Position: Director-at-Large
Fedricker Diane Barber, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, AOCNP®
Advanced Practice Nurse
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
ONS member: 17 years; Special Interest Group member: 2-3 years; Chapter member: 17 years
EDUCATION:
University of Texas at Tyler, PhD, 2012
University of Pennsylvania, MSN, 1995
University of Hawaii at Manoa, BSN, 1991
Riversity Community College, AND, 1988
ONS PARTICIPATION (national and local):
2015: President, Houston Chapter ONS
2008-2009: Treasurer, Houston Chapter ONS
2003-2005: Secretary, Houston Chapter ONS
2013: Abstract Reviewer, ONS Connection Conference
2012: Member, APN/DNP ONS Foundation Support Project Team
2009: Member, Psychosocial Project Team
WORK RELATED SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP:
2014-present: Clinical Liaison, ICT Community Outreach Committee
2013-present: Officer, Electronic Health Record, MLP Department
2012-2013: Member, APN Residency Program Advisory Group
2011-2013: Member/Secretary, APN Orientation Committee
2006-2009: Preceptor, APN Fellowship Program Champion
2004-2006: Member, APN Professional Recognition Model Committee
2002-2004: Chair/Co-Chair, Nursing Research Council
HEALTH CARE/ CANCER ORGANIZATIONS EXPERIENCE, OTHER PROFESSIONAL
NURSING ORGANIZATIONS /Additional experience (community, political etc.):
2015-present: Member, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation (ONCC) Recognition
Subcommittee
2012-present: Member, African Cancer Prevention Group, Scientific Advisory Board
2002-2008: Member, Texas Cancer Council Board
2001-2007: Vice-President/President, Fort Bend County Black Nurses Association
2013-2014: Member, Susan G. Komen, Community Education
Position Statement:
I believe I am uniquely qualified for the position of Director at Large because of the following
leadership qualities: competency, interpersonal effectiveness, dedication, and integrity. I believe
my seventeen years of experience as an oncology nurse practitioner in phase I clinical trials,
lymphoma/myeloma, bio-immunotherapy; and as a moonlighter in the emergency center has
provided me with the tools to serve as an oncology expert. I have presented several poster and
podium presentations on oncology at national and local professional nursing organizations.
Additionally, my passion for life-long learning is evident in my pursuit of a PhD in nursing,
advocacy for oncology certification, and my quest for new knowledge through clinical research.
I believe I demonstrate the leadership qualities of interpersonal effectiveness, dedication, and
integrity as the president of Houston Chapter Oncology Nursing Society; as a board member of
several professional organizations; as a community outreach volunteer; and as a legislative
advocate for oncology and advanced practice nurse issues. Maintaining positive, lasting
relationships is vital to the success of ONS, its members, and stakeholders.
Chose two of the ONS Core Values and discuss how you have actualized them in your
leadership experiences.
Innovation: As an APN in a Phase I oncology clinical trial program, innovation is a key
component of my everyday clinical practice. Being in an environment like Phase I, which is fluid,
never stagnant, gives me a unique prospective on the rapid transformation of cancer care from
intravenous chemotherapy to oral targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Patients, caregivers,
and oncology nurses face many challenges regarding these innovative ways to fight cancer;
such as lack of access, insurance reimbursement, symptom management, oral adherence, and
safety. I believe my skills as an APN will enable me to help ONS to support the core value of
innovation, while addressing the above challenges, and challenges that are yet to be
discovered.
Excellence: Booker T. Washington, a famous African-American educator, author, and orator,
once said “Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.” This quote symbolizes
my approach to patient care, clinical research, and education. As an APN, I demonstrate
leadership excellence in the provision of evidence based care to patients with advanced cancer;
serving on the planning committee of several educational seminars; mentoring and serving as a
role model; participating in community outreach, and being actively involved in legislative issues
regarding oncology.
Reflecting on the mission and vision of ONS, how have you addressed relevant issues to
oncology nursing?
The IOM report on The Future of Nursing posits that nurses should practice to the full extent of
their education and should achieve higher levels of education. As a member of the APN/DNP
ONS Foundation Support Project Team, I participated in a panel to determine how to financially
support APNs to complete a DNP project. In addition, I have advocated to support APNs in
certifying home health orders and to be counted in rural Medicare shared savings by calling,
writing, and visiting my legislators. As an ONS member for 17 years, I serve as role model and
mentor to oncology nurses and nursing students who are interested in oncology.