She maintains a part time clinical practice as a nurse practitioner. She has been a researcher and educator for the implantable cardiac device industry, and has a special interest in patient decision making. She is a national speaker and past president of The American Association of Heart Failure Nurses. Vera received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from WJU, and her Ph.D in nursing from West Virginia University. Academic awards include the St. Ignatious of Loyola award for outstanding alumnus from WJU, and the Anna Mary Miller Scholarship for outstanding PhD student from WVU. She was awarded the State Award for Excellence form the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Email: vbarton-caro@wju.edu