Official MLA Activities (last 10 years)

National

• Medical Library Association, member 1998-present;
• Community Council: member 2025-2026;
• Grants & Scholarships Committee: member 2024-2027;
• Leadership At All Levels Task Force: member 2025-2028;
• Janet Doe Lecture Jury: member 2023-2024;
• 2022 National Program Committee: cochair;
• Professionalism & Leadership Domain Hub: chair 2020-2022;
• Nominating Committee: member 2020-2021;
• 2019 National Program Committee, member 2019 Meeting;
• JMLA Editorial Board: member 2018-2023;
• 2017 National Program Committee: member;
• Fellows & Honorary Members Jury: member 2017-2018;
• Academy of Health Information Professionals: Distinguished 2010-present;

Caucus

• Academic Librarians: member, Inception-present.
• Clinical Librarians in Evidence-Based Practice: member, 2016-present.
• Health Humanities: member, 2014-present.
• Hospital Libraries: member, 2009-present.
• Leadership & Management: member, 2014-present.
• Libraries in Health Sciences Curriculum: member, 2017-present, Chair-Elect, Chair, Immediate Past Chair, 2023-2026.
• Medical Informatics: member, 2014-present.
• Research: member 2014-present.
• Systematic Review: member, 2016-present.
• Technology in Education: member, 2024-present.

Chapter

• Medical Library Group of Southern California & Arizona: member 1998-present; Awards Committee: member 2011-2021; NNLM Region 4: liaison 2024-2027; Nominating Committee: member 2022-2024.

Professional Experience (last 10 years)

Professional Activities

• EBSCO Information Services, Medical Library Leaders Advisory Board: member, 2025-2028.
• Journal of the Medical Library Association, Resource Reviews Column: Coeditor, 2018-2023.
• Hospital Libraries Section, National Network Newsletter: Coeditor, 2012-2018.
• Mayo Clinic Quality Academy Fellow: Bronze Level Certification, 2018.

Professional Honors

• Professional Recognition Award–Leadership, Hospital Libraries, 2016
• Professional Recognition Award-Publications, Hospital Libraries, 2021

Candidate Questions from the Nominating Committee

How can we (MLA) as an organization provide the maximum value to our members and provide opportunities for involvement and relevance in these changing times?

MLA has been my professional home for many years and, for that reason, has added much value to my career. Having said that, there is room for improvement to make sure members stay engaged and involved while keeping MLA relevant. The organization could do more to address barriers that limit participation. One significant barrier is the cost of membership—not only financially, but in terms of time. Being active in MLA can be time‑consuming, and some institutions may not provide support, which means members often must use personal or family time, potentially conflicting with their own boundaries. Of course, financial costs can be a major barrier to engagement. Honestly, however, I am not sure what the answer is to keeping members involved, active, and engaged with MLA. Personally, I have chosen to stay active, and I’m fortunate that my institution encourages and supports my involvement, which is a major bonus for me.

What would you, as a board member, do to help build community within our association and create an environment where members feel a sense of belonging?

As a Board member, I would like to see greater transparency in decisions that are being made at this level to help build and strengthen community within MLA. Being open with members would bring a better sense of belonging and a feeling that they are a part of the process of decision making. For example, sharing summaries of Board discussions after each meeting or providing clearer explanations behind major decisions—such as dues changes, strategic priorities, or committee restructuring—could help members feel more informed and included. I would also like to see the Board demystified for members by offering opportunities such as open Q&A sessions, behind‑the‑scenes webinars about how the Board functions, or clearer documentation outlining Board roles and responsibilities. These efforts would help members better understand how the Board operates, how it supports the organization, and how it works in the best interests of MLA’s membership

What one strategic initiative do you think would be most helpful for ensuring that MLA remains a vibrant and useful association?

Within MLA’s Mission are two strategic initiatives that go hand in hand that should be a focus going forward: Advocacy and Recruitment, Membership, and Leadership in the Profession. MLA should be the leading advocate for health information professionals and the services we provide. Advocating for the profession can lead to the second initiative – recruiting new people to the field, retaining members, and creating leadership opportunities for those interested in serving the organization. Advocacy, recruitment, membership, and leadership are important elements to ensure that MLA remains a vibrant and relevant association.