Cancer Hope Network (CHN), a leading national nonprofit providing one-on-one peer mentorship for cancer patients and caregivers, has appointed Dr. Michelle Mollica to its Medical Advisory Council.
Mollica, a prominent figure in oncology nursing and cancer survivorship research, joins the council to provide strategic oversight on clinical best practices and program development. Her appointment comes at a vital time as the health care industry increasingly recognizes the role of peer support in improving patient outcomes and reducing the “burden of caregiving.”
Mollica’s background combines frontline clinical experience with high-level federal policy leadership. Currently an Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Director of Survivorship Care Delivery at Hollings Cancer Center, she previously served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
During her tenure at the NCI, Dr. Mollica managed a research portfolio that saw over $125 million in investments toward survivorship and palliative care. She was also a key architect of the United States National Standards for Cancer Survivorship Care, which provide health systems with a framework for essential processes—including psychosocial support and financial toxicity screening.
At the heart of Cancer Hope Network is a “lived experience” model. The organization matches patients and caregivers with trained volunteers who have navigated a similar diagnosis or treatment path. Mollica’s role on the Medical Advisory Council will be to ensure this peer-led model remains integrated with the latest evidence-based survivorship science.
“Cancer Hope Network’s model closely aligns with my work and passion for advancing survivorship care and ensuring that no one faces cancer alone,” Mollica said. “My goal is to bring an evidence-based perspective to help demonstrate the real-world value of peer support across the cancer continuum.”
Mollica’s influence extends into the highest levels of national health policy:
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White House Involvement: Co-chaired the White House Cancer Cabinet Task Force focused on supporting patients and caregivers.
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Academic Leadership: Director of the Survivorship and Cancer Outcomes Research (SCOR) Initiative at Hollings Cancer Center.
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Published Research: Authored more than 80 peer-reviewed publications focusing on healthcare equity and care coordination.
As CHN continues to expand its reach—having served over 60,000 individuals since its inception—the inclusion of Mollica aims to refine how the organization addresses the unmet needs of those living with advanced and metastatic cancers.
