Dr. Palmer is the mother of three adult children and two granddaughters, a nurse practitioner, and a lifelong volunteer in her community.  Her career originated as a Licensed Practical nurse working as a hospital float nurse while completing her Registered Nurse education at the College of St. Scholastica in Minnesota. After graduation, she began working in intensive care units at the onset of the HIV epidemic.  

Eager to change her focus from acute care and the treatment of health complications to prevention and wellness, she pursued a master’s degree in Family Health Nursing from the University of San Diego. Her nurse practitioner practice spanned over 25 years, primarily in the specialty practice of orthopedics. In 2010, she completed a Doctorate in Nursing practice degree followed by a nurse practitioner faculty position.

She has served as a nurse advocate and leader through state and local professional nursing organizations and collaborated with her peers in developing the first national certification for Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners. In 2013 her peers awarded her the California Nurse Practitioner Association Bridging Healthcare Needs Award.

Kaiser Permanente recognized her as an Every Day Hero for leading primary care mission teams in Guatemala and as a recipient of the David Lawrence Community Service Award for her work with the Raymond Kay Community Clinic Fellowship team.

In 2018 she completed a PhD in Nursing. Her research findings in Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners as a Sub-specialty suggest the future of subspecialty nurse practitioners is dependent upon retaining the heart of nursing, the fundamental core of the Nurse Practitioner role.

In 2024, Debra created Palmer ACES to promote holistic wellness to individuals and groups through evidence-based advocacy consulting and education services. Authoring Between Wounded and Well: Lessons in Healing is her first wellness promotion project.