WVU Libraries

WVU Intranet, March 16, 2007

Susan Arnold, interim director of West Virginia University’s Health Sciences Library, was recently named to the Medical Library Association’s prestigious Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP).

The honor recognizes medical librarians based on their involvement in the field and in professional organizations, as well as their efforts in continuing education.

“It’s a sense of accomplishment,” Arnold said of the recognition. “I think it lends a sense of credibility to my work as a medical librarian.”

To be eligible for membership to AHIP, one must have first clocked five or more years as a medical librarian. Arnold was welcomed to the AHIP at the senior level.

Arnold has been active in the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Medical Library Association since 2001, serving a term as secretary for the organization. She has also published book reviews, presented poster sessions at conferences and set continuing education as a priority.

In addition, Arnold was a registered dietitian (RD) before joining the WVU Libraries faculty, and she maintains her RD status through continuing education in that field.

“Lifelong learning is important because things change so much, both in the field of medicine and with technology and electronic resources,” Arnold said. “There are always new databases and new tools to help you find and organize information.

With the electronic world expanding as much as it is, I believe in taking advantage of opportunities to keep updated.”

WVU Libraries Dean Frances O’Brien called the honor well-deserved.

“We know that Susan has made outstanding contributions to the WVU Libraries,” O’Brien said. “Her leadership in the Health Sciences Library, her dedication to improving services to library users and her collaborative work with other campus units has advanced the goals of the libraries.

It is nice to see Susan receive wider recognition for her achievements.”

Arnold received her bachelor’s of science in dietetics from West Virginia Wesleyan College, master’s of science in human nutrition and foods from Virginia Tech and master’s of library and information science from the University of South Carolina.

She came to the WVU Hospitals in 1988 as a clinical nutrition manager and dietetic internship director. In 2001, she joined the staff of WVU Libraries as an information services librarian. Three years later, she was named interim director of the Health Sciences Library.

Arnold joins two other WVU faculty already installed in AHIP, Jean Seibert, a distinguished member, and Virginia Bender, a senior member.