– Former Deputy Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at National Cancer Institute brings valuable perspective on survivorship and caregiving best practices –
Chester, NJ — February 2, 2026 — Cancer Hope Network, a national nonprofit organization that provides personalized, one-on-one peer mentorship support to cancer patients and their caregivers, announces the appointment of Michelle Mollica, PhD, MPH, RN, OCN, FAAN, to its Medical Advisory Council. As a member of Cancer Hope Network’s Medical Advisory Council, Dr. Mollica will provide strategic guidance on clinical best practices, survivorship trends, program development, and research-informed approaches to peer support.
Dr. Mollica is a nationally recognized expert in cancer survivorship, healthcare delivery, and patient- and caregiver-centered outcomes. While initially trained as an oncology nurse, Dr. Mollica currently serves as Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Director of Survivorship Care Delivery at the Hollings Cancer Center, and a member of the Center’s Cancer Prevention and Control program. Prior to this role, she held senior leadership positions at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), including Deputy Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship within the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences.
“Dr. Mollica brings an extraordinary depth of experience in survivorship science, clinical care delivery, and the patient journey to our organization,” said Beth Blakey, CEO of Cancer Hope Network. “Her leadership at the national level and lifelong commitment to improving the lives of cancer survivors, with a focus on caregiving, will be invaluable as we continue to expand our impact.”
Throughout her career, Dr. Mollica has led and supported groundbreaking research focused on cancer survivorship care delivery, the unmet needs of people living with advanced and metastatic cancers, the burden of caregiving, healthcare equity, and care coordination. She has served as scientific lead on more than 15 NCI funding initiatives representing over $125 million in survivorship and palliative care investments and has authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications in leading medical and oncology journals.
“Michelle Mollica’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing survivorship care in ways that truly meet the needs of patients and caregivers,” said Dr. Richard Paul, Chairperson of Cancer Hope Network’s Medical Advisory Council. “Her experience shaping national survivorship standards and translating research into practice aligns seamlessly with Cancer Hope Network’s peer support model.”
In addition to her research and academic roles, Dr. Mollica has played a key role in shaping national cancer policy. She served as a co-chair of the White House Cancer Cabinet Task Force: Supporting Patients and Caregivers Cancer Survivorship Working Group and was instrumental in developing the United States National Standards for Cancer Survivorship Care. She is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Cancer Survivorship and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
“I am honored to join the Medical Advisory Council at Cancer Hope Network,” said Dr. Mollica. “Cancer Hope Network’s model closely aligns with my work and passion for advancing survivorship care and ensuring that no one faces cancer alone. There is no single face of cancer—people of all backgrounds are affected, and the impact of a diagnosis extends beyond medical treatment to personal, financial, and workplace challenges, many long after the cancer is in remission or treatment has ended. In this role on the Medical Advisory Council, my goal is to bring an evidence-based perspective, informed by my experience as an oncology nurse and researcher, to help demonstrate the real-world value of peer support across the cancer continuum.”
For more information about Cancer Hope Network please visit: https://cancerhopenetwork.org/
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About Cancer Hope Network
Cancer Hope Network is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers cancer patients and their loved ones with hope through personalized, one-on-one peer mentorship support from survivors and caregivers who have faced a similar experience. Our team of social work and healthcare professionals coordinate customized matches with trained volunteer Peer Mentors who can help make cancer feel less isolating through shared experiences. Cancer Hope Network Peer Mentors, either cancer survivors or caregivers of survivors, receive free training to serve as a guiding light for those navigating their own journeys.
For more information about Cancer Hope Network and its mission, please visit: https://cancerhopenetwork.org/.
Contact:
Matthew Singh
3E Public Relations
msingh@3epr.com
