Joanna A. Hall, MNSc, RN, CHSE is the Director of Simulation and Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Nursing.  Joanna received her Bachelor of Science in Community Health Promotion, Associate of Science in Nursing, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing all from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.  She received her Master of Nursing Science in Nursing Administration and Nursing Education from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  Joanna is currently pursuing her PhD in Change Leadership for Equity and Inclusion at the University of Central Arkansas. 

Since leaving the bedside where she specialized in cardiac progressive care for five years, Joanna has found a home in nursing education. Taking the reins of one of the largest simulation centers in Arkansas, she has worked to push the envelope for innovation in UA Little Rock’s Center for Simulation Innovation. In her time in nursing education and leadership, Joanna pursues her interests in research, assessment, and the use of data to drive meaningful change for more equitable and inclusive simulation and nursing curriculum.

Joanna is passionate about the power of connection and its ability to create impactful change within the community. Working to foster such connection, Joanna is an active member of the Leadership Saline County (LSC) Class XVIII, serves as the President for the incoming LSC Class XVIV, and serves as President-elect of the Arkansas Center for Nursing.

Dr. Sarah Bemis serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Center for Nursing. She is a transformational leader and advocate dedicated to the empowerment of the next generation of nurses uniquely positioned to drive initiatives that advance the quality and efficiency of our communities. Dr. Bemis holds a Bachelors of Arts (BA), an MSN (nursing education), and a doctoral degree in nursing practice (DNP).

Sarah began her professional nursing practice 16 years ago as an RN in the Emergency Department at Arkansas Children’s in Little Rock and then advanced to specialize as a Trauma Program Coordinator. She was privileged to work alongside other leaders in Arkansas who worked tirelessly to build a unified statewide trauma system. Sarah played a unique role in this effort by chairing the first Injury Prevention Committee of the Central Arkansas Trauma Regional Advisory Council, implementing the first county-wide ATV safety campaign, and serving as the inaugural research fellow at Arkansas Children’s after establishing the first inpatient injury prevention program and studying the impact of targeted injury prevention education on patients and their families. Sarah’s passion for service and advocacy continued as she transitioned to school health while working for the Pulaski County Special School District.

Sarah worked with leaders from the National Association of School Nurses to advocate for policies that improved healthcare access through school-based clinics, access to undesignated life-saving medications for anaphylaxis and asthma management, and improved health and learning outcomes by supporting policies that mandate at least one nurse in every Arkansas school.

In 2016, Sarah transitioned to academia, providing pediatric and leadership training for undergraduate nursing students at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Capella University, and most recently, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, as the Assistant Director for the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing since the fall of 2021.