Eileen Danaher Hacker, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., A.O.C.N., F.A.A.N.

Developing the next generation of nurse scientists

Over the course of her 38+ year career in clinical oncology, cancer research and academic leadership, Hacker has developed a reputation as an expert in strategically building programs, centers and research initiatives from the ground up.

Hacker’s research interests stem from her extensive clinical experience as an advanced practice nurse. Her formative contributions to advancing oncology nursing science include a progressive research program focused on fatigue, physical activity, exercise interventions and quality of life. She has led efforts to systematically characterize persistent fatigue in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors and developed a novel methodology to examine the dynamic relationship between fatigue and physical activity. To promote functional independence, Hacker devised pragmatic physical activity and exercise interventions, strategically designed to be seamlessly integrated into clinical practice. Her research has been funded by the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Nursing Research and the Oncology Nursing Society.

Developing the next generation of nurse scientists is a longtime passion for Hacker as reflected in the more than 20 years that she has taught and mentored students and trainees ranging from undergraduate to post-doctoral fellows and junior faculty. As chair of the Science of Nursing Care Department at Indiana University, Hacker was directly responsible for launching an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program. She also developed and launched the Center for Advancement of Teaching-Learning Communities while serving as associate department head within the School of Nursing at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The center was key to strengthening the culture of faculty commitment to student success and addressing the needs of a diverse student body. 

She has received numerous awards including the Trish Greene Memorial Quality of Life Leadership Award from the Oncology Nursing Society, and the Symptom Science Research Interest Group Distinguished Researcher Award fromt he Midwest Nursing Research Society. She was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2014.

Joyce Dains, Dr.P.H., J.D., A.P.R.N., F.N.P.-B.C., F.N.A.P., F.A.A.N.P., F.A.A.N.

Primary Care APRN Survey: Utilization of Cancer Screening Guidelines The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013.

Dains’ research focuses on APRN practice related to cancer prevention, program evaluation, and patient experience with care by APRNs.   Her most recent study, “In Their Voices”, addresses a gap in the literature regarding oncology patient care perceptions and attitudes regarding acceptance of or willingness to see Nurse Practitioners or Physician Assistants in autonomous outpatient visits in oncology care. Results from her study of APRN utilization of cancer screening guidelines identified APRN uncertainty about which set of cancer screening guidelines, the difficulty in keeping up with the updates, and the need for easily accessible guidelines that could be automatically updated.  She plans to explore the development of a smart phone app that would address the utilization issues. 

Dains conducted a cancer prevention and screening education initiative in rural and medically underserved areas of Texas and completed a decade of program evaluation.  Through more than 50 programs participants impacted the health of over 130,000 Texans through improved knowledge in cancer screening, increased proficiency in performing clinical breast examination, and incorporation of cancer screening education and services in community clinical practices.

Anecita Fadol, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., F.A.A.N.P., F.A.A.N.

Fadol’s research interests include cardiac complications of cancer therapy and symptom management of patients with cancer and heart failure. She received the 2015 James S. and Suzanne Cyrus Award for Excellence in Clinical Research. She is the principal investigator for the following funded protocols:

Principal Investigator, Recovery of Left Ventricular Dysfunction in Cancer Patients (RECAP Trial):  

The purpose of this study is to investigate if cancer survivors with a history of chemotherapy-induced left ventricular dysfunction resulting in heart failure (HF) who achieved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) recovery with recommended heart failure medications will maintain their LVEF if HF medications are discontinued. Funding: Cancer Survivorship Seed Money Grant, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Principal Investigator, CAncer Patients with HearT FailURE: A Retrospective Review for Eligibility for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CAPTURE-CRT):

The purpose of this study is to conduct a retrospective chart review to examine the prevalence of heart failure (HF) in cancer patients and cancer survivors who are potential candidates for utilization of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The findings from this study will provide baseline information to assist in the development and implementation of a practice-based protocol that will identify cancer patients and cancer survivors who meet CRT indications and ensure that they receive appropriate evaluation. Optimization of recommended therapies may improve the patient’s quality of life and allow oncologists to continue with life-saving cancer treatments that can potentially prolong survival. Funding: Medtronic, Inc.

Principal Investigator, Addressing the Symptom Management Gap in Patients with Cancer and Heart Failure using the Interactive Voice Response System: a Pilot Study:  

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate if the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory- Heart Failure (MDASI-HF) instrument preprogrammed via the interactive voice response system (IVRS) can be used to collect symptom data that will generate symptom alerts to providers based on preset severity levels. Funding: Oncology Nursing Society Foundation

Principal Investigator, Reliability and Validity Testing of the MDASI-HF: An Evaluative Instrument for Symptom Identification in Cancer Patients with Heart Failure:  

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory - Heart Failure (MDASI-HF), a 27-item self-report assessment instrument for patients with cancer and concurrent HF. Funding: Houston Area Nurse Practitioners

Principal Investigator, MDASI-HF Linguistic Validation (Spanish)

The purpose of this study is to conduct a linguistic validation, cognitive debriefing, and psychometric testing of the Spanish version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory - Heart Failure (Spanish MDASI-HF) instrument.  The goal is to bridge the language barrier and expand the use of the MDASI-HF to improve health care management of Spanish speaking patients with cancer and heart failure.