IPOS News

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

Helsa is a qualified psycho-oncologist currently working in the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department at St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore, as part of an NGO-led psychosocial care team. She holds an MSc in Clinical Psycho-Oncology from Christ University and has trained under experienced psycho-oncologists, supporting paediatric, adult, geriatric, and palliative care populations.

Deeply committed to child mental health, Helsa believes in creating therapeutic spaces that honor each child’s individuality. She works to enhance their quality of life by understanding their interests and incorporating those into therapy—be it through stories, play, or creative expression. Her approach blends compassion with evidence-based care, helping children and families navigate the emotional challenges of cancer with resilience and hope.

As a member of IPOS, she actively advocates for psychosocial support as an integral part of paediatric oncology care.
Outside of work, Helsa enjoys reading with a warm cup of coffee or tea, playing instruments, singing, and expressing herself through painting and doodling. She finds joy in life’s little moments and brings that same spirit into her work—believing that even the smallest spark of connection or creativity can make a meaningful difference in a child’s healing journey.

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.

Thank you to all that submitted a board nomination by the June 2, 2025 deadline. Nominations are now closed.

As for next steps:

1. Ballots to be issued to all voting members on June 19, 2025. Only individuals with a current Active or ECP membership by June 17, 2025 will be issued a ballet by email (to the email address in individual member record files)
2. Voting will close end of day July 7, 2025

We encourage all to click here and read about your 2025-2027 Board Candidates. Details on all have been provided below.

• The following positions were open for nomination followed by nominations received for each:

  1. One Vice President position
     • Tania Estapé, Ph.D., FEFOC Fundació (Spain)
     • Melissa Henry, Ph.D, Gerald Bronfman Oncology Department, McGill University (Canada)
  2. One Secretary position
     • Cristiane Bergerot, Ph.D., Oncoclinicas&Co (Brazil)
     • Patricia A. Parker, Ph.D., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (USA)
  3. One Treasurer position
     • Jayita Deodhar, MD, MRCPsych, Diploma in Palliative Medicine (Cardiff University), Tata Memorial Hospital, Tata Memorial Centre (India)
  4. REGION 1: One Director from the targeted regions of Africa, Middle East, India or Russia.
     • Gil Goldzweig, The Academic College of Tel Aviv Yaffo (Israel)
     • Zahra Riaz Haji, The Aga Khan University (Kenya)
     • Edgar Laleti Simiyu, KITALE county referral hospital (Kenya)
     • Margaret Mogaka, Ministry of Health Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital (Kenya)
     • Surendran Veeraiah, M.Phil., Ph.D., Cancer Institute (WIA) (India)

5.     REGION 2: One Director from Asia/Pacific. 6.     REGION 3: One Director from Canada and one Director from the USA. 7.     REGION 4: One Director from Europe/UK. 8.     REGION 5: One Director from Latin and Central America.
9.     One Early Career Director

Trabajo en el instituto oncologico del oriente boliviano en la ciudad de santa cruz de la sierra, soy psicologa con especialidad en psicooncologia y cuidados paliativos, mi area de trabajo son adultos veo pacientes con cancer de cervix, mama, gastricos, melanomas.

Actualmente en proceso final para presentar la asociacion boliviana de psicooncologia. Sigo estudiando porque es un area que me apasiona, sigo aprendiendo tambien de mis pacientes. Me gusta mucho cocinar para mi familia y amigos, pintar, escuchar musica e ir al campo a cargar energias.

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.

#WHA78

The Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 19–27 May 2025. The theme of this year’s Health Assembly is: One World for Health. IPOS is a proud non-state member of WHO.

IPOS President Wendy Lam (Hong Kong) and IPOS Volunteer Surendran Veeraiah (India) are both in attendance representing International Psycho-Oncology Society and bringing the voice of psychosocial oncology to the table. Your support helps make this possible!

A special thanks to IPOS supporter Dr. André Ilbawi, Cancer Control focal point, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases Division of Universal Health, World Health Organization. Dr. Ilbawi works closely with IPOS on many initiatives.

Learn more by going to: https://www.who.int/about/governance/world-health-assembly/seventy-eighth#:~:text=The%20Seventy%2Deighth%20World%20Health,live%20from%20this%20web%20page.

Dr. Izuhunwa Amadasun is a Medical Doctor and current volunteer intern of IPOS’ Fundraising and Marketing Committee, who is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. She has a deep passion for empowering individuals to achieve optimum health. Having battled stage 4 rectal cancer in her prime and emerged victorious, she has a unique understanding of the cancer burden, the necessity of being proactive about one’s health, and the importance of speaking up when needed.

She published her debut book titled ROOFTOP: My Struggles and Triumph Over Stage 4 Cancer, in which she chronicles her experiences in detail, hoping that others will find comfort, draw strength, and gain a better understanding of what a battle with cancer truly entails. Proceeds from the book are used to support psychotherapy treatment for select survivors. She is an advocate and volunteer working with various cancer awareness and support groups, such as the Foundation for Cancer Care West Africa to advance their efforts.

She is currently pursuing an MBA in Business Analysis at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. A fun fact about Izuhunwa is that she is also a Certified Financial Education Instructor who uses her platforms to provide life-changing personal finance education and coaching to individuals interested in adopting the best practices for managing their money. Hence her tag “The Money Doctor.”

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 a Psycho-oncologist and Psychotherapist specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). My professional experience includes providing psychological and emotional support to children with cancer and their families, as well as adults experiencing grief, trauma, anxiety, and relational issues. Currently, I am pursuing advanced studies in Couples Therapy and Sexology, aiming to offer comprehensive support in relationship dynamics and sexual health. As president of the Colegio Estatal de Psicólogos de Querétaro, I actively promote professional development, clinical innovation, and greater awareness of psycho-oncology in Mexico. My passion is empowering individuals and families to build resilience and reclaim emotional wellbeing amid life's challenges.

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.

On April 9, 2025, the global psycho-oncology community came together to celebrate the first-ever World Psycho-Oncology Day (WPOD). This special day was created to raise awareness about the vital role of psychosocial care in cancer treatment, while also honouring the incredible legacy of Dr. Jimmie Holland, whose pioneering work shaped the field of psycho-oncology as we know it.

In its very first year, WPOD saw more than 30 events take place across more than 25 countries, including in-person gatherings, online seminars, social media campaigns, and awareness initiatives. The response was both inspiring and humbling. Despite a short planning timeline, the level of engagement was impressive — reconnecting with former members, reaching new regions, and sparking meaningful conversations around the world.

WPOD is more than a one-day celebration. It’s a growing platform to:

• Highlight the importance of integrating psycho-oncology into cancer care
• Celebrate the progress we've made and identify areas still in need
• Encourage collaboration among professionals, organisations, and communities
• Empower patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers to prioritise mental health

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made this first WPOD such a success. With everything we've learned this year, we’re already looking ahead to making 2026 even more impactful, inclusive, and far-reaching. Thank you for being part of this journey — and let’s keep building momentum together.

IPOS World Psycho-Oncology Day (WPOD) Organising Committee
Co-Chairs: Dr. Ozan Bahcivan, Dr. Chihtao Cheng
Members: Dr. Wendy Wing Tak Lam, Dr. Chioma Asuzu, Dr. Tom Hack, Dr. Jayita Deodhar