Dr. Mary Helen Hackney, MD

Expert Publications

• Accelerated superfractionated radiotherapy for inflammatory breast carcinoma: complete response predicts outcome and allows for breast conservation.
• Ethics of rural health care.
• Ovarian suppression in the management of premenopausal breast cancer: methods and efficacy in adjuvant and metastatic settings.
• Reaching Hard to Reach Populations with Hard to Communicate Messages: Efficacy of a Breast Health Research Champion Training Program.
• Bone marrow changes associated with recombinant granulocyte-macrophage and granulocyte colony-stimulating factors. Discrimination of granulocytic regeneration.
• How long does it take to get a "do not resuscitate" order?

Media Releases

Commitment to Quality in Cancer Care

Dr. Mary Helen Hackney, the medical director of community oncology at VCU Massey Cancer Center and VCU School of Medicine, has been making significant strides in advancing cancer care since assuming her role in 2020. As an associate professor and director of quality improvement in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Palliative Care, Dr. Hackney is dedicated to ensuring that high-quality oncology services are accessible to all Virginians, particularly those in underserved rural communities.

Overseeing oncology clinics in South Hill and Tappahannock, she works collaboratively with hospitals and oncology practices to extend Massey’s state-of-the-art medical oncology services across the region. Her expertise in breast cancer treatment, survivorship, and risk reduction is complemented by her commitment to quality care improvements, as she evaluates and implements initiatives that enhance patient outcomes.

A board-certified physician in medical oncology and palliative care, Dr. Hackney is also an integral member of Massey’s Developmental Therapeutics research program. Her leadership extends to co-chairing the hospital cancer committee and maintaining vital accreditations with the Commission on Cancer and the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. Her previous role as director of the Rural Cancer Outreach Program from 1998 to 2013 exemplifies her dedication to extending cancer care to communities lacking specialized resources.

In addition to her clinical and administrative roles, she is a passionate advocate for community education. She has led numerous presentations aimed at educating healthcare providers and the public about cancer awareness and prevention in various community settings. Her advocacy is further reflected in her work as a coordinator and principal investigator for multiple cancer control studies, as well as her advisory role in Massey’s Integrative Health Program, which offers comprehensive support services for cancer patients.

Dr. Hackney’s commitment to mentorship and education has earned her numerous accolades, including the VCU Women in Science, Dentistry, and Medicine (WISDM) Organization Professional Achievement Award and the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. Recognized as a “Top Doc” by Richmond Magazine and honored as one of Virginia Lawyer’s Media’s Influential Women of Virginia, she embodies the values of compassion, respect, and clinical excellence in her practice.

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