IPOS News

Dr. Tamar Kakhniashvili is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist from Tbilisi, Georgia, with over thirteen years of experience working with cancer patients at Concilium Medulla Hospital. She is a former IPOS Fellow representing Georgia, participated in the 2018 IPOS World Congress. Since 2019, she has served as Program Development Director, and since 2024, as President of the Georgian Psycho-Oncology Society (GPOS). Dr. Kakhniashvili with colleagues translated the Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MAC) questionnaire into Georgian.

Organized Georgia’s first Psycho-Oncology Conference in 2022. Currently a Ph.D. candidate at Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, her research explores “Depression in women with breast cancer”. She is passionate about integrating psychological care into oncology

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

“The IPOS Academy was inspiring and educative.  It has yielded so much positive impact and influence.”

IPOS ECHO Pan-African Capacity-Building in Psycho-Oncology

– Disseminating Evidence-Based Practices in Psycho-Oncology in Africa to Improve Cancer Prevention and Cancer Care

Start Date: January 22, 2026
Deadline to Apply: November 30, 2025

Overall Goal: To train attendees on best-practices in psycho-oncology in African oncology settings

IPOS has developed, in close partnership with partner organizations in Africa, an IPOS Pan-African Capacity-Building in Psycho-Oncology ECHO. Key benefits of ECHO are: 1) To build capacity for comprehensive cancer care in Africa through dissemination of best practices in psycho-oncology; 2) To hear worldwide experts on state-of-the art psycho-oncology practice; 3) To connect with other professionals in oncology and create a community of practice allowing for rich mutual learning and clinical discussions; and 4) To provide consultation and support in creating local program development planning in psycho-oncology.

Please see the following link for a short description of Project ECHO: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfqRwNd0Nao&feature=youtu.be

This ECHO will deliver training in evidence-based practices through monthly meetings over the course of one year. Each meeting lasts two (2) hours and will be on a different topic in psycho-oncology. First, there will be a presentation by an international speaker, then a participant will present a case relevant to the lecture, and third there will be a case discussion led by the speaker and a panel of experts in the field. Participants in the program will be professional working in direct clinical contact with cancer patients in Africa in a field appropriate to the field of psycho-oncology (e.g., physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers).

Applications are now opened for the program. Kindly complete the scholarship application, which will be peer-reviewed. Eligibility criteria are found below.

Our Organization:

IPOS is the sole multidisciplinary international charitable organization devoted to psycho-oncology, leading in education, research, training, public policy, and advocacy. In 2014, IPOS celebrated its 30th anniversary and IPOS holds non-state actor status with the World Health Organization (WHO). Part of our mission is to build capacity for cancer care in low- and low-middle income countries including in Africa. IPOS includes 40+ member countries from 6 continents.

Full eligibility criteria for the application (please note that all criteria must be met):

• Be a professional working in direct clinical contact with cancer patients in Africa (you will be asked for formal signed letter from your institution as part of the application);
• Conduct clinical work in a field appropriate to the field of psycho-oncology (e.g., physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers);
• Be a member of the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) and of your National Psycho-Oncology Society where it exists or be willing to become an IPOS member if accepted.
• Be fluent in oral and written English. Note: According to the Cambridge Dictionary, “when a person is fluent, they can speak a language easily, well, and quickly.”
• Have access to a camera and to internet to be able to participate in the ECHO sessions with your camera on during the sessions.
• Commit to attend the twelve ECHO sessions if selected to be a participant in the program (the sessions are scheduled to be held on every 3rd Thursday of each month by 1-3pm GMT starting in January 2026 except for a few sessions which will occur earlier during the day for scheduling reasons and for which we will inform you ahead of time);
• Consent to the ECHO sessions being recorded (the didactic teaching only) and posted on the IPOS website;
• Willing to complete short questionnaires throughout the program to give your feedback about the program as it evolves;
• Commit to sharing the knowledge learned through the Academy to professionals in your city and country in Africa.
• Commit to sharing written, audio and video testimonials if requested by the program organizers.

Note: It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the application is complete. Incomplete applications will be automatically withdrawn from the contest without notice. Applications will only be accepted if they are received at your earliest convenience before November 30, 2025. Applicants must upload their curriculum vitae, a letter of Institutional support and a professional passport photograph

Note: Please send any questions you may have about this call for applications to the following email address: [email protected]. IPOS will only be able to answer any questions related to this call for applications from November 1st to November 29th, after which IPOS will no longer be able to answer. After the November 30th deadline, the only correspondence the applicants will receive is the result of the application. Participants should anticipate receiving the results by the 2nd week of December 2025. If you have not received a response, please check the IPOS website to know if there has been a delay in the processing of the applications. If you have not received a letter of offer by the 3rd week of December 2025, unless otherwise indicated on the IPOS website, it means that you were not selected to participate in this ECHO program.

HOW TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION

• Follow the link below to fill out your Application IPOS-ECHO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

• Have your CV, Letter of support and Passport photograph ready before you start the application.

I hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and bring over 15 years of experience in the field of Psycho-Oncology. I earned a Master’s degree in Psycho-Oncology from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) in 2024, following formal clinical training in Psycho-Oncology at the National Cancer Institute (INCAN) in Mexico City from 2008 to 2009.

Since 2013, I have founded and led the Psycho-Oncology Department at José Carrasco Arteaga Hospital (HJCA). My professional focus includes providing psychological support to cancer patients and their families, grief counseling, interdisciplinary collaboration in palliative care, and the prevention of professional burnout among healthcare teams.

I have authored articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals such as Revista Gamo and Revista Médica HJCA, addressing the emotional health of oncology patients.

I am committed to promoting comprehensive well-being for individuals facing cancer, advocating for humanized, evidence-based care.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

I am Dr. Joyeeta Talukdar, a translational cancer biologist and psycho-oncology researcher currently working as a Research Associate in the Department of Biochemistry at AIIMS, New Delhi. My work bridges cancer biology and mental health, with a focus on cancer stem cells, tumor immunobiology, and the psychosocial dimensions of survivorship, including fertility preservation, depression, and body image among adolescents and young adults with cancer. As the innovator of a DHR-funded project, we integrate cytokine profiling with psychological assessments to understand how immune–metabolic changes intersect with psycho-oncological vulnerabilities. I have been engaged with the IPOS through its global networks that strengthen psycho-oncology as a discipline in low- and middle-income countries. I am especially committed to building collaborative models that bring together laboratory research, clinical oncology, and patient-centered advocacy. Something fun about me is that beyond science, I am also a trained Sattriya dancer, a writer of children’s books inspired by true-life stories, and an active speaker on perseverance and patient empowerment—creative outlets that keep me grounded and connected to people.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

Applications are now open for the Integrative Oncology (IO) Scholars program. The program brings together oncology professionals in a year-long course designed for the full spectrum of oncology care professionals. The program equips diverse oncology professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide safe and evidence-based integration of complementary therapies in conventional oncology care. The course is developed by researchers and clinicians at the University of Michigan (U-M) Medical School. The program includes self-paced web learning modules, a community-based clinical capstone practicum, and interactive virtual instructional sessions for IO Scholars to learn together in a Zoom environment throughout the training year. The IO Scholars program will enable you to identify, evaluate, and create evidence-based integrative oncology services within your patient community.

Eligible MDs and DOs have the opportunity to apply to participate in a fellowship. The fellowship includes the above IOS program along with an additional second year and involves establishing an IO consult clinic at your institution with guidance from our faculty. Upon completion, fellows will be eligible to sit for the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

For more information and to apply online, go to: https://sites.google.com/view/integrative-oncology-scholars-/home

Applications due September 30, 2025. Contact us directly at [email protected]

The above is a paid advertisement. Learn more about advertising with IPOS by going to https://ipos-society.org/ads

We are pleased to report that we had a record-setting voting turnout for our 2025-2027 board of directors’ election! We were very excited to see the support and involvement by our members and nominees in this election. THANK YOU.

Below are the official 2025-2027 IPOS Board of Directors results:

• President: Chioma Asuzu (Nigeria)
• Past Past President: Wendy Lam (Hong Kong)
• Vice President: Tania Estapé (Spain)
• Secretary: Cristiane Decat Bergerot (Brazil)
• Treasurer: Jayita Deodhar (India)
• Early Career Director: Tihana Gaspert (Croatia)
• Director from REGION 1: Regions of Africa, Middle East, India or Russia: Surendran Veeraiah (India)
• Director from REGION 2: Asia/Pacific: Daisuke Fujisawa (Japan)
• Director from REGION 3: Canada: Carmen Loiselle (Canada)
• Director from REGION 3: USA: Amanda Balakirsky (USA)
• Director from REGION 4: Europe/UK: Ozan Bahcivan (Portugal)
• Director from REGION 5: Latin and Central America: Rodbin Campos (Costa Rica)
• Executive Director: John Chagnon

The new board term commences shortly after the IPOS AGM being held in Adelaide, Australia on November 13.

IPOS’ Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee is proud to announce the IPOS Early Career Mentorship Program! This is a new and FREE member benefit with IPOS!

ALL participants must maintain a current membership with IPOS in order to apply and participate. 

To qualify as a mentee, you must be an active early-career IPOS member, that is no more than seven years post-final degree. 

Mentors must have 10+ years of experience (mid-career) in psycho-oncology research or clinical practice.

All prospective mentors and mentees are asked to complete a brief survey – by August 15, 2025 – with questions about applicants and the type of mentoring they wish to provide or receive. Responses will help us match mentors and mentees based on interest and availability. All responses will be shared with a committee of volunteers for review and matching.

Mentorship pairings are to last 9-months from introduction.

For more information on how to apply to be a mentor or mentee, please go to https://ipos-society.org/Mentorship/

We will aim to confirm pairings by September 15, 2025, and will do an e-introduction by email. 

I am highly motivated proficient Medical Laboratory Scientist (area of specialty is Haematology and Blood Group Serology) with an unwavering determination to pursue professional excellence, to assist people meet their healthcare needs in the atmosphere of a strong cordial working relationship with other health professionals. Highly determined to engage in ethical and beneficent research for the advancement of medical practice and comprehensive healthcare.

Enjoy working in mission-driven organizations, with a strong commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable individuals, including those with chronic illnesses such as cancer.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Chairperson/ Founder, Caregiver, Patient Advocate SaliHoe Foundation Abuja Nigeria.
• Volunteering as a patient advocate and caregiver at Bethesda Medical, Dunamis International Gospel Centre Headquarters, May 2017 still present Abuja, Nigeria.
• Led a team of healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality services for over 1000 Gynecologic Cancer Patients.
• Developed and implemented strategic initiatives to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
• Supervised staff, including managers, and provided mentorship to enhance team performance.
• Collaborated with organizations to address challenges in the area of cancer and other terminal diseases.
• Advocated for patient-centered care, ensuring dignity and respect for all cancer patients.
• Research best practices and innovative approaches in cancer prevention and treatment.
• Fundraising activities, building and fostering partnerships in Nigeria and worldwide, sourcing for sustainable funding.

Interested in being profiled?

Please email the following to [email protected] with the subject line “IPOS member profile submission”:

1. Name
2. Employment position
3. Employer/Institution
4. Country
5. Twitter handle (if available)
6. Jpg photo of yourself
7. 50-to-200-word description that notes details on your practice, involvement with IPOS and something “fun or interesting” about yourself.

LIVE WEBINAR!

Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 12 to 1 p.m. EDT

This webinar will present a background on the concept of scanxiety and will delve into new developments in the field being spearheaded by our presenters and their teams. Topics include evidence-based ways to assess and treat scanxiety. 

Speakers: 

• Nian Kemme, PhD Candidate, Radboudumc (Netherlands)
• Heather Derry-Vick, PhD, Hackensack Meridian Health (USA)
• Lauren Heathcote, PhD, King's College London (UK)

Moderator: 

• Lauren Rudy, PhD Candidate, University of New Brunswick (Canada)

Registration is FREE for all. This session will also be recorded and may be available to purchase at a later date.

Register online by going to https://form.jotform.com/251874388018264

THANK YOU!

IPOS and its Fundraising and Marketing Committee are pleased to report that FIVE scholarships were extended this year to help support members from low-to-middle income countries attend the 2025 World Congress happening this November in Adelaide Australia. Due to these efforts, we are able to support members from India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia/South Africa in attending the Congress. We can't wait to see them all there!

Special thanks to:

1. The family of Andrea Patenaude
2. Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA)
3. Carolyn Messner
4. Matthew Loscalzo
5. Members of the IPOS Fundraising and Marketing committee

For information on how you can donate to help support members from low-to-middle income countries, please go to https://ipos-society.org/Donate

For more information on the 2025 World Congress, please go to https://ipos-society.org/professionals/congress