Katherine Ramos
Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Current Research Interests
Developing and implementing psychosocial interventions for older adults in oncology or palliative care, and for their caregivers.
Clinical and Research Foci:
Teaching/Lecture Presentations Foci:
Clinical and Research Foci:
- Mental Health & Dyadic Behavioral Interventions for Geriatric Palliative Care Populations
- Communication and Coping Skills Training
- Palliative Care Provider Training in Distress Coping Skills
Teaching/Lecture Presentations Foci:
- Role of Psychology in Palliative Care
- Psychological and Physical Resilience in Geriatric Palliative Care
- Enhancing illness acceptance and adaptation to serious, life-limiting illness
- Ageism and Intersectionality
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Adult Psychiatry & Psychology, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2021
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Medicine, Geriatrics, Medicine 2020
- Assistant Professor in Population Health Sciences, Population Health Sciences, Basic Science Departments 2021
- Senior Fellow in the Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Institutes and Centers 2015
- Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers 2018
Contact Information
- 2200 West Maint Street Suite 340, Durham, NC 27705
- DUMC Box 3862, Durham, NC 27710
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katherine.ramos@duke.edu
(919) 416-3434
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- Advanced Fellowship Program in Geriatrics, Geriatrics, Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center 2015 - 2018
- Ph.D., University of Houston 2015
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Duke Appointment History
- Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Behavioral Medicine & Neurosciences, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences 2018 - 2020
- Recognition
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In the News
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APR 21, 2021 Working@Duke; Duke Today -
JUL 13, 2020 American Psychological Association -
MAY 20, 2020 Rolling Stone -
MAR 27, 2020 ABC News -
AUG 31, 2015 University of Houston
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Awards & Honors
- Research Methods in Supportive Oncology (RMSO)- Co-Lead. Harvard Medical School. 2021
- Research Methods in Supportive Oncology (RMSO). Harvard Medical School. 2020
- NIH Summer Institute on Randomized Behavioral Clinical Trials. National Institute of Health. 2019
- Palliative Care Clinical Trials Intensive. Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group. 2019
- Applying Cognitive Behavioral and Related Interventions in Cancer Supportive Care Workshop. National Cancer Institute. 2018
- Emerging Psychologist . International Congress of Psychology. 2016
- Gerodiversity Award. American Psychological Association . 2016
- Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research . Gerontological Society of America. 2015
- Geriatric Researcher Award. American Psychological Association. 2014
- Roy M. Huffington Center on Aging Poster Award. Baylor College of Medicine. 2014
- Research
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Selected Grants
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Fellowships, Supported Research, & Other Grants
- Resilience Measurement, Prediction, and its Role in Older Adults with Late Stage Lung Cancer awarded by Wake Forest University School of Medicine 2021 - 2022
- Self-System Therapy for Older Adults with Advanced Lung Cancer (SST-LC) awarded by Duke Roybal Center Awarded by National Institute on Aging 2019 - 2021
- A Quantitative and Qualitative Exploration of Distress Symptoms in Lung Cancer awarded by Pilot Study Program Awarded by the Durham VA HSR&D Center of Innovation (COIN) LIP18-002 2018 - 2019
- Couple Communication in Cancer: A Multi-method Examination awarded by Arizona State University 2018 - 2021
- George Maddox Fellowship awarded by Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development 2015 - 2017
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Winger, Joseph G., Katherine Ramos, Sarah A. Kelleher, Tamara J. Somers, Karen E. Steinhauser, Laura S. Porter, Arif H. Kamal, William S. Breitbart, and Francis J. Keefe. “Meaning-Centered Pain Coping Skills Training: A Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Psychosocial Pain Management Intervention for Patients with Advanced Cancer.” J Palliat Med, August 12, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2021.0081.Full Text Link to Item
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O’Malley, Kelly, Laura Blakley, Katherine Ramos, Nicole Torrence, and Zachary Sager. “Mental healthcare and palliative care: barriers.” Bmj Support Palliat Care 11, no. 2 (June 2021): 138–44. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001986.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, Katherine, Megan E. Shepherd-Banigan, Karen M. Stechuchak, Cynthia Coffman, Eugene Z. Oddone, Courtney Van Houtven, Cristina C. Hendrix, Elizabeth P. Mahanna, and Susan Nicole Hastings. “Psychological distress among medically complex veterans with a recent emergency department visit.” Psychological Services, April 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000437.Full Text
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Steinhauser, Karen E., Karen M. Stechuchak, Katherine Ramos, Joseph Winger, James A. Tulsky, and Maren K. Olsen. “Current measures of distress may not account for what's most important in existential care interventions: Results of the outlook trial.” Palliat Support Care 18, no. 6 (December 2020): 648–57. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951520001170.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, K., S. L. Langer, M. Todd, J. M. Romano, N. Ghosh, F. J. Keefe, D. H. Baucom, K. L. Syrjala, and L. S. Porter. “Attachment style, partner communication, and physical well-being among couples coping with cancer.” Personal Relationships 27, no. 3 (September 1, 2020): 526–49. https://doi.org/10.1111/pere.12330.Full Text
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Winger, Joseph G., Katherine Ramos, Karen E. Steinhauser, Tamara J. Somers, Laura S. Porter, Arif H. Kamal, William S. Breitbart, and Francis J. Keefe. “Enhancing meaning in the face of advanced cancer and pain: Qualitative evaluation of a meaning-centered psychosocial pain management intervention.” Palliat Support Care 18, no. 3 (June 2020): 263–70. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951520000115.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, Katherine, and Melinda A. Stanley. “Anxiety Disorders in Late Life.” Clin Geriatr Med 36, no. 2 (May 2020): 237–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2019.11.005.Full Text Link to Item
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Bruening, Rebecca, Nina Sperber, Katherine Miller, Sara Andrews, Karen Steinhauser, G Darryl Wieland, Jennifer Lindquist, et al. “Connecting Caregivers to Support: Lessons Learned From the VA Caregiver Support Program.” J Appl Gerontol 39, no. 4 (April 2020): 368–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464818825050.Full Text Link to Item
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Shrestha, Srijana, Katherine Ramos, Terri L. Fletcher, Cynthia Kraus-Schuman, Melinda A. Stanley, David Ramsey, and Amber B. Amspoker. “Psychometric properties of worry and anxiety measures in a sample of african american and caucasian older adults.” Aging Ment Health 24, no. 2 (February 2020): 315–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2018.1544217.Full Text Link to Item
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Hastings, Susan N., Karen M. Stechuchak, Cynthia J. Coffman, Elizabeth P. Mahanna, Morris Weinberger, Courtney H. Van Houtven, Kenneth E. Schmader, et al. “Discharge Information and Support for Patients Discharged from the Emergency Department: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial.” J Gen Intern Med 35, no. 1 (January 2020): 79–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-019-05319-6.Full Text Link to Item
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Hoerger, Michael, Katherine Ramos, Lee Ellington, Laura M. Perry, Kathryn I. Pollak, and Laura S. Porter. “Organizing Psychologists, Behavioral Scientists, and Allied Professionals: Formation of the Society of Behavioral Medicine's Palliative Care Special Interest Group.” J Pain Symptom Manage 58, no. 4 (October 2019): e10–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.06.002.Full Text Link to Item
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Hughes, Jaime M., Caroline E. Freiermuth, Megan Shepherd-Banigan, Luna Ragsdale, Stephanie A. Eucker, Karen Goldstein, S Nicole Hastings, et al. “Emergency Department Interventions for Older Adults: A Systematic Review.” J Am Geriatr Soc 67, no. 7 (July 2019): 1516–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15854.Full Text Link to Item
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Zullig, Leah L., Katherine Ramos, Callie Berkowitz, Julie J. Miller, Rowena J. Dolor, Bridget F. Koontz, S. Yousuf Zafar, D. Hutch Allen, Jennifer A. Tenhover, and Hayden B. Bosworth. “Assessing Key Stakeholders' Knowledge, Needs, and Preferences for Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Care Plans.” J Cancer Educ 34, no. 3 (June 2019): 584–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1345-5.Full Text Link to Item
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Fulton, Jessica J., Thomas W. LeBlanc, Toni M. Cutson, Kathryn N. Porter Starr, Arif Kamal, Katherine Ramos, Caroline E. Freiermuth, et al. “Integrated outpatient palliative care for patients with advanced cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Palliat Med 33, no. 2 (February 2019): 123–34. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216318812633.Full Text Link to Item
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Poncy, G., M. Kim, K. Ramos, and F. G. Lopez. “Career Planning Confidence Among Facebook Users: Contributions of Adult Attachment Security and Authenticity.” Journal of Career Assessment 26, no. 4 (November 1, 2018): 599–615. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072717723094.Full Text
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Ramos, Katherine, S Nicole Hastings, Hayden B. Bosworth, and Jessica J. Fulton. “Life Program: Pilot Testing a Palliative Psychology Group Intervention.” J Palliat Med 21, no. 11 (November 2018): 1641–45. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2017.0454.Full Text Link to Item
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Lopez, Frederick G., Katherine Ramos, and Mijin Kim. “Development and initial validation of a measure of attachment security in late adulthood.” Psychol Assess 30, no. 9 (September 2018): 1214–25. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000568.Full Text Link to Item
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Fulton, Jessica J., Amie R. Newins, Laura S. Porter, and Katherine Ramos. “Psychotherapy Targeting Depression and Anxiety for Use in Palliative Care: A Meta-Analysis.” J Palliat Med 21, no. 7 (July 2018): 1024–37. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2017.0576.Full Text Link to Item
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Hwang, Ula, S Nicole Hastings, and Katherine Ramos. “Improving Emergency Department Discharge Care with Telephone Follow-Up. Does It Connect?” J Am Geriatr Soc 66, no. 3 (March 2018): 436–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15218.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, Katherine, and Melinda A. Stanley. “Anxiety Disorders in Late Life.” Psychiatr Clin North Am 41, no. 1 (March 2018): 55–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2017.10.005.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, K., A. Erkanli, and H. G. Koenig. “Effects of religious versus conventional cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) on suicidal thoughts in major depression and chronic medical illness.” Psychology of Religion and Spirituality 10, no. 1 (February 1, 2018): 79–87. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000113.Full Text
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Ramos, K., and F. G. Lopez. “Attachment security and career adaptability as predictors of subjective well-being among career transitioners.” Journal of Vocational Behavior 104 (February 1, 2018): 72–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.10.004.Full Text
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Zullig, Leah L., Katherine Ramos, and Hayden B. Bosworth. “Improving Medication Adherence in Coronary Heart Disease.” Curr Cardiol Rep 19, no. 11 (September 22, 2017): 113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-017-0918-y.Full Text Link to Item
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Lopez, F. G., and K. Ramos. “An Exploration of Gender and Career Stage Differences on a Multidimensional Measure of Work Meaningfulness.” Journal of Career Assessment 25, no. 3 (August 1, 2017): 423–33. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072716639851.Full Text
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Ramos, Katherine, Jose Cortes, Nancy Wilson, Mark E. Kunik, and Melinda A. Stanley. “Vida Calma: CBT for Anxiety with a Spanish-Speaking Hispanic Adult.” Clin Gerontol 40, no. 3 (May 2017): 213–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2017.1292978.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, Katherine, and Jessica J. Fulton. “Integrating Dignity Therapy and Family Therapy in Palliative Care: A Case Study of Multiple Sclerosis, Depression, and Comorbid Cancer.” J Palliat Med 20, no. 2 (February 2017): 115. https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2016.0495.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, K. “Psychosocial Health of Older Adults with Cancer: Clinical Interventions Promoting Meaning and Value-Driven Behavior.” Current Geriatrics Reports 5, no. 3 (September 1, 2016): 220–25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-016-0180-y.Full Text
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Ramos, Katherine, Martinque K. Jones, Alison B. Shellman, Tam K. Dao, and Kim Szeto. “Reliability and Validity of the Vietnamese Depression Interview (VDI).” J Immigr Minor Health 18, no. 4 (August 2016): 799–809. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-015-0261-6.Full Text Link to Item
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Lopez, F. G., and K. Ramos. “Predicting well-being in managers: Test of a positive psychology model.” Journal of Positive Psychology 11, no. 4 (July 3, 2016): 378–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2015.1092571.Full Text
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Naik, Aanand D., Briana Lawrence, Lea Kiefer, Katherine Ramos, Anne Utech, Nicholas Masozera, Radha Rao, Nancy J. Petersen, Mark E. Kunik, and Jeffrey A. Cully. “Building a primary care/research partnership: lessons learned from a telehealth intervention for diabetes and depression.” Fam Pract 32, no. 2 (April 2015): 216–23. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmu084.Full Text Link to Item
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Lopez, F. G., K. Ramos, M. Nisenbaum, N. Thind, and T. Ortiz-Rodriguez. “Predicting the Presence and Search for Life Meaning: Test of an Attachment Theory-Driven Model.” Journal of Happiness Studies 16, no. 1 (February 1, 2015): 103–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9498-8.Full Text
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Ramos, K., T. L. Barrera, and M. A. Stanley. “Incorporating Nonmainstream Spirituality into CBT for Anxiety: A Case Study.” Spirituality in Clinical Practice 1, no. 4 (December 1, 2014): 269–77. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000035.Full Text
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Robinson, O. C., F. G. Lopez, and K. Ramos. “Parental antipathy and neglect: Relations with Big Five personality traits, cross-context trait variability and authenticity.” Personality and Individual Differences 56, no. 1 (January 1, 2014): 180–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.09.004.Full Text
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Robinson, O. C., F. G. Lopez, K. Ramos, and S. Nartova-Bochaver. “Authenticity, Social Context, and Well-Being in the United States, England, and Russia: A Three Country Comparative Analysis.” Journal of Cross Cultural Psychology 44, no. 5 (July 1, 2013): 719–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022022112465672.Full Text
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Book Sections
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Lewis, M. M., K. Ramos, and A. Oliver. “Aging: Ethical issues in working with diverse populations.” In The Cambridge Handbook of Applied Psychological Ethics, 321–39, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316417287.017.Full Text
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Ramos, Katherine, and Jessica Fulton. “Senior Women and Sexuality in the United States.” In The Wiley Blackwell Encyclopedia of Gender and Sexuality Studies, edited by Nancy A. Naples. April 21: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd (2016), 2016. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118663219.wbegss713.Full Text Link to Item
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Ramos, K. “Cross-cultural considerations in neuropsychological assessment with the elderly.” In Minority and Cross-Cultural Aspects of Neuropsychological Assessment: Enduring and Emerging Trends: Second Edition, 393–410, 2015.
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Conference Papers
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Ruston, Shari, Allison Lewinski, Soohyun Hwang, Leah Zullig, Katherine Ricks, Katherine Ramos, Mulugu Brahmajothi, et al. “FACILITATORS AND BARRIERS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEAM-BASED, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT COACHING: A QUALITATIVE EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS.” In Journal of General Internal Medicine, 36:S132–S132, 2021.Link to Item
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Langer, Shelby, Maija Reblin, Laura S. Porter, Katherine Ramos, and Karen L. Syrjala. “DYADIC PROCESSES IN THE CONTEXT OF CANCER SURVIVORSHIP: A LIFESPAN PERSPECTIVE.” In Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 55:S539–S539, 2021.Link to Item
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Ramos, Katherine, Shelby Langer, and Laura S. Porter. “ATTACHMENT, DYADIC ADJUSTMENT, AND WELL-BEING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: TESTING SOCIOEMOTIONAL SELECTIVITY THEORY IN YOUNG AND OLDER ADULT COUPLES COPING WITH CANCER.” In Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 55:S541–S541, 2021.Link to Item
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Winger, Joseph G., Tamara J. Somers, Karen E. Steinhauser, Laura S. Porter, Katherine Ramos, Arif H. Kamal, William S. Breitbart, and Francis J. Keefe. “MEANING-CENTERED PAIN COPING SKILLS TRAINING: A PILOT TRIAL OF A PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTION FOR PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED CANCER.” In Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 55:S302–S302, 2021.Link to Item
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Porter, Laura S., Shelby Langer, Katherine Ramos, Joan M. Romano, and Tracey A. Revenson. “COUPLE COMMUNICATION IN CANCER: NOVEL APPROACHES TO EXAMINING PROCESSES AND MECHANISMS.” In Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 54:S141–S141, 2020.Link to Item
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Ramos, Katherine, Danielle Weber, Melanie Fischer, Neeta Ghosh, Shelby L. Langer, Michael Todd, Donald H. Baucom, and Laura S. Porter. “ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN COMMUNICATION AND EMOTIONAL CO-REGULATION (FUNDAMENTAL FREQUENCY) IN COUPLES COPING WITH CANCER.” In Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 54:S142–S142, 2020.Link to Item
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Zullig, Leah L., Callie Berkowitz, Julie Miller, Katherine Ramos, Rowena Dolor, Bridget F. Koontz, Yousuf Zafar, Deborah H. Allen, Jennifer Tenhover, and Hayden B. Bosworth. “Assessing key stakeholders' knowledge, needs, and preferences for cancer survivorship care plans.” In Journal of Clinical Oncology, 36:30–30. American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), 2018. https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2018.36.7_suppl.30.Full Text
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Steinhauser, Karen, Karen Stechuchak, Katherine Ramos, and James Tulsky. “What Works Best For Whom? Exploring the Efficacy of Two Psychosocial Interventions in Palliative Care (FR419D).” In Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 55:605–6. Elsevier BV, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2017.12.103.Full Text
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“CASE STUDIES OF COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED WHEN DELIVERING DIFFICULT NEWS.” In The Gerontologist, 56:743–743. Oxford University Press (OUP), 2016. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.3027.Full Text
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“FAMILY LIFE REVIEW AS AN ADJUNCT TO DIGNITY THERAPY FOR LIFE-LIMITING ILLNESS AND DEPRESSION.” In The Gerontologist, 56:27–28. Oxford University Press (OUP), 2016. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw162.115.Full Text
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Ramos, Katherine. “Attachment and Life Transitions in Young and Older Adults: Implications for Clinical Practice and Psychotherapy Interventions.” In International Journal of Psychology, 51:633–633. ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD, 2016.Link to Item
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Cutson, Toni, Katherine Ramos, Jamie Grant, Michaelene Moore, and Jessica Fulton. “Swinging for the Fences: Managing Challenging Behaviors at End of Life (FR450).” In Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 51:366–366. Elsevier BV, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2015.12.225.Full Text
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Cortes, Jose, Srijana Shrestha, Katherine Ramos, Jeremy Cummings, Maria Armento, Mark E. Kunik, Melinda A. Stanley, and Amy Bush. “Psychometric Properties of Worry/Anxiety Measures in an Urban, Racially Diverse, Underserved Sample of Older Adults.” In Gerontologist, Vol. 55. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2015.Link to Item
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Perez, Kateri, Katherine Ramos, Nancy L. Wilson, Amy Bush, Mark E. Kunik, and Melinda A. Stanley. “Vida Calma: Spanish-adapted CBT intervention for Spanish Elder with GAD.” In Gerontologist, Vol. 55. OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC, 2015.Link to Item
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Stanley, C. T., M. D. Byrne, and K. R. Ramos. “Effects of frequency sorting towards finding optimal organizations of hierarchal file structures.” In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2:945–49, 2008.
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Advising & Mentoring
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BASS Connections: REGAIN: Roadmap for Evaluating Goals in Advanced Illness Navigation (2019- Present)
https://bassconnections.duke.edu/project-teams/regain-roadmap-evaluating-goals-advanced-illness-navigation-2021-2022
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BASS Connections: REGAIN: Roadmap for Evaluating Goals in Advanced Illness Navigation (2019- Present)
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Service to the Profession
- Board Member. Committee on Aging . American Psychological Association . January 2019 - December 2022 2019 - 2022
- Co-Chair (2018-Present). Palliative Care Special Interest Group (In Formation). Society of Behavioral Medicine. September 2018 2018
- Co-Chair (2018-Present). Palliative Psychology Working Group. Veterans Affairs. July 2018 2018
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Service to Duke
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