Judith Haber

Faculty

Judith Haber headshot

Judith Haber

PhD APRN-BC FAAN

Professor Emerita

1 212 998 9020

433 FIRST AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10010
United States

Judith Haber, PhD, APRN, FAAN is Professor Emerita at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing (NYU Meyers). From 1997-2022, she held significant leadership roles as Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Interim Dean, and Ursula Springer Leadership Professor in Nursing.

Prof. Haber is the Executive Director of a national nursing oral health initiative, the Oral Health Nursing Education Practice (OHNEP) Program, funded by the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health Advancement, and was the Principal Investigator on the HRSA-funded program, Teaching Oral-Systemic Health (TOSH). Haber is the lead author of the landmark (2015) AJPH publication, Putting the Mouth Back in the Head:  HEENT to HEENOT. Since 2005, Haber has been an NYU leader of interprofessional education and practice, with a special focus on oral-systemic health, collaborating with interprofessional partners at NYU College of Dentistry, NYU School of Medicine, and LIU School of Pharmacy.

As Executive Director of OHNEP, Haber is a Core Partner of the National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health (NIIOH). She was a member of the HRSA Expert Panel that developed the 2014 Interprofessional Oral Health Core Competencies for Primary Care Providers and a member of the Technical Expert Panel that developed the 2015 Qualis Health White Paper, Oral Health: An Essential Component of Primary Care. She also contributed to the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) 2022 report, Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges. Haber has been invited to join numerous Advisory Boards, including the Veteran’s Administration (VA) NVHAP National Advisory Board, the Primary Care Collaborative National Steering Committee on Shared Principles, the CIPCOH 100 Million Mouths Advisory Board, the National Medically Necessary Medicare Dental Benefit Consortium, and the National Maternal Child Oral Health Think Tank. Haber has consulted, presented and published widely on interprofessional education and practice as well as oral-systemic health issues.

Haber is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing, the New York Academy of Medicine and a Board Member of the Santa Fe Group. She is the 2011 recipient of the NYU Distinguished Teaching Award, 2014 NYU Meritorious Service Award, the 2015 Sigma Theta Tau International Marie Hippensteel Lingeman Award for Excellence in Nursing Practice, the 2017 DentaQuest Health Equity Hero Award and in 2019, the OHNEP Program received an Edge Runner Award from the American Academy of Nursing.

Haber also has been an internationally recognized leader in psychiatric nursing for the past 40 years. She was the author of the award-winning, classic textbook, Comprehensive Psychiatric Nursing, published for 8 editions and translated into 5 languages. She was the recipient of the ANA Hildegarde Peplau Award and a two-time awardee of the APNA Psychiatric Nurse of the Year Award. Consistent with the current emphasis on integrating behavioral health in primary care, Haber has been a longtime advocate of the integration of mental health and physical health and has published widely on this topic.

She is also a recognized expert in evidence-based practice and co-author of two award winning nursing research texts, Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-based Practice, now in its 10th edition and translated into 5 languages, and Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Quality Improvement.

Haber played a leadership role as Co-Principal Investigator and Principal Investigator on a series of NIH funded studies, including an R15 and RO1 investigating the effect of psychoeducational and counseling interventions on physical, emotional, and social adjustment of women with breast cancer and their partners, as well as Co-Principal Investigator on a qualitative study investigating the experience of survivorship for women with breast cancer. The findings of these studies have been disseminated in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, local and national presentations, and are frequently cited in the literature. This program of research also resulted in an award-winning four-part DVD series, Journey to Recovery: For Women with Breast Cancer and Their Partners and a book, Breast Cancer: Journey to Recovery.

PhD, New York University
MA, New York University
BS, Adelphi University

Mental health
Interprofessionalism
Oral-systemic health

American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American Nurses Association
Connecticut Nurses Association
Gerontological Society of America
National League for Nursing
New York Academy of Medicine
Santa Fe Group
Sigma Theta Tau-Alpha Omega and Upsilon Chapters

Edge Runner Award, American Academy of Nursing (2019)
Senior Scholar, Santa Fe Group (2018)
Denta Quest Health Equity Hero Awrd (2017)
Distinguished Teaching Award, New York University (2011)
Excellence in Cancer Nursing Research Award, Oncology Nursing Society (2009)
Distinguished Alumni Award, NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing (2008)
Psychiatric Nurse of the Year Award, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2005)
Excellence in Research Award, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2005)

Patterns of obesity and lymph fluid level during the first year of breast cancer treatment : A prospective study

Fu, M. R., Axelrod, D., Guth, A. A., Fletcher, J., Qiu, J. M., Scagliola, J., Kleinman, R., Ryan, C. E., Chan, N., & Haber, J. (2015). (Vols. 5, Issues 3, pp. 326-340). 10.3390/jpm5030326
Abstract
Abstract
Obesity is one of the risk factors for developing lymphedema following breast cancer treatment. We prospectively enrolled 140 women and followed the participants for 12 months after surgery to investigate patterns of obesity and lymph fluid level in the first year of cancer treatment. Electrical bioimpedance devices were used to measure weight, BMI, and percent of body fat as well as lymph fluid level. General instructions were given to the participants on maintaining pre-surgery weight. Among the 140 participants, 136 completed the study with 2.9% attrition. More than 60% of the participants were obese (30.8%) or overweight (32.4%), while only two participants were underweight and about 35% had normal weight. This pattern of obesity and overweight was consistent at 4–8 weeks and 12 months post-surgery. At 12 months post-surgery, the majority of the women (72.1%) maintained pre-surgery weight and 15.4% had >5% weight loss; 12.5% of the women increase >5% of their weight. Significantly more patients in the obesity group had lymphedema defined by L-Dex ratio >7.1 than those in the normal/underweight and overweight group at pre-surgery and 4–8 weeks post-surgery. There was a trend of more patients in the obesity group had L-Dex ratio >7.1 at 12 months post-surgery. Obesity and overweight remain among women at the time of cancer diagnosis and the patterns of obesity and overweight continue during the first year of treatment. General instructions on having nutrition-balanced and portion-appropriate diet and physical activities daily or weekly can be effective to maintain pre-surgery weight.

Putting the mouth back in the head : HEENT to HEENOT

Haber, J., Hartnett, E., Allen, K. L., Hallas, D. M., Dorsen, C., Lange-Kessler, J., Lloyd, M., Thomas, E., & Wholihan, D. J. (2015). (Vols. 105, Issues 3, pp. 437-441). 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302495
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Improving oral health is a leading population health goal; however, curricula preparing health professionals have a dearth of oral health content and clinical experiences.We detail an educational and clinical innovation transitioning the traditional head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat (HEENT) examination to the addition of the teeth, gums, mucosa, tongue, and palate examination (HEENOT) for assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of oral-systemic health. Many New York University nursing, dental, and medical faculty and students have been exposed to interprofessional oral health HEENOT classroom, simulation, and clinical experiences. This was associated with increased dental-primary care referrals.This innovation has potential to build interprofessional oral health workforce capacity that addresses a significant public health issue, increases oral health care access, and improves oral-systemic health across the lifespan.

Symptom report in detecting breast cancer-related lymphedema

Fu, M. R., Axelrod, D., Cleland, C. M., Qiu, Z., Guth, A. A., Kleinman, R., Scagliola, J., & Haber, J. (2015). (Vols. 7, pp. 345-352). 10.2147/BCTT.S87854
Abstract
Abstract
Breast cancer-related lymphedema is a syndrome of abnormal swelling coupled with multiple symptoms resulting from obstruction or disruption of the lymphatic system associated with cancer treatment. Research has demonstrated that with increased number of symptoms reported, breast cancer survivors’ limb volume increased. Lymphedema symptoms in the affected limb may indicate a latent stage of lymphedema in which changes cannot be detected by objective measures. The latent stage of lymphedema may exist months or years before overt swelling occurs. Symptom report may play an important role in detecting lymphedema in clinical practice. The purposes of this study were to: 1) examine the validity, sensitivity, and specificity of symptoms for detecting breast cancer-related lymphedema and 2) determine the best clinical cutoff point for the count of symptoms that maximized the sum of sensitivity and specificity. Data were collected from 250 women, including healthy female adults, breast cancer survivors with lymphedema, and those at risk for lymphedema. Lymphedema symptoms were assessed using a reliable and valid instrument. Validity, sensitivity, and specificity were evaluated using logistic regression, analysis of variance, and areas under receiver operating characteristic curves. Count of lymphedema symptoms was able to differentiate healthy adults from breast cancer survivors with lymphedema and those at risk for lymphedema. A diagnostic cutoff of three symptoms discriminated breast cancer survivors with lymphedema from healthy women with a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 97% (area under the curve =0.98). A diagnostic cutoff of nine symptoms discriminated at-risk survivors from survivors with lymphedema with a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 80% (area under the curve =0.72). In the absence of objective measurements capable of detecting latent stages of lymphedema, count of symptoms may be a cost-effective initial screening tool for detecting lymphedema.

Building a culture of collaboration : Interprofessional education and practice

Haber, J. (2014). (Vols. 2, Issue 1, pp. 12-14).
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Interprofessional education between dentistry and nursing : the NYU experience.

Haber, J., Spielman, A. I., Wolff, M., & Shelley, D. (2014). (Vols. 42, Issue 1, pp. 44-51).
Abstract
Abstract
In 2005, New York University Colleges of Dentistry and Nursing formed an organizational partnership to create a unique model of interprofessional education, research, service and practice. This paper describes the first eight years of experience, from the early reaction of the public to the partnership, to examples of success and past and current challenges.

Nursing research : Methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice

LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2014). (8th eds.). Mosby Elsevier.
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Proactive Approach to Lymphedema Risk Reduction : A Prospective Study

Fu, M. R., Axelrod, D., Guth, A. A., Cartwright, F., Qiu, Z., Goldberg, J. D., Kim, J., Scagliola, J., Kleinman, R., & Haber, J. (2014). (Vols. 21, Issues 11, pp. 3481-3489). 10.1245/s10434-014-3761-z
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Advances in cancer treatments continue to reduce the incidence of lymphedema. Yet, many breast cancer survivors still face long-term postoperative challenges as a result of developing lymphedema. The purpose of this study was to preliminarily evaluate The Optimal Lymph Flow program, a patient-centered education and behavioral program focusing on self-care strategies to enhance lymphedema risk reduction by promoting lymph flow and optimize body mass index (BMI). Methods: A prospective, longitudinal, quasi-experimental design with repeated-measures was used. The study outcomes included lymph volume changes by infrared perometer, and BMI by a bioimpedance device at pre-surgery baseline, 2–4 weeks after surgery, 6-month and 12-month follow-up. A total of 140 patients were recruited and participated in The Optimal Lymph Flow program; 134 patients completed the study with 4 % attrition rate. Results: Fifty-eight percent of patients had axillary node dissection and 42 % had sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The majority (97 %) of patients maintained and improved their preoperative limb volume (LV) and BMI at the study endpoint of 12 months following cancer surgery. Cumulatively, two patients with SLNB and two patients with axillary lymph node dissection had measurable lymphedema (>10 % LV change). At the 12-month follow-up, among the four patients with measurable lymphedema, two patients’ LV returned to preoperative level without compression therapy but by maintaining The Optimal Lymph Flow exercises to promote daily lymph flow. Conclusions: This educational and behavioral program is effective in enhancing lymphedema risk reduction. The study provided initial evidence for emerging change in lymphedema care from treatment-focus to proactive risk reduction.

The role of symptom report in detecting and diagnosing breast cancer-related lymphedema

Fu, M., Cleland, C. M., Guth, A. A., Qiu, Z., Haber, J., Cartwright-Alcarese, F., Kleinman, R., Scagliola, J., & Axelrod, D. (2014).
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Integrating EBP into doctoral education : Implementing a post-master's DNP nursing curriculum to prepare clinical EBP leaders: The New York University Experience

Krainovich-Miller, B., & Haber, J. (2013). In R. Levin & H. Feldman (Eds.), Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health: A Resource for Advanced Practice Psychiatric and Primary Care Practitioners in Nursing : A guide for educators (2nd eds., p. xv). Springer. 10.1002/9781118704660
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L-Dex ratio in detecting breast cancer-related lymphedema : Reliability, sensitivity, and specificity

Haber, J., Fu, M. R., Cleland, C. M., Guth, A. A., Kayal, M., Haber, J., Cartwright, F., Kleinman, R., Kang, Y., Scagliola, J., & Axelrod, D. (2013). (Vols. 46, Issues 2, pp. 85-96).
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Abstract
Advances in bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) permit the assessment of lymphedema by directly measuring lymph fluid changes. The objective of the study was to examine the reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of cross-sectional assessment of BIA in detecting lymphedema in a large metropolitan clinical setting. BIA was used to measure lymph fluid changes. Limb volume by sequential circumferential tape measurement was used to validate the presence of lymphedema. Data were collected from 250 women, including healthy female adults, breast cancer survivors with lymphedema, and those at risk for lymphedema. Reliability, sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve were estimated. BIA ratio, as indicated by L-Dex ratio, was highly reliable among healthy women (ICC=0.99; 95% CI = 0.99-0.99), survivors at-risk for lymphedema (ICC=0.99; 95% CI = 0.99-0.99), and all women (ICC=0.85; 95% CI = 0.81-0.87); reliability was acceptable for survivors with lymphedema (ICC=0.69; 95% CI = 0.54 to 0.80). The L-Dex ratio with a diagnostic cutoff of >+7.1 discriminated between at-risk breast cancer survivors and those with lymphedema with 80% sensitivity and 90% specificity (AUC=0.86). BIA ratio was significantly correlated with limb volume by sequential circumferential tape measurement. Cross-sectional assessment of BIA may have a role in clinical practice by adding confidence in detecting lymphedema. It is important to note that using a cutoff of L-Dex ratio >+7.1 still misses 20% of true lymphedema cases, it is important for clinicians to integrate other assessment methods (such as self-report, clinical observation, or perometry) to ensure the accurate detection of lymphedema.