IPOS News

As a clinical psychologist, I have committed myself to providing compassionate care in the Palliative Unit at the National Center of Oncology in Yerevan for over a year. My focus lies in offering counseling and evidence-based interventions to patients and families navigating the complexities of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and end-of-life care.

 Beyond my clinical duties, I actively take part in the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS), engaging in professional development, research contributions, and community outreach. Being part of IPOS has not only expanded my ability but also connected me with professionals worldwide, enriching my practice and perspective.

On a lighter note, I find joy in hiking and nature photography, often incorporating dancing and singing into my outdoor adventures. When not in the clinic or involved with IPOS, you will find me exploring Armenia's picturesque landscapes, capturing moments of beauty and serenity through my camera lens while enjoying the rhythm of nature.

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.

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: June 2024
Deadline to Apply: May 10, 2024
 

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 links for a short description of Project ECHO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAMaHP-tEwk&feature=youtu.be and 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 2024, IPOS celebrates its 40th anniversary andIPOS 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 800+ member from more than 100 countries.

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 May 2024 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 May 10, 2024.  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 e-mail address: [email protected]. IPOS will only be able to answer any questions related to this call for applications from March 7th to April 21st, after which IPOS will no longer be able to answer. After the May 10 deadline, the only correspondence the applicants will receive is the result of the competition. Participants should anticipate receiving the results by the 2nd week of May. 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 2nd week of May, unless otherwise indicated on the IPOS website, it means that you were not selected to participate in this ECHO.

HOW TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION?

-Follow the link below and fill out your Application; IPOS-ECHO SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

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

 

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We are looking for volunteer members for our Special Interest Group: Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee.

If you are a current member of IPOS and want to get involved, we have a wonderful opportunity for you. Consider becoming a member of our Special Interest Group: Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee. Our goal is to have a group with members with broad experiences and perspectives who are passionate about connecting with psycho-oncology professionals world-wide. 

If you are a member of IPOS and are early in your psycho-oncology career, joining this committee is a great option!

The co-chairs:

• Amanda Balakirsky – USA
• Tihana Gašpert– Croatia

Please email Amanda ([email protected]) and Tihana ([email protected]) with your name, country, CV and a brief blurb about why you are interested in volunteering with the Special Interest Group: Early Career Professionals in Psycho-Oncology (ECPP) Committee.

Please submit by March 29, 2024.

I am originally from Malaysia, received my B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin in the United States, and my PhD from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. I have been a member of IPOS since the IPOS World Congress in Banff in 2019 and have attended every world congress since! I am also one of the founding members of the IPOS Survivorship SIG and can highly recommend joining this active group of lovely people under the excellent leadership of Dr Michael Jefford and Dr Christina Signorelli. I do registry-based epidemiological research, survey-based research and intervention trials, and have a special interest in the psychosocial aspects of cancer caregiving and of living long-term with incurable cancer. Other areas of my research include grief and bereavement, patient and public involvement in research, and stress and coping. I enjoy international collaboration, so feel free to reach out!

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 Rita Daher, a senior psychology student at the Lebanese American University in Lebanon. My journey in psychology has been enriched through practical experiences, particularly at an NGO where I provided hands-on support to intellectually and physically disabled adults and elderly individuals navigating various psychological, social, and physical challenges. Complementing my academic endeavors, I was enrolled in Music Therapy training to further expand my expertise in the psychology field. Currently, I am exploring the captivating realm of academia, with a focus on a psycho-oncology course. This course delves into the psychological, social, and physical barriers faced by cancer patients, the coping dynamics of families, and the diverse interventions both pharmacological and non-pharmacological required. It also highlights the crucial role of the medical team and emphasizes the significance of effective communication between physicians and patients. Inspired by my studies, I have also joined the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) to explore the intersection of psychology and oncology. Furthermore, I am enrolled in the CITI program that serves online courses in ethics, research, regulatory compliance, and responsible conduct of research. Outside of academia, I find solace in creative writing poetry, and drawing as a powerful means of self-expression.

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 psychologist and got a Master of Science in psychology at Irkutsk State University of Russian Federation. I have worked as a psychologist at National Cancer Center of Mongolia from 2006 to 2020. I am one of the first pioneers in developing psychosocial care services in Mongolia. Currently, I am working as a lecturer at MNUMS. But I am interested in raising awareness of the population about psycho-oncology, building comprehensive and multidisciplinary health care for people with cancer, and integrating psychosocial care into routine cancer care in LMICs with limited resources. Since 2018 I have joined  the IPOS network. I desire to learn and collaborate with experts from all nations over the world to develop mental health care for people living with cancer. 

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.

Psychiatrist

Departments of Oncology and Psychiatry

Cumming School of Medicine

University of Calgary 

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6).

The Departments of Oncology and Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary in conjunction with the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute and Alberta Health Services, invite applications for a Contingent Term position within the discipline of Psychiatry, at the Professor level. 

Qualifications include an MD and eligibility for registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta in Psychiatry and Certification or board eligibility in Psychiatry from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.  Applicants must have 10 plus years of experience with special competency in a Psychiatry discipline, evidence of   continuous, externally funded (at the level of Tri-Council or equivalent peer reviewed National/International organization), an outstanding academic publication record as evidenced by continuous publication in high impact journals or leading in the field, demonstrated ability to lead research teams, outstanding teaching and graduate supervision record, and evidence of academic service leadership.

The successful candidate will be an academic clinical psychiatrist with a track record in psychosocial oncology with special interests in palliative care, indigenous health and /or geriatric oncology.  In addition, the successful candidate will have a proven track record of leadership of diverse teams and will have an activity profile that will be in part in scope, servicing urban, rural and remote clinically applied academic investigation into unmet clinical needs.  

The Department of Oncology and its eleven (11) clinical and academic divisions represent all major cancer disciplines.  Our key research streams align with the research foci of the Cumming School of Medicine, the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, the new Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute, and with the cancer research priorities of Cancer Care Alberta.  Our clinical population and psychosocial research continuum within the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, the Holy Cross Centre and the new Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre support the Department of Oncology’s vision, mission, and values, which guide us through our research, academic and clinical service success as identified in the four strategic pillars that form the framework to achieve our success plans.  These include: i) Advancing our research foci, ii) Embracing our research leadership culture, iii) Building capacity, mentoring and supporting researchers, and iv) Fostering teamwork and collaboration.

Scheduled to open to the public in 2024, the new 1.4 million square foot Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre will engage patients at the centre of a multidisciplinary health system, enabling access to comprehensive cancer care services in a world-class facility. In fact, the extensive scope and integration of cancer care services at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre will make it one of the most comprehensive cancer centres in the world. Integrated research across the spectrum will further optimize care with focus on prevention, early detection, precision medicine and psychosocial care.

UCalgary is Canada’s entrepreneurial university, located in Canada’s most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada’s leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders - in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from a growing number of world-class dining and cultural events and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour's drive from the majestic Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America. 

The University of Calgary recognizes that candidates have varying career paths and that career interruptions can be part of an excellent academic record. Candidates are encouraged but not required to provide any relevant information about their experience and/or career interruptions to allow for a fair assessment of their application. Selection committees have been instructed to give careful consideration to, and be sensitive to the impact of career interruptions, when assessing the candidate’s research productivity.

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via University of Calgary Careers webpage using the ‘Apply Now’ link.

Please be aware that the application process allows for a maximum of four attachments. Your four application attachments should be organized to contain the following (you are encouraged to merge documents to reduce the number of attachments):

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Research interest statement (not to exceed 2 pages)
• Leadership statement including equity, diversity and inclusion considerations (not to exceed 2 pages)
• The names and contact information for three (3) referees. Reference letters will not be required unless the applicant is short-listed for a visit/interview. 

View full posting and apply: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/13904164-psychiatrist-departments-of-oncology-and-psychiatry-cumming-school-of-medicine

For more information please contact:

Dr. Don Morris,

Professor and Head

Department of Oncology

Email: [email protected]

Application deadline: March 8, 2024

To learn more about academic opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Academic Careers website (http://careers.ucalgary.ca/).  For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Cumming School of Medicine | University of Calgary (ucalgary.ca).

The University of Calgary strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

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We are looking for volunteer members for our Special Interest Group: E-Health and AI (Artificial Intelligence)

If you are a current member of IPOS and want to get involved, we have a great opportunity for you. Considering becoming a member of our Special Interest Group: E-Health and AI (Artificial Intelligence) Our goal is to have a group with members with broad experiences and perspectives. We also want members from all parts of the World!

If you are a member of IPOS and have an interest in e-Health and/or Artificial Intelligence as it pertains to psychosocial oncology, this is the group for you!

The co-chairs:

• Carmen Loiselle – Canada
• Claire Foster – United Kingdom
• Tania Estape – Spain

Please email [email protected] with your name, country and one sentence about why you are interested in volunteering with the Special Interest Group: E-Health and AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Please submit by February 15, 2024.

I am a psychologist at the psychosocial service of the Podоl Regional Oncology Center, Vinnytsia. I provide assistance in various departments: polyclinic, surgical, therapeutic. I also work with palliative patients.

Since 2006, I have been one of the first pioneers in the development of psychosocial assistance services in Ukraine.

I want to learn and collaborate with experts from around the world to improve psychiatric care for people with cancer, especially vulnerable populations, especially those who have been forcibly displaced by war and genocide.

My goal is to develop and improve psychosocial oncology services in Ukraine.

I restore the forgotten traditions of my people, I bake bread.

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.