SPIRIT: Culturally grounded supportive care for Chickasaw Nation cancer patients
Official title: SPIRIT: A Culturally Grounded Supportive Care Intervention for Chickasaw Nation Patients with Cancer
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11449020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A culturally tuned supportive care program called SPIRIT is being developed and piloted to help Chickasaw Nation cancer patients receive more coordinated and respectful care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $653,357 |
| NIH project number | 1R34NR022364-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Chickasaw Nation members and other First American cancer patients who receive or need coordinated care across tribal health systems and academic cancer centers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not connected to both tribal health systems and oncology specialty centers may not directly benefit until the program expands.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a supportive care intervention that respects Indigenous traditions and addresses care coordination between Chickasaw Nation Health services and the University of Oklahoma’s cancer center. The team will co-develop SPIRIT with tribal partners to fit local values, beliefs, and care pathways. They will pilot the program to see how it helps patients navigate treatment, reduce barriers, and improve experiences during cancer care delivery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, SPIRIT could improve how Indigenous patients access and experience cancer care, potentially leading to better outcomes and satisfaction.
How similar studies have gone: Previous collaborations have shown promise in culturally adapting care processes; this project builds on those relationships to pilot a tailored intervention.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Janitz, Amanda E — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Janitz, Amanda E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.