Dr. Graboyes is a head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgeon and the director of Survivorship and Cancer Outcomes Research (SCOR) at the Medical University of South Carolina Hollings Cancer Center. In his clinical practice, he routinely cares for head and neck cancer survivors who suffer from devastating mental health and psychosocial treatment-related toxicities. Serving a patient population that is predominantly racial and ethnic minorities, underinsured, rural, and medically vulnerable, he observed firsthand how differences in health-related social risks drive profound disparities in access, care, and outcomes. His clinical practice informs and grounds his program of research, which leverages his scientific training in health behavior, health services research, and cancer disparities to understand and address issues related to cancer care delivery, health-related social risks, and mental health among patients with cancer along the treatment continuum.

In his current R37, Dr. Graboyes is conducting a multi-site randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a brief, tailored cognitive behavior therapy (BRIGHT) as a novel treatment for body image distress among head and neck cancer survivors, examine the mechanisms of change underlying BRIGHT, and characterize factors affecting its future adoption into clinical care. If successful, this research project may provide rigorous support for BRIGHT as the first evidence-based strategy to manage body image distress among head and neck cancer survivors, thereby addressing a critical unmet clinical need and improving psychosocial morbidity and quality of life for these patients. Study findings may also help optimize cognitive behavioral therapy approaches for body image distress among cancer survivors and enhance the implementation of psychosocial interventions for cancer survivors in diverse care settings.