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, Department of Nursing at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She has been with MD Anderson since 2022.Dr. Eileen Hacker is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Nursing. 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 Institutes of Nursing Research, and Oncology Nursing Society. 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. Dr. Hacker is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and a 2024 inductee into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Department Chair, Department of Nursing, Division of SrVP and Chief Nursing Officer, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Nursing, Division of Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Director, Department of Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Adjunct Professor, Department of Research, The University of Texas Health Cizik School of Nursing, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Chair, Department of Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Associate Professor Emerita, Department of Behavioral Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Adjunct Professor, Department of School of Nursing, Science of Nursing Care Department, Indianapolis, Indiana
Teaching Assistant, Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Experience & Service
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Director, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Department Chair, Department of Nursing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2022 - Present
Associate Professor Emeritus, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 2017 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2025 - Present | Outstanding Mentor (Honorable Mention), Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2025 - Present | Best Transplant Nursing Research Oral Abstract Presentation (Co-Investigator), Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, 2025 Tandem BMT Meeting, Honolulu, HI, American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy |
| 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 |
| 2020 | Indiana Women of Achievement, Ball State University |
| 2019 | Distinguished Researcher Award, Midwest Nursing Research Society Symptoms Science Research Group |
| 2018 | Prestigious External Award Recognition, Indiana University |
| 2017 | Annual Outstanding Original Research Paper Award, Cancer Nursing International Journal |
| 2016 | College of Nursing's Nominee for the University of Illinois at Chicago Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Illinois at Chicago |
| 2016 | Capstone Advisor of the Year, Honors College, University of Illinois at Chicago |
| 2015 | Best Transplant Nursing Research Oral Abstract Presentation, 2015 Tandem BMT Meeting |
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2022. Creating a Culture of Nursing Scholarship. Conference. Creating a Culture of Nursing Scholarship. Houston, TX, US.
- 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.
National Presentations
- 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.
- 2020. STEPS to Enhance Physical Activity after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma. Conference. STEPS to Enhance Physical Activity after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma. Virtual, US.
- 2020. Impact of A Free-living Activity Intervention on Real-time Fatigue in People With Multiple Myeloma Treated with Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Conference. Impact of A Free-living Activity Intervention on Real-time Fatigue in People With Multiple Myeloma Treated with Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2020. Transplant Physicians’ Attitudes on Candidacy for Allogeneic Hematopoietic cell Transplantation (HCT) in Older Patients: The Need for a Standardized Geriatric Assessment (GA) Tool. Conference. Transplant Physicians’ Attitudes on Candidacy for Allogeneic Hematopoietic cell Transplantation (HCT) in Older Patients: The Need for a Standardized Geriatric Assessment (GA) Tool. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2020. STEPS to Enhance Physical Activity after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Conference. STEPS to Enhance Physical Activity after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Orlando, FL, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- 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):1939459251358559, 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.
- 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, 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.
- 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.
- Al Maqbali M, Hughes C, Rankin J, Dunwoody L, Hacker E, Gracey J. Fatigue and sleep disturbance in Arabic cancer patients following completion of therapy: Prevalence, correlates, and association with quality of life. Cancer Nurs 44(5):378-387, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32427634.
- Al Maqbali, M, Gracey, J, Dunwoody, L, Rankin, J, Hacker, E, Hughes, C. Healthcare professionals knowledge on cancer-related fatigue. Nursing and Health Sciences 22(3):732-740, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32270899.
- Pickler RH, Abshire DA, Chao AM, Chlan LL, Stanfill AG, Hacker ED, Kawar LN, McCarthy AM, Talsma A. Nursing Science and COVID-19. Nurs Outlook 68(5):685-688, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32980083.
- Al Maqbali, M, Hughes, C, Gracey, J, Rankin, J, Dunwoody, L, Hacker, E. Validation of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) with Arabic cancer patients. Sleep and Biological Rhythms 18(3):217-223, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Al Maqbali M, Hughes C, Gracey J, Rankin J, Hacker E. Validation of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) with Arabic cancer patients. Sleep and Biological Rhythms July(18):217-223, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
Review Articles
- Alsbrook KE, Hacker ED. Defining and Measuring Opiophobia: A Systematic Review. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 22(4):e70065, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40739679.
- 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.
- Al Maqbali M, Gracey J, Rankin J, Dunwoody L, Hacker E, Hughes C. Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of quality-of-life scales for Arabic-speaking adults: A systematic review. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 20(2):e125-e137, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32655904.
- Al Maqbali M, Dunwoody L, Rankin J, Hacker E, Hughes C, Gracey J. Psychometric properties and cultural adaptation of sleep disturbance measures in Arabic-speaking populations: A systematic review. J Sleep Res 29(1):e12877, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31180174.
Other Articles
- 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.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified October 20, 2025