EducationPhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
MSN, University of Illinois at Chicago
BSN, University of Illinois at Chicago
Prior to joining the faculty at UWM, Dr. Fontana held a joint appointment at the University of Illinois Hospital and the College of Nursing. This faculty-practice appointment reinforced Dr. Fontana’s desire to pursue her interest in practice-based research. This interest was furthered by Dr. Fontana’s postdoctoral research experience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she completed a post-doctoral experience in cancer prevention via the Primary Care Prevention Project (PCPP) . This multi-disciplinary project included more that 55 group practices in Wisconsin and Michigan. A major focus of this project involved consensus building at the practice and provider levels around cancer and cardiovascular prevention and screening. Since joining the UWM faculty in 1978, Dr. Fontana spearheaded the development of the Family Nurse Practitioner option. She is engaged in teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Dr. Fontana is active in patient care via her practice as a family nurse practitioner. Her service roles have concentrated in the practice arena. She served two elected-terms as a founding Board member (representing practice) of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Dr. Fontana’s other important service included two elected-terms as treasurer on the Board of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.
