Toni Hebda

摘要

Toni Hebda, PhD, MNEd, MSIS, RN-C has been interested in ways that computer technologycould support nursing for the past 40 years.. Her earliest memory of computers was one thattook up an entire floor at a a building at Carnegie Tech when her older brother attended aSaturday program for high school students. Later while in high school herself there were simpleprograms with punch cards done in math class and run at a local college. After nursing school, herhome hospital was an early adopter of information systems. Jumping forward a few years whenshe had become an educator her dissertaion was entitled, A profile of computer assistedinstruction use among baccalaureate nursing programs. In 1988 Dr. Hebda helped to organizeefforts to bring together nurses and others who were either interested in computers or currently working with computertechnology in healthcare in the greater Pittsburgh region. This group was Tri-State Nursing Computer Network (TNCN).Through TNCN and the educational and networking opportunities that the group afforded Dr. Hebda continued to learnmore about information systems, technology, and informatics. Later she earned her second graduate degree ininformation science as she continued to learn more about information systems and informatics. During her tenure withTNCN Dr. Hebda served on the Board, as President-Elect, and President. The professional networking and learningacquired during her time with TNCN gave rise to the concept for the book, Handbook of Informatics for Nurses &Healthcare Professional, and its companion book Internet Resource Guide for Nurses and Health Care Professionals. Thefirst edition of Handbook of Informatics for Nurses and Health Care Professionals, co-authored with Patricia Czar andCynthia Mascara, was named 1998 American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year. That title is now sixth edition thanks toa collaboration with Kathleen Hunter and contributions from other authors.