Dr. Patterson’s doctoral studies were partially supported by an NIH – NINR Ruth Kirschstein National Research Service Award. Her doctoral research used a qualitative descriptive approach to examine the adolescent’s experience with traumatic injury and orthopedic external fixation.

She has been employed for over 20 years as a Pediatric and Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner, with a specialty in trauma, in both inpatient and outpatient settings at UMass Memorial Trauma Center (Worcester, MA) and Harvard Vanguard (Chelmsford, MA).

Dr. Patterson is past president of the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) and currently serves on the NAON research committee and as chair of the mentoring committee. She is on the editorial board of the Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing (UK). She lectures nationally and internationally on various topics related to orthopedic nursing. Dr Patterson has been active in developing and teaching at regional educational conferences on the use of evidence-based practice in caring for patients with hip fracture. She is also a member of a national multi-disciplinary team completing research on safe patient handling algorithms for orthopedic nurses, under the leadership of Dr. Audrey Nelson. She has published over 10 research and clinical articles, written 3 book chapters and 8 multimedia productions.

Dr. Patterson has been a past program director for YMCA Camp Sandy Island on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH and enjoys teaching dance.