Nurse Practitioner
Dept of Neuro-Oncology, UCSF Health, US
Jennifer Viner, DNP, ANP-BC, CNRN from UCSF Health Department of Neurological Surgery, Division of Neuro-Oncology, began her nursing journey in Ottawa, Canada, establishing a solid foundation before being sought after to join UCSF Health in 2004. She went on to graduate from the UCSF School of Nursing Masters Adult Nurse Practitioner program, and since then, has continued to work as a Nurse Practitioner at UCSF Health.
Over the past decade, she has dedicated herself to her clinical duties and has also actively contributed to academia. Serving as an associate clinical professor with the UCSF School of Nursing as a clinical preceptor, and by teaching various classes. Notably, she was the first nurse elected to the board of directors at the San Francisco Neurological Society.
Jennifer has also volunteered as a nurse educator and clinician in underserved communities worldwide. Her commitment to advancing her field is further underscored by her maintenance of the prestigious NP3 designation at UCSF Health since 2016. This exclusive recognition is reserved for a select group of advanced practice nurses who exhibit excellence in clinical practice, education, leadership, and service.
In 2017, her team's innovative work was acknowledged with the UCSF Health Caring Wisely Grant for their groundbreaking contributions to "The Safe Transitions Pathway in Neurosurgery." This initiative, which redirected post-operative brain tumor patients to a neuro-stepdown unit, not only optimized care but also addressed the critical need for ICU beds for the most severely ill patients.
Jennifer has shared her expertise on a national stage through lectures, authored a book chapter, and co-authored over 20 articles in peer-reviewed journals. She also helped develop the brain metastasis program within the Division of Neuro-Oncology at UCSF Health, showcasing her commitment to advancing neuro-oncology care.
In her doctoral work, she explored the feasibility and value of a 6-month pilot project in which a Nurse Practitioner led the inpatient neuro-oncology brain metastasis consultation service at UCSF Health. This work earned her the "Distinguished Doctor of Nursing Practice Project" accolade from her graduating class 2023.
In her current role, Jennifer oversees all new and established neuro-oncology consults at UCSF Health, embodying a commitment to comprehensive and patient-centered care. She credits much of her success to the guidance of her mentor, Dr. Michael McDermott, whose continuous encouragement has propelled her professional advancement. Jennifer remains grateful for the opportunities to contribute meaningfully to her field and inspire positive change in healthcare.