I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as your new AOSW Research Director. The support you have demonstrated by your confidence and enthusiasm in my appointment means the world to me. Please trust that I will work tirelessly to address the needs of our cancer community in this role as your research director and more broadly in my academic role at the Duke University School of Nursing.

I have some initial goals for oncology social work research over the tenure of my position, but first, let’s applaud the incredible work that my predecessor, Dr. Julie Oktay, initiated and implemented during her three years as AOSW Research Director. Dr. Oktay has been an incredible mentor to me through the years during my American Cancer Society doctoral fellowship and continuing to my present role within AOSW. Under Dr. Oktay’s leadership, AOSW research initiatives advanced tremendously, including the implementation of the largely successful and well attended Annual Research Institute. Although hers will be a tough act to follow, Dr. Oktay has truly “paved the way” and promised to continue serving as an important mentor to me through my three-year appointment. And, a huge THANK YOU to Dr. Oktay for volunteering to take over the AOSW Navigator Research Editor position!

In support of the AOSW mission to advance excellence in the psychosocial care of persons with cancer, their families and caregivers, my objective is to integrate and enhance research in AOSW and the broader cancer community by fulfilling my duties and focusing on these initial strategic goals:

• Facilitate funding for research activities and projects:
  • Develop partnerships with foundations and industry/pharma,
  • Communicate program funding announcements to AOSW members, and
  • Advocate for social work researchers to sit on NIH study sections.
     
• Strengthen the research component within the annual conference planning process:
  • Develop research abstract-reviewing guidelines, and
  • Facilitate research paper-planning sessions.

Like you, I am passionate about improving the care of our patients with cancer, survivors, metavivors and their families. This passion is fueled by personal experience as a two-time survivor (as a teenager and again as a mom of 17-month old twin daughters) and the experiences of those close to me. My decision to choose research over clinical care was a very difficult one, and I learned that having the “one degree of separation” that research provided was essential to my health. I am in awe of the personal sacrifices and incredible support to our cancer community that our clinicians demonstrate on a daily basis.

In closing, I’m deeply honored by your support and confidence in my abilities to facilitate and enhance research in AOSW and the broader cancer community. I would love to hear from you.