A/Prof Clare O'Callaghan
Clare O'Callaghan PhD is a Research Associate with the Department of Palliative and Supportive Care, Cabrini Health, and Institute for Ethics and Society, The University of Notre Dame. Clare leads and collaborates in grant supported studies with foci including spiritual and bioethical dimensions of end-of-life care. The aim is to develop translatable findings which enable people affected by advanced illnesses to live comfortably, meaningfully, and with dignity. Clare was also the first music therapist employed in palliative care in Australia in 1985 and continues to practice at Caritas Christi Hospice, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne. At St Vincent's Clare also works with the Psychosocial Cancer Care Research Program. Throughout an extensive clinician-researcher career, Clare developed expertise in qualitative and mixed methods research and is regularly invited to collaborate on cancer and palliative care studies, including advance care planning, service evaluation, information needs in minority communities, and parent-child cancer communication. As NHMRC Post-Doctoral Fellow (2008-9), Clare examined music's role when affected by cancer, and in the care of Sichuan earthquake survivors. Academic contributions comprise 90 refereed journal articles and book chapters. Honorary titles include Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, The University of Melbourne.