Dorothy J. Wholihan

Faculty

Dorothy J Wholihan headshot

Dorothy J. Wholihan

DNP AGACNP-BC ACHPN FPCN FAAN

Clinical Professor
Program Director, Advanced Practice Palliative Care Specialty Sequence

1 212 992 9429

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Dorothy J. Wholihan, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN, is a Clinical Professor of Nursing and the director of the Advanced Practice Palliative Care Specialty Program at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She is a palliative care nurse practitioner with over 40 years of nursing experience dedicated to the care of persons with advanced illness and their families. She has held prior positions as an oncology and pain management clinical nurse specialist. She maintains an active clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in palliative care within the Veterans Health Administration, where she has cared for seriously ill veterans since 1989.

Recognized as a national leader in palliative care nursing education, Dorothy has served more than 15 years as national faculty for the ELNEC program (End of Life Nursing Education Consortium) and currently leads the ELNEC Geriatric course. She was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 2019 and serves on the End-of-Life Expert Panel. She is also an active member of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association and is a Fellow of Palliative Care Nursing. 

In recognition of her expertise and contributions to nursing education, she was awarded the NYU Meyers Distinguished Teaching Award in 2019 and recognized by the wider university with the NYU Distinguished Teaching Award in 2020.

Her palliative care practice and research interests include spiritual aspects of care, communication education, and the care of veterans at end of life.
 

Dorothy received her DNP from George Washington University, MSN from Yale University, and BSN from the University of Pennsylvania. She also holds a Post-Master's Certificate in Christian Specialty from the General Theological Seminary, and a Post-Master's Certificate: Adult Nurse Practitioner from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

DNP - George Washington University (2011)
Post-Master's Certificate - Christian Specialty, General Theological Seminary (2008)
Post-Master's Certificate, ANP - Uniformed Services, University of the Health Sciences (1999)
MSN - Yale University (1989)
BSN - University of Pennsylvania (1983)

Palliative care
Pain Management

American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Nurses Association
Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association
National Faculty Member, End of Life Nursing Education Consortium
Sigma Theta Tau

University Distinguished Teaching Award, NYU (2020)
Distinguished Teaching Award, NYU Meyers (2019)
Fellow, Palliative Care Nursing
Fellow, Hartford Institute of Geriatric Nursing
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing

 Palliative care for people with COVID-19 related symptoms.

Paice, J. A., Wholihan, D., Mazanec, P., Long, C., Thaxton, C., & Greer, K. (2020). Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 22(6), 421-427. 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000692

 Palliative nursing: the core of COVID-19 care

Paice, J. A., Wholihan, D., Dahlin, C., Rosa, W. E., Mazanec, P., Long, C., Thaxton, C., & Greer, K. (2020). Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing.

Psychological Issues of Patient Transition from Intensive Care to Palliative Care

Wholihan, D. (2019). Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America, 31(4), 547-556. 10.1016/j.cnc.2019.07.010
Abstract
Abstract
End-of-life care in the intensive care unit is fraught with complicated psychological responses by patients, families, and staff. Empathic and mindful communication, inclusion of all integral staff in decision-making meetings, and multidimensional support of patients and families can ease the transition away from aggressive life-prolonging to comfort-oriented end of life care. Primary palliative care communication strategies can help clarify goals of care and facilitate transitions. Early integration of specialist palliative care is recommended.

 Anorexia-cachexia syndrome. 

Schack, E., & Wholihan, D. (2019). In Textbook of Palliative Care Nursing (3rd ed.) (1–). Oxford University Press.

A Framework for Integrating Oncology Palliative Care in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Education

Fennimore, L., Wholihan, D., Breakwell, S., Malloy, P., Virani, R., & Ferrell, B. (2018). Journal of Professional Nursing, 34(6), 444-448. 10.1016/j.profnurs.2018.09.003
Abstract
Abstract
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) faculty play a critical role in preparing students to meet the complex needs of the nation as the number of cancer rates and survivors rise (National Cancer Institute, 2018) and as an unprecedented number of older Americans enter into the healthcare system with complicated comorbidities (Whitehead, 2016). Palliative care has dramatically expanded over the past decade and has been increasingly accepted as a standard of care for people with cancer and other serious, chronic, or life-limiting illnesses. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are recognized as important providers of palliative care (Walling et al., 2017). A 2-day course was held with support from the National Cancer Institute to enhance integration of palliative oncology care into DNP curriculum. The course participants (N = 183), consisting of DNP faculty or deans, practicing DNP clinicians, and students, received detailed annotated slides, case studies, and suggested activities to increase student engagement with the learning process. Course content was developed and delivered by palliative care experts and DNP faculty skilled in curriculum design. Participants were required to develop goals on how to enhance their school's DNP curriculum with the course content. They provided updates regarding their progress at integrating the content into their school's curriculum at 6, 12, and 18 months post course. Results demonstrated an increase in incorporating oncology palliative care in DNP scholarly projects and clinical opportunities. Challenges to inclusion of this content in DNP curricula included lack of: perceived time in curriculum; faculty educated in palliative care; and available clinical sites.

Access to Hospice Care.

Wholihan, D. (2017). In The Encyclopedia of Elder Care (4th ed.). (1–). Springer Publishing.

The doctrine of double effect: A review for the bedside nurse providing end-of-life care

Wholihan, D., & Olson, E. (2017). Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, 19(3), 205-211. 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000348
Abstract
Abstract
Nurses on the front lines of palliative care are frequently presented with ethically challenging situations involving the use of palliative sedation and increasing opioids at the end of life. The doctrine of double effect is an ethical principle dating back to the 13th century that explains how the bad consequences of an action can be considered ethically justified if the original intent was for good intention. This article examines the doctrine of double effect through case examples and presents supporting and opposing opinions about its relevance to clinical practice. Implications for nursing care are discussed.

Palliative Care.

Wholihan, D. (2017). In The Encyclopedia of Elder Care (4th ed.). (1–). Springer Publishing.

 Care of Veterans

Wholihan, D., & Bixby, K. (2017). In Conversations in Palliative Care. (4th ed.) (1–).

Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Compassion, Care, Commitment, Communication, Communion

Wholihan, D., & Pace, J. C. (2016). Nursing Clinics of North America, 51(3), xi-xii. 10.1016/j.cnur.2016.07.001