Faculty

Veronica B. Decker, director of the Nurse Executive DNP program, has more than four decades of healthcare experience – three of them in appointed leadership, executive and research roles. Her research interests are in organizational management and patient care practices, including clinical, psychological and social, to improve outcomes and treatment for patients with cancer. In 2016, her DNP project, “An Automated and Tailored Intervention to Mitigate Distress in Cancer Patients,” was selected as one of the five best clinical interventions at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society. Decker has nearly 25 years of experience in cancer care and treatment. In 1984, she founded Cancer Counseling and over 15 years, advised more than 1,000 cancer patients using cognitive, behavioral and educational approaches. She is also the author of the inspirational book Coping with Cancer: A Patient Pocket Book of Thoughts, Advice and Inspiration for the Ill.

Education

• DNP, Wayne State University
• MBA in Business, University of Notre Dame
• MS in Psychology, Winona State University
• BSN, College of St. Teresa

Selected Editorial Activities

• Reviewer, Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
• Reviewer, Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice
• Reviewer, Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
• Reviewer, Issues in Mental Health Nursing
• Reviewer, Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing
• Guest Editor, Issues in Mental Health Nursing, special issue on “Technology in Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Practice, Research, and Education”

Selected Awards & Honors

• Distinguished Fellow, National Academies of Practice, 2021
• Nursing Innovation and Creativity Icon Award, Florida Nurses Association, 2019

Selected Professional Activities

• Mental Health Representative, ENGAGE Initiative
• Southern Nursing Research Society
• Florida Organization of Nursing Executives
• American Organization of Nursing Executives
• American Psychosocial Oncology Society