary journal, Nuances.

Dr. Joos' area of interest is the use of technology to help us do our work in an efficient and effective manner. This includes using technology in whatever arena you might find yourself—education, research, and practice. This has been the focus of her publications and presentations.

Ramona Nelson, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN - Professor Emerita, Slippery Rock University, President, Ramona Nelson Consulting

Ramona Nelson is a professor of nursing at Slippery Rock University (SRU) where she teaches web-based distance education courses in health care informatics as well as community health. In addition, she co-directs the SRU health care informatics program. Ramona holds a doctorate in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh. She holds both a master's degree in nursing, as well as a master's degree in information science from the University of Pittsburgh. Her BSN is from Duquesne University.

In 1988 Ramona was accepted in the first nursing informatics post-doc program at the University of Utah and in 1989 as one of the first HBOC Scholars. Through her numerous publications and presentations she has provided national leadership for articulating the scope of nursing informatics. Because of her leadership role she has been selected as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, asked to serve on the ANA taskforce defining the current scope and standards of practice for nursing informatics and has reviewed grants for Department of Health and Human Services. Her current research is focused on consumer informatics and distance education.

Marjorie J. Smith, PhD, RN, CNM - Emeritus Professor, Winona State University