Dr. Masako Mayahara joined the Department of Medicine in the Division of Palliative Medicine as an Associate Professor as of July 2023. She is a clinical expert in pain management in hospice and palliative care and a certified hospice and palliative nurse. She is a principal investigator on an NIH-funded trial to test the effects of a digital application (e-PainSupport) to reduce home hospice patients’ pain intensity. Additionally, Dr. Mayahara is co-investigator on multiple NIH R01 grants, including a study funded by the National Institutes of Aging to provide chronic grief intervention to dementia caregivers using video conference technology. Her contributions to advancing the scientific basis for hospice and palliative nursing are nationally recognized.
She has been honored as a Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association Research Scholar, as well as a Fellow in Palliative Care Nursing. She currently serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation. Dr. Mayahara focuses on reducing pain and suffering in patients and family facing serious illness. She uses innovative technology and evidence-based interventions to support family caregivers delivery of patient pain management at home. Her federally-funded research includes development and testing of a digital application (e-PainSupport) to reduce home hospice patients’ pain intensity.