Kristi A. Acker is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner holding specialty certifications in Palliative Care and Oncology. Dr. Acker is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing. She advocates at state, regional, and national levels for consumers and healthcare providers to increase access to quality palliative care for all patients with serious illnesses. Dr. Acker has been a professional nurse for over three decades, with twenty-five years as an oncology advanced practice nurse serving rural and underserved populations, and has been a forerunner in supporting the integration of interdisciplinary models of care into clinical practice. She has prior inductions as a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP) and Palliative Care Nursing (FPCN) based on her dedication and impact. She commits to working collaboratively through actionable partnerships for transformative healthcare changes. Her impact focuses on policy, including helping establish palliative care standards and advancing access, awareness, and training for patients with serious illness. She remains devoted to ensuring that palliative care professional training becomes a meaningful reality for all future nurses.