Chief, Behavioral Sciences Service; Director, Smoking Cessation Program
I am a clinical health psychologist with expertise in helping patients and their families cope with the challenges of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. I have a strong interest in working with patients who have been diagnosed with tobacco-related cancers, and I serve as psychological liaison to the Thoracic Service and to the Head and Neck Disease Management Team. I am the Director of MSKCC's Smoking Cessation Program and work with a team of colleagues dedicated to promoting smoking cessation among cancer patients, their families, and individuals at risk for cancer and other chronic medical conditions.
I also lead a Health Behavior Change and Cancer Risk Reduction Laboratory examining psychological and behavioral factors in cancer prevention and early detection. My research has focused on developing and evaluating innovative methods for treating tobacco dependence in medical settings. My other research interests include post-treatment, health-related quality of life issues and the development of psychosocial support and health promotion interventions for cancer survivors and their families.
I serve as Director of the Psycho-Oncology Research Training Program and am strongly committed to training new investigators in psycho-oncology. I serve on many academic and national committees aimed at improving cancer prevention, early detection, and care.
Phone
646-888-0041
Education
PhD, Vanderbilt University
Fellowships
Rutgers Medical Center; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Clinical Expertise
Smoking Cessation; Psychological Issues of Cancer Survivors; Marital and Family Issues in Cancer Care; Behavioral Medicine
