ANIA National Candidates

Denise Diane Tyler, DNP, MSN/MBA, NI-BC

Manager, Valley Childrens

I find joy in mentoring, educating, and coaching. This includes employees, students, and other mentees. I have worked as a manager, supervisor, team lead, and consultant, supporting care teams in both inpatient and outpatient settings. As a manager/supervisor, I provide education and coaching along with education. I have developed or modified job descriptions for informatics nurses at several organizations, along with hiring, mentoring, and orienting nurses who are new to informatics.

To improve my ability to do this and to provide more opportunities in this area, I obtained my DNP from Chamberlain College of Nursing in 2017. I selected the leadership track since I work in leadership, education, and informatics, but my projects were informatics-based. For my DNP, my project was to develop a formal orientation plan, including mentorship for nurses new to informatics. As a leader, I have expanded on this to include an orientation plan and schedule and expand the skills needed as an informatics nurse. I have worked steadily as an adjunct faculty since 2009 at various universities, most recently Thomas Edison.

I previously served on the ANIA board from 2004 to 2014 as secretary and as the editor for five years. I am currently on the board in the position of Secretary. Our board is a friendly, professional, and collaborative team that is extremely focused on meeting the needs of our membership. It is a privilege to work with them to promote the practice of informatics nursing, and I hope to continue working to support our members.

Along with leadership skills, one of the talents that I bring to the position of secretary is a strong expertise in different Microsoft tools. In my current role as secretary, I use these stills when setting up the agendas and minutes for our monthly meetings. I developed a document to track decisions for easier reference as our board members change. With other board members, I participate in reviewing our bylaws, mission, vision, strategic plan, and other policies and procedures necessary for an organization the size of ANIA.

In the last 4-year term, I helped develop our first two tool kits: Nursing Downtime Preparedness: From SAFER Guides to Practice and the ANIA Graduate Informatics Nursing Faculty Guide and Toolkit. I also supported our organization by publishing in our Journal, presenting at conferences and webinars, and collaborating on our position statement in response to the conviction of nurse RaDonda Vaught.

During my previous tenure, along with my role of Secretary and Editor of our publication. In collaboration with a membership-based publication team, I lead the progression of our publication from a newsletter to a true publication. I served on several committees, including nominations, an annual conference, and the committee to facilitate the merger of ANIA and CARING.

It would be an honor to continue to work with our amazing members. My primary goal for the next 3 years on the board would be to continue to support our members. One way to do this is by encouraging members to engage, participate, network, and continue learning, along with sharing their knowledge. Along with our members collaborating, I hope to continue to support the organization by working with other organizations to further support informatics.

Jennifer B. Witten, DNP, RN, NI-BC

Division Director of Clinical Informatics, HCA -North Texas Division

Dr. Jennifer Witten is an accomplished healthcare professional with a wealth of experience spanning over 20 years in nursing and healthcare informatics. Her diverse roles, including managerial positions, clinical lead with Nursing Knowledge Big Data Science (NKBDS) modeling, and clinical informaticist, have contributed to her proven track record. Her expertise lies in the comprehensive development, implementation, training, competencies, and operational support of healthcare technologies.

Dr. Witten is the Division Director of Clinical Informatics at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) in the North Texas Division. Her commitment to mentoring and supporting facility informatics resources is unwavering. She has been an active member of the DFW ANIA chapter board of directors member for the past three years. Currently, she holds the esteemed position of the DFW Chapter president. Dr. Witten also serves on the Industry Advisory Board at Abilene Christian University for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice program. She is currently working on co-authoring a textbook chapter on nursing informatics to offer a more applicative and practicing perspective.

Dr. Witten holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in informatics from the University of South Alabama and is a board-certified Nurse Informaticist. She is eager to contribute her practicing expertise to advocating for clinicians and patients on a broader stage.

Advancing informatics nursing through education, research, and practice requires a multifaceted and open approach that embraces the dynamic nature of healthcare technology. By focusing on these three core areas of education, research, and practice, I aim to significantly enhance and influence the role of informatics nursing and contribute to the overall improvement of healthcare delivery. I would be a good choice for ANIA National Secretary because I understand the current healthcare environment and practicing informaticist roles.

Education is the cornerstone of advancing informatics nursing. Integrating informatics principles into nursing curricula prepares future nurses to be competent in technology. I will advocate within academic institutions for the current and future skills needed for nursing informatics. I currently serve in this capacity at Abilene Christian University. This involves ensuring the academic programs prepare the informatics graduate for the workplace. By promoting ANIA Workshops, webinars, and certification programs tailored to grow informatics nursing, I will help practitioners develop the skills needed to leverage technology in their practice.

Research is equally crucial in advancing informatics nursing. Conducting research helps identify best practices, develop new models of care, and improve existing systems. By focusing on research areas such as the impact of EHRs on patient outcomes, the effectiveness of telehealth interventions, and the role of data analytics with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in clinical decision-making, we can generate valuable insights that drive innovation and reduce the burden on our clinicians. I will encourage knowledge sharing by encouraging those to publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, presenting them at conferences, and fostering the adoption of evidence-based practices in informatics nursing.

Practice involves applying informatics principles to improve patient care and operational efficiency. Nurses can use informatics to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and enhance patient outcomes in various roles and settings, such as acute care, community health, or long-term care facilities. Moreover, by actively participating in and leading initiatives to integrate new technologies and informatics tools, nurses can drive innovation and advocate for practices that enhance patient safety and care quality. Nursing informatics have a seat at the table while the discovery of future use cases is scripted for AI and ML.

In summary, I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve and influence informatics nursing. We can significantly improve healthcare delivery and outcomes by encouraging ANIA members to collaborate, research, and share informatics principles in practical application.

Charla Buford Johnson, DNP, RN, NI-BC, ONC, FNAON

Director, Clinical Information Systems and Nursing Informatics, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System

Committee to lifelong learning, I have advanced from a diploma graduate as a Registered Nurse in 1987 to graduating Grand Canyon University with my Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2020 in nursing leadership. I obtained my baccalaureate of science in nursing from Loyola University in 2000 followed by a master’s in nursing education from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2006. My current role as System Director of Clinical Information Systems and Nursing Informatics, focuses on the clinical workflows, technology integration, protocol adoption, and nursing documentation in the electronic health record (EHR). I oversee the EHR applications that support nursing and allied health professionals. In addition, I oversee the quality and regulatory accountability of promoting interoperability of the EHR which includes annual attestations, SAFER guide reviews, and public health registries and reporting. I am the current President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of ANIA and serve national on the Research and Evidence Base Practice Committee and the 2025 ANIA Education Planning Committee.

My nursing career spans over thirty-seven years across various specialties with continuous service, achievement, advancement, and active participation in professional nursing organizations. Volunteerism has been a large part of my professional path. I joined American Nursing Informatics Association (ANIA) in 2019 when I assumed the role as System Director of Nursing Informatics for a large health system in Louisiana and Mississippi. Being part of the specialty’s association was imperative for learning and leading my team. Since that time, I became the founding Chapter President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of ANIA to support membership in Louisiana and Mississippi and coordinated a virtual symposium in 2024. I am engaged with ANIA through national committee(s) work (Education and Research), scholarly podium and poster presentations at the annual conference, and publications in the Nursing Informatics Journal.

Prior to informatics, my nursing career has been aimed at the advancement of musculoskeletal health as orthopaedic nursing was my foundational path. As part of my professional and leadership growth, I graduated from the SmithBucklin Leadership Institute in Chicago, Illinois in 2019 and have served on numerous national boards:

• Orthopaedic Nurse Certification Board- beginning in 2007 serving two terms as Director followed by Vice President, and President (2016).
• National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses- Director (3-year term), President-elect (2020-21), and President (2021-22).
• Movement is Life Executive Board (501C3)- since 2018 as Director and Secretary.
• Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) Healthcare Advisory Provider Panel (2022-present)
• OPTIONS Professional Stakeholder Advisory Board- PCORI (2024-present)

Advocacy is a priority for me. I serve on the American Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses Legislative Committee. In this role, I participate in Hill Days in Washington D.C. both in person and virtually to promote funding for workforce safety, workforce development, and health equity. My greatest honors to date are the recognition from the Nightingale awards from the Louisiana State Nurse Association foundation for Nurse of the Year (2010), Outstanding Community Achievement by a Registered Nurse (2015), and Nurse Researcher of the Year (2017). I am intrinsically motivated to advance nursing practice using evidence, research, and technology improving care of patients and populations reducing disparities in care. I have unique skills that allow me to mentor and encourage others through positivity. I have a strong belief system and sense of responsibility that allow me to lead effectively. I have extensive Board experience that will serve ANIA well in strategic planning and stewardship.

Rachel Joines, MSN, RN, NI-BC

Intermediate Application Analyst, JPS Health Network

I started my career in nursing as an operating room nurse progressing into the informatics world by supporting and assisting in the implementation of the electronic health record, then evolving into my current position as an application analyst, building the electronic health record. The roles I have held contribute to my diverse knowledge of project management, report analytics, process improvement, workflow analysis, technical support and trouble shooting and leadership abilities. In my current role I collaborate with hospital leaders and system endusers to effectively design and develop clinical applications within the electronic health record for clinical applications. I am also responsible for assisting with upgrade implementations as well as assisting in testing and training materials. From my early career days as an operating room nurse I have sought career development through career specific nursing organizations. I was an active member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses chapter, serving several years on the Ways and Means Committee and participating in national conferences. Now during my career in the informatics arena, I have been a member of the DFW ANIA Chapter for the past six years serving in various roles including Member Recruitment Chair in 2018, President Elect in 2022 accomplishing distinguished chapter, President in 2023 accomplishing gold distinguished chapter and currently serving as Education Chair for 2024. I was instrumental in my chapter being able to offer free continuing education hours during the two years of COVID restrictions and successfully reimplementing the chapters in person conference in 2023.

ANIA’s mission to advance nursing informatics through education, research and practice requires a diverse team approach to achieve success through collaboration and communication to support the development of our members. I would be a good choice for ANIA Regional Director because I have served on two different nursing organizations boards at the chapter levels in committee and leadership roles and have a good understanding of how the structure and roles within those chapters help lead to the overall success.

In the area of Education, I have been an instrumental member of my chapter’s ability to offer relevant education opportunities to our community. During COVID I was part of our integral team who sought unique ways to offered monthly then quarterly continuing education opportunities. Then as president of our chapter I was able to work with as a team with our board to reestablish our in-person conference in 2023. I have a good understanding of the submission process for continuing education hours as well as the dynamics of putting together a successful conference and feel I could share this knowledge to other chapters.

I feel research is an opportunity for growth and development for nursing informatics. Through the research in areas such as artificial intelligence, models of health care workflows and electronic quality monitoring we can advance the knowledge of the informatics community and be more impactful to bring change and innovation to the bedside. We must continue pursuing involvement in such activities by having these groups share their experiences in education opportunities to our members and when possible, invite our community ANIA members to participate in the research themselves. The nursing informaticists practice is a vast one with many different roles and settings that support the entirety of healthcare. My past experiences as a clinical nurse to liaison informatics then on to an analyst role has prepared me to understand the difference aspects and the impact of the informatics nurse. I believe I can contribute my knowledge of leadership, project management and workflow to help integrate new and innovative ideas to improve bedside healthcare which will then impact patient care delivery.

Constance A McLaughlin, MBA, BSN, RN, NI-BC

Health Informatics Director, Trinity Health

Constance believes technology should support and enhance clinical practice and healthcare operations to assure positive patient outcomes. Achieving this vision depends on a secure foundation that consists of a sound Clinical Informatics environment and a strong informatics team focusing on clinical workflows and partnering with operations.

Constance is a seasoned informatics nurse who has worked in community hospitals as a bedside nurse, IT analyst and informaticist as part of the team to implement the organization's EHR, chaired the Change Management group and implemented the sustainment program. She has also worked with national healthcare organizations as a nurse executive consultant with a global healthcare IT vendor. Currently, she serves as Health Informatics Director for Trinity Health responsible for informatics teams in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. At Trinity, Constance is also responsible for strategic objectives that encompass Trinity Health Informatics operations.

Spanning a successful career of over 30 years, Constance is a registered nurse of 22 years and ANCC board certified in nursing informatics. Education includes a BSN from Thomas Jefferson University and an MBA with focus in Information Technology from Ashford University. Constance is a member of the American Nursing Informatics Association and the Pa chapter of HIMSS. She currently serves as President for the Greater Delaware Valley chapter of ANIA.

As President-elect and now President of GDV-ANIA, Constance has exhibited exceptional leadership in the community by standing up a new committee to manage membership recruitment/retention, the local chapter elections process and market the chapter’s activities via social media. She has extended educational events in 2024 to include a professional development webinar series, “Nursing, Informatics and…” and launched a podcast called, “Informatically Speaking”. She has been pivotal in promoting the chapter’s new brand and has fostered a larger presence on social media. Constance has presented at the national ANIA conference for the past several years, contributed to an ANIA toolkit focused on ANIA’s online community software in 2023 and has voiced interest in contributing to an ANIA Chapter Leadership toolkit as well (in process).

Dear ANIA Colleagues,

I'm honored to announce my candidacy for ANIA Regional Director. With 15 years of nursing informatics and a deep commitment to ANIA's mission, I'm well-qualified to lead and contribute to the organization's growth.

My journey began as an operating room technician then the ORIS administrator that taught me the value of technology in the clinical setting. Realizing I could do much more, after practicing at the beside, I knew I could make a larger impact with my technology experience and made the decision to move into IT and pursue my bachelor’s degree. After having served an organization in which I grew up, I made the leap to a global healthcare IT vendor where I served clients as a consultant and executive leader for 11 years.

As a candidate for Regional Director, I bring several strengths to the national level of ANIA. First, I am a passionate promoter for the advancement of nursing informatics and the education of all nurses. I firmly believe that informatics plays a pivotal role in improving patient care and enhancing nursing practice and healthcare operations; I am devoted to promoting this belief as a Regional Director. I am also dedicated to fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among ANIA members and those considering membership. Through my leadership, I will work to create opportunities for networking, professional development, and mentorship.

One of my key priorities as Regional Director would be to increase professional development & promote member engagement within my assigned region. I will actively engage with local chapters to help expand our membership base and ensure that ANIA remains a vital resource for nursing informaticists. I also believe that strategic and succession planning for our chapters is a necessity and am committed to educating our leaders to ensure sustainment plans are in place as we shepherd in the next emerging leaders.

Lastly, I believe that a diverse membership strengthens our organization and enhances our perspectives. I will strive to ensure that ANIA remains a welcoming and inclusive space for all informatics professionals, regardless of background or experience.

In conclusion, I'm excited to serve as ANIA Regional Director. My background, commitment and passion for informatics practice will uniquely position me to contribute to ANIA's mission. With your support, together, we can advance the practice of nursing informatics and continue to provide valuable resources to our members.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Constance McLaughlin

Jamie L Wolf, MSHI, BSN, RN, NI-BC

Lead Clinical Consultant, Oracle Health

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Nursing in 2007 and then worked as a bedside nurse where I became a super user and subject matter expert for my hospital. I was working on my Master's in Health Informatics degree when I officially joined the hospitals informatics team where I would stay until I moved to my current position at Cerner. I completed my Master's in Health Informatics and obtained my Nursing Informatics certification from ANCC, which I continue to maintain.

In my current role as a Lead Clinical Consultant at Oracle Health, I have led internal and external project teams through workflow and clinical design recommendations in complex organizational environments. I have leverage continuous process improvement techniques to promote quality of care and patient outcomes. During complicated deployments I act as the point of escalation for clinical workflow integration risks and issues. I work directly with organizational leadership to foster an environment of cooperation between disciplines and project leads. Additionally, I provide strategic leadership for multi-facility organizations, including activities around establishing governance, staff adoption and policy updates/creation. Other key responsibilities include the delivery of real time analytics through report creation and validation. I enjoy contributing return to my nursing informatics community by mentoring new informatics professionals and supporting professional development within our department.

During my time as an ANIA member I have participated in my local Heart of America Chapter (HOA), holding the role of President in 2022, Treasurer in 2023, and Education in 2024. While on the HOA board I have assisted with our local symposium planning and continue to facilitate relationships with other local chapters. Whether its partnering with the Midwest Chapter for our symposium this fall or promoting other local chapters I understand the importance of a strong network.

I work closely with ANIA members and enjoy teaching the Data section of the IN-Review Course during the past 4 years at the national conference. offered by ANIA. Healthcare data offers an unprecedented opportunity to enhance patient outcomes however it is not without risk. Concerns over data privacy, security and equitable access to technologies are just a few concerns facing us. Sharing my experience with participants allows me to contribute to ANIA’s strategic plan on a national level.

Throughout my career, I have strived to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology, making data-driven decisions to improve patient care and streamline processes. My academic achievements include a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing and a Master's degree in Health Informatics which has provided me with the foundation necessary to excel in a leadership role within ANIA.

I bring to the table years of experience working in both clinical and administrative settings within healthcare organizations. In my role as a Clinical Consultant, I have successfully led the implementation of electronic health record systems, resulting in improved patient safety and more efficient workflows. I have also collaborated closely with nursing staff and other healthcare professionals to develop customized solutions that align with their unique needs.

My leadership style focuses on empowering teams to perform at their highest potential while fostering a culture of open communication, accountability, and innovation. I have demonstrated the ability to drive progress by developing and implementing specific strategies that align with broader organizational goals, ensuring both local impact and global success. I work closely with nurses, physicians, IT professionals, and other stakeholders to ensure that informatics projects are implemented smoothly and achieve desired outcomes. Working across multiple healthcare systems in the USA and Canada has provided me a deep understanding of the diverse patient care models and delivery methods.

As healthcare organizations continue to embrace cutting-edge technologies there is an increasing need for the informatics professional to ensure that we continue to deliver efficient, inclusive, and patient-centered care. Through education, research, and practice I believe we can advance the future of nursing beyond the four walls of the healthcare system. Ensuring that nursing informatics professionals have a voice in every area that can touch our patients must be a priority.

My strategic approach to my work will assist in supporting local chapters through consistent communicate and feedback. By facilitating knowledge sharing and empowering local leaders to recognize autonomy in their community I would promote local chapters. Serving as a chapter board member for the last several years has shown me that advocacy and representation are key to the development of a local chapter.

Karen Clark, PhD, MSN, BSN, AD, Post Masters Nursing Informatics Certificate, Graduate Informatics Certificate Alumna CCRN

Assistant Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing Baltimore

Education:

• Post Master’s Certificate in Nursing Informatics University of Maryland School of Nursing
• Graduate Certification in Informatics University of Maryland University College
• PhD Nursing Science-Healthcare Leadership and Administration George Mason University
• Certification:
• Informatics Nurse Specialist Board Certified ( NI-BC)

Currently I am with University of Maryland School of Nursing since 2005. My teaching focus is undergraduate nursing informatics, EBP, and Scholarship. I have taught nursing informatics for about 14 years and worked updating over the years to keep up as much as possible with innovative changes. I work closely with our learning management system within the courses I teach, serve on committees, mentor students and faculty. I briefly engaged with the Greater Delaware Chapter for ANIA within the membership committee and work with the website.

I am excited for this opportunity to contribute my skills and expertise to your team with my years of academic, clinical, remote work, and multiple areas of expertise. My educational background and extensive clinical experience have equipped me with a deep understanding of informatics, evidence-based practice, leadership, and more. I am enthusiastic about educating healthcare professionals on the effective use of technology to drive improved outcomes and am committed to advocating for the advancement of healthcare through innovation. Most recently building on years of teaching nursing informatics, in April of 2024 I successfully completed the Nursing Informatics Board Certification exam.

My clinical background includes both staff nursing and nursing leadership roles. I have worked with home grown electronic record systems and others. Experiences in the clinical setting have provided a wealth of knowledge that I have applied in my academic career.

My leadership experience extends across various roles, allowing opportunities to excel in fostering interprofessional/interdisciplinary collaboration and driving positive change. I am dedicated to utilizing evidence-based practice, data-driven approaches mentoring students, and others to develop wisdom building with the model of data, information, knowledge, to wisdom. From 2005 to 2009 I served as Program Director and interim Assistant Dean for the University of Maryland School of Nursing Baltimore’s full program located at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) Regional Higher Education Center in Rockville, MD. I transitioned to a full-time faculty position in 2009 and shortly thereafter began my involvement in teaching nursing informatics.

My skills include:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability:: Analyze data for trends, associations, and relationships.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• In-depth understanding of healthcare informatics principles and practices.
• Develop and implement programmatic changes.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interprofessional team environment.
• Mentorship and collaboration.

In summary, I bring a unique blend of skills, knowledge, experience, and passion for leveraging technology with informatics education embracing innovation in preparing our next generation of nurses and healthcare providers.

Respectfully submitted, Dr. Karen Clark

Thank you for considering my nomination.

Desiree Powell, MSN, RN, NI-BC

Technology Committee Member: GDV-ANIA, WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital

I began my nursing career in Jamaica in 2015 working in various areas/units. However, I moved to the US in 2018 where I was able to continue my career in Medical-Surgical nursing, while gaining a Nursing Informatics degree from Thomas Jefferson University in 2022. Subsequently, I began my career as an informatics nurse at WellSpan Evangelical Hospital in 2022. At WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital I have a full-time job engaging in project planning, being a liaison with stakeholders to ensure EMR integration and assist with the optimization. Additionally, I am a member of the Technology Committee where I manage the Wufoo account, which involves creating and displaying web-based conference registration forms for the GDV-ANIA chapter.

I am a Jamaican-born nurse, married to my supportive husband who encouraged me to pursue this role as one of ANIA’s Leadership Succession Committee members. As a Nurse Informatician my passion is to serve others, and I am committed and dedicated to the development and advancement of the healthcare profession. My love for Nursing Informatics, educating others and researching topics, propels me to serve within this position. I am equipped with the skills of coordinating calendars, managing agendas, reviewing policies and representing the association as a liaison.

 In addition to the above-mentioned qualifications, I am an organized individual; having a daily planner is crucial each year and I utilize technology (either on my laptop, tablet or phone) to keep abreast of daily tasks, whether personal or work related. As a past teacher mentioned “use your smartphone wisely”: meaning a smart device (or device in general) is meant to improve the capabilities of an individual and not to hamper or weaken an individual’s intellect. I believe my attention to detail, love of interaction with others and excellent time management skills makes me an excellent choice for this position. I pride myself on taking good notes and being able to give a detailed recollection of the events that occurred within meetings, while on the job. 

Finally, I strongly believe I can contribute positively to the mission of ANIA and serve the population by keeping the minutes in a conscientious manner. I function effectively during time constraints; I can complete complex tasks and effectively communicate with others (even if cultural or other barriers exist). I have overcome many obstacles in life and with this determination, I intend to advance nursing informatics within this role. I can contribute with fresh ideas to improve the perception of the ANIA organization, improve cultural awareness (being Jamaican-born) and researching areas that can enhance the professional and public image of ANIA. I am willing to assist in any other areas as needed (journal and conference). Similarly, I am willing and ready to serve my association and be able to represent the population on the leadership succession committee.

Erin Marie Schroeder, MBA, BSN, RN

Nursing Instructor, Ursuline College

I am a Nursing Instructor at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, OH, where I teach Foundations of Holistic Nursing and Leadership Theory, growing and improving informatics within the curriculum, and collaborate on course development and revisions. I hold an MBA in IT Management from Western Governors University, a BSN from Otterbein University, and am currently pursuing a DNP in Informatics Leadership through Post University. Prior to my academic role, I worked as an Informatics Nurse at Lake Health, University Hospitals, with a focus on improving EMR systems, workflows, and supporting IT implementations. I am the current Treasurer of the Ohio Chapter of the American Nursing Informatics Association.

I am excited to apply for the ANIA Leadership Succession Committee (LSC) position, as my passion for advancing nursing informatics through education, research, and practice aligns perfectly with ANIA’s mission. With a strong background in clinical practice and nursing informatics, coupled with a commitment to leadership development and professional growth, I am confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully to ANIA’s goals.

In my role as an Informatics Nurse at Lake Health and as a Nursing Faculty Instructor at Ursuline College, I’ve worked alongside diverse teams to enhance EMR systems, improve clinical workflows, and mentor future nurses. My experience as Treasurer of the Ohio Chapter of ANIA has deepened my understanding of the organization’s mission and ignited a desire to contribute more broadly at the national level.

If selected for the LSC, I will actively work to identify and encourage new leaders who embody ANIA’s values, ensuring they are prepared to advance nursing informatics across various roles and settings. I am committed to supporting strong succession planning that will secure ANIA’s future leadership and drive forward its strategic objectives.

With strong skills in collaboration, advocacy for informatics in practice, and mentoring, I am well-positioned to make a meaningful impact as a member of the LSC. I am dedicated to fostering leadership that reflects ANIA’s core values of advancing informatics, improving patient outcomes, and promoting professional development. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to ANIA’s continued success and help cultivate the next generation of nursing informatics leaders.

Kimberly Velez, MSN, RN

Senior Learning and Organizational Development Educator, Northwell Health

Kimberly Velez is currently working at Northwell Health as a Senior Learning and Organizational Development Educator. She launched her Informatics direction as a Super-User at her preceding employers and quickly discovered this path. Current role includes:

• Lead trainer/educator of Electronic Health Record (EHR) for a large hospital system and transformation to a new EHR by analyzing workflow and Gap Analysis data for development of optimized curriculum for Instructor Led Training (ILT) and remote classes.
• Created competencies, and maintained a robust Train-the-Trainer program for onboarded staff
• Efficiently supported end-users post-training and Go-live support

Kimberly graduated with her RN degree from the College of Staten Island, BSN from SUNY Downstate, Masters in Nurse Executive from Long Island University in Brooklyn, two postmasters Certificate in Informatics and Nursing Education. Ms. Velez has over 20 years of nursing experience and 13 years of them informatics focused. Kimberly was recently inducted as a New York Academy of Medicine Fellow (NYAM), has positions on boards of nursing organizations on National, State, and Local levels, including ANIA Leadership Succession Committee (national), ANIA NY Tri-State Chapter past Treasurer, ANA Nominating Committee (national), immediate past Leadership Succession Committee of Sigma Theta Tau International, NACLI (local nursing organization as Past-President and spent 14 years on the NYS Board for Nursing (Licensing Department).

Nurses are instrumental in shaping the future of healthcare, and it begins with competent leaders. As a Senior Learning and Organizational Development Educator for 15 years, coupled with my 20+ years of nursing experience featuring management, Emergency Room, and Float in public and private institutions across diverse, culturally underserved populations, shaped my lens of nursing. My journey of professional experiences, coupled with educational underpinning has built the groundwork for organizational interactions. My experience in various leadership roles on national, state, and local nursing associations, in addition to Nominating, Bylaws, Nursing Practice, and Ethics workgroups, supported my level of prowess, and demonstrated a willingness to volunteer. My involvement in interviewing candidates for multiple organizations and service as the current chair of the Nominating and Election Committee (NEC) showcases my level of expertise to review and successfully seek out competent qualified candidates. My goal is to encourage informatics nurses to strive for greatness within ANIA and consider running for a position.
Kimberly is committed to evidence-based models of research, teaching, community outreach, and mentoring. She presented podium and poster presentations at conferences and selected to present ANIA Conferences in the past.