Denise Hatter-Fisher

Denise Hatter-Fisher is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at Otterbein University, where she maintains an active integration of clinical practice, research, and teaching focused on diversity and stress. Previously, she served as Senior Staff Psychologist and adjunct professor at The Ohio State University, and as staff psychologist and Director of the Learning Assistance and Study Skills Lab at Northern Illinois University while teaching graduate courses.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, The Ohio State University (1985)
• M.A. in Psychology, The Ohio State University (1982)
• B.A., Saint Augustine’s College (1980)

Hatter-Fisher's research centers on the intersection of stress, cultural identity, and health outcomes in marginalized communities. She pioneered studies on depression, alexithymia, and internalized racism in relation to blood pressure among African Americans, and developed community-based interventions incorporating biofeedback for hypertension reduction. Her work consistently bridges clinical psychology with public health through culturally responsive frameworks.

Her publication trajectory reveals a sustained focus on health disparities in African American communities, evolving from early work on Afrocentric worldviews and college adjustment to recent investigations of physiological health outcomes linked to racial stressors. This progression demonstrates deepening integration of psychological theory with community health practice.

Her contributions have been recognized with significant honors:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Peace and Justice (2006)
• Exemplary Teaching Award from United Methodist Church (2018)

She has directed impactful grant-funded projects including a two-year academic-community collaboration addressing hypertension risk reduction through psychoeducation and biofeedback. Her professional service extends to community boards and organizations including Apex Counseling Services Inc. and the Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists, where she has held leadership roles and presented extensively.

Hatter-Fisher co-developed an urban community hypertension intervention program that established sustainable partnerships between academic institutions and community stakeholders, creating a model for culturally specific health promotion.