Carolyn Bates, Ph.D.

Dr. Carolyn Bates is a pediatric psychologist and assistant professor in the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Sciences within the Department of Pediatrics. Within the University of Kansas Cancer Center, she is the Research Program Liaison for the Obesity, Metabolic Health and Cancer Program and the Research Program Director for the Survivorship Transitions Clinic. Her research aims to improve health outcomes among children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer or cancer history. Clinically, she provides outpatient psychotherapy through the Department of Pediatrics and integrated behavioral health care through the Survivorship Transitions Clinic.

Dr. Bates' program of research focuses on improving pediatric cancer outcomes through health behavior interventions. She has experience conducting qualitative and mixed-method research examining the impact of stress on adjustment to cancer diagnosis, and how positive health behaviors may buffer the impact of stress on health and wellbeing. Dr. Bates' current work centers on adapting and pilot testing a family-based health promotion intervention to meet the specific needs of families of youth with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She is also involved in a growing program of research centered on improving transition to adult healthcare for adolescents and young adults with cancer or cancer history.

Adaptation of family-based health promotion to pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment: NOURISH-ALL.

A Healthy Weight Intervention for Family Stress during the Early Phases of ALL Treatment: NOURISH-ALL

Health Equity and Rural Education (HERE!) Clinical Trial: A Healthcare-Community Partnership Leveraging School-Based Community Health Workers to Improve Student Attendance

Home Environment, Psychosocial Distress, and Coping in the Context of Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Cancer: A Pilot Study

The Power of Parenting: Parental Consistency and Child Emotional/Behavioral Health During the First Year of Cancer Treatment