MAUREEN WELKER, MSN, NPc, CCRN

Maureen Welker received a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and also obtained a Public Health Nurse Certification. There she served as Vice President of the Graduate Nurses Association, at CSULB and also served as President of the Graduate Nurses Association. After graduating with a Master of Science Degree in Nursing with honors from California State University, Long Beach with a certificate in Family Practice, she acquired Board Certification.

Ms. Welker has over 20 years of experience in critical care and trauma department nursing. She also served on the Traumatic Brain Injury Team at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center. Ms. Welker has worked in family practice medicine, gastroenterology, bariatrics, pediatrics, dermatology, oncology, and rheumatology medicine. She has authored the "Review of the Literature: On Effects of Prayer on Patient Outcomes."  Ms. Welker is in active practice in the field of rheumatology in south Orange County and is currently the study coordinator for the RADIUS study and collaborated with Dr. William Shiel on the following publications:

• Real-world Utilization of DEMARDS and biologics in rheumatoid arthritis: the RADIUS Study, 2006.
• Real-world effectiveness of select biologic and DMARD monotherapy and combination therapy treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the RADIUS Observational registry, 2006.

Ms. Welker's current professional affiliations include:CANP, California Association for Nurse Practitioners; Sigma Theta Tau International— Honor Society of Nursing; American Association of Critical Care Nurses; Association of Rheumatology; Arthritis Foundation.

Ms. Welker also holds the following certifications: Critical Care Registered Nurse, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; Advanced Cardiac Life Support Provider, American Heart Association; Basic life Support Provider, American Heart Association.

Ms. Welker is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner and is currently on staff at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center.