Betty Ferrell, Ph.D., R.N. has been in oncology nursing for 35 years and has focused her clinical expertise and research in pain management, quality of life and palliative care. Ferrell is a professor and research scientist at City of Hope in Los Angeles. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and she has over 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals and texts. She is principal investigator of a Program Project funded by the National Cancer Institute on “Palliative Care for Quality of Life and Symptom Concerns in Lung Cancer” and principal investigator of the “End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium” project.   She directs several other funded projects related to palliative care in cancer centers and quality-of-life issues. Ferrell is a member of the board of scientific advisors of the National Cancer Institute and is chairperson of the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care. She is also the chairperson of the Southern California Cancer Pain Initiative. She has authored eight books, including “Cancer Pain Management” (1995), a text on “Suffering” (1995), “Pain in the Elderly” (1996) and  “Oxford Textbook of Palliative Nursing,” published by Oxford University Press (3rd edition published in  2010).  She is co-author of the text, “The Nature of Suffering and the Goals of Nursing,” published in 2008 by Oxford University Press and “Making Health Care Whole: Integrating Spirituality into Patient Care” (Templeton Press, 2010). Ferrell completed a master’s degree in theology, ethics and culture from Claremont Graduate University in 2007. 

Professional Experience

1997 - present, Research Scientist, City of Hope, Duarte, CA.

1989 - 1997, Associate Research Scientist, City of Hope, Duarte, CA.

1987 - 1989, Assistant Chairperson for Research and Faculty Affairs and Assistant Professor, USC, Los Angeles, CA.

1985 - 1987, Assistant Professor, University of Oklahoma, College of Nursing, Graduate Program

1984 - 1985, Administrator, Consultants in Care, Home Health Agency, Oklahoma City, OK.

1983 - 1984, Instructor, University of Oklahoma, College of Nursing, Oklahoma City, OK.

1982 - 1987, Consultant, Oncology Nursing and Home Health Care, Oklahoma City, OK.

1979 - 1982, Director of Nursing, Medox Home Health Agency and Hospice, Oklahoma City, OK.

1977 - 1979, Staff Registered Nurse, Oncology, Presbyterian Hospital, Oklahoma City, OK.

Education and Training

2007, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA., M.A., Theology/Ethics/Culture

1984, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX., Ph.D., Nursing

1980, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK., M.S., Nursing

1977, Central State University, Edmond, OK., B.S., Nursing

This is an abbreviated document. Full CV available upon request. Information on this page may be self-reported and is subject to change at any time. Last updated: 5/12

Honors and Awards

2009, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Leadership Awards

2008, American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) Jimmie Holland Awards

2007, Distinguished Researcher Award, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM)

2005, Outstanding Alumni Award, Texas Woman’s University  

2004, Distinguished Career Award, Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association

2004, Distinguished Service Award, American Alliance of Cancer Pain Initiatives 

2003, Oncology Nursing Society, Supportive Care Award

2002, American Pain Society, Bonica Public Service Award

1999, American Cancer Society Distinguished Service Award

1999, New York University Distinguished Scholar Award

1997, Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) Clinical Researcher Award

1996, Oncology Nursing Society, Distinguished Researcher Award

1995, Oncology Nursing Society, Excellence in Research Award and Quality of Life Award