Dr. Betty Ferrell on her global legacy in palliative care and why whole-person treatment is as crucial as fighting cancer itself.
In this episode of On the Edge of Breakthrough: Voices of Cancer Research, Dr. Monty Pal sits down with Dr. Betty Ferrell, trailblazing nurse-scientist and director of the Division of Nursing Research and Education at City of Hope. Known globally for her foundational work in quality of life, pain management, and palliative care, Dr. Ferrell reflects on her nearly four decades of research, mentorship, and advocacy that have reshaped how we define patient-centered cancer care.
Together they trace her journey from bedside nursing in Oklahoma to spearheading research that has influenced standards of care across disciplines—from bone marrow transplantation and thoracic surgery, to early-phase clinical trials. Dr. Ferrell shares her international collaborations, including her work in Ethiopia with colleague Dr. Lesley Taylor, which are driving change in some of the most resource-constrained settings.
This episode is a reminder that treating cancer isn’t just about targeting disease—it’s about recognizing the full human experience behind it.
S.F. Oosting, J. Barriuso, A. Bottomley, M. Galotti, B. Gyawali, B. Kiesewetter, N.J. Latino, F. Martinelli, M. Pe, G. Pentheroudakis, F. Roitberg, H. Vachon, E.G.E. de Vries, M. Piccart, N.I. Cherny
Yichen Zhang, MSc; Huseyin Naci, PhD; Anita K. Wagner, PharmD, DrPH
K. Ribi, N. Kalbermatten, M. Eicher, F. Strasser
Daan Geert Knapen, Nathan I. Cherny, Panagiota Zygoura, Nicola Jane Latino, Jean-Yves Douillard, Urania Dafni, Elisabeth G.E. de Vries, Derk Jan de Groot
Nicole Grossmann, Martin Robausch, Eleen Rothschedl, Claudia Wild, Judit Simon
Ariadna Tibau, Consolación Molto, Alberto Ocana, Arnoud J Templeton, Luis P Del Carpio, Joseph C Del Paggio, Agustí Barnadas, Christopher M Booth, Eitan Amir