Tamara J. Cadet PhD, MSW, MPH, LICSW

Tamara J. Cadet, PhD, LICSW, MPH, is an Associate Professor at the Simmons School of Social Work. She also holds a faculty appointment at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology. Dr. Cadet brings more than 25 years of practice experience in many capacities and settings to her teaching and to her research. Dr. Cadet has worked in the fields of substance abuse, adoption, mental health, health care, schools, and oncology with children, adults, families, and older adults, as both a social worker and as a community organizer. She has a motto, that if she is not thinking about the underserved or under-represented client or patient, then she has forgotten the most important part of conducting research. It this commitment to social justice that permeates every aspect of her research. Her ultimate objective is to advance efforts to develop health promotion interventions for underserved and underrepresented older adults in order to contribute to reducing oncology-related disparities. To this end, her research has primarily focused on improving access to cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment services for older minority adults.

Dr. Cadet has been the recipient of several national career development awards for her research and has been funded by the National Cancer Institute through a Supplement. She was also a recipient of the National Institute of Health Loan Repayment Program. She is currently funded by the National Institute of Aging and involved with the Simmons School of Social Work Health Resources and Services Administration funded Behavioral Health Workforce and Education and Training Program. She particularly enjoys translating her research to practice for community-based organizations where she serves and preparing social workers for effective evidence-based practice.