Carolyn Phillips, PhD, Co-Founder

Carolyn Phillips, PhD, RN, ACNP is an Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing. She received her BSN from The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in 2001, her MSN from the University of New Mexico in 2011, and in 2019 she completed her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin where she was a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Scholar. Before joining the faculty at UT Austin, she spent two years as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School.

Dr. Phillips has been an oncology nurse for over 20 years and has practiced as a bedside nurse, nurse practitioner, researcher, and leader. Her clinical and research expertise is in oncology and end-of-life care, and she is interested in the development and implementation of expressive arts-based interventions to improve communication about and coping with complex emotions. In her current research, she examines the impact of “Storytelling Through Music” with family and professional caregivers and is specifically interested in its effect on brain activity, the alignment between neuro-affective and cognitive states, and the long-term effect on psychosocial well-being.

In addition to her nursing career, Dr. Phillips is a performing musician. Her background in music and nursing uniquely situates her to be able to design and implement innovative interventions that combine the use of narrative writing, storytelling, and music to improve psychosocial well-being in patients and caregivers.

Heather A. Davidson, PhD

Dr. Davidson is an Associate Professor of Medical Education and Administration at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, TN. She is an educator, social scientist and leader in interprofessional practice and education (IPE). She served as the first Director for the Vanderbilt Program in Interprofessional Education (VPIL) over 8 years where she designed and implemented innovative experiential learning opportunities for health professional students. She has led numerous IPE initiatives across institutions and professional groups including collaborations with the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, Southeastern AIDS Education and Training Center, and community-based nurse managed health centers.

In addition to her many national and international presentations and scholarship activities, she has been honored as a member of Vanderbilt’s Academy of Excellence in Education (2015) and received the Chazen Award for Innovation in Medical Education (2018) for her work with interprofessional education. Dr. Davidson has extensive experience teaching and mentoring health professionals on collaborative communication, systems science and program design that supports a healthy learning culture in organizations.

Prior to joining the Vanderbilt faculty, she worked at Stanford University School of Medicine where she provided consultation for strategic initiatives in education across the learning continuum from early trainees to practicing professionals. She has also served on the faculty of Masters of Health Professions Education programs at both Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins University.

Dr. Davidson holds a PhD in psychological science from Vanderbilt University, Peabody College with an emphasis in community psychology and program evaluation. Her doctoral research focused on evaluating the impact of interprofessional maternal-child health services in rural communities.

Deborah Volker, phd

Dr. Volker earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing and Master’s degree in nursing education from Columbia University, and a PhD in nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. Her research focused on ethical issues and end-of-life care for adults with a cancer diagnosis. Her teaching included bioethics, oncology nursing, and qualitative research methods. Dr. Volker was honored as Professor of the Year by The University of Texas at Austin Senate of College Councils in 2010, selected as an ING Professor of Excellence at UT in 2011, and inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2011. Prior to her work at UT Austin, she served as director of nursing education and an adjunct clinical ethicist at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Jacki hecht, msn, rn

Ms. Hecht is the Managing Director of the Center for Transdisciplinary Collaborative Research for Self-Management Science and has extensive background in designing, delivering, and providing training for motivational interventions to promote self-management for improving chronic conditions. She is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in this area. Jacki has also served as a Trainer for the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) Training of new Trainers in 2007 (Sofia, Bulgaria) and 2009 (Sitges, Spain).

Jacki Hecht received her B.S from Cornell University, while receiving her RN and MSN from MGH Institute of Health Professions.