PITTSBURGH, PA—September, 16, 2020—Oncology nursing-led research is the engine that drives practice change when caring for patients with cancer. As a standard-bearer of oncology nursing research and a veteran of nursing research publications, Debra Lyon, RN, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN, will bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the Oncology Nursing Forum (ONF), becoming the research journal’s sixth editor effective January 1, 2020.
Currently, Lyon is the executive associate dean and Kirbo Endowed Chair in the College of Nursing at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Lyon will succeed outgoing ONF Editor Anne Katz, PhD, RN, FAAN, a clinical nurse specialist at the Manitoba Prostate Centre and a sexuality counselor for the Department of Psychosocial Oncology at CancerCare Manitoba, both in Winnipeg, Canada. Katz has served as ONF editor since 2012.
“ONS is excited to welcome Debra Lyon as the newest editor of ONF and what her history as an accomplished scientist and author will bring to the role. We look forward to working together and highlighting the latest in nursing science and patient-centered research for our members,” ONS Director of Publications Bill Tony said. “We also want to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of our outgoing editor, Anne Katz. Her hard work, dedication, and passion for oncology nursing research has stewarded the journal for many years, and we look forward to what the future holds for her and ONF.”
Contributing to more than 80 publications and working as principal investigator or coinvestigator on studies collectively supported with more than $7 million in research grants, Lyon brings her in-depth knowledge and expertise as both a nurse writer and researcher. Lyon’s research career focused on several aspects of patient-centered care, including symptom management for women with breast cancer, genetics in oncology, and pain management. She is currently the principal investigator on two National Institutes of Health-funded research programs. A fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Lyon also serves as cochair of its genetic nursing and healthcare expert panel.
“I am thrilled to join the ONF team as we continue the strong history of leadership in oncology nursing research. Like many oncology researchers, I have a passion for science and discovery that lead to positive patient outcomes,” Lyon said. “As a nurse and oncology researcher, I have more than 20 years of experience studying its effects and examining biologic mechanisms associated with cancer symptoms. As the incoming editor of ONF, I look forward to working with my fellow scientists, researchers, scholars, and clinicians to advance knowledge and disseminate new findings that can be translated into practice.”
ONF is an official ONS publication and promotes the mission of ONS, which is to advance excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care. The ONF mission is to disseminate the findings from oncology nursing research and to foster translation of research evidence to practice.
ONS is a professional association of more than 35,000 members committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care. Since 1975, ONS has provided a professional community for oncology nurses, developed evidence-based education programs and treatment information, and advocated for patient care, all in an effort to improve quality of life and outcomes for patients with cancer and their families. Learn more at www.ons.org.