Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology

Nancy C. Tkacs, PhD, RN, received her BSN and MSN degrees from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and her PhD in physiology with a focus in neuroscience from Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School at the Stritch School of Medicine. She completed postdoctoral training in neuroendocrinology in the laboratory of Dr. William F. (Fran) Ganong at University of California San Francisco. Dr. Tkacs conducted preclinical research on neuroendocrine responses to physiological stressors in rodent models, particularly pertaining to the diabetes complication hypoglycemia unawareness. Dr. Tkacs has been teaching pathophysiology for advanced nursing practice for over 25 years, drawing on her knowledge of organ systems physiology and pathophysiology to provide a strong basic science foundation for advanced nursing practice. As a master’s-prepared nurse with a doctorate in physiology, she is able to build a bridge between physiology concepts and the pathophysiology of disease. Students learn how findings from the history and physical and diagnostic test results relate to the underlying disease process at the cell and organ level. She taught advanced pathophysiology and neuroscience courses at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and the New Jersey Medical School; she taught advanced pathophysiology and pathogenesis of mental health disorders courses at the University of Pennsylvania; and she directed and taught advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology online courses at the University of Southern California. She also served as assistant dean for Diversity and Inclusivity at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.

Linda L. Herrmann, PhD, RN, AGACNP-BC, GNP-BC, ACHPN, FAANP, earned her BSN, MSN, and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing under the mentoring of Neville E. Strumpf, PhD, RN. Dr. Herrmann’s clinical and research interests are neuroscience, aging, caregiving, palliative and supportive care and end of life care, use of mixed reality platforms to enhance engagement with clinical content, and health policy related to transitions in care of older adults. She has experience teaching graduate level advanced pathophysiology and pathopharmacology in both in-person and virtual platforms. She is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in neuroscience and aging. She was a John A. Hartford predoctoral scholar, a Faculty Nurse Scholar through the Harford Faculty Scholars Program Policy Leadership Institute in Washington DC, and is an Advisor with the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing and a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.