Sean M. Reed, PhD, APN, ACNS-BC, ACHPN, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health, Hospice and Palliative Care. He has over 15 years of experience in acute, post-acute, ambulatory, systems, and academic settings. Dr. Reed is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado, College of Nursing, where he teaches and researches delivery and access to palliative care. He is the President of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Sarah Knudsvig, RN, MSN, is a Registered Nurse Clinical Staff Educator at UW Health in Madison, WI. She is an organizational resource for vascular access care, maintenance, and insertion for clinical staff across 135 ambulatory sites. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota and a Master of Science in Nursing from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.

Judy S. Smith, MSN, RN, CRNI®, VA-BC, has been a vascular access nurse for 20 years. She is currently Clinical Manager of Vascular Access at Ascension Seton in Austin, Texas. Judy has published studies on nurse behavioral intention, related to best practice techniques for needleless connector disinfection, as well time required for disinfection of needleless connectors. She has been a speaker at several local and national conferences and served as keynote speaker at Intravenous Nursing New Zealand in 2012. 

Linda Grinnell-Merrick, MS, NP-C, is a Rheumatology NP at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY. Prior to this, she worked in Solid Organ Transplant for 15 years as NP. She is a past president of the Rheumatology Nurses Society. Linda has written many articles for the RNP (Rheumatology Nurse Practice) Newsletter and is the Editor of Healio Rheumatology. She has spoken at RNS annual conference and the NYU Annual Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis conference, as well as other conferences on rheumatology.

Denise Harper, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CRNI®, has been the Infusion Clinical Nurse Specialist at Vidant Medical Center since 2010. She has over 30 years of experience, including home infusion and various roles in acute care. Denise is a former member of the INS NCOE and was selected into The Great 100 Nurses in NC for 2015. She has published several articles locally and nationally and has delivered podium presentations throughout the country.

Dr. Ann Plohal received her PhD in 2015. She wrote her dissertation on the patient perception of short peripheral catheter insertion for patients with difficult access. Ann is past president of the Infusion Nurses Society. She has published multiple articles regarding infusion therapy and is an active infusion and vascular access nurse.

Julie DeLisle, BSN, MSN, RN, is a Transfusion Safety and Blood Management Officer at Versiti Blood Center of WI. She received her Bachelor of Nursing at University of WI Oshkosh and Master of Nursing Education at Cardinal Stritch University. Julie started her career in Oncology. She has published several articles and authored chapters in books. She currently works to ensure that healthcare providers and patients are educated on evidence-based transfusion practice.

Marlene Steinheiser, PhD, RN, CRNI®, is the Director of Clinical Education for INS. In her role, she directs the development of educational programs and resources for INS and develops strategic alliances with other organizations. She earned her PhD in nursing at the University of Arizona, conducting research focusing on compassion fatigue among healthcare professionals. A nurse for more than 32 years, Dr. Steinheiser has had experience in acute care, home infusion, long-term care, regulatory organizations, and academic nursing.

As INS’ meetings manager, Meghan Trupiano, CMP, manages all activities related to INS’ national meetings. She is responsible for exhibit space sales, advertising, and sponsorship sales, as well as attendee marketing.