Dr. Sharpnack earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Ursuline, a Master of Science in Nursing from The University of Akron, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, with a focus on education. She is board-certified as a nurse educator and as an advanced nursing executive. She is a fellow in the Academy of Nurse Educators and president of the Ohio Board of Nursing. Dr. Sharpnack has worked in coronary and medical intensive care, home care and maternal–child nursing. Professional interests include: academic-practice partnerships, active learning/teaching strategies, innovative clinical education models, competency development and testing, health care policy and cultural competence.