Hi! I’m Dr. Alyssa Middleton, and I’m so glad you’ve landed on this page. I’ve volunteered & worked with people with cancer & their family members for over 20 years, beginning in college as a volunteer at a pediatric oncology camp.
Since then, this field has become my passion, and I have been honored to work with individuals of all ages and backgrounds as they face cancer.
Some fun facts about me:
- I live in Kentucky with my husband, 2 kids, and our dog.
- I love to hike and I crossed off a bucket list item of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
- I’ve lived in 7 states and Switzerland (and nope, not a military kid, just a former nomad.)
- I have a ridiculously large stash of office supplies – more notebooks, pens, dry erase markers, & Post-its than I’ll ever be able to use. I’m a sucker for cute office stuff.
- I’m a huge fan of pineapple on pizza, and despite what anyone says, I will forever defend this position!
Professional Qualifications
I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and my Ph.D. in Psychosocial Oncology. That means I focus on the mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial issues that cancer patients and their loved ones face.
I received a grant from the American Cancer Society to complete my Ph.D. I’ve presented my research at conferences, published articles, and co-wrote a textbook chapter for hospice and palliative care social workers.
Professional Experience
Oncology positions I have held include:
- Clinical Research Coordinator for adult oncology clinical trials
- Associate Executive Director for the American Cancer Society
- Public Health Researcher, studying breast cancer and leukemia
- Regulatory Coordinator for pediatric clinical trials, including auditing pediatric oncology trial files
- Adjunct Professor for a graduate-level course on cancer disparities
- Social Worker for patients with chronic, life-limiting illnesses, including cancer
Personal Experience
I also have real-world experience as a caregiver to my mother-in-law as she battled anaplastic meningioma, a rare cancer, for years.
From accompanying her to oncology appointments to take notes, translating ‘cancer-speak’ to her, helping her advocate for what she wanted, to sitting with her during treatment, advocating for palliative care services, and coordinating hospice services, I’ve been through it, up to the moment when I held her hand as she died.
I know the overwhelm, worry, and exhaustion that come with being a caregiver, especially while juggling my own family and responsibilities. I know the profound grief that comes from losing another loved one within weeks of a cancer diagnosis, and the drawn-out rollercoaster of grief that’s a result of a loved one’s long journey with cancer.
Some of the products I’ve created and offer here have stemmed from things I needed and used while caring for my mother-in-law and grieving my losses.
I hope you find the information and resources on this site helpful.
Have questions? Connect with me.
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