Denise Buonocore

Denise Buonocore, MSN, RN, ACNPC, CCNS, CCRN, CHFN, serves a two year-term as immediate past chair of the AACN Certification Corporation board of directors from July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2022. She served as chair from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2020. She was also chair-elect (2017-2018) and a director (2005-2007, 2015-2016). In addition, she was the treasurer (2006-2007) and a director on the AACN board (2004-2007) and the AACN InnoVision Group board (2012-2013).

Buonocore is acute care nurse practitioner for heart failure (HF) services for Hartford Healthcare Medical Group at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut, where her clinical practice involves providing care for patients with HF. She is clinical lead for the hospital’s award-winning HF quality initiatives. She is also a clinical preceptor for nurse practitioner students at University of Connecticut, Yale University and Sacred Heart University.

An AACN member since 1989, Buonocore has volunteered on many AACN panels and work groups, and has served as a liaison. She is on the editorial board of AACN Advanced Critical Care and is a reviewer for Critical Care Nurse. In addition, Buonocore is a past board member and past president of the South Central Connecticut Chapter, New Haven.

Buonocore’s many other affiliations include membership in the American Heart Association, American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association. She has served as a medical mission volunteer at home and in the Caribbean and Central America.

Buonocore is a national and international speaker on many aspects of acute and critical care nursing, certification, healthy work environments, leadership and self-care. She has published numerous journal articles and book chapters. Her awards include the Connecticut Hospital Association Health Care Hero Award and St. Vincent’s Clinical Excellence award.

Buonocore received a Master of Science in Nursing from Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, and a Bachelor of Science in Professional Arts: health care administration at St. Joseph’s College, Windham, Maine.