A cancer diagnosis represents more than just a physical disease: it affects patients and families emotionally, financially and socially, requiring comprehensive support beyond medical care. In fact, in a national survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), nearly 80% of patients with cancer expressed a need for a professional to help with the non-medical aspects of their diagnosis and treatment.
Tara Schapmire, an associate professor in the UofL Department of Medicine, Division of Palliative Medicine, and an associate professor at the UofL Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, has worked decades to help individuals and families impacted by cancer.
Schapmire was recently awarded a five-year, $1.6 million grant from NCI to lead a national training initiative aimed at transforming psychosocial and palliative care in oncology. The grant will support an intensive training and mentorship program, and 50 social workers from across the U.S. will be competitively selected each year to receive fully funded palliative oncology training and structured mentorship.
UofL News connected with Schapmire to learn more about this new innovative initiative.
UofL News: What piqued your interest in oncology social work?
Schapmire: Fresh out of my Masters of Social Work (MSSW) program at UofL in 1996, I discovered my professional calling. Working with individuals and families facing cancer opened my eyes to the profound impact that compassionate, skilled psychosocial support can have. I became deeply committed to improving the quality of life for all those affected by cancer—patients, families and care teams alike—and that sense of purpose has guided my work ever since.
UofL News: What was your response to receiving this grant?
Schapmire: I was absolutely thrilled—both personally and professionally. I felt deeply validated that the National Cancer Institute recognized oncology social workers as essential to high-quality cancer and palliative care yet often lack access to quality training opportunities compared to other disciplines. This award provides the opportunity to elevate our field’s role in transforming cancer care nationwide.
Educating Social Workers in Palliative and End-of-Life Care (ESPEC) Oncology builds on two prior NCI-funded programs at the UofL School of Medicine that advanced interprofessional palliative care education. Training 250 oncology social workers over the next five years will have a transformative impact on the quality and compassion of cancer care nationwide.
UofL News: What does this mean for patients with cancer? How can it help them and their families cope with the life transitions their diagnosis can bring?
Schapmire: This grant strengthens the ability of oncology social workers to support patients and families through every phase of the cancer journey—helping them manage distress, navigate complex decisions, and sustain quality of life even in the face of serious illness. ESPEC Oncology expands nationally what the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science at UofL has long done through its oncology social work specialization—preparing clinicians to address the full biopsychosocial, spiritual and cultural dimensions of cancer care. Together, they advance a model of compassionate, whole-person care that helps patients and families find meaning and maintain dignity throughout serious illness.
UofL News: What has been the most gratifying aspect of this project?
Schapmire: What I find most meaningful about this project is its potential for lasting, system-level impact. It isn’t just about training 250 oncology social workers—it’s about creating a national community of leaders who will return to their institutions equipped to strengthen teams, improve communication, and integrate psychosocial and palliative care principles into everyday oncology practice.
This initiative also represents the culmination of years of collaborative work with an incredible team of national experts and partner organizations who share a vision for transforming the way cancer care is delivered. By investing in the people who provide the psychosocial and emotional backbone of cancer care, we’re not only improving patient and family experiences but also supporting the well-being and professional growth of the workforce that serves them.
ESPEC Oncology: Transforming Psychosocial and Palliative Cancer Care is accepting training program applications. For more information, email ESPECO@louisville.edu
