Director's Welcome

Welcome, and thank you for being here at the Center for Interdisciplinary Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Research and Practice (IPOPC) at the University of Washington School of Social Work. At IPOPC, we are dedicated to advancing cutting-edge research, world-class education, and a deep, sustained commitment to the local, national, and global communities we serve. We are, first and foremost, a center committed to ensuring high-quality supportive care for all individuals facing cancer and life-limiting illness. An integrative supportive care framework guides the strategic growth of everything we do in pursuit of this mission. 

We provide field-defining, specialized training for Master of Social Work students in oncology and palliative care through the Center’s Carol LaMare Scholars Program, preparing the next generation of leaders in supportive oncology and serious-illness care. Across our diverse research portfolio, our work is unified by a commitment to health equity, patient-centered care, and the preservation of human dignity, particularly at the end of life. IPOPC serves as a hub for collaboration and innovation, bringing together scholars, clinicians, students, and community partners to develop impactful solutions.

We invite you to join us in advancing the wellness and well-being of all those impacted by cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Anao Zhang, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, OSW-C, ACBT
Behar Endowed Associate Professor in Psychosocial Oncology
Director, Center for IPOPC Research and Practice