Rhonda S. Robert, Ph.D.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics
About Dr. Robert
As a clinical psychologist, I provide psychological services to children, adolescents, young adults, and their families and conduct clinical research. My previous appointment in an academic, pediatric hospital setting, was as an Associate Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and Director of Psychological Care for burn patients at Shriners Hospital for Children. Currently, I am a Professor at the Children’s Cancer Hospital, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and work with patients in active treatment (anti-angiogenic and palliative) through age 25 and long-term survivors of pediatric cancer. In regard to research expertise, I have experience with qualitative and quantitative research methodology; have co-authored 38 peer-reviewed journal articles, 9 invited book chapters, 93 abstracts; and secured 19 grant awards. My research has addressed the acute and long-term emotional adjustment of children to injury and illness.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1994 | University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA, PhD, Psychology |
| 1987 | Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX, USA, MA, Marriage and Family Counseling |
| 1984 | Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX, USA, BA, Psychology & Theology |
Postgraduate Training
| 1994-1996 | Clinical Fellowship, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX |
Board Certifications
| 2018 | American Board of Professional Psychology, specialty board certification in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2011
Associate Professor, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2003 - 2004
Assistant Professor, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1999 - 2003
Instructor, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1994 - 1999
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Psychosocial Team, Clinical Chair, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2021
Section Chief, Behavioral Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - Present
Program Director, Psychology In-House Referral Program, Department of Pediatrics Patient Care, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, 2014 - Present
Faculty Consultant, Fertility Consultation Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2010
Faculty Consultant, Child Life Program, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2009
Faculty Consultant, Pediatric Supportive Care Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2015
Faculty Consultant, K.N.I.T. (Kids Need Information Too) Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2009
Chief Psychologist, Department of Psychological & Psychiatric Services Department, Shriners Burns Hospital, Galveston, TX, 2000 - 2004
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Executive Committee, Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium, Austin, TX, 2019 - 2020
Medical Philanthropy 20/20 Trainee, Advancement Resources and U T MD Anderson Development Office, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2014
Heart of Leadership Trainee, U T MD Anderson Faculty Development and the Executive Development Group, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2015
Ombudsman, MDACC Pediatric Oncology Fellowship Training Program, Houston, TX, 2013 - Present
Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Moebius Syndrome Foundation, Denver, CO, 2004 - Present
Member, Burn Prevention Task Force, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tampa, FL, 2003 - 2004
Chair, Burn Resistant Clothing Initiative Committee, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tampa, FL, 2003 - 2004
Member, Information Systems Steering Committee, Shriners Burns Hospital, Galveston, TX, 2003 - 2004
Member, Training Committee of the American Psychological Association Accredited Psychology Post-doctoral Fellowship Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2003 - 2004
Member, Medical Staff Performance Improvement and Medical Executive Committee, Shriners Burns Hospital, Galveston, TX, 2002 - 2004
Member, Institutional Review Board, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 2001 - 2004
Member, Parent and Patient Education Committee, Shriners Burns Hospital, Galveston, TX, 1999 - 2004
Member, Medical Advisory Board, Hope Springs International, Montrose, CO, 1998 - 2015
Member, Selection Committee, American Psychological Association Accredited Pre-Doctoral Psychology Internship Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1997 - 2003
Member, Training Committee of the American Psychological Association Accredited Psychology Pre-Doctoral Internship Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 1997 - 2003
Member, Harris County Mental Health Association, Houston, TX, 1987 - 1989
Member, Child Abuse Network, Houston, TX, 1987 - 1989
Honors & Awards
| 2014 | Division of Pediatrics Nominee, Clinical Faculty Award, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Best Poster, Symptom Research In Pediatric Oncology, Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Denver, CO |
| 2011 | Fun Walk Honoree, Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Family Alliance, Houston, TX |
| 2010 | Award of Excellence in Family Centered Care, The Children's Cancer Hospital, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2000 | Best Poster, Primary Care Division, Summer Research Program Poster Session, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX |
| 1997 | Honorary Faculty Member, Colegio de Psicologos del Peru, Lima, Peru |
| 1991 | B. Craig Raupe Scholarship, University of North Texas, Denton, TX |
| 1985 | Presidential Scholarship, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX |
| 1981 | Endowed Academic Scholarship, Houston Baptist University, Houston, TX |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Scardaville MC, Murphy KM, Liu F, Boydston S, Robert R, Shin K, Nguyen V, Frieden L. Knowledge of Legal Protections and Employment-Related Resources Among Young Adults with Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 8(3):312-19, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31021285.
- Stavinoha PL, Askins MA, Powell SK, Pillay Smiley N, Robert RS. Neurocognitive and Psychosocial Outcomes in Pediatric Brain Tumor Survivors. Bioengineering (Basel) 5(3), 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30208602.
- Guzman D, Edds E, Khatua S, McGovern S, Robert R. Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder after proton therapy for an optic pathway glioma. Advances in Radiation Oncology 3:30-33, 2018.
- Zhukovsky DS, Rozmus CL, Robert RS, Bruera E, Wells RJ, Chisholm GB, Allo JA, Cohen MZ. Symptom profiles in children with advanced cancer: Patient, family caregiver, and oncologist ratings. Cancer 121(22):4080-7, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26218240.
- Rosenberg L, Rosenberg M, Robert R, Richardson L, Sharp S, Holzer C, Thomas C, Meyer WJ III. Does acute stress disorder predict subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder in pediatric burn survivors?. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 76(11):1564-8, 2015. PMID: 26581092.
Manuals, Teaching Aids, Other Teaching Publications
- Hubbard A, Immroth H, Immroth A, Nickel B, Sharp T, Snow J, Allen R, Askins M, Brown S, DeRousse H, Featherston S, Madden K, McCollom, Robert R, Salvador L, Triche L, Wells R, Zweidler-McKay P. Hospice Care - A Helpful Guide for Parents from Parents. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: Houston, TX, 2016.
- The Pediatric Supportive Care Committee. End of Life Toolkit. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center: http://inside.mdanderson.org/departments/pediatrics/pediatric-end-of-life-toolkit.html, 2015.
Abstracts
- Murphy K, Nguyen V, Robert R, Scardaville M, Boydston S, Clayman M, Frieden L. Employment Experiences in Young Adults with Cancer. 16th Annual American Psychosocial Oncology Society Conference. Atlanta, Georgia, 2019.
- Kresta K, Lewis B, Shaw A, Robert R, Maetzold B, Valderrama R, Harman N, Cion I, Franklin Q, Morse E, Skillman D, Schwartz C, Tewari P. Totally Excited About Moving, Mobility, and Exercise (TEAM Me): Mobility Incentive Program for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults During their Inpatient Admission. U T MD Anderson Energy Balance and Research Retreat, 2016.
- Tewari P, Lewis B, Kresta K, Shaw A, Robert R, Maetzold B, Valderrama R, Harman N, Cion I, Franklin Q, Morse E, Skillman D, Schwartz C. Totally Excited About Moving, Mobility, and Exercise (TEAM Me): Multidisciplinary Effort to Help Increase Mobility for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults During Their Inpatient Admission. 29th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, Minneapolis, MN, 2016.
- Zhukovsky DS, Rozmus C, Robert R, Bruera E, Wells RJ, Guerra GR, Allo J, Cohen MZ. Child and Family Caregiver Perceptions of the Symptom Experience for Children with Advanced Cancer. 8th World Research Congress of the European Association for Palliative Care, Lleida, Spain, 2014.
- Mote E, Robert R. Improving a Pediatric Phase 1 Trial Consenting Process. 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Chicago, Illinois, 2014.
- Mauricio R, Robert R. Comfort for Adolescents Living with Advanced Cancer. 27th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Chicago, Illinois, 2014.
Book Chapters
- Zhukovsky D, Robert R. Pediatric palliative care. In: Oxford American Handbook of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Supportive Care. Second Edition. Oxford University Press: New York, 2016.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | Symptom Profiles in English and Spanish-Speaking Children with Cancer |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Evaluation of Two Implementation Strategies for the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) across 18 Children's Cancer Centers |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Principal Investigator-MDACC |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified April 15, 2024