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Maxine J De La Cruz, MD

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Office Address

Phone: 7135637253
Fax: 7137926092
Email: mdelacruz@mdanderson.org

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

2000 University of Philippines, Manila, Philippines, MD, Medicine
1995 University of Philippines, Manila, Philippines, BS, Biology

Board Certifications

11/2010 Hospice and Palliative Medicine
11/2009 Geriatric Medicine
9/2006 Internal Medicine

Experience/Service

Other Appointments/Responsibilities

Core Faculty, Memorial Hermann, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Houston, TX, 1/2011-present
Director, Geriatric Resource Nurse Program, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, TX, 9/2010-present

Honors and Awards

2010 Scholarship Pen Award, University of the Philippines MSPS
2009 Young Investigator Award, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
2000 Outstanding Intern in Internal Medicine and Ophthalmology, Phillippine General Hospital
1995 Phi Sigma Honors Society

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Mori M, Parsons HA, De La Cruz M, Elsayem A, Palla SL, Liu J, Li Z, Palmer L, Bruera E, Fadul NA. Changes in symptoms and inpatient mortality: a study in advanced cancer patients admitted to an acute palliative care unit in a comprehensive cancer center. J Palliat Med 14(9):1034-41, 9/2011. e-Pub 8/2011. PMID: 21834647.
2. Delgado-Guay MO, Hui D, Parsons HA, Govan K, De la Cruz M, Thorney S, Bruera E. Spirituality, religiosity, and spiritual pain in advanced cancer patients. J Pain Symptom Manage 41(6):986-94, 6/2011. e-Pub 3/2011. PMID: 21402459.
3. Hui D, De La Cruz M, Thorney S, Parsons HA, Delgado-Guay M, Bruera E. The frequency and correlates of spiritual distress among patients with advanced cancer admitted to an Acute Palliative Care Unit. Am J Hosp Palliat 28(4):264-70, 6/2011. PMID: 21057143.
4. Hui D, de la Cruz M, Thorney S, Parsons HA, Delgado-Guay M, Bruera E.. The frequency and correlates of spiritual distress among patients with advanced cancer admitted to an acute palliative care unit. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 28(4):264-70, 6/2011. e-Pub 11/2010. PMID: 21057143.
5. Hui D, Parsons HA, Damani S, Fulton S, Liu J, Evans A, De La Cruz M, Bruera E. Quantity, design, and scope of the palliative oncology literature. Oncologist 16(5):694-703, 2011. e-Pub 4/2011. PMID: 21471275.
6. Parsons HA, de la Cruz MJ, Zhukovsky DS, Hui D, Delgado-Guay MO, Akitoye AE, El Osta B, Palmer L, Palla SL, Bruera E. Characteristics of patients who refuse do-not-resuscitate orders upon admission to an acute palliative care unit in a comprehensive cancer center. Cancer 116(12):3061-70, 6/2010. PMID: 20564412.
7. Hui D, Elsayem A, De la Cruz M, Berger A, Zhukovsky DS, Palla S, Evans A, Fadul N, Palmer JL, Bruera E. Availability and integration of palliative care at US cancer centers. JAMA 303(11):1054-61, 3/2010. PMID: 20233823.
8. de la Cruz M, Hui D, Parsons HA, Bruera E. Placebo and nocebo effects in randomized double-blind clinical trials of agents for the therapy for fatigue in patients with advanced cancer. Cancer 116(3):766-74, 2/2010. PMCID: PMC2815077.
9. Hui D, Elsayem A, Palla S, De La Cruz M, Li Z, Yennurajalingam S, Bruera E. Discharge outcomes and survival of patients with advanced cancer admitted to an acute palliative care unit at a comprehensive cancer center. J Palliat Med 13(1):49-57, 1/2010. PMCID: PMC2883821.
10. Parsons HA, de la Cruz M, El Osta B, Li Z, Calderon B, Palmer JL, Bruera E. Methadone initiation and rotation in the outpatient setting for patients with cancer pain. Cancer 116(2):520-8, 1/2010. PMCID: PMC2811764.
11. Reddy S, Hui D, El Osta B, de la Cruz M, Walker P, Palmer JL, Bruera E. The effect of oral methadone on the QTc interval in advanced cancer patients: a prospective pilot study. J Palliat Med 13(1):33-8, 1/2010. PMCID: PMC2939847.

Last updated: 2/12/2013