Guest Lecture on Palliative Care: Fostering Compassionate Nursing Practice

Published on: April 12, 2025

The Himalayan College of Nursing, SRHU, organized a guest lecture on Palliative Care for B.Sc. Nursing 4th semester students on 12th April 2025. The session was led by Sr. Hanife MacGamwell, a renowned Oncology-Palliative Care Nurse Specialist, and was aimed at deepening students’ understanding of palliative care principles and practices.

Sr. Hanife MacGamwell shared valuable insights from her extensive experience in oncology and palliative care, emphasizing the importance of a holistic and patient-centered approach in end-of-life care. She highlighted the essential role nurses play in providing not only clinical support but also emotional and psychological comfort to patients and their families. The speaker strongly advocated for preserving the dignity of terminally ill patients, encouraging students to develop both professional competence and emotional resilience. Her talk underscored how empathy, ethical decision-making, and effective communication are central to high-quality palliative care.

The session was conducted under the visionary leadership of Dr. Sanchita Pugazhendi, Principal, and the guidance of Dr. Kamli Prakash, Vice Principal and Head, Department of Adult Health Nursing, Himalayan College of Nursing. The event was coordinated by Ms. Preeti Prabha, Assistant Professor, and Ms. Ankita Jamoli, Nursing Tutor.

A total of 137 students participated in the session. The lecture proved to be a significant learning opportunity, enhancing students’ sensitivity to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients during the final stages of life. The session reinforced core nursing values such as compassion, dignity, and advocacy, preparing the students to deliver palliative care with empathy and confidence in their future clinical practice.

SRHU- Palliative Care
SRHU- Palliative Care
SRHU- Palliative Care
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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.