Mary Atkinson Smith, DNP, FNP-BC, ONP-C, FNAP, FAANP is currently a clinical associate professor of online nursing programs in the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N. and Richard J. Henley College of Nursing at Sacred Heart University. She is a board certified nurse practitioner with several years experience and additional certifications in orthopedics and perioperative nursing. She also has years of academic teaching and administrative experience. Dr. Smith has a background in patient-centered care, healthcare innovation and patient safety among vulnerable populations such as the disabled and rural elderly. She is also a National Rural Health Association Fellow, National Academies of Practice Policy Fellow and was selected to serve as one of clinicians in the first cohort of Clinical Champions for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services. Dr. Smith has also contributed to several textbooks and has published in several nursing journals.