Barbara J. Hatcher

PhD, RN, MPH, FAAN , Doctoral (Alumni)

Dr. Hatcher is an experienced public health nurse professional who over the course of her career has provided leadership in health care policy and practice, achieving many breakthroughs such as being the first African American and nurse to sit on the March of Dimes Medical Advisory Committee. Additionally, she has served as the first chief science officer for the American Public Health Association and was the first African American and nurse to serve as secretary general of the World Federation of Health Associations. She founded the D.C. Department of Health’s multimillion-dollar Healthy Start project that was focused on eradicating barriers to pre-natal care and reducing infant mortality. Finally, she served as chair of the District of Columbia Board of Nursing where she facilitated the establishment of rules and regulations that expanded nursing practice.

Dr. Hatcher is the President and CEO of Hatcher-Du Bois-Odrick Group, LLC, a public health consulting firm of the District of Columbia. Her work focuses on strategic planning and organizational effectiveness, social media and entrepreneurship. This work is global with efforts in the US, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. She is an adjunct professor at George Mason University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, where she teaches doctoral level courses.