Betty R. Ferrell, PhD, RN, FAAN, research scientist in City of Hope Cancer Center's Department of Nursing Research & Education, has been appointed to the National Cancer Policy Forum. Ferrell was appointed by the Institute of Medicine, a private organization created by the federal government to serve as an independent advisor on scientific and technological matters, and by Bruce Alberts, PhD, president of the National Academy of Sciences and chair of the National Research Council.

The National Cancer Policy Forum, established in May 2005, is a new initiative by the Institute of Medicine to allow representatives from government, industry, and academic groups to identify, assess, and make recommendations on emerging national policy issues relating to cancer care.

The forum consists of 20 members drawn from healthcare consumers, providers, and researchers in a variety of disciplines in the sciences and humanities working in the field of cancer. Forum members are designated to serve 2-year terms and are appointed for their expertise, experience, and connections in the cancer community.

Dr Ferrell is nationally known for her work in the areas of pain management, quality of life, and end-of-life care for cancer patients. She has been in oncology nursing for 26 years, working to equip caregivers at healthcare institutions around the world with the knowledge and skills to meet the unique needs of cancer patients and their families.

Throughout her career, Dr Ferrell has led and contributed to hundreds of studies aimed at quantifying and improving patient care and quality of life. Currently, she is principal investigator for a study of palliative surgery funded by the American Cancer Society and the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium project funded by the National Cancer Institute. She is also involved in several other funded studies related to end-of-life care in cancer centers and quality-of-life issues in cancer survivors.

For more information, visit http://www.cityofhope.org.

(Release)