Claire Wakefield: It has been my great honour to work alongside Richard Cohn for the last 16 years

Claire Wakefield shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Over the past three weeks, I’ve had three opportunities to pay tribute to an incredible mentor, Professor Richard Cohn, at his hospital retirement, a BSU showcase, and ANZCHOG’s Life Member Award ceremony. Richard has been an inspirational leader in paediatric oncology for over 30 years, making a huge impact at Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, at UNSW, and globally. He has always been ‘ahead of his time’, advocating for a holistic approach to cancer care that incorporated the physical, emotional, and social needs of young patients from the very beginning of his career.

On a personal note, it’s been my great honour to work alongside Richard for the last 16 years. I will never be able to truly thank him for all he has done for me. He has demonstrated unconditional kindness and the highest level of commitment toward each of his mentees, myself included. I’m hugely grateful to have co-authored over 120 papers with him and have learned so much along the way. I’m so excited his research will continue to shape the field.

Richard Cohn, you have been a fantastic mentor and colleague. Thank you for your guidance and friendship over the years. Wishing you all the very best in this next chapter.”

Source: Claire Wakefield/LinkedIn

Claire Wakefield is the continental president of SIOP (International Society of Pediatric Oncology) – Oceania.  She is a medical psychologist who leads research to improve quality of life for families affected by cancer.

She is a Professor at the School of Clinical Medicine at UNSW and Director of the Behavioural Sciences Unit at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Australia. She is the Chair of the International Psycho-Oncology Society Paediatrics Committee, supporting psychologists who work with children with cancer globally as well as serving as Co-Director of Child Unlimited, which is a network of >200 child health experts across Australia.