I am a nurse researcher with over 30 years caring for people with blood and solid tumor cancers. I develop and conduct studies to find new ways to help measure and manage symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment.
I joined MSK in 2017, and my current research projects focus on developing digital health tools to help older adults recover more quickly after cancer treatment ends. Our virtual Active Aging Lab is testing a system that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to allow patients to complete health assessments through a mobile device at home using their voice. Recent AI large language models (like ChatGPT, etc.) allow users to simply speak out loud and have a natural conversation with a digital system to complete health assessments. In our studies, we have found that many older adults find this method easy to use. We use the individual’s results to create personalized health education programs to increase physical activity, healthy eating, and other evidence-based behaviors to support recovery after cancer treatment ends.
Our research has found that about 40% of older adults have difficulty completing health assessments through standard electronic health record portals. My vision for this program of research over time is to make it easier for people with cancer to literally have their voice heard as part of their care.