Kathleen Mongan Thies, PhD, RN received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Cornell University-New York Hospital School of Nursing, a master's degree in psychiatric/mental health nursing from Adelphi University, and a PhD in developmental psychology from Boston College. She has taught in academic departments of psychology and nursing, and was formerly a chair of a department of nursing. She is currently directing the Graduate Entry pathway for non-nurses at the Graduate School of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She has written on developmental issues related to children with chronic illness, and on issues facing nursing education.