Dr. Marlene Steinheiser, Chief Clinical Officer of the Infusion Nurses Society (INS) and Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), provides strategic leadership for INS clinical, research, education, standards, and policy initiatives nationally and globally. An internationally recognized nursing leader, researcher, educator, and advocate, she oversees the development, implementation, and dissemination of evidence-based standards, education, and clinical resources that advance infusion therapy and vascular access practice and patient safety worldwide. Her leadership has supported the implementation of the INS Infusion Therapy and Vascular Access Standards of Practice across healthcare systems in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Through global partnerships, professional organizations, standards development, research initiatives, and policy work, she advances the translation of evidence into practice and strengthens the quality and safety of infusion care.
With 40 years of nursing experience and certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI®️) since 1991, Dr. Steinheiser has held diverse clinical, academic, regulatory, and leadership roles throughout her career. Her professional background includes nursing faculty roles in pre-licensure and post-licensure education and service as a nurse practice consultant for a state nursing regulatory board. She holds a PhD in Nursing from the University of Arizona, a Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Akron, and a nursing diploma from Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital School of Nursing. A published author and national and international speaker, her scholarship focuses on infusion therapy, vascular access, health equity, patient safety, and nurse well-being, with particular interests in mixed methods research and qualitative data analysis. Her longstanding passion for infusion therapy and vascular access is reflected throughout her work to advance nursing practice, professional development, and patient outcomes.
