Virginia LeBaron, Ph.D., APRN, FAAN

Virginia LeBaron is an Associate Professor and the Kluge-Schakat Endowed Chair of Compassionate Care at the University of Virginia School of Nursing. As an internationally recognized nurse scientist, educator, and advanced practice clinician, her work focuses on improving quality of life for people living with serious illness, particularly advanced cancer. Over her career, she has practiced clinically as an oncology nurse and a palliative care nurse practitioner in both U.S. and global settings.

Dr. LeBaron directs the Technology Enhanced Compassionate Care (TECC) lab, leading interdisciplinary research at the intersection of digital health and palliative care that has been supported by the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. A central theme of Dr. LeBaron’s research is understanding impacts of opioid policies on access to pain relief. Her work in this area has been recognized by a Fulbright Fellowship (India) and selection as the 2023-2024 National Cancer Institute/AcademyHealth Visiting Scholar. Related policy efforts have involved service with the Virginia Department of Health Professions Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Committee and the Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia to help develop the Commonwealth of Virginia State Cancer Plan.

Dr. LeBaron earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia, her Master of Science from the University of Maryland, and her PhD from the University of Utah. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute before entering academia. Dr. LeBaron is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and an alumna of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators.