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JoAnn S. Oliver, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN, is a Professor and Endowed Chair at The University of Alabama, Capstone College of Nursing, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Dr. Oliver began her professional nurse education with an earned Associate Degree (ADN) from Shelton State Community College. She earned her Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing at The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing with a focus on rural health from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. She completed a post-doctorate in Health Disparities Research Training at UAB. Dr. Oliver also served as a Commissioned Officer, Captain, in the United States Air Force Reserve - Nurse Corps.

Dr. Oliver's research focuses on cancer health disparities, specifically addressing cancer inequities among medically underserved and rural populations. Her work has historically focused on cancer education, early detection, access to screening, treatment, and decision-making. Dr. Oliver has received national funding for her research, including from the Department of Defense and the National Institute of Health. Dr. Oliver's work has been nationally recognized. In 2021, she was inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), one of the highest honors in Nursing. She serves on several expert panels in the AAN.    

Dr. Oliver has co-edited journals, authored over 55 publications, and presented her work at local, state, national, and international conferences. She is actively involved in Community Based Participatory Research and works with a collaborative multidisciplinary team of researchers.  She is a core faculty member for the Alabama Research Institute on Aging at The University of Alabama. She actively serves on the Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition. In 2020, Dr. Oliver was appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to serve on the Alabama United Health Committee, which focused on addressing health issues, particularly those affecting rural and underserved communities. Dr. Oliver serves on the leadership team of the African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3). She also serves as a site Principal Investigator (PI) on Multiple International AC3 Research Projects that include the Caribbean, Africa, and the United States. She is the co-chair of the AC3 colorectal cancer working group. In 2023, Dr. Oliver and her AC3 colleagues received the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research Team Science Award, Dr. Camille Ragin, team leader. 

In 2024, Dr. Oliver received the Lamplighter Award from the Alabama League for Nursing, the Capstone College of Nursing Board of Visitors Excellence in Teaching Award, and the ABNF Excellence in Academic Leadership Award. Dr. Oliver was also recognized as a finalist for the Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award and was The University of Alabama Spring Commencement Marshall. Dr. Oliver was recently elected as a Member-at-Large on the ABNF Board of Directors. Additionally, Dr. Oliver is an active member of many professional organizations, such as the Academy of Nursing, the American Association for Cancer Research, the Oncology Nursing Society, the American Nursing Association, and Sigma Theta Tau International. 

Dr. Oliver is passionate about sharing her knowledge and mentors many early-career scientists and students locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and serves as the Faculty Advisor for the campus chapter, Theta Sigma. She also currently serves as a mentor in the ABNF Leadership and Public Policy Mentoring Fellowship.