History

In 2005, Dr. Lynn Behar and her husband, Howard Behar, made the first of several significant philanthropic gifts to the University of Washington School of Social Work, endowing a new scholarship fund to support the education of oncology social workers. The program, called the Carol LaMare Scholars Program, is named in honor of Lynn's mother, who died of cancer in 2005. To date, the Carol LaMare Scholars Program remains the country's only MSW-focused educational experience for future practitioners in oncology and palliative care settings. 

In 2018, Lynn and Howard made a substantial gift to establish the Center for Integrative Oncology and Palliative Care Social Work - the only center of its kind housed within a top School of Social Work in the country. Dr. Taryn Lindhorst, the Behar Professor Emerita, served as the center's inaugural director and led the center's growth from 2018 to 2025. Associate Teaching Professor Emerita J'May Rivara served as co-director of the Carol LaMare program from 2010 to 2024. Assistant Teaching Professor Alice Ryan succeeded Professor Rivara as the Carol LaMare Program director in 2025. 

With Dr. Lindhorst's retirement, Dr. Anao Zhang started his tenure as the center director and Behar Endowed Associate Professor in Psychosocial Oncology in January 2026. Under his leadership, the center has expanded its mission and scope as the Center for Interdisciplinary Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Research and Practice.