Dr. Ela-Joy Lehrman

I am a career nurse educator, having spent more than 35 years in some aspect of nursing education. As a nurse educator, I advanced my own formal education as well, starting with a Master of Science degree in nursing with a specialty in Nurse-Midwifery from the University of Utah, then a Doctorate in nursing from the University of Arizona with a minor in educational psychology and a specialty in instrumentation, and complimenting those with a Master of Arts in Education with a specialty in adult education from the University of Phoenix.

My teaching experience is very broad. I have taught at all educational levels at both private and public universities, including the University of Utah, Arizona State University, Case Western Reserve University, St. Francis University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Phoenix Online and at Southern Arizona campus. I have taught many nursing courses including research, statistics, and nursing theory courses for most of my teaching career. I have also taught general education courses for the University of Phoenix as well as courses for the MBA and Masters in Counseling programs. I have taught health related seminars for members of the community in Tucson, AZ.

I have been very active in professional nursing organizations throughout my career. The highlight of that service was the establishment of the Nursing Honor Society for the University of Phoenix nursing programs. Subsequently, I wrote the self-study and took the Honor Society through chartering with Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) to become the Omicron Delta Chapter, the first multi-campus University chapter within STTI. I have presented research at professional nursing organizations at the state and national levels. Most recently, I served on the Arizona State Board of Nursing, Education Committee, and in my previous position, I served as a mentor and resource for the nurses throughout Arizona.

My clinical nursing experience includes med/surg, ICU, maternity nursing, midwifery practice, and public health nursing. I was a practicing nurse-midwife for a number of years during which I delivered over 600 babies. More recently, I worked as a Child Care Nurse Consultant, providing health and safety related consultations to the child care centers across Pima County in Southern Arizona. I am a nationally certified trainer of Child Care Health Consultants. 

Currently I teach doctoral students exclusively for the College of Doctoral Studies PHD in Nursing program, and the DHA program for the University of Phoenix.  I serve as dissertation Chair for doctoral nursing students and as a dissertation committee member. I have been teaching with the University since 1987.

In my life outside of the University, I work with Seniors who are transitioning to retirement and need guidance in obtaining appropriate health care, and in making their long-term plans for end-of-life needs.

Ela-Joy Lehrman, PhD, RN, MS, MAEd, CNM