Judith Haber

Faculty

Judith Haber headshot

Judith Haber

PhD APRN-BC FAAN

Professor Emerita

1 212 998 9020

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)
Excellence in Research Award, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2005)
Psychiatric Nurse of the Year Award, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2005)

The effects of psychoeducation and telephone counseling on the adjustment of women with early-stage breast cancer

Sherman, D. W., Haber, J., Hoskins, C. N., Budin, W. C., Maislin, G., Shukla, S., Cartwright-Alcarese, F., McSherry, C. B., Feurbach, R., Kowalski, M. O., Rosedale, M., & Roth, A. (2012). (Vols. 25, Issue 1, pp. 3-16). 10.1016/j.apnr.2009.10.003
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Throughout the illness trajectory, women with breast cancer experience issues that are related to physical, emotional, and social adjustment. Despite a general consensus that state-of-the-art treatment for breast cancer should include educational and counseling interventions to reduce illness or treatment-related symptoms, there are few prospective, theoretically based, phase-specific randomized, controlled trials that have evaluated the effectiveness of such interventions in promoting adjustment. Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the physical, emotional, and social adjustment of women with early-stage breast cancer who received psychoeducation by videotapes, telephone counseling, or psychoeducation plus telephone counseling as interventions that address the specific needs of women during the diagnostic, postsurgery, adjuvant therapy, and ongoing recovery phases of breast cancer. Design: Primary data from a randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: Three major medical centers and one community hospital in New York City. Methods: A total of 249 patients were randomly assigned to either the control group receiving usual care or to one of the three intervention groups. The interventions were administered at the diagnostic, postsurgery, adjuvant therapy, and ongoing recovery phases. Analyses were based on a mixed model analysis of variance. Main Research Variables and Measurement: Physical adjustment was measured by the side effects incidence and severity subscales of the Breast Cancer Treatment Response Inventory (BCTRI) and the overall health status score of the Self-Rated Health Subscale of the Multilevel Assessment Instrument. Emotional adjustment was measured using the psychological well-being subscale of the Profile of Adaptation to Life Clinical Scale and the side effect distress subscale of BCTRI. Social adjustment was measured by the domestic, vocational, and social environments subscales of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. Findings: Patients in all groups showed improvement over time in overall health, psychological well-being, and social adjustment. There were no significant group differences in physical adjustment, as measured by side effect incidence, severity, or overall health. There was poorer emotional adjustment over time in the usual care (control) group as compared to the intervention groups on the measure of side effect distress. For the telephone counseling group, there was a marked decline in psychological well-being from the adjuvant therapy phase through the ongoing recovery phase. There were no significant group differences in the dimensions of social adjustment. Conclusion: The longitudinal design of this study has captured the dynamic process of adjustment to breast cancer, which in some aspects and at various phases has been different for the control and intervention groups. Although patients who received the study interventions improved in adjustment, the overall conclusion regarding physical, emotional, and social adjustment is that usual care, which was the standard of care for women in both the usual care (control) and intervention groups, supported their adjustment to breast cancer, with or without additional interventions. Implications for Nursing: The results are important to evidence-based practice and the determination of the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of interventions in improving patient outcomes. There is a need to further examine adjustment issues that continue during the ongoing recovery phase. Key Points: Psychoeducation by videotapes and telephone counseling decreased side effect distress and side effect severity and increased psychological well-being during the adjuvant therapy phase. All patients in the control and intervention groups improved in adjustment. Adjustment issues are still present in the ongoing recovery phase.

Essential psychiatric, mental health and substance use competencies for the registered nurse

Kane, C., Brackley, M., Clement, J., D'Antonio, P., Haber, J., Hamera, E., Harmon, R., LeCuyer, E., Naegle, M. A., Newton, M., Pearson, G., Poster, E., Shattell, M., Sirota, T., & Talley, S. (2012). (Vols. 26, Issues 2, pp. 80-110). 10.1016/j.apnu.2011.12.010
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The original concept for this document was conceived at the meeting of the Psychiatric Mental Health Expert Panel during the Academy of Nursing 33rd Annual Meeting and Conference, Integrating Physical and Mental Health Care, held in Miami, Florida, November 9-11, 2006. Judith Haber and June Horowitz co-chaired the Expert Panel meeting at the time discussion took place regarding the need for a document centralizing recognized competencies and curricula associated with psychiatric mental health nursing practice. The Expert Panel also recognized the need for a document that identified psychiatric mental health competencies for generalist nursing practice. Catherine Kane and Margaret Brackley agreed to Co-Chair a taskforce to write these competencies. They were joined by Madeline Naegle, Sandra Talley, Marian Newton, Jeanne Clement, Patricia D'Antonio, and Elizabeth Poster. This initial group was charged with using "a model similar to the Hartford Foundation model for building capacity in geriatric nursing to develop PMH/Behavioral Health Competencies for non-PMH RNs and APRNs." Other contributing members of the Taskforce were Edna Hamera, Elizabeth LeCuyer, Mona Shattell, Geri Pearson, Rebecca Harmon and Theodora Sirota. The Taskforce convened by teleconference on April 13, 2007, and met monthly by teleconference through Fall 2008. A full draft of the document was completed and sent for editing to Geraldine Pearson and Beth Vaughn Cole. On March 24, 2009, the Taskforce convened by teleconference and agreed to distribute the draft to the membership of the International Society of Psychiatric Nursing (ISPN), the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), and the International Nurses Society on Addictions. The draft was displayed on the websites of ISPN and APNA through 2009. Comments, suggestions, edits and revisions were welcomed and the feedback was incorporated into this document. The appendices to this document include materials that informed the content of these Essentials and websites for resources.

Evaluation of the clinical hour requirement and attainment of core clinical competencies by nurse practitioner students

Hallas, D. M., Biesecker, B., Brennan, M., Newland, J. A., & Haber, J. (2012). (Vols. 24, Issues 9, pp. 544-553). 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2012.00730.x
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Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the national practice of fulfilling 500 clinical hours as a requirement for graduation from nurse practitioner (NP) programs at the master's level and to compare this standard to a comprehensive approach of evaluating attainment of clinical competencies. Data sources: The National Organization of NP Faculties (NONPF) and specialty accreditation bodies publications were used for references to clinical hour and core competency requirements for graduation from NP programs. Data from one university from student documentation on a commercial electronic tracking system were also analyzed. Conclusions: Data analysis revealed that the 500 clinical hours correlated to populations, skills performed, required levels of decision making, and expected diagnoses. However, assurance that these clinical hour requirements translated to exposure to all core competencies for entry into practice could not be established. Implications for practice: A more comprehensive approach to the evaluation of student core competencies by implementing one or more performance-based assessments, such as case-based evaluations, simulations, or objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), as a strategic part of NP evaluation prior to graduation is proposed. This change is viewed as critical to the continued success of NP programs as master's level education transitions to direct BS to DNP educational preparation for advanced nursing practice.

Reclaiming life on ones own terms : A grounded theory study of the process of breast cancer survivorship

Sherman, D. W., Rosedale, M., & Haber, J. (2012). (Vols. 39, Issues 3, pp. E258-E268). 10.1188/12.ONF.E258-E268
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Abstract
Purpose/Objectives: To develop a substantive theory of the process of breast cancer survivorship. Research Approach: Grounded theory. Setting: A LISTSERV announcement posted on the SHARE Web site and purposeful recruitment of women known to be diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Participants: 15 women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. Methodologic Approach: Constant comparative analysis. Main Research Variables: Breast cancer survivorship. Findings: The core variable identified was Reclaiming Life on One's Own Terms. The perceptions and experiences of the participants revealed overall that the diagnosis of breast cancer was a turning point in life and the stimulus for change. That was followed by the recognition of breast cancer as now being a part of life, leading to the necessity of learning to live with breast cancer, and finally, creating a new life after breast cancer. Participants revealed that breast cancer survivorship is a process marked and shaped by time, the perception of support, and coming to terms with the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and the aftermath of treatment. The process of survivorship continues by assuming an active role in self-healing, gaining a new perspective and reconciling paradoxes, creating a new mindset and moving to a new normal, developing a new way of being in the world on one's own terms, and experiencing growth through adversity beyond survivorship. Conclusions: The process of survivorship for women with breast cancer is an evolutionary journey with short- and long-term challenges. Interpretation: This study shows the development of an empirically testable theory of survivorship that describes and predicts women's experiences following breast cancer treatment from the initial phase of recovery and beyond. The theory also informs interventions that not only reduce negative outcomes, but promote ongoing healing, adjustment, and resilience over time.

The effects of symptomatic seroma on lymphedema symptoms following breast cancer treatment

Haber, J., Fu, M. R., Guth, A. A., Cleland, C. M., Lima, E. D., Kayal, M., Haber, J., Gallup, L., & Axelrod, D. (2011). (Vols. 44, Issues 3, pp. 134-143).
Abstract
Abstract
It has been speculated that symptomatic seroma, or seroma requiring needle aspiration, is one of the risk factors for lymphedema symptoms following breast cancer treatment. These symptoms exert tremendous impact on patients' quality of life and include arm swelling, chest/breast swelling, heaviness, tightness, firmness, pain, numbness, stiffness, or impaired limb mobility. Our aim was to explore if symptomatic seroma affects lymphedema symptoms following breast cancer treatment. Data were collected from 130 patients using a Demographic and Medical Information interview tool, Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire, and review of medical record. Arm swelling was verified by Sequential Circumferential Arm Measurements and Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-squared tests, regression, exploratory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling. Thirty-five patients (27%) developed symptomatic seroma. Locations of seroma included axilla, breast, and upper chest. Significantly, more women with seroma experienced more lymphedema symptoms. A well-fit exploratory structural equation model [X2(79)=92.15, p=0.148; CFI=0.97; TLI=0.96] revealed a significant unique effect of seroma on lymphedema symptoms of arm swelling, chest/breast swelling, tenderness, and blistering (β=0.48, p

Oral health nursing education and practice program

Dolce, M., Haber, J., & Shelley, D. (2011).
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The effect of providing information about lymphedema on the cognitive and symptom outcomes of breast cancer survivors

Fu, M. R., Chen, C. M., Haber, J., Guth, A. A., & Axelrod, D. (2010). (Vols. 17, Issues 7, pp. 1847-1853). 10.1245/s10434-010-0941-3
Abstract
Abstract
Background. Despite recent advances in breast cancer treatment, breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) continues to be a significant problem for many survivors. Some BCRL risk factors may be largely unavoidable, such as mastectomy, axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), or radiation therapy. Potentially avoidable risk factors unrelated to breast cancer treatment include minor upper extremity infections, injury or trauma to the arm, overuse of the limb, and air travel. This study investigates how providing information about BCRL affects the cognitive and symptomatic outcome of breast cancer survivors. Methods. Data were collected from 136 breast cancer survivors using a Demographic and Medical Information interview instrument, a Lymphedema Education Status interview instrument, a Knowledge Test for cognitive outcome, and the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire for symptom outcome. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, t tests, chi-square (χ2) tests, and regression. Results. BCRL information was given to 57% of subjects during treatment. The mean number of lymphedema-related symptoms was 3 symptoms. Patients who received information reported significantly fewer symptoms and scored significantly higher in the knowledge test. After controlling for confounding factors, patient education remains an additional predictor of BCRL outcome. Significantly fewer women who received information about BCRL reported swelling, heaviness, impaired shoulder mobility, seroma formation, and breast swelling. Conclusions. Breast cancer survivors who received information about BCRL had significantly reduced symptoms and increased knowledge about BCRL. In clinical practice, breast cancer survivors should be engaged in supportive dialogues so they can be educated about ways to reduce their risk of developing BCRL.

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

LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2010). (7th eds.). Mosby Elsevier.
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Differences in physical, emotional, and social adjustment of intimate, family, and nonfamily patient-partner dyads based on a breast cancer intervention study.

Sherman, D. W., Haber, J., Hoskins, C. N., Budin, W. C., Maislin, G., Cater, J., Cartwright-Alcarese, F., McSherry, C. B., Feurbach, R., Kowalski, M. O., & Rosedale, M. (2009). (Vols. 36, Issues 4, pp. E185-197). 10.1188/09.ONF.E185-E197
Abstract
Abstract
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To assess the degree to which postsurgical adjustment in patients with breast cancer and their partners depends on the nature of the patient-partner dyad relationship. DESIGN: Secondary data analysis from a randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Three cancer centers and one suburban community hospital in New York. SAMPLE: 205 patient-partner dyads (112 intimate-partner, 58 family-member, and 35 nonfamily-member dyads). METHODS: Mann-Whitney nonparametric comparisons and chi-square tests were used to assess dyad types on continuous and categorical variables, and a mixed model for repeated measures compared postsurgical adjustment among dyad types. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Type of patient-partner dyads and physical, emotional, and social adjustment. FINDINGS: Patients in intimate-partner dyads were younger, had greater incomes, and discovered the lump by routine mammogram as compared to family- or nonfamily-member dyads. No significant differences were observed in patients' physical or emotional adjustment. Patients with intimate partners had greater difficulty in their social and domestic environments. Partners in intimate-partner dyads had lower scores on psychological well-being, more problems in social and domestic adjustment, and less social support to promote social adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Women with breast cancer experience successful physical and emotional adjustment whether they have intimate-partner, family-member, or nonfamily-member partners. Intimate partners are at greater risk for emotional and social adjustment issues. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: When designing interventions, consideration must be given to the type of patient-partner dyad involved.

Evidence-based practice challenge : Teaching critical appraisal of systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines to graduate students

Krainovich-Miller, B., Haber, J., Yost, J., & Jacobs, S. K. (2009). (Vols. 48, Issues 4, pp. 186-195). 10.3928/01484834-20090401-07
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