As a Family Nurse Practitioner with specialty certifications in Palliative Care and Oncology, Dr. Acker advocates for consumers to increase access to quality palliative care for serious illnesses. She has served rural and underserved populations for over twenty-five years as an advanced practice nurse. She has been a forerunner in supporting the integration of interdisciplinary models of care into clinical practice at local, state, regional, and national levels. Dr. Acker's commitment to working collaboratively through actionable partnerships remains a priority as she advocates for transformative healthcare changes. She is a fellow of both the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) and in Palliative Care Nursing (FPCN) and was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2024. Dr. Acker is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Alabama and maintains clinical practice with Oncology Specialists of Tuscaloosa, PC. at the Manderson Cancer Center @ DCH. She holds local, state, regional, and national leadership appointments.