Vera received her BSN and MSN from Wheeling Jesuit University. She is presently a PhD student at West Virginia University. Her research focuses on device therapy in HF. With over 20 years experience in cardiac nursing, Vera is a full time nurse practitioner. She was awarded the WV State Award of Excellence from the AANP in 2006 for her role in opening the first free-standing outpatient HF clinic in the state. She is currently President-Elect of AAHFN, and an active member of The APN of the Upper Ohio Valley, HFSA, SNRS, and The APN Council of the WVNA. She serves as a preceptor for student NPs and PAs. Vera is an active national speaker on the subject of HF.