Dr. Tom Hack has been awarded a Chair in Psychosocial and Supportive Care Oncology Research from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (Prairies/NWT).  The aim of the Chair is to conduct innovative and high impact research to improve the lives of cancer patients, develop educational initiatives for frontline nurses in oncology, and build the next generation of psychosocial oncology researchers by supporting graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Dr. Hack’s research program addresses 4 main areas:

1. Coping and adjustment to cancer, including patient involvement in decision making and information needs;
2. Consultation recording practice in oncology;
3. Arm morbidity, including lymphedema, in women after breast cancer surgery; and
4. Dignity-enhancing interventions for dying cancer patients.

This Research Chair will enable Dr. Hack to conduct research while working collaboratively with researchers, health professionals, administrators, cancer patients, patient advocacy groups and other stakeholders to improve the lives of those impacted by breast cancer within the Prairie/NWT Region, and at national and international levels. He will also address the needs of oncology nurses in the Region for education to effectively address the psycho-educational concerns of their cancer patients.