Fellows of AORN (FAORN) Bios
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2025 Fellows
Kay Ball
PhD, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAORN, FAAN
Kay Ball, AORN Past President, is recognized nationally & globally for her passion for surgical smoke evacuation and laser technology. Her research, many articles/books, and frequent presentations on workplace safety are valued throughout the world.
Julie Cahn
DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CNS-CP, NPD-BC, CNOR, FAORN
Cahn's career is dedicated to evidence-based practice and research to promote quality and safety for perioperative patients and personnel. She has implemented evidence-based practice initiatives, updated guideline recommendations, and performed research.
Vangie Dennis
MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, FAORN
Dennis' passion is to uphold the integrity of the periop profession. Her contributions with laser, electrosurgery, surgical smoke and leadership with organizations provided periop nursing with evidence-based practices for safety.
Rodney W. Hicks
PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Hicks is internationally renowned for patient safety research & advancing the science of safe medication use. Hicks’ leadership & work as an author led to AORN’s creation of medication safety standards that affect more than 65 million patients a year.
Hung-Fu "Charlie" Lin
MSN, APRN, NP-C, CRNFA, CNOR-PEDS, CNAMB, FAORN
A cancer survivor & Nurse Practitioner/RNFA, Lin’s periop nursing centers on improving clinical outcomes, particularly in kids. He gives back to the surgical community as an RNFA faculty, international speaker, & provider of humanitarian surgical care.
Ray-an B. Talatala
DNP, RN, CNOR, NPD-BC, FAORN
Talatala’s leadership in evidence-based QI projects has advanced health equity for underserved populations, reinforced patient safety, & driven nursing excellence locally, nationally, & globally. In 2023, AORN named him an Emerging Nurse Leader Under 40.
2024 Fellows
Brenda G. Larkin
MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CNS-CP, CSSM, CNOR, FAORN
Brenda is an accomplished Clinical Nurse Specialist with over 20 years of advanced practice experience. She has successfully led several evidence-based practice improvement projects in several health systems, which have improved patient outcomes and perioperative nursing practice.
2023 Fellows
Katherine Halverson-Carpenter
MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, FAORN
Halverson-Carpenter’s administrative leadership impacted patient safety and team reliability in research and evidence-based practice. Educational products were developed at AORN under her leadership and refinement of the PNDS as PNDS Task Force chair.
Daphny Peneza
MSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, FAORN
As an internationally educated nurse, the essence of Peneza's professional practice is to continue creating meaningful global collaborations while enhancing nursing practice through innovative education and transformational leadership.
Jennifer (Zinn) Fencl
DNP, RN, CNS, CNOR, FAORN
Fencl is known for translating evidence into clinical practice through research and QI projects. She adds to the body of perioperative nursing knowledge through dissemination. She has published and presented perioperative nursing topics globally.
2021 Fellows
Carol D. Applegeet
MSN, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, FAORN, FAAN
Applegeet's passion for perioperative nursing & AORN is demonstrated through her leadership, lectures, & advocacy. She led advancements for AORN initiatives including certification, Syntegrity, ambulatory surgery and Perioperative Surgical Home.
Joy Don Baker
PhD, RN-BC, CNOR, CNE, NEA-BC, FAORN, FAAN
Baker's contributions stem from the development of PNDS nomenclature recognized by ANA & SNOMED. She served as AORN Journal Editor-in-Chief & is a national & international speaker. She co-authored the award-winning book A, B, &Cs of Author Partnering.
Terri Goodman
PhD, RN, CNOR, FAORN
Goodman was instrumental in the transition to electronic communication for both chapters and National AORN. In 2002, she created the first chapter website so leaders of the newly formed eChapter could communicate, and an email database to engage members.
Charlotte L. Guglielmi
MA, BSN, RN, CNOR, FAORN
Guglielmi is known for patient safety and high-performance teams. She is a recognized clinician, speaker, consultant, & author. She is a Past President of AORN & the AORN Foundation; & is an Award for Excellence recipient & an inaugural AORN Fellow.
Kathryn Schroeter
PhD, MA-Bioethics, MS, RN, CNE, CNOR, FAORN
Schroeter is known for her research for perioperative nursing ethics and certification. She co-authored ANA’s Code of Ethics, the AORN Perioperative Explications of the Code, and serves on ANA’s Ethics Expert Panel.
Patricia C. Seifert (Deceased)
MSN, RN, CNOR, CRNFA(E), FAORN, FAAN
The bedrock of Trish’s lifework was cardiac surgery. As a clinician/RNFA, manager, and educator she recognized the needs of patients, nurses, and surgeons. Her expertise and dedication were proven through numerous publications, lectures, and mentorships.
Victoria M. Steelman
PhD, RN, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN
Steelman has dedicated her career to promoting excellent patient care through evidence-based practice (EBP) and has published extensively on this work. Her research focuses on perioperative patient safety. She is Past-President of AORN.
Brenda C. Ulmer
RN, MN, CNOR, FAORN
Ulmer’s professional nursing achievements have advanced surgical patient safety and staff perioperative practice safety through Education, Leadership and Research at the local, state, national and international levels.
V. Doreen Wagner
PhD, RN, CNOR, FAORN, FAAN
Wagner advanced perioperative patient safety from state to global levels. She has improved patient outcomes through evidence-based practice guideline development and hypothermia research, and she has a sustained record of evidence-based practices.
