Dr. Deborah Merriam has more than 30 years of experience as a nurse, with the last 10 years focusing on her role as a nurse educator. Her background in bereavement, counseling, mother-baby nursing, NICU nursing, and leadership has prepared her to teach across the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She also previously coordinated the nursing department’s program evaluation efforts.
Merriam serves on the International Quality and Safety Education for Nurses RN to BSN taskforce, which has included a leadership role in research projects, publications, and national presentations. She is also a member of the American Nursing Association, the American Nursing Association-New York, and the Professional Nursing Association of Western New York. She previously served as a founding member and president of the New York League for Nursing, and is a past board member of Sigma Theta Tau, International Pi Zeta chapter.
Her areas of research interest include leadership development and mentoring in Western New York, use of technology to engage students in active learning, and cultivation of systems thinking.
Merriam earned a doctorate in nursing science from The Sage Colleges, a master’s degree in nursing education from Daemen, a master’s degree in counseling from Canisius College, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College.
Merriam and her husband recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with family. Outside Daemen, she loves to spend time with her five grandchildren and also enjoys quilting.