Dana Bjarnason, PhD, RN, CNA
E-mail: dana_bjarnason@hchd.tmc.edu
Dr. Bjarnason holds a doctorate in nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, awarded in 2007. She received a Master of Arts in the Medical Humanities from the same school in 2000. Other educational preparation includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration from the UTMB School of Allied Health Sciences in 1993 and a Diploma in Nursing from the Vancouver General Hospital School of Nursing in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1981.
Dr. Bjarnason serves as the Associate Administrator/Chief Nursing Officer for the Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, Texas. Professional memberships include the American Nurses Association, the Texas Nurses Association District 9, Sigma Theta Tau - Alpha Delta Chapter, the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities, the Southern Nursing Research Society and the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
Dr. Bjarnason has co-authored several peer-reviewed articles for professional journals. Her doctoral dissertation explored the relationship between nurse religiosity and end-of-life care. Her master’s thesis sought to provide insight to further understanding and enhancing the nurse-patient dialogue related to end-of-life care. In addition to healthcare regulation and accreditation, Dr. Bjarnason’s interests include patient self-determination, end-of-life, advocacy, professionalism and practice.