Marie T. Hilliard JCL, PhD, RN, MS, MA, DM

Dr.Hilliard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, Magna cum laude (Catholic University of America), and graduate degreesin Maternal-Child Health Nursing (Boston University), Religious Studies(Hartford Seminary), Canon Law (Catholic University of America) and a Ph.D. in ProfessionalHigher Education Administration (University of Connecticut). She was honored by the Franciscan Universityof Steubenville with a doctorate in Christian Ethics honoris causa. She has an extensive professional backgroundin nursing (former tenured Chair of the Division of Nursing of the Universityof Saint Joseph in Connecticut), medical ethics and public policy (formerDirector of the Connecticut Catholic Conference, the public policy advocacy armof the Catholic Bishops of Connecticut). She has been substantially involved inhealth care regulation at the state and national levels for twelve years (formerExecutive Officer, Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing; Area IVDirector, The National Council of State Boards of Nursing). In addition, she isa canon lawyer and serves as a resource for the United States Bishops on theimplementation of the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic HealthCare Services as well as Church - State relations. Dr. Hilliard has published extensively and hasbeen an awardee of the Catholic Press Association.