Introduction to Computers for Healthcare Professionals

Irene Joos holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s in nursing and a master’s in information science as well as a PhD in education all form the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to her current position as Associate Professor, IST La Roche College, she served from 2003-2012 as the Director of Online Learning as well as full time faculty and prior to that as the Director of Library and Instructional Technology at La Roche. Before coming to La Roche College, she was a faculty member and served as the interim Director of Learning Resources at the School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh. Her teaching experience includes nursing informatics courses, and information systems and technology courses as well as a CORE course Virtual Communities and Social Media. She has presented at national and international conferences and has several publications related to her areas of expertise.

Debra Wolf is a Professor of Healthcare Informatics and Nursing at Chatham University located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.' Currently, Dr. Wolf is the founding Director of the Healthcare Informatics graduate program at Chatham University and an independent healthcare informatics consultant supporting higher education, healthcare institutions and IT vendors integrate IT related concepts, theory and new technology. Dr. Wolf has over 40 years’ experience within the healthcare arena.' She earned her Baccalaureate and Master of Science degree in nursing from La Roche University and a PhD in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh.' Previously Dr. Wolf was the Assistant Director of Nursing Programs at Chatham University where she was instrumental in development the MS in Nursing Informatics program and the MS in Healthcare Informatics.Her research agenda explores patient centered care, use of technology in a health setting and the learning language needs of international students.'' Her area of expertise focuses on change management, process redesign and use of social media/technology in supporting clinicians and patients. Dr. Wolf has published numerous articles, book chapters and coauthored a book titled Social Media for Nurses: Educating practitioners and patients in a networked world. She has presented at international, national and local conferences. Dr. Wolf is a member of various organizations including HIMSS, Sigma (an International Nursing Honor Society) as well as other national health organizations in the United States.Her research agenda explores patient centered care, use of technology in a health setting and the learning language needs of international students.'' Her area of expertise focuses on change management, process redesign and use of social media/technology in supporting clinicians and patients. Dr. Wolf has published numerous articles, book chapters and coauthored a book titled Social Media for Nurses: Educating practitioners and patients in a networked world. She has presented at international, national and local conferences. Dr. Wolf is a member of various organizations including HIMSS, Sigma (an International Nursing Honor Society) as well as other national health organizations in the United States.

Ramona Nelson holds a baccalaureate degree in nursing from Duquesne University and holds both a master's degree in nursing and in information science, as well as a PhD in education from the University of Pittsburgh. In addition she completed a post-doc fellowship at the University of Utah. Prior to her current position as president of her own consulting company, Ramona was a Professor of Nursing and Chair of the Department of Nursing at Slippery Rock University. Her teaching at the University included courses related to healthcare informatics, community health, and research. All of these courses were offered via web-based distance education. Her publications include textbooks, monographs, book chapters, journal articles, WWW publications, abstracts and newsletters. She was named a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2004 and was inducted into the NLN Academy of Nursing Education Fellows in 2007. In 2008 she received the Eleventh Annual Recognition Award for Advancement of Computer Technology in Healthcare from Rutgers University College of Nursing. She is currently a member of the NLN Strategic Planning Committee and ANA Committee on Nursing Practice Information Infrastructure.