Biography

My relationship with books extends back almost to my birth. I have heard the story many times about how, before I could walk, I would crawl to the book case, take out a book and lovingly turn the pages. Throughout my growing up years it was said of me "If you can't find Barbara, look behind a book." I read just about everything I could get my hands on.

In due course I chose to enter the nursing profession. After a five-year program I was graduated with a diploma in nursing and a BS with a major in nursing. My career has included positions as varied as psychiatric staff nurse and nurse recruiter - one of the first in the United States. The continuing thread throughout my career, however, has been education. I have held positions in staff development in psychiatric as well as general hospital settings. I established a continuing education program for a professional nurses' association when the membership numbered over 4,000 nurses. For a decade I taught an introduction to medical vocabulary at North Seattle College in Seattle, WA, where I designed and implemented the online version of the course. Along the way I acquired a master's degree in organization development which included a component in adult education. 

And so, writing a book, teaching the words, the language of medicine, to those who did not take my course, seemed like a natural next step. I hope that you enjoy reading, perhaps studying the material in this book and that the enthusiasm which I feel for words comes through the page or the screen. Read in good health!