Oncology researcher to discuss improving spiritual care in palliative care at Wake Memorial Lecture

Event Information
Date: Dec. 13, 2012
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballroom
         1442 W. Wisconsin Ave

Dr. Betty Ferrell, professor and research scientist at the City of Hope Medical Center in Los Angeles, will present “Improving the Quality of Spiritual Care in Palliative Care” for the James Wake Memorial Lecture Thursday, Dec. 13, at 5 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballroom, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Ferrell has practiced in the field of oncology nursing for more than 35 years and has focused her clinical expertise and research in pain management, quality of life and palliative care. Specifically, her research advocates for making spiritual care a critical component in palliative care situations where patients face serious and life-threatening illness.

Ferrell is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a member of the Board of Scientific Advisors of the National Cancer Institute, in addition to serving as chair of the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care and the Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative. She is the principal investigator of a program project funded by the National Cancer Institute called “Palliative Care for Quality of Life and Symptom Concerns in Lung Cancer,” as well as for the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium project, part of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative. She has published more than 300 articles in peer-reviewed journals and texts and has authored eight books on cancer pain management, palliative care and end-of-life issues.

A reception will follow the lecture. For more information or for special needs, contact University Special Events at 414.288.7431. Parking is available in the 16th Street Parking Structure. Media interested in attending the lecture should contact Lynn Sheka in the Office of Marketing and Communication at 414.288.6712 or lynn.sheka@marquette.edu.

The lecture is presented by the Institute for Palliative and End of Life Care and the Marquette University College of Nursing in memory of James Wake, late husband of former Marquette Provost Madeline Wake. James Wake’s career was devoted to helping others through social work and chaplaincy.