Author, Teacher, and Mother
Julliane Oktay is a professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Her research expertise is in using qualitative research methods (grounded theory) to understand the experience of illness, especially breast cancer. She did a study on how age at diagnosis affects how women experience the disease (Breast Cancer in the Life Course, 1991, coauthored with Carolyn A. Walter, PhD). The strong concern women showed for their daughters in this study led Dr. Oktay to do a second study on the experience of daughters whose mothers had breast cancer (Breast Cancer: Daughters Tell their Stories, 2005).
Currently, she is studying the experience of genetic counseling and testing for BRCA genetic mutations.She is also involved in developing and evaluating a multidisciplinary group intervention for breast cancer survivors who experience persistent fatigue.
Dr. Oktay has made numerous presentations at national and international organizations such as Association of Oncology Social Workers, American Psycho-oncology Society, International Psychosocial Oncology Society, and the Society for Social Work Research. In addition to her books, Dr. Oktay has many articles in professional journals. Dr. Oktay is a member of the ACS Council for Extramural Grants, where she represents the training grants in oncology social work. She also teaches in the PhD program. Dr. Oktay is married and has two daughters and three grandchildren. |
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