Deborah Fisher

Deborah Fisher

Discipline: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Funding awarded to: Children's National

Preparing the Adult Community-Based Palliative Care Provider to Care for the Pediatric Patient

Advance the field of pediatric palliative care and expand access to these specialized services by increasing the expertise of adult hospice nurses to address the specific needs of young patients. I will achieve these goals by developing and disseminating a pediatric palliative care evidence-based blended curriculum in collaboration with regional and national community palliative care experts and under the guidance of my mentors. This curriculum will use self-paced online modalities and virtual precepting.

“Through the years, I have encountered barriers to change recognizing quickly that knowledge alone does not lead to change. Leadership skills to foster and promote change in practice are required. I am committed to excellence in clinical care and education of community-based hospice providers in pediatric palliative care. I strive to be a transformational leader by bringing a standardized curriculum that will give adult hospice providers confidence and competence in providing this care. The Sojourns Scholars Leadership Program will prepare me to transform community-based pediatric palliative care. My vision is that professional leadership in this area will expand access and improve quality of care for children with serious illnesses and their families.”