Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, is the recipient of the 2015 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes her outstanding contributions as an oncology nurse researcher, mentor, and educator as well as her service to ONS and the community at large.
She will be honored for the award during the opening ceremony at the ONS 40th Annual Congress in Orlando on April 23, 2015.
Dr. Mayer, professor at the School of Nursing and director of cancer survivorship at the University of North Carolina and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, is a charter member of ONS. While serving as a director-at-large and then president of ONS, she was instrumental in developing the Society’s first strategic plan and a strategic planning process that continues today. She was the first oncology nurse to receive a Presidential appointment to the National Cancer Advisory Board, and she served as editor of the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing for eight years.
“It is an honor to receive this award,” said Dr. Mayer. “As a member of ONS since 1975, I have grown professionally along with the organization and have learned as much from my volunteer activities as I have given. It has been a great way to extend my efforts to improve cancer care.”
Dr. Mayer has consulted and lectured on cancer care internationally, published over 100 papers to improve cancer care, and works tirelessly to mentor other oncology nurses in writing, leadership, practice, and research. She is an active member of the North Carolina Triangle Chapter of ONS, the ONS Advanced Nursing Research and Breast Care Special Interest Groups, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology. She is the chair of ASCO’s Survivorship Care Plan Working Group and chair-elect of ASCO’s Survivorship Committee. She will become chair in 2016.