Deborah K. MayerDeborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN is an advanced practice oncology nurse who has consulted with organizations on issues to improve cancer care and has over 30 years of cancer nursing practice, education, research, and management experience. Dr. Mayer earned a PhD from the University of Utah, her MSN from Yale University, her BSN from Excelsior College, her Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the University of Maryland, and her diploma from Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing.

Dr. Mayer is past president of the Oncology Nursing Society, was a member of the National Cancer Institute’s National Cancer Advisory Board (a Presidential appointment) and Board of Scientific Advisors. Dr. Mayer was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She is the Editor for the Oncology Nursing Society’s Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing (CJON). Dr. Mayer has published almost 100 articles and book chapters and lectures internationally on oncology and oncology nursing issues.

Dr. Mayer is a Professor in the Adult and Geriatric Health Division in the School of Nursing and the UNC Lineberger Director of Cancer Survivorship. Her program of research focuses on the issues facing cancer survivors and improving cancer care. She has a clinical practice working with breast cancer survivors.

She is also a member of the newly formed Blue Ribbon Panel organized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health. The panel is comprised of scientific experts, cancer leaders, and patient advocates that will inform the scientific direction and goals at NCI of Vice President Joe Biden’s National Cancer Moonshot Initiative.