Kinney YWCA Award
U of U Cancer Researcher Honored by Salt Lake City YWCA
Anita Y. Kinney, R.N., Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology, is recognized for her accomplishments in the field of cancer research and women's health
SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 28, 2011) — Anita Y. Kinney, R.N., Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology in the University of Utah Department of Medicine, was honored among five other local women at the 23rd Annual YWCA Salt Lake City 2011 LeaderLuncheon on Sept. 23. Kinney received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Medicine/Health for her work in cancer research where she is developing and testing interventions for communicating genetic risk to individuals and families who are at increased risk for familial cancers, such as colorectal, breast and ovarian cancer.
“I am absolutely delighted to be a recipient of this award,” said Kinney, a population scientist, holder of a Jon and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professorship in Cancer Research, and director of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Research Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. “This honor is very meaningful because I deeply value the work of the YWCA as it helps so many women and children every day. Domestic abuse and violence is very prevalent; 1 in 3 women are affected during their lifetime. Many women and children served by the YWCA have mental and physical health problems that need to be addressed.” Kinney’s research focuses on cancer prevention and treatment in underserved and disadvantaged populations, many of whom are women.
An oncology nurse by training, Kinney saw a lot of suffering and death. She wanted to build on her clinical experience and find ways to prevent and control cancer. Epidemiology, the basic science of public health, provided an avenue for her to accomplish her goals. Kinney returned to school to complete a doctorate degree in epidemiology and joined the University of Utah in 1998 where she leads and collaborates on numerous research projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), focusing on cancer prevention and cancer survivorship, particularly for socially and geographically underserved populations.
Several of Kinney’s current research projects involve genomic risk assessment and communication for high-risk individuals and families in rural areas and in underserved minority populations. For individuals who live further than 30 miles from a cancer center, the distance creates barriers for accessing care. Reduction of racial/ethnic disparities regarding awareness of and access to important genetic information and personalized approaches to cancer prevention is also an important goal of her research.
Kinney and her team of researchers are testing new personalized outreach models for people in rural areas, including telephone-based genetic counseling to determine whether it is equivalent to face-to-face counseling, which is currently the standard of care. She is also leading two randomized trials that address the unique needs of cancer survivors over the age of 60, an area where effective biobehavioral interventions are needed.
Having served on numerous academic and community-based committees throughout her career, Kinney currently serves as a director-at-large and chair of the Cancer Survivorship Special Interest Group of the American Society of Preventive Oncology, editorial board member for two scientific journals, and scientific grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health.
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Media Contact:
Chantelle Turner
Department of Medicine
University of Utah
801-587-7873