It is both an honor and a profound responsibility to introduce myself to you as the current President of the Infusion Nurses Society (INS). Like so many of you, my journey in nursing has been shaped by curiosity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to patient care. I have been a nurse since 2005, and the foundation of my career was built over 14 years caring for patients with hematologic malignancies and those undergoing bone marrow transplant. Those years deeply informed my practice—teaching me the complexity of infusion therapy, the fragility and strength of our patients, and the essential role nurses play at every stage of care.
In 2019, I transitioned into home infusion within my organization—great timing, indeed—and it marked a turning point in my professional life. Stepping into the community setting opened my eyes to the incredible opportunity we have to bring highly specialized infusion therapies directly to patients where they live, heal, and find comfort. The gift of providing this level of care outside the walls of the hospital transformed the way I think about access, equity, and connection in health care. It reaffirmed for me that excellence in infusion practice knows no boundaries—it follows the patient.
As I entered the world of home infusion, I was inspired to deepen my commitment to our specialty. At the time, there was only one Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI®) within my entire organization. I knew immediately that I wanted to earn that credential—not just as a personal achievement, but as a visible symbol of dedication to the art and science of infusion nursing. Pursuing and obtaining the CRNI became a meaningful milestone, reinforcing my belief that advancing our knowledge and setting high standards elevates not only our individual practice, but the profession as a whole.
My journey with INS took on new meaning when I attended the 50th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Boston. Like many who have attended their first INS conference, I remember feeling both inspired and, admittedly, a bit starry-eyed. To be surrounded by leaders, innovators, and passionate clinicians who shared a common purpose was energizing. I remember at the Gala event, there was a conga line – so fun! In that moment, I knew I wanted to serve—truly serve—as part of this organization. Today, as President, I am humbled to contribute as a servant leader to our members and to model excellence in infusion practice.
This year, our theme is “Connections.” It is a simple, yet powerful, word that reflects the very heart of what we do. Connection is not only about lines and access—it is about people. It is about building relationships, fostering knowledge sharing, and strengthening the bonds that make our specialty resilient and forward moving. As your Board of Directors, we are committed to being visible, accessible, and engaged—a lighthouse for our members across the country. In times of change and complexity, we aim to provide guidance, clarity, and support as you navigate your own professional journeys.
While Marlene Steinheiser, INS Chief Clinical Officer, is quite literally taking our mission global—expanding our reach and representing INS on the international stage—our Board of Directors remains steadfast here in the United States, working diligently to support you, advocate for our specialty, and ensure that our standards of practice continue to evolve. It is a collective effort, one that reflects both local and global impact.
Infusion practice is vast. It reaches across specialties, care settings, and disciplines. Because of that, connection is not optional—it is essential. We must establish and maintain strong relationships not only with each other as nurses, but with pharmacists, physicians, advanced practice providers, and all of our health care counterparts. Safe, high-quality infusion therapy is never the work of one individual alone. It is built on collaboration.
We are each other’s safety net. We are each other’s think tank. Together, we challenge assumptions, share best practices, and push the boundaries of what is possible in infusion care. When we stay connected, we strengthen our patients’ outcomes, propel our specialty forward, and reaffirm our own health care identities.
I am grateful to serve alongside each of you as we continue this important work. Let us lean into connection—with intention, with purpose, and with pride in the profession we share.
Onward!
