Eileen D Hacker, PhD, APRN, AOCN, FAAN
Department of Nursing, Division of SrVP and Chief Nursing Officer
About Dr. Eileen D Hacker
Dr. Eileen Hacker is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Nursing at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she has served since 2022. She has extensive experience in clinical oncology nursing, cancer research, and academic leadership.
Dr. Hacker has championed innovations and improvements in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation nursing. Her progressive research program focuses on fatigue, physical activity, exercise interventions, and quality of life. Her research has been funded by the American Cancer Society, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Nursing Research, and Oncology Nursing Society, and her work has been published in leading cancer journals.
Dr. Hacker is committed to advancing oncology nursing science and promoting quality-of-life outcomes in people with cancer. She is the recipient of multiple research and teaching awards and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. In 2024, she was inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Department Chair, Department of Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Adjunct Professor, Department of Research, UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2001 | University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, US, Nursing Science, Ph.D |
| 1985 | Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, US, Oncology Nursing, M.S |
| 1983 | St. Xavier University, Chicago, Illinois, US, Nursing, BSN |
Postgraduate Training
| 2019-2020 | Elevating Leaders in Academic Nursing, Academic Leadership, Fellow American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Washington, DC |
| 2018-2020 | Fund Raising Management, Fund Raising Management, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 2012-2013 | Teaching Scholar/Academic Leadership Fellowship, Academic Leadership, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois |
| 2005-2008 | K01 Training, Exercise Science, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2025 | Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse |
| 2022 | Advanced Practice Registered Nurse |
| 2022 | Registered Nurse |
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Associate Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2017 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2026 - Present | Leading Mentor, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2026 | First Place Winner - Faculty Lightning Talk: Pain Management Barriers, Opiophobia, Emotions, and Medication Adherence in Postsurgical Patients with Cancer, 2026 Southwest Transformative Educational Advancement Mentoring (STEAM) Summit at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| 2025 - Present | Leading Mentor (Honorable Mention), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2025 - Present | Best Transplant Nursing Research Oral Abstract Presentation (Co-Investigator) - 2nd Place, American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy |
| 2024 - Present | People's Choice Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2024 | International Nurse Reseacher Hall of Fame, Sigma Theta Tao International Nurse Reseacher Hall of Fame |
| 2022 | Best Transplant Nursing Research Oral Abstract Presentation, 2022 Tandem BMT Meeting |
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2022. Creating a Culture of Nursing Scholarship: Roadmap to Building a Cancer Nursing Research Program. Conference. Creating a Culture of Nursing Scholarship: Roadmap to Building a Cancer Nursing Research Program. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Growth Mindsets for Advancing Nursing Research, Education, and Clinical Practice. Conference. Growth Mindsets for Advancing Nursing Research, Education, and Clinical Practice. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2025. Fueling the Oncology Nurse Scientist Pipeline through an Academic Medical Center Based Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Oncology Nursing. Invited. ONS - Houston Chapter Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Persistent Fatigue in Allogeneic Cell Transplantation Survivors: The Energy Conundrum. Invited. ONS - Houston Chapter Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Research Roundtable: Oncology Nurse Scientist Roles. Panelist. 2025 ONS Congress: Celebrating Yesterday, Transforming Tomorrow. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2025. Fueling the Oncology Nurse Scientist Pipeline through an Academic Medical Center Based Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Oncology Nursing. Conference. 2025 ONS Congress: Celebrating Yesterday, Transforming Tomorrow. Denver, Colorado, US.
- 2023. Activities of Daily Livig Recovery in Home Health Patients with Diabetes. Conference. Activities of Daily Livig Recovery in Home Health Patients with Diabetes. Tampa, FL, US.
- 2023. Creating a Culture of Scholarship: Reimagining Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice in a Comprehensive Cancer Center after COVID. Conference. Creating a Culture of Scholarship: Reimagining Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice in a Comprehensive Cancer Center after COVID. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. Creating a Culture of Scholarship: Reimagining Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice in a Comprehensive Cancer Center after COVID. Conference. Creating a Culture of Scholarship: Reimagining Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice in a Comprehensive Cancer Center after COVID. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2023. How Do Older Adults with Diabetes Receiving Home Health Care in the Community or Assisted Living Compare?. Conference. How Do Older Adults with Diabetes Receiving Home Health Care in the Community or Assisted Living Compare?. Des Moines, IN, US.
- 2022. The Impact of Covid-19 Illness Risk on Physical Activity During the Pandemic. Conference. The Impact of Covid-19 Illness Risk on Physical Activity During the Pandemic. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2022. Quality of Life Trends in People with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Conference. Quality of Life Trends in People with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Washington, DC, US.
- 2022. Adaptive or Pathological Fatigue in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Survivor?. Conference. Adaptive or Pathological Fatigue in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Survivor?. Anaheim, CA, US.
- 2022. Two Methods of Phenotypic Characterization of Adaptive versus Pathological Fatigue in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors. Conference. Two Methods of Phenotypic Characterization of Adaptive versus Pathological Fatigue in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors. Salt Lake City, UT, US.
- 2021. Effect of Frailty and Exercise on Fatigue, Physical Activity, Functional Ability and Muscle Strength in Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients. Conference. Effect of Frailty and Exercise on Fatigue, Physical Activity, Functional Ability and Muscle Strength in Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Recipients. Virtual, US.
- 2021. Parental Stressors, Coping, and Adaptation Related to the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Experience: Perspectives from Parents and Nurses. Conference. Parental Stressors, Coping, and Adaptation Related to the Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant Experience: Perspectives from Parents and Nurses. Virtual, US.
- 2021. Frailty Status, Frailty Transitions, and Quality of Life after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Conference. Frailty Status, Frailty Transitions, and Quality of Life after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Virtual, US.
- 2021. Accelerating Aging: Considerations for Cellular Therapy and Transplantation. Conference. Accelerating Aging: Considerations for Cellular Therapy and Transplantation. Virtual, US.
- 2021. STEPS to Enhance Physical Activity after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Conference. STEPS to Enhance Physical Activity after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Virtual, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - Present |
| Title: | Sleep and Physical Activity in Patient and Caregiver Dyads Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Internal Funding |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | A Retrospective Electronic Health Record Review of Opioid Waste Among Patient with Cancer |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Internal Funding |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | Opiophobia in Adults with Advanced Cancer |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Internal Funding |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | Opiophobia in Postsurgical Adults with Cancer |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Internal Funding |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - 2026 |
| Title: | Symptom Burden and Health-Related Quality of Life of Cancer Patients with Concurrent Heart Failure |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Argyros Pilot Study Funding Program |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | A Virtual, Group-based Expressive Writing Intervention for Adolescents and Young Adult Cancer Survivors |
| Funding Source: | National Cancer Institute |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Opiophobia in Postsurgical Adults with Cancer |
| Funding Source: | Sigma Theta Tau, International, Rosemary Berkel Crisp Research |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2023 - 2027 |
| Title: | Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Oncology Nursing |
| Funding Source: | Argyros Family Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2025 |
| Title: | Feasibilty of Measuring Real-Time Fatigue and Physical Activity in Assisted Living Residents with Diverse Level of Physical Function |
| Funding Source: | Midwest Nursing Research Society Foundation |
| Role: | Co-I |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Tlusty, GC, Choi, E, Alsbrook, KE, Gilmore, K, Rollins, JL, Dains, JE, Fadol, AP, Roth, M, Hacker, E. Symptom burden in cancer survivorship. Quality of Life Research 35(8), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42319622.
- Tlusty GC, Choi E, Alsbrook K, Gilmore KR, Rollins J, Dains JE, Fadol A, Roth ME, Hacker ED. Symptom burden in cancer survivorship: insights from a survivorship program’s patient-reported outcomes database. QoL, 2026. e-Pub 2026.
- Alsbrook, KE, Shelton, V, Isaac, T, Johnson, S, Hacker, E. Opioid Wastes in Cancer Care. Clinical journal of oncology nursing 30(2):133-138, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41949350.
- Alsbrook KE, Shelton V, Isaac T, Johnson S, Hacker ED. Opioid Wastes Among Patients with Cancer: A Retrospective Electronic Health Record Review. 2024 ASPMN Annual Conference, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41949350.
- Webster-Dekker K, Hacker E, Lu Y. Physical activity and related characteristics in assisted living residents with different levels of mobility: a comparative analysis. Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol:1-13, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41572804.
- Whisenant, M, Williams, LA, Dains, JE, Brassil, KJ, Fellman, B, Urbauer, D, Isaac, T, Shelton, V, Burton, BS, Hacker, E. The Effect of a Digital Health Coaching Program on Patient-Reported and Healthcare Utilization Outcomes of Women With Breast Cancer. Oncology nursing forum 53(1), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41586740.
- Maqbali, MA, Hughes, C, Hacker, E, Dickens, GL. Mental health variables associated with job satisfaction among nurses. International Journal of Healthcare Management 19(2):371-386, 2026. e-Pub 2026.
- Hacker ED. The Staying Power of Nursing Science and the Role of the Midwest Nursing Research Society. Western Journal of Nursing Research 47(12):1267 - 1268, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Alsbrook KE, Hacker ED. Defining and Measuring Opiophobia: A Systematic Review. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 22(4):e70065, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40739679.
- Webster-Dekker KE, Lu Y, Hacker E. Real-Time Fatigue and Physical Activity of Older Adults in Assisted Living: Feasibility of Ecological Momentary Assessment. West J Nurs Res 47(8):742-750, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40459329.
- Hacker ED. The Intersection of Nursing Research and AI: Data, Education, and Outcomes - Observations from the 49th Annual Research Conference. West J Nurs Res 47(9):897-898, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40643215.
- Alsbrook, KE, Thomas, TH, Devito Dabbs, A, Diego, EJ, Scott, PW, Hacker, E, Wesmiller, S. Associations Among Self-Advocacy, Patient-Centered Communication, Pain Intensity, and Opioid Stigma in Older Adult Female Breast Cancer Survivors. Oncology nursing forum 52(3):168-178, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40293931.
- Tlusty GC, Berger AM, Bhatt VR, Hacker ED, Noble JM, Alonso WW. Factors Associated With Physical Activity During Hospitalization for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and After Discharge: A Pilot Study. Cancer Nurs, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40111055.
- Tlusty G, Alonso WW, Berger AM, Bhatt VR, Hacker ED. Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Tandem Meetings: Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Al Maqbali M, Hughes C, Hacker ED, Dickens G. Mental health variables associated with job satisfaction among nurses. Int J Healthc Manag:371-386, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Webster-Dekker, KE, Lu, Y, Perkins, S, Ellis, J, Gates, M, Otis, L, Winton, R, Hacker, E. Factors associated with change in activities of daily living performance in home health care patients with diabetes. Geriatric Nursing 59:543-548, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39153463.
- Hacker ED, Forbes S, Martinez A, Fadol A, Vaughn J, Shelton V, Dains J. Consensus Building to Identify Nursing Research Priorities Among Oncology Nurses: A Delphi Study in a National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Cancer Nurs 48(6):E387-E396, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38830057.
- Maqbali, MA, Alsayed, A, Hughes, C, Hacker, E, Dickens, GL. Stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance among healthcare professional during the COVID-19 pandemic. PloS one 19(5 May), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38722888.
- Webster-Dekker KE, Hacker ED, Perkins SM, Chang PS, Ellis J, Winton R, Otis L, Gates M, Lu Y. Risk factors for inpatient facility admission among home health care patients with diabetes. Nurs Outlook 71(6):102050, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37757614.
- Wall SA, Olin R, Bhatt V, Chhabra S, Munshi P, Hacker ED, Hashmi S, Hassel H, Howard D, Jayani R, Lin R, McCurdy S, Mishra A, Murthy H, Popat U, Wood W, Rosko AE, Artz A. The Transplantation Ecosystem: A New Concept to Improve Access and Outcomes for Older Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Patients. Transplant Cell Ther 29(10):632.e1-632.e10, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37137442.
- Hacker ED. Reflections From the 47th Annual Research Conference. Leading the Way: The Critical Importance of Nursing Science and Implementation in a New Era. West J Nurs Res 45(9):862-863, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37545121.
- Adeola M, Buckwalter K, Hacker ED. Pearls of Wisdom for Developing a Mentor/Mentee Relationship: Notes from the Midwest Nursing Research Society's Leadership Academy. West J Nurs Res 45(6):581-583, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37114971.
- Chung SY, Bakas T, Rawl SM, Welch J, Jones J, Ellis R, Hacker ED. The Kidney Transplant Self-Management Scale: Instrument Development and Psychometric Testing. West J Nurs Res 45(1):1939459211072368, 2023. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35148648.
- Wierenga KL, Perkins SM, Forster AK, Alwine J, Ofner S, Mulkey MA, Hacker ED, Pressler SJ, Moore SE. Impact of risk for severe COVID-19 illness on physical activity during the pandemic. Heart Lung 61:84-91, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37187106.
- Hacker ED. MNRS News. West J Nurs Res 44(12):1939459221129438, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36226655.
- Hacker ED. MNRS News. West J Nurs Res 44(10):987-988, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36112786.
- Sleight A, Gerber LH, Marshall TF, Livinski A, Alfano CM, Harrington S, Flores AM, Virani A, Hu X, Mitchell SA, Varedi M, Eden M, Hayek S, Reigle B, Kerkman A, Neves R, Jablonoski K, Hacker ED, Sun V, Newman R, McDonnell KK, L'Hotta A, Schoenhals A, Dpt NLS. Systematic Review of Functional Outcomes in Cancer Rehabilitation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 103(9):1807-1826, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35104445.
- Hacker ED, Richards RL, Abu Zaid M. STEPS to enhance physical activity after hematopoietic cell transplantation for multiple myeloma. Cancer Nurs 45(3):211-223, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34560708.
- Hacker ED, Richards RL, Abu Zaid M, Chung SY, Perkins S, Farag SS. STEPS to Enhance Physical Activity After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma. Cancer Nurs 45(3):211-223, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34560708.
- Melnyk BM, Hsieh AP, Tan A, Gawlik KS, Hacker ED, Ferrell D, Simpson V, Burda C, Hagerty B, Scott LD, Holt JM, Gampetro P, Farag A, Glogocheski S, Badzek L. The state of mental health and healthy lifestyle behaviors in nursing, medicine and health sciences faculty and students at Big 10 universities with implications for action. J Prof Nurs 37(6):1167-1174, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34887036.
- Wierenga KL, Moore SE, Pressler SJ, Hacker ED, Perkins SM. Associations among COVID-19 perceptions, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among adults living in the United States. Nurs Outlook 69(5):755-766, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33894985.
- Mishra A, Preussler JM, Bhatt VR, Bredeson C, Chhabra S, D'Souza A, Dahi PB, Hacker ED, Gowda L, Hashmi SK, Howard DS, Jakubowski A, Jayani R, Koll T, Lin RJ, Olin RL, Popat UR, Rodriguez C, Rosko A, Sabloff M, Sorror ML, Sung AD, Ustun C, Wood WA, Burns L, Artz A. Breaking the age barrier: Physicians' perceptions on candidacy for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in older adults. Transplant Cell Ther 27(7):617.e1-617.e7, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33836312.
Other Articles
- Hacker, E, St. Marie, B, Chi, NC, Daniel, M, Garland, M, Schilt-Solberg, MA Shaping our Future. Western Journal of Nursing Research 48(3):339-341, 2026.
- Hacker, E Nursing Science on the Eve of the Midwest Nursing Research Society’s 50th Annual Research Conference. Western Journal of Nursing Research 47(6):555-556, 2025. PMID: 40326512.
- Hacker, E Expanding the Midwest Nursing Research Society’s Membership Along with Enhancing Engagement to Foster Successful Organizational Outcomes. Western Journal of Nursing Research 47(3):200-201, 2025. PMID: 39723639.
- Hacker, E Leading Nursing Research in the Future. Western Journal of Nursing Research 46(12):1002-1003, 2024. PMID: 39344106.
- Fink, AM, Smith, P, Hansen, DM, Smith, AB, Abuhammad, S, Baker, J, Hacker, E Update on Collaborative Initiatives in the Midwest Nursing Research Society’s Strategic Plan. Western Journal of Nursing Research 46(9):738-739, 2024. PMID: 39058289.
- Von Ah, D, Topp, R, Hacker, E Financial Matters. Western Journal of Nursing Research 46(6):483-484, 2024. PMID: 38519898.
- Tucker, S, Buckwalter, K, Hacker, E The Midwest Nursing Research Society’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. Western Journal of Nursing Research 46(3):256-257, 2024. PMID: 38197413.
Abstracts
- Alsbrook KE, Hacker ED. Pain Management Barriers, Opiophobia, Emotions, and Medication Adherence in Postsurgical Patients with Cancer. Faculty Lightning Talk, 2026 Southwest Transformative Educational Advancement Mentoring (STEAM) Summit at the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center.
- Whisenant M, Hacker E, Williams L, Dains J, Fellman B, Isaac T, Shelton V, Barr A, Harty C, Rasulnia M, Brassil K. Abstract PS02-08: The Effect of a Digital Health Coaching Program on Patient Reported Outcomes of Women with Breast Cancer. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
- Crossley N, Buckwalter K, Given B, Alshakhshir N, Deka P, Liu W, Schlegel E, Doering J, Mayahara M, Hacker ED. Engage, Empower, Excel: Finding Your People. Midwest Nursing Research Society 49th Annual Conference.
- Tlusty G, Choi E, Alsbrook K, Dains J, Fadol A, Hacker E. Predictors of patient-reported moderate-severe fatigue and sleep disturbance in cancer survivorship. Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology Annual Meeting.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 24, 2026