{{Short description|American nurse, researcher, and educator}}
'''Thomas Ahrens''' is an American nurse, researcher, and educator at Barnes-Jewish Hospital specializing in critical-care nursing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sccm.org/Publications/Critical_Connections/Archives/April_2007/Pages/Bundle_Implementation.aspx|title="Bundle Implementation: The Importance of Leaders in Change," Ahrens and Golden, 2007|website=sccm.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-11|title=Dr. Tom Ahrens|url=https://www.vivenhealth.com/dr-tom-ahrens/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Viven Health|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Tom Ahrens, PhD, RN, FAAN|url=https://www.sepsis.org/advisory/tom-ahrens-phd-rn-faan/|access-date=2021-03-14|website=Sepsis Alliance|language=en-US}}</ref>
==Education== Ahrens graduated from Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis with a PhD in physiology and nursing in 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alumni US {{!}} Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis|url=https://alumnius.net/indiana_universitypu-8351-233|access-date=2021-03-14|website=alumnius.net}}</ref>
== Professional and scholarly work == Ahrens has more than 25 years of experience as a critical care nurse,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gehealthcare.com/usen/perinatal/clinical_ed/Ahrens_bio.html|title=GE Health Care, Thomas Ahrens biography|website=gehealthcare.com}}</ref> and is the author of five books, more than 100 papers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icu-usapro.com/aboutus.php|title=ICU-USA home page|website=icu-usapro.com}}</ref> and more than 40 scientific publications. His book ''Essentials of Oxygenation'' received the Book of the Year Award from the ''American Journal of Nursing''.<ref>[http://www.nurseweek.com/news/Features/05-01/NewFAANs.asp "American Academy of Nursing Honors Two Critical Care RNs," Nurse Week, 17 Jan 2005]</ref> Ahrens is also a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and formerly served on the board of directors for AACN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.proedcenter.com/html/templates/Speaker.htm|title=Home – Professional Educational Center|website=Professional Educational Center}}</ref> He is a recognized authority in sepsis and has given numerous lectures around the country on the subject.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prolibraries.com/npei/?select=speaker&speakerID=5304|title=Professional Education Center, list of sessions|website=prolibraries.com}}</ref>
Ahrens is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, which named him one of its first Edge Runners in 2006; the award recognizes innovations resulting in better care for patients, families, and the community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aannet.org/files/public/edge_runners_booklet.pdf|title="Edge Runners," American Academy of Nursing|website=aannet.org}}</ref>
In 2008, he received the Flame of Excellence award from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses;<ref>[http://www.aacn.org/wd/memberships/content/circle_of_excellence/coe08exemplarahrens.pcms "2008 AACN Flame of Excellence Award," American Association of Critical-Care Nurses]</ref> this award recognizes sustained contributions of excellence in acute and critical care nursing.
== Business == Ahrens co-founded the company ICU-USA, Inc. in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icu-usa.com/about/index.htm|title=ICU-USA website|website=icu-usa.com}}</ref> The company operates a website which provides educational information to hospital staff and medical information to patients and families (particularly those in intensive care units). The company also places computer kiosks in public areas for use by patients, families, and hospital staff in accessing the site. The website has been endorsed by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and has been named "The Official Patient and Family Website of the Society of Critical Care Medicine" by the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
==Personal life== Ahrens and his wife Pat Ahrens have four children.
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ahrens, Tom}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:American medical researchers Category:Nurses from Missouri Category:Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing Category:Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis alumni Category:Male nurses Category:Nursing researchers Category:American nursing educators