Colorado Chapter

Member Spotlight

Sharon Giarrizzo-Wilson, PhD, RN, CNOR, NI-BC, FAAN

Member of the Colorado ANIA Chapter Since 2006

Current Role: Specialty Director Healthcare Informatics Program, Assistant Professor, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Location: Greater Denver Area

Linkedin Profile: Sharon Giarrizzo-Wilson, PhD, RN, CNOR, NI-BC, FAAN | LinkedIn

About Sharon

Sharon Giarrizzo-Wilson stands as a trailblazer in nursing informatics, leaving an indelible mark on the specialty through her visionary leadership and tireless advocacy. Her career has been defined by advancing national standards, shaping educational programs, and championing the integration of technology to improve patient care. Sharon's contributions include direct involvement in the creation and revision of the ANA's Nursing Informatics Scope and Standards, the development of innovative informatics models, and pivotal work in merging and strengthening professional organizations.

Beyond her organizational leadership, Sharon has influenced policy at the highest levels-advocating for the recognition of nursing informatics in federal workforce classifications and guiding the automation of hospital quality measures nationwide. Her strategic vision, commitment to mentorship, and unwavering dedication to ethical, patient-centered technology have helped elevate nursing informatics as a vital and respected specialty.

Keeping it Lite

Coffee, Tea, or Something Else?

Sharon: Coffee, but depends on the time of day.

Star Trek Original Series or The Next Generation:

Sharon:  Star Trek Original Series

How close are we to the development of a Tricorder? 

Sharon: 2-5 Years for Tricorder-like technologies to emerge, especially as AI and nanotechnology continues to advance and some current technologies attempt to replicate the Tricorder, like environmental sensors and personal log recording.  

What would you say is your Informatics Superpower?

Sharon: Curiosity

ANIA Involvement

During Sharon's early years with ANIA she was a member of the East Coast informatics group which operated as the Capital Area Roundtable on Informatics in Nursing(CARING). At that time ANIA was primarily a West Coast organization with some cross collaborations with CARING. Sharon played an active role during the official CARING and ANIA merger in 2010, helping to unify the national voice of nursing informatics despite some initial hesitancy among members.  She has consistently supported the chapter's growth by encouraging students and new professionals to join ANIA. Sharon's contributions to the Colorado ANIA chapter are countless.  The Colorado ANIA Chapter deeply values Sharon's countless contributions and ongoing support.

Sharon's Message to Colorado ANIA Members

Sharon encourages all members to pursue continuing education-whether in informatics, leadership, or analytics-and is happy to answer questions for anyone considering going back to school. She emphasizes choosing the right program for your career and staying actively involved in local chapters and professional organizations to network and advance the profession.

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn or reach out through the Colorado ANIA Chapter to learn more about her work and insights.

Dear Colorado Nursing Informatics Community,

We want to begin with a heartfelt apology for the chapter’s lack of engagement over the past few years. We recognize that its silence may have left many of you feeling disconnected or unsupported, and for that, we are truly sorry.

But today, we’re reaching out with renewed energy and a clear purpose: to breathe new life into the Colorado Chapter of the American Nursing Informatics Association. We believe in the power of this community and the incredible potential we have when we come together to share knowledge, support one another, and grow as professionals.

We’re excited to announce that a new chapter board is now in place, committed to rebuilding and reimagining what this chapter can be. Please join us in welcoming:

• President: Cassandra VanZalinge MS NI-BC
• Vice President: Anna Otgonbayar MSN RN NI-BC
• Secretary: Sarah Ponsonnet MSN -HI, RN

This new leadership team is dedicated to creating a chapter that is inclusive, responsive, and valuable to all members—no matter your role, experience level, or location.

We’re calling on each of you—whether you’re a long-time member, new to the field, or somewhere in between—to join us in this revitalization effort. Your voice, your experience, and your ideas are essential to shaping a chapter that truly reflects and supports our informatics community.

As we move forward, we want to hear from you:

• What would make chapter events more valuable and engaging for you?
• What topics or formats would you like to see at our meetings?
• How can we better support your informatics journey, regardless of your role or location?

This is your chapter, and we want it to be a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered.

Please keep an eye on this message board and our social media channels for updates, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. And don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly—I’m here to listen, collaborate, and help make this chapter something we can all be proud of.

Let’s make this a turning point. Together, we can build something truly meaningful.

Warm regards,
Luke Jobman MS BSN NI-BC CNOR
Perioperative Informatics Solutions Manager
Colorado Chapter – American Nursing Informatics Association