Dr. Denker gained extensive clinical-practice knowledge and healthcare-management experience during 14 years as a pediatric-oncology nurse manager at Norton Children’s Hospital, a part of Norton Healthcare, in Louisville, Kentucky, and an additional two years’ human resources experience as Nurse retention manager for the Norton system. In her role as Nurse retention manager, Dr. Denker was responsible for reduction in new graduate nurse turnover from 32% to 8% over 2 years which saved the organization approximately $4 million over the same time period.

Dr. Denker is an active leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations. In 2000, she was appointed by Governor Paul Patton to the Hemophilia Advisory Committee for Kentucky’s Commission for Children with Special Healthcare Needs. In 2009, she was named chair of the committee, a position she still holds. She was appointed to the Kentucky Board of Nursing in 2018 for a four-year term and serves as the financial officer. Dr. Denker received the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Pikeville (Kentucky) College (now University of Pikeville), and the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Bellarmine University in Louisville.