Dr. Nancy Roecklein advances oncology nursing through scholarship, mentorship, leadership, and the translation of research into meaningful, equitable patient care. A doctoral-prepared oncology nurse practitioner, nurse scientist, and educator with extensive experience in breast cancer care, she joined the Nurses Educational Fund (NEF) Board of Directors in 2024.
Dr. Roecklein practices in Breast Medical Oncology at NYU Langone Health and teaches at CUNY Lehman College. She earned a PhD in Nursing from the CUNY Graduate Center, a Master of Science in Nursing from New York University, and undergraduate degrees from Bronx Community College and New York University.
Her doctoral research examined surgical decision-making in women with early-stage breast cancer, generating a substantive theory with direct implications for patient counseling, health equity, and oncology nursing practice. She has presented nationally and internationally and is a co-author of the chapter “Building Comprehensive Breast Centers” in the forthcoming third edition of the ONS Site-Specific Cancer Series: Breast (2026).
Dr. Roecklein’s honors include the ONS NYC Chapter Advanced Practice Nursing Award (2025), the Mount Sinai Health System Nurse Practitioner Excellence Award (2024), the Jonas Nurse Leaders Scholarship, and Master’s and Doctoral scholarships from the Nurses Educational Fund—reflecting her progression through the academic pathway NEF supports to develop nurse leaders in education, practice, and research.
An NEF Scholar, Dr. Roecklein previously served as the organization’s first student liaison to the Board of Directors. Her vision helped inspire the creation of NEF’s Circle of Scholars, a community that fosters mentorship, leadership development, and the continued success of NEF scholars. She serves on the NEF Criteria and Eligibility Committee, is an active member of the ONS NYC Chapter Legislative Committee, and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Upsilon Chapter.