NCI/AcademyHealth Healthcare Delivery Research Visiting Scholars Program

In 2017, the Healthcare Delivery Research Program launched the NCI/AcademyHealth Healthcare Delivery Research Visiting Scholars Program in partnership with AcademyHealth. Through a rigorous application process, mid-level researchers are selected to participate in a year-long, funded, part-time opportunity to develop and pursue new research aims that advance both their own career goals and the field of cancer care delivery research more broadly. This program also serves the purpose of bringing knowledgeable experts in healthcare delivery research to NCI and also training researchers to understand NCI and utilize federal resources and data. Selected scholars collaborate closely with HDRP staff and are also given access to AcademyHealth programmatic activities to broaden or strengthen their professional networks.

The application cycle for the NCI/AcademyHealth Healthcare Delivery Research Visiting Scholars Program is now closed.

2023-2024 Selected Scholar

Virginia LeBaron, PhD, RN, FAAN
Kluge-Schakat Associate Professor
University of Virginia School of Nursing

Virginia LeBaron, PhD, RN, FAAN is the Kluge-Schakat Associate Professor of Compassionate Care at the University of Virginia School of Nursing. Her program of research aims to improve health outcomes for patients with advanced cancer and their care partners, particularly related to equitable access to pain management, and is informed by her prior clinical work as an oncology nurse and palliative care nurse practitioner. As an AcademyHealth/NCI Visiting Scholar, Dr. LeBaron will be analyzing the SEER-MHOS/Part D linked data resource to understand opioid prescribing practices for older adults with advanced cancer and risk factors for the potential undertreatment of pain. She will also be working with Cancer Information Service data to identify information needs of those caring for patients with cancer at the end-of-life.

Please see our listing of previous visiting scholars for recordings of their projects and experience.