Dr. Mary Joy “MJ” Garcia-Dia stands as a beacon of innovation, leadership, and advocacy in the world of nursing informatics. Her academic journey, marked by excellence at every turn, laid the foundation for a career dedicated to enhancing patient care through technology. A Bachelor’s in Nursing (Cum Laude) from St. La Salle University, a Master’s in Nursing Informatics (Distinguished Graduate Award) from New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice (Director’s Award) from Case Western Reserve University collectively forged her intellectual and professional prowess.
Currently serving as the Program Director for Nursing Informatics at NewYork-Presbyterian, Dr. Dia has leveraged her background to influence healthcare on multiple fronts. She has published extensively, developed graduate-level courses, and served as an adjunct faculty member at CUNY—amplifying her impact on future generations of nurses. As President of the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) from 2020–2022, she advanced advocacy, equity, and collaboration, strengthening partnerships with organizations like the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, Asian Health Coalition, and Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. Her leadership was instrumental in forging collaborations that addressed the unique needs of diverse communities.
Reflecting on her path into nursing informatics and health IT, Dr. Dia explains: “My journey into nursing informatics and health IT was inspired by a passion for creating systems that reflect the true needs of patients, clinicians, and the care team.” This vision is underscored by her recognition of technology as a tool to simplify care and prevent it from burdening already demanding workflows. Instead, she champions a human-centered design approach, ensuring that solutions are intuitive, meaningful, and accessible.
Dr. Dia’s Filipino heritage has played a pivotal role in shaping her leadership style: “My Filipino heritage profoundly shapes my leadership style and professional outlook.” Values like bayanihan (community collaboration) and kapwa (empathy) guide her approach to problem-solving, reminding her that every decision must ultimately serve people. This cultural foundation has empowered her to navigate complexity, foster inclusivity, and ensure that technology solutions remain grounded in the realities of patients and healthcare teams.
Looking to the future of nurses in health IT, Dr. Dia acknowledges both challenges and opportunities: “Nurses in health IT face challenges such as navigating the fast-paced evolution of technology…Yet, these same challenges create opportunities for nurses to become powerful agents of change.” Their frontline experience provides invaluable insights that can lead to more equitable, user-friendly systems—ones that support both clinical staff and underserved populations.
Her advice to aspiring Filipino and internationally educated nurse leaders resonates with optimism and resolve: “You are uniquely equipped to make a global impact. Embrace the principles of human-centered design…Leadership is not about titles; it’s about the courage to drive transformation.” Through resilience, compassion, and a commitment to equity, Dr. Dia encourages nurses to step forward, innovate, and shape the future of healthcare.
Recently honored with the HIMSS Most Influential Women in Health IT Award, Dr. Mary Joy “MJ” Garcia-Dia exemplifies the profound influence nurses can have in bridging clinical expertise with emerging technologies. Her legacy inspires nurses worldwide to embrace human-centered innovation, champion health equity, and lead with empathy—ultimately forging a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare landscape.
