Joann Oliver

Professor

Education

  • PhD, Nursing, Georgia State University, 2007
  • MSN, Masters of Science in Nursing, Adult Nurse Practitioner, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2001
  • BSN, Bachelor Science in Nursing, The University of Alabama, 1998
  • ADN, Nursing, Shelton State Community College, 1993

Biography

Dr. Oliver began teaching at The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing in January 2002. She is a tenured Full Professor and a proud graduate of the Capstone College of Nursing. She has taught in both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. She earned a Masters of Nursing at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and a PhD at Georgia State University. Dr. Oliver served six years as a Commissioned Officer, Captain, in the United States Air Force Reserve.

Dr. Oliver completed a one-year post-doctoral Health Disparities Research Training Program at UAB. Her research focuses on cancer health disparities, with a major focus on cancer in the areas of education, early detection, and decision-making. Dr. Oliver has co-edited a journal, authored over 37 publications and presented at local, state, national, and international levels. Dr. Oliver is actively involved in Community Based Participatory Research and works with a collaborative multidisciplinary team of researchers. She serves as an investigator on the UAB Deep South RCMAR Community Core. Dr. Oliver is passionate about sharing her knowledge and mentors many early career scientist and students.

Dr. Oliver is involved with the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition and serves as the Chair of the Early Detection Committee. Dr. Oliver served on the Susan G. Komen, North Central Alabama Board of Directors for many years and served as Board President (2017-2019). She serves on the leadership team of the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3), a NCI-EGRP supported consortium that supports international collaboration and research. She co-chairs the AC3 Colorectal Cancer Working Group and serves on the AC3 Research Ethical and Review Committee. She is a Faculty Associate and Executive Board member of the Alabama Research Institute on Aging. In 2020 Dr. Oliver was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama United Health Committee, which focused on addressing health issues, particularly those affecting rural and underserved communities.

In 2021, Dr. Oliver was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Oliver completed the inaugural Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Experienced Nurse Faculty Leadership Academy. She served as President of the local Epsilon Omega chapter of STTI from 2016-2018. The Association of Black Nursing Faculty (ABNF) recognized Dr. Oliver’s service in 2018 during the annual ABNF conference in London, England, where she received the distinguished ABNF Community Service Award. Dr. Oliver is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and serves as Faculty Advisor and mentors undergraduate student members. She continuously exemplifies the Teaching, Research, and Service mission of The University of Alabama.

Honors and Awards

  • Fellow in American Academy of Nursing, 2021
  • Quality Matters Online Teaching Certificate, 2021
  • Selected for AC3/IRONMAN – International Prostate Cancer Study Clinical Trial Site – Tuscaloosa, AL, 2021
  • Appointment by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey – Alabama United Health Committee, 2020
  • Excellence in Community Service and Engagement Award – Association of Black Nursing Faculty, Inc., 2018

Areas of Interest

  • Social Determinants of Health & Health Disparities
  • Rural Health
  • Oncology
  • Community-based Participator Research

Scholarly Highlights

  • Grant Funded: Increasing COVID-19 Vaccination in Black Belt Areas of Alabama: Tailored Health Literacy Approach. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA).
  • Grant Funded: Racial Disparities in Kidney Disease Diagnosis and Treatment. CVS.
  • 5-year Subcontract from the University of Alabama at Birmingham: Deep South Resource Center for Minority Aging Research (2019-2023).