Sujin Ann-Yi, Ph.D.
Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, Medicine and Integrative Medicine Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2010 | University of Houston, Houston, Texas, US, Psychology, Ph.D |
| 2000 | University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, US, Marriage and Family Therapy, MA |
| 1997 | Baylor University, Waco, Texas, US, Psychology, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2004-2005 | Clinical Internship, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2013 | State Board of Examiners of Psychologists |
| 2003 | State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, Medicine and Integrative Medicine Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2018 - 2025
Instructor, Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2018
Instructor, Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2017
Instructor, Department of Psychology, University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2012
Instructor, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, 2003 - 2003
Instructor, Department of Psychology, University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2004
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director of ECHOS (Ensuring Children Have Optimal Support) Program, Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine, Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, Medicine and Integrative Medicine Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - Present
Other Professional Positions
Staff Licensed Psychologist, Palliative Care, Rehabilitation, Medicine and Integrative Medicine Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2017
Vocational Counselor, Children’s Cancer Hospital, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2013
Research Assistant II, Children’s Cancer Hospital, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2006
Program Evaluator, Halpin Early Childhood Center, Houston, TX, 2003 - 2004
Psychology Extern, Alief Independent School District, Houston, TX, 2003 - 2004
Psychology Extern, Harris County Psychiatric Center, Houston, TX, 2003 - 2003
Psychology Extern, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2004
Research Assistant I, Children’s Cancer Hospital, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Pediatrics, Houston, 2002 - 2004
Psychology Extern, Veterans affairs Medical Center, Houston, TX, 2001 - 2002
Teaching Assistant, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2004
Clinical Staff Marriage and Family Therapist, Family Enrichment Clinic, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2004
Psychology Extern, The Family Enrichment Clinic, Houston, 1999 - 2000
Psychology Extern, University of Houston Clear Lake Counseling Center, Houston, TX, 1998 - 1999
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Department Representative, EHR Officer Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - 2025
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Institutional Review Board (IRB), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Clinical Ethics Consultation Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff (CCMS), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Facilitator, ECHOS Program Advisory council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Co-facilitator, Faculty Health, Parents of Children with Special Needs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2022
Member, Psychosocial Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2017 - 2019
Co-facilitator, Young Adult Advisory Council, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2009 - 2013
Editorial Activities
Journal Reviewer, Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025 - Present
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Caring for Patients with Children. Conference. Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Patient Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Survivorship: Integrating Life Psychosocial Considerations. Conference. Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Virtual Patient Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. The Compassionate Balance in Serving Patients with Advanced and Terminal Illness in Suffering and Caring for Ourselves. Conference. Thirteenth Annual Collective Soul Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. I know I'm dying, but I am afraid to tell my kids about it. Supporting children of parents with advanced illnesses. Conference. Institute for Spiritual and Health. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Difficult Conversations: Communicating Poor Prognosis to Children of Advanced Cancer Patients. Conference. PRIM Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Overview of Grief and Clinical Considerations. Conference. ECHO-PACA. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Difficult Conversations: Communicating Poor Prognosis to Children of Advanced Cancer Patients. Conference. 24th Supportive Care & Palliative Care Clinical and Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Anticipatory Grief: Helping Patients and Families Transition from Active Treatment to Purely Palliative Care. Conference. 24th Supportive Care & Palliative Care Clinical and Research Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Caring for the Children of Cancer Patient. Conference. Chief Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Caring for the Children of Cancer Patient. Conference. Fellowship training program. Houston, TX, US.
- 2021. Psychological and Existential Distress in Patients Living with Advanced and Terminal Illness. Conference. Tenth Annual Collective Soul Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Identifying and supporting emotional needs of patients. Conference. The University of MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Strategies for addressing caregiver grief and preventing burnout. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. Psychological interventions for patients with advanced and terminal illnesses in distress. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Finding Meaning and Purpose with Demoralized Patients. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Deja Vu. Conference. Fellow Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Psychosocial Issues in Supportive and Palliative Care for AYAs and Their Families. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Psychological distress among patients with advanced and terminal illness. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Finding Meaning and Purpose when Demoralized: Experiential Overview of Meaning Centered Psychotherapy. Conference. 21th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Supportive Care, Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Caregiver Burden: Why They Need Care Too. Conference. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Communication: Taking Care of Hateful Patient. Conference. 21th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Supportive Care, Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Role Reversal: Children acting as Caregivers. Conference. Fellow Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Psychological Distress among Patients with Advanced and Terminal Illness. Conference. 6th Annual Symposium: The Collective Soul. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Addressing Existential Suffering. Conference. 20th Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Supportive Care, Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Addressing the Developmental Needs of Young Adult Patients and Children of Adult Patients. Conference. Physician Assistant Continuing Education Lecture Series (PACE). Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Caring for our Kids: Talking with Children about serious medical illness and death. Conference. Partners in Knowledge News in Cancer (PIKNIC). Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Overview of Young Adults Patients in Supportive and Palliative Care. Conference. Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Addressing the Developmental Needs of Young Adults Patients and Children of Young Adults. Conference. Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Don't Mess with Texas. Conference. Fellow Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Houston, We Have Landed: Continuing our Mission of Collaborating with Patients and Families to Enrich the Education Process. Poster. MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Career and Vocational Counseling for Adolescents Young Adults, Employment & Education after Cancer. Conference. Cancer180 Survivorship Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2011. Educational and Career Support for Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Brain Tumors. Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Planning for a Bright Future: Career and Vocational Counseling for Students with Chronic Medical Conditions. Conference. Annual Pediatric Education Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. Addressing the Unmet Social Needs of the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Stem Cell Transplant Patient. Conference. Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurse Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2009. Addressing the Unmet Social Needs of the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Stem Cell Transplant Patient. Conference. American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2007. Teaching Strategies for Children and Adolescents with Cancer. Conference. Annual Pediatric Education Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2006. How to Encourage Career Development in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Conference. Annual Conference and Workshop: Educating Children with Cancer. Houston, TX, US.
- 2001. Working Effectively with Asian American Clients. Conference. The Net, Bay Area mental Health Professional Organization. Houston, TX, US.
- 2001. Parenting Foster Children. Conference. The BAIR Foundation. Houston, TX, US.
- 1999. Intergenerational differences of marriage values: A Qualitative Study Comparing First Generation Korean-Americans and Immigrant Korean Americans. Poster. University of Houston Clear Lake. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2006. Psychosocial Issues and Therapeutic Implication for Children with Chronic Illnesses. Conference. Texas Psychological Association Convention. Dallas, TX, US.
- 2002. Exploring the Influences of Contextual Factors in College Students’ Career Choice. Poster. Texas Psychological Association Convention. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2002. Serving Asian American Survivors of War Related Violence and Trauma. Conference. Texas Psychological Association Convention. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2002. Serving Parentally Bereaved Children: A Family System Approach. Conference. Texas Psychological Association Convention. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2001. Effectively Working with Asian Americans and Family Violence. Conference. Texas Psychological Association Convention. Austin, TX, US.
- 2000. Clinical Interventions with Parent-child, Marital, and Extended Family Relationship from Various Culture and Ethical Perspectives. Conference. Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Annual Conference. Dallas, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. Parenting concerns in couples coping with advanced cancer. Poster. 44th Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. Phoenix, AZ, US.
- 2018. Clinical and Demographic Variables of Young Adult (YA) Patients Referred to Inpatient Supportive Care. Conference. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2018. Communicating the Introduction of Psychology Services in the Palliative Care (PC) Cancer Setting: A Randomized Double Blind Trial. Conference. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2017. Characteristics of Patients Referred for Psychology Services by a Palliative Care Inpatient Consult Team. Poster. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2017. Enhancing Palliative Care Patient Access to Outpatient and Outreach Counseling Services. Poster. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2016. Changing the Culture for Psychosocial Care: Does it Need Changing?. Poster. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2016. Characteristics and Outcomes of Psychology Referral in Palliative Care. Poster. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2012. Improving Cancer Care for the Adolescent and Young Adults (AYA) at MD Anderson Cancer Center through the Creation of an AYA Advisory Council. Invited. The 5th International Conference on Patient- and Family-Centered Care. Washington DC, DC, US.
- 2005. The Impact of Placement History on the Cognitive and Behavioral Status of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Poster. Lakes Regional Conference on Child Health. Columbus, OH, US.
International Presentations
- 2023. Supporting Patients and Spouses in Parenting their Young Children while Facing an Incurable Cancer: Results of a Single-Arm Trial. Conference. 24th World Congress of International Psycho-Oncology Society. Milan, IT.
- 2022. Supporting Patients and Spouses in Parenting their Young Children while Facing an Incurable Cancer: Results of a Single-Arm Trial. Conference. The 19th International Conference of the Society of Integrative Oncology. Scottsdale, US.
- 2022. Parenting Concerns and Intervention Needs in Couples Coping with an Incurable Cancer while Parenting Young Children. Conference. 23rd World Congress of International Psycho-Oncology Society. Toronto, CA.
- 2021. Pediatric Palliative Home Care for Advanced Rare Diseases. Invited. Taiwanese public health department. Taipei, TW.
- 2020. Child friendly healthcare in Pediatric Palliative Care: A 12-year-old boy with Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma. Invited. Taiwanese public health department. Taipei, TW.
- 2015. Psychology Matters in Palliative Care. Poster. IPOS/APOS World Congress of Psycho-Oncology. Washington DC, US.
- 2010. Psychosocial and Vocational Counseling Needs in Childhood Cancer Survivors. Poster. 4th International Nursing Conference on Children and Adolescent Cancer Survivorship Symposium and The 11th International Conference on Long Term Complications of Treatment of Children and Adolescents for Cancer. Williamsburg, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2024 - 2026 |
| Title: | Parenting Support for Unpartnered Mothers Diagnosed with Advanced Cancer |
| Funding Source: | Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Womens Cancer Career Development Award, in partnership with Pelotonia & AACR |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | FP00022752 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Parenting While Living with Advanced Cancer: Psychosocial Care for Families with Minor Children |
| Funding Source: | UTMDACC Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2022 - 2027 |
| Title: | Treatment to Improve Depression and/or Anxiety using Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients with Advanced Cancer on Maintenance Therapy |
| Funding Source: | Gateway for Cancer Research |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 2022-0170 |
| Date: | 2020 - 2022 |
| Title: | Parenting-Related Psychosocial Care for Families Coping with Advanced Cancer |
| Funding Source: | Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Fellowship |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2020 - 2022 |
| Title: | Parenting Intervention for Caregivers who Parent a Young Child while Caring for a Spouse with an Incurable Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | 1R21CA256694-01A1 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Milbury K, Ann-Yi S, Whisenant MS, Jones M, Li Y, Necroto V, Yousuf SD, Chavez-MacGregor M, Meyers L, Bruera E. Supporting Patients with Advanced Cancer and their Spouses in Parenting Minor Children: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. The Oncologist, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39703166.
- Kroll JL, Jones M, Ann-Yi S, Chavez-MacGregor M, Bruera Eduardo, Milbury K. Parenting and Family Concerns of Couples Navigating Advanced Breast Cancer: Exploring Discussions Around Parenting Challenges and Targets for Intervention. Psycho-Oncology, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Milbury K, Ann-Yi S, Jones M, Li Y, Whisenant M, Yousuf S, Necroto V, Chavez Mac Gregor M, Bruera E. Patients with advanced cancer and their spouses parenting minor children: The role of the relationship context in parenting concerns. Psychooncology 33(3), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38411282.
- Tang M, Ann-Yi S, Zhukovsky DS, Fellman B, Bruera E. Distress, demoralization and fulfillment among palliative care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Palliat Supp Care. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38037463.
- Whisenant M, Jones M, Ann-Yi S, Necroto V, Skrljac A, Bruera E, Milbury K. Living with an Advanced Cancer while Parenting Minor Children: A Needs Assessment Study. J Pain Symp Manage 66(2), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37148983.
- Ann-Yi S, Milbury K, Jones M, Necroto V, Whisenant M, Li Y, Bruera E. Supportive Care for Dual Caregivers who Care for their Partner with Cancer and their Young Children. J Pain Symp Manage. e-Pub 2023.
- Carmack CL, Agosta M, Ann-Yi S, Bruera E. Training Radiation Anxiety with Systematic Desensitization: Head and Neck Cancer Case Reports. J Palliat Med. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36730789.
- Ann-Yi S, Wong A, Wu J, Charone M, Baumgartner K, Carmack CL, Castro D, Guzman D, Joy M, Kuriakose L, Madden K, Najera J, Pangemanan I, Rajani S, Raznahan M, Stewart H, Tallie K, Tanco K, Zhukovsky D, Bruera E. Physical and Psychosocial Symptoms of Young Adult Patients Referred to the Supportive Care Mobile Team. J Adolescent Young Adult Oncology 3:440-444, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35881858.
- Ann-Yi S, Bruera E. Psychological Aspects of Care in Cancer Patients in the Last Weeks/Days of Life. Cancer Res Treat 54(3):651-660, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35790196.
- Ann-Yi S, Azhar A, Bruera E. Dying Alone during a Pandemic. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Guzman D, Ann-Yi S, Bruera E, Wu J, Williams JL, Najera J, Raznahan M, Carmack CL. Enhancing palliative care patient access to psychological counseling through outreach telehealth services. Psycho-oncology, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31707735.
- Ann-Yi S, Tanco K, Carmack CL, Liu DD, Bansal S, Williams J, Lim KH, Bruera E. Introducing psychology services to advanced cancer patients: A randomized double‐blind trial. Psycho-oncology 28(10):1978-1986. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31295757.
- Ann-Yi S, Bruera E, Wu J, Liu DD, Agosta M, Williams JL, Balankari VR, Carmack CL. Characteristics and Outcomes of Psychology Referrals in Palliative Care Department. J Pain Symptom Manage 56(3):344-351. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29885458.
- Lopez FG, Ann-Yi S. Predictors of career indecision in three racial/ethnic groups of college women. Journal of Career Development(33):29-46, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
Abstracts
- Ann-Yi S, Wong A, Wu J, Charone M, Baumgartner K, Carmack CL, Castro D, Guzman D, Joy M, Kuriakose L, Madden K, Najera J, Pangemanan I, Rajani S, Raznahan M, Stewart H, Tallie K, Tanco K, Zhukovsky DS, Bruera E. Clinical and Demographic Variables of Young Adult (YA) Patients Referred to Inpatient Supportive Care. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium-J Clinic Oncol 36(34_suppl), 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Ann-Yi S, Tanco K, Carmack CL, Liu DD, Bansal A, Williams J, Lim KH, Bruera E. Communicating the Introduction of Psychology Services in the Palliative Care (PC) Cancer Setting: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium-J Clin Oncol 36(34_suppl), 2018. e-Pub 2018.
- Guzman D, Bruera E, Ann-Yi S, Najera J, Raznahan M, Williams JL, Carmack CL. Enhancing Palliative Care Patient Access to Outpatient and Outreach Counseling Services. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium- J Clin Oncol 35(31_suppl), 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Ann-Yi S, Wong A, Baumgartner K, Carmack CL, Castro D, Guzman D, Joy M, Kuriakose L, Lim K, Madden K, Najera J, Pangemanan I, Rajani SQ, Raznahan M, Stewart H, Tanco K, Tallie K, Wei Q, Zhukovsky DS, Bruera E. Characteristics of Patients Referred for Psychology Services by a Palliative Care Inpatient Consult Team. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium- J Clin Oncol 35(31_suppl), 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Carmack CL, Parker PA, Lambert D, Ann-Yi S, Valentine A, Fossella F, Bruera E, Williams J, Cohen L. Changing the Culture for Psychosocial Care: Does it Need Changing?. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Ann-Yi S, Bruera E, Agosta M, Guzman D, Najera J, Raznahan M, Williams JL, Carmack CL. Characteristics and Outcomes of Psychology Referral in Palliative Care. ASCO Palliative Care in Oncology Symposium-J Clin Oncol 34(26_suppl), 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Carmack CL, Ann-Yi S, Bruera E. Psychology Matters in Palliative Care. IPOS/APOS World Congress of Psycho-Oncology, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
Book Chapters
- Ann-Yi S, Epner D. Code Blue. In: Empathy: Real Stories to Inspire and Enlighten Busy Clinicians. 1. McGraw Hill LLC, 17-30, 2022.
- Bruera E, Higginson I, Ann-Yi S, Gunten C, Morita T. Children of palliative care patients. In: Textbook of Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care. 3rd, 2021.
- Askins MA, Ann-Yi S, Moore BD. Neurocognitive late effects in children treated for cancer: Psychological impact, identification, and prevention and remediation. In: Handbook of Long-Term Care of the Childhood Cancer Survivor. Springer, 2015.
- Ann-Yi S, Askins MA. Career and Vocational Outlook. In: Handbook of Long-Term Care of the Childhood Cancer Survivor. Springer, 2015.
- Carmack CL, Ann-Yi S, Bruera E. Depression. In: The MD Anderson Supportive and Palliative Care Handbook 5th Edition, 2015.
- Ann-Yi S, Carmack CL, Bruera E. Anxiety. In: The MD Anderson Supportive and Palliative Care Handbook 5th Edition, 2015.
- Carmack CL, Ann-Yi S, Bruera E. Depression. In: The MD Anderson Supportive and Palliative Care Handbook 6th Edition.
- Ann-Yi S, Carmack CL, Bruera E. Anxiety. In: The MD Anderson Supportive and Palliative Care Handbook 6th Edition.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified February 05, 2026