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A University of North Georgia (ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½) assistant professor was named a finalist for the March of Dimes Georgia Nurse of the Year award in the category of informatics and research.

Dr. Joanne Patterson, who works in ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½'s College of Health Sciences and Professions, was among those honored at a Nov. 9 gala in Atlanta.

Patterson has worked for the past 15 years as a nurse informaticist, a role that helps bridge the gap between nurses and information technology professionals. She has served as the volunteer director of Zeta Phi Beta's Stork's Nest program that seeks to ensure proper prenatal care for pregnant women. More than 30,000 women have received services in her six years of leadership.

Dr. Pamela Charney, associate professor at ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½, nominated Patterson.

Patterson said she was grateful there was a category for informatics, a profession for which she serves as a consultant across the country. The field, in which ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½ is adding a bachelor's degree, takes advantage of the newest technology so healthcare providers and patients can utilize the most complete information about their health.

"It's important to gain the big picture of the patient," Patterson said. "When we have all the information at our fingertips, we can all do our jobs better."