Dennis J. Ernst, MT(ASCP), NCPT(NCCT) is the Director of the Center for Phlebotomy Education, Inc. in Cheboygan, Michigan. Besides being a highly recruited international lecturer, he has authored five books on phlebotomy and over 50 articles. Mr. Ernst has chaired multiple committees that write and revise industry standards for blood sample collection and has served on multiple CDC Evidence Review panels establishing best practices for blood collection.  As a subject-matter expert, he has appeared on Dateline NBC, and quoted by the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Weekly Reader, and, yes, even the National Inquirer. Mr. Ernst frequently serves as an expert witness in phlebotomy-related litigation, and his blog, Phlebotomy Today, is read by over 14,000 healthcare professionals worldwide.

Nancy Moureau, PhD, RN, CRNI®, CPUI, VA-BC, is a globally recognized leader and the founder of PICC Excellence, Inc., a premier provider of education on infusion therapy and vascular access device (VAD) insertion and care for over 3 years. Dr Moureau’s extensive clinical experience includes pediatric, neonatal, intensive care unit (ICU) peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)/IV teams, and home infusion care.

As CEO of PICC Excellence, she leads the development of over 8 online educational courses and pathways, emphasizing insertion competency and evidence-based practices. Her responsibilities include education development, research, global speaking engagements, legal reviews, manufacturer consulting, and active clinical practice for peripheral and central vascular access.

Dr Moureau pioneered PICC Certification™ (CPUI™) and Neonatal PICC Credentialing (CNPI) programs, validating inserters' education and competency. Most recently, she introduced a systematic UGPIV Mastery Learning Process, an ultrasound-guided peripheral insertion toolbox that earned the Infusion Nurses Society’s (INS) Seal of Approval—the first of its kind.

To connect with Dr Moureau, visit www.piccexcellence.com, or email her at nancy@piccexcellence.com.

Pete J. Carr, PhD, MMedSc, BSc, RN trained as a vascular access clinician in Ireland, the UK, Australia, and has contributed to clinical research in vascular access since 2010. He completed his PhD with the Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research (AVATAR) Group at Griffith University, Queensland Australia. Dr. Carr currently holds the position of Senior Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the National University of Ireland Galway. His clinical research agenda hopes to improve vascular access outcomes for patients, clinicians, and healthcare providers. You can follow him on Twitter @pcarriv

Dawn Berndt, DNP, RN, CRNI® serves as the INS Clinical Education and Publications Manager. She has been an active INS member and a CRNI® since 2005. Dr. Berndt served on INS’ National Council on Education and on the INS board of directors as a director-at-large from 2017 to 2018. Prior to joining the INS team, she worked for 13 years as a clinical nurse specialist for infusion and as nurse manager of the infusion center, the venous access team, and the RN response team at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. Dr. Berndt holds a doctor of nursing practice in clinical leadership from the Henry Predolin School of Nursing at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin and a master’s of nursing education from the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing.

Dr. Marlene Steinheiser, Chief Clinical Officer at INS, is responsible for supporting the vision and mission of the organization nationally and globally, which includes strategic planning and development of new programs, research, and education. Additionally, she provides leadership and oversight for the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Infusion Nursing and the Editor in Chief of the Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic vision and publication standards. 

Dr. Steinheiser has been a CRNI® since 1991 and has 39 years of nursing experience. Her background includes work in diverse clinical settings, faculty roles in both pre-licensure and post-licensure nursing education, and service as a nurse practice consultant for a state nursing regulatory board. Her passion for infusion therapy and vascular access has been integrated into each of her varied career roles.

Dr. Steinheiser holds a PhD from the University of Arizona, a master’s degree and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Akron, and a nursing diploma from Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital School of Nursing. She conducts research on infusion therapy, vascular access, and compassion fatigue in nursing, with a particular interest in mixed methods research and qualitative data analysis. She also presents nationally and internationally on infusion therapy and vascular access topics.