November 7, 1999
Brookline resident receives presidental citation from the American Psychological Association
Dana-Farber Clinician Honored
Andrea Farkas Patenaude, Ph.D., director, Psycho-Oncology Research in Pediatric Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and assistant professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, was recently awarded the Presidential Citation from the American Psychological Association (APA).
The award was bestowed on Patenaude for her efforts to raise awareness among physicians, genetic counselors, and psychologists about the benefits of having psychologists work with people when deciding whether or not to seek genetic testing, and how to cope with the subsequent results. U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher also earned a citation for his work.
As chair of the APA's Advisory Council on Genetic Issues, Patenaude and council members "have helped us understand that the field of genetics and genetic testing will provide new roles for psychologists in the very near future," stated association President Richard Suinn, Ph.D.
Patenaude's clinical work has focused on the emotional impact of pediatric cancer and bone marrow transplantation, and on helping patients and families cope with life-threatening illness. Her current research also focuses on pediatric cancer survivors and the transitioning of patients (especially patients with sickle cell disease) from pediatric to adult care services.
