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. Her research aims to improve health outcomes among children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer or cancer history. Clinically, she provides outpatient psychotherapy services through the Department of Pediatrics. She also provides integrated multidisciplinary care to patients seen in the KU Cancer Center Survivorship Transitions Clinic. She is currently a School of Medicine PhD representative to KUMC's Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) organization.

Dr. Bates' program of research focuses on promoting positive health outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer, with a particular focus on the role of the family. She has experience conducting qualitative and mixed-method research examining the impact of stress on the family context, and how positive family behaviors may buffer the impact of stress on child health and wellbeing. Dr. Bates' current work centers on adapting a family-based health promotion intervention to meet the specific needs of families of youth with cancer. She is also involved in a growing program of research centered on improving transition to adult healthcare for adolescents and young adults (AYA) 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