Caroline Dancu is a PhD graduate in Nursing Science from the University of California, San Francisco. Caroline’s dissertation research focuses on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease among women Veterans, specifically the associations of mental health and lifestyle behaviors that influence cardiovascular outcomes. She is passionate about serving the women Veteran community and strives to achieve equitable health outcomes among this population. Caroline completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, IN. She was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and served as a nurse at Travis Air Force Base. Prior to joining NCSP, Caroline completed a 2-year fellowship as a VA Quality Scholars pre-doctoral fellow, where she focused on quality improvement and patient safety at the San Francisco VA. Caroline’s clinical expertise and military training inform her approach to research and quality-driven healthcare solutions. Caroline enjoys spending time with her husband and 1-year-old daughter, cooking NYT’s recipes, barre workouts (for cardiovascular health!), and an occasional round of golf.
Research Interests: Understanding cardiovascular disease risk and prevention in women Veterans, integrating lifestyle and mental health factors to inform effective interventions and improve cardiovascular health outcomes.