The Center for Integrative Oncology and Palliative Care Social Work at the UW School of Social Work is dedicated to supporting the next generation of oncology social work scholars and practitioners.

Established in 2018 with a substantial gift from Lynn Behar (MSW ’86, PhD ’99) and her husband Howard, the Center takes a social justice approach to oncology and palliative care and aims to prepare culturally adept researchers and practitioners who are dedicated to addressing disparities in cancer and end-of-life care based on race and ethnicity, disability, gender and sexual identity, geographic location, income and education.

The center has three major components: an endowed fellowship program, an endowed professorship and an endowed research acceleration fund:

Carol LaMare Endowed Fellowship in Integrative Oncology and Palliative Care Social Work. Named for Lynn Behar’s mother, who died of cancer in 2005, this fellowship program supports MSW students specializing in oncology social work as well as some undergraduate and doctoral students. Fellowship recipients receive intensive mentoring as well as practicum placements in local cancer centers.

Behar Professorship for Social Work Practice and Women’s Health. This professorship is held by a faculty member with expertise in a core field of health—especially oncology, palliative care and/or hospice care—who is a key contributor to the Center for Integrative Oncology and Palliative Care Social Work. Taryn Lindhorst, the Center’s director, currently holds this endowed professorship.

Behar Integrative Oncology and Palliative Care Social Work Endowed Research Acceleration Fund. This fund supports oncology and palliative care social work research by students and faculty and is intended to help cover expenses related to research, publication, travel, and equipment and supplies. 

To find out more about the center's academic offerings, field education placements and student financial support, contact Taryn Lindhorst