City of Hope’s Betty Ferrell, Ph.D., elected to esteemed National Academy of Medicine

DUARTE, Calif. — Betty Ferrell, Ph.D., director and professor of the Division of Nursing Research and Education at City of Hope, was presented with one of the highest honors in health and medicine this week: She was elected to become a member of the National Academy of Medicine, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

The academy honored Ferrell, F.A.A.N., F.P.C.N., M.A. Ph.D., for her pioneering work in palliative and end-of-life care and gave her accolades for developing and leading the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, which has trainers in 99 countries and all 50 states. The consortium has greatly impacted the lives of patients and their family caregivers.

“In the three decades that Dr. Betty Ferrell has been with City of Hope, she has made brilliant contributions to how we provide compassionate care to patients and their caregivers,” said Steven Rosen, M.D., chief scientific officer at City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. “She has devoted her professional life to ensuring patients receive appropriate and compassionate palliative and end-of-life care. The recognition that the National Academy of Medicine has given Betty is well-deserved, especially since she has greatly contributed to changing clinical practice nationally.”

Ferrell was one of 90 national members to be elected this year, bringing the total membership to more than 2,200 national members and about 180 international members. Current members elect new members – individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health.

“These newly elected members represent the most exceptional scholars and leaders whose remarkable work has advanced science, medicine and health in the U.S. and around the globe,” said National Academy of Medicine President Victor J. Dzau. “Their expertise will be vital to addressing today’s most pressing health and scientific challenges and informing the future of health and medicine for the benefit of us all.”

Ferrell is recognized for her career as an oncology researcher who addresses quality of life, family caregiving and palliative care, to name a few. She has authored 450 journal publications and 12 books, including the “Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing.”

In 2013, the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine recognized Ferrell as one of 30 visionaries who are reinventing palliative care. As a former co-chair of the National Consensus Project, Ferrell contributed to developing the national guidelines for palliative care.

She is the principal investigator of the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, a project that began in 2000. Ferrell is currently the principal investigator of a National Cancer Institute-funded randomized trial testing the integration of palliative care for patients with solid tumors who are in phase 1 clinical trials.

“I am deeply honored to be elected a member of the National Academy of Medicine and to participate in the important work of the Academy influencing health care,” Ferrell said. “I am grateful for the support of my colleagues at City of Hope as I celebrate my 30th year as a researcher in the cancer center.”

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City of Hope is an independent biomedical research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a leader in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy such as CAR T cell therapy. City of Hope’s translational research and personalized treatment protocols advance care throughout the world. Human synthetic insulin and numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology developed at the institution. A National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, City of Hope is the highest ranked cancer hospital in the West, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals: Specialty Ranking. Its main campus is located near Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.