Montgomery Lab

Welcome To The Pediatric Symptom Research Team!

The Pediatric Symptom Research Team, led by Associate Professor Kathleen (Kitty) Montgomery, PhD, RN, PCNS-BC, seeks to understand and address the physical and psychological symptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatment. She leads a research program focused on optimizing the care and the well-being of children with cancer. Our research uses both qualitative and quantitative methods to illuminate the complex symptom experiences of children with all stages of cancer. We investigate upstream biopsychosocial factors that may influence the symptom experience, as well as important health outcomes like quality of life associated with poorly controlled symptoms. We also recognized the family impact of childhood cancer and are working to understand the multiple perspectives of the child’s symptom experience, including the child, caregiver, and clinician. Our goal is to develop personalized symptom management strategies to support children, adolescents, caregivers, and clinicians to reduce symptom suffering during cancer treatment.