Prof. Winnie K.W. So
Prof. Winnie K.W. So is a Professor of the Nethersole School of Nursing at the Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is also a Fellow of American Academy of Nursing and a visiting professor of School of Nursing at Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Currently, Prof. So is the President of International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care and the Past President of Asian Oncology Nursing Society.
As a scholar and scientist in cancer care, Prof So’s research substantively influenced knowledge generation which manifested as evidence-based intervention for reducing cancer burden and enhancing quality supportive care in local and international contexts. She conducted the first study to identify barriers to cancer screening encountered by local ethnic minorities. The findings were translated into an IMPACT (Integrative Multicomponent Program for promoting south Asians’ Cancer screening upTake) program for improving South Asians’ access to cancer screening services, and empowering community health workers to facilitate screening uptake among South Asians.
The intervention was successful as evidenced by a significantly increase in screening uptake and the extension of the benefits to those living in other South Asian countries. Another research focus of Prof So is supportive care. Her research and education effort at local and global levels include knowledge generation and dissemination of supportive care needs, provision of education/training to cancer nurses, and nurturing youngsters to be future scholars and leaders. She has obtained HKD 20 million to support her research and knowledge transfer projects. She has published 200 papers in international peer reviewed journals. The impact of her research are far-reaching and cited in journals of nursing and health related disciplines.
Dr So’s leadership role in regional/international oncology nursing societies has influenced the professional development of oncology nurses in low- and middle-income countries.