Maryjan Fiala is an entrepreneurial-minded educator with more than fifteen years of experience working with diverse adult learners. She has been teaching undergraduate business courses for community colleges for more than ten years, most recently within her state’s correctional system. To complement graduate degrees in adult, occupational, and continuing education and organizational management, Maryjan is pursuing a PhD in adult learning and leadership. Her research interests focus on the construction of knowledge among patients/families and healthcare professionals, reflecting her dedication to advancing patient and family engagement across health systems. Maryjan’s commitment to patient and family advocacy was inspired by her youngest son’s complex medical journey. After an extremely premature birth and nearly 19 months inpatient, he transitioned to home, still requiring ventilator support and around-the-clock care. Building from her lived experience, Maryjan strives to elevate patient and family perspectives locally, regionally, and nationally.
