Deborah Busch

Deborah Busch is an Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, serving as Track Director for the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) Certification programs. A national leader in breastfeeding and lactation care, she developed the Tri-Core Breastfeeding Model adopted by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners as a clinical standard, with current research focusing on opioid use disorder in breastfeeding dyads and simulation-based lactation education.

Dr. Busch's educational credentials include:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Her research expertise spans lactation science, maternal-infant health, and pediatric nursing education, highlighted by co-developing JHUSON's ILCA-approved Breastfeeding Practice and Research course completed by 240+ students. She integrates clinical practice in semi-rural U.S. settings with global experience from Peace Corps service in Nepal and medical missions to Haiti.

Recent publications demonstrate her leadership in breastfeeding guidelines, simulation education for nurse practitioners, and lactation support in complex maternal health scenarios, particularly opioid recovery contexts.

Her accolades include:

• 2020 Fellow, American Association of Nurse Practitioners
• 2018 D.C. and Maryland Breastfeeding Coalition’s “Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Award”
• Multiple NAPNAP Breastfeeding SIG Awards (2013-2017)
• University of Maryland Nursing Faculty Scholar Award (2013)

With over twenty years mentoring nursing students as a clinical preceptor, Dr. Busch has shaped next-generation practitioners through international teaching and community-based practice. She remains actively engaged as immediate Past-President of the Maryland Chapter of NAPNAP and through affiliation with the Johns Hopkins Center for Equity in Child and Youth Health and Wellbeing.