Debra Whisenant received her Ph.D. in health sciences with an emphasis in international health from Touro University in Vallejo, California. Her doctoral preparation included directed studies in epidemiology, statistics, health promotion, and disease prevention.
She completed a post-doctoral residency in outcomes research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Along with a Master of Science in nursing, she also holds a Master of Science in public health.
Whisenant has worked in a variety of patient care settings, including neurological trauma, critical care, and organ donation. She has published and presented nationally and internationally on community health promotion, international health promotion, and organ donation.
She is currently conducting research on civic and health based-promotion and the impact of lay individuals as health promoters for organizations. Whisenant is involved in a number of professional organizations, including the Southern Nursing Research Society, the Alabama League for Nursing, and the Alabama Health Action Coalition.