Jimmie C. Holland

Jimmie C. Holland (born 1928, died 2017) was an American psychiatrist known for her pioneering work in the field of psycho-oncology. She was the first woman to chair a department at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), where she established the Division of Psychiatry as an integral part of a cancer center.

Early Life and Education

Holland was born in 1928 in Nevada, Texas. She completed her undergraduate studies at Baylor University and received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1952. She completed her residency in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Career

In 1977, Holland joined the staff of MSKCC, where she founded the Division of Psychiatry. She was instrumental in establishing the field of psycho-oncology, which focuses on the psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of cancer. Holland's work has been influential in recognizing and treating the psychological symptoms and stress that often accompany a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Holland was the first woman to chair a department at MSKCC. She held the Wayne E. Chapman Chair in Psychiatric Oncology, and she was a distinguished professor of psychiatry, behavioral sciences, and oncology at the Weill Cornell Medical College.

Contributions to Psycho-Oncology

Holland's contributions to the field of psycho-oncology include the development of the Distress Thermometer, a tool used to screen cancer patients for psychological distress. She also co-edited the Handbook of Psychooncology, which has been widely recognized as a seminal text in the field.

Awards and Honors

Holland received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the American Cancer Society Medal of Honor, the American Psychiatric Association's Distinguished Service Award, and the International Psycho-Oncology Society's Bernard Fox Memorial Award.

Death

Holland died on December 24, 2017, at the age of 89.

See Also

• Psycho-oncology
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• American Cancer Society
• American Psychiatric Association
• International Psycho-Oncology Society