Barra Foundation Awards Grant for CNHP

The Barra Foundation, Inc. has awarded a grant of $135,000 to Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions for the research project “Developing Culturally Sensitive Family-Based Interventions for School-age Children Coping with Parental Cancer.”

The Barra Foundation is a private, not-for-profit philanthropic organization that serves the five counties in the Greater Philadelphia area. The foundation focuses primarily on one-time and multi-year grants for innovative projects that aid in advancing the frontiers of knowledge in arts and culture, education, health, and human services. Originally founded in Delaware in 1963 under the name of founder Robert L. McNeil, Jr., the foundation adopted its current name in 1968. “Barra” refers to the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland, the ancient home of the Clan MacNeil.

Maureen  Davey, B.A., M.F.T., Ph.D., L.M.F.T., will conduct the two-year research project, which will focus on children whose parents are cancer patients. A faculty member for Drexel’s Graduate programs in Couple and Family Therapy, Dr. Davey came to the University in 2006. She has been teaching, providing clinical supervision, and conducting research in accredited M.F.T. programs since 1998. She also worked for two years as a clinical director of children’s outpatient programs at a community mental health agency.

William Harral III has been president of the Barra Foundation since June 2001. Before joining the foundation, he served as both executive-in-residence and dean of the Bennett S. LeBow College of Business. Patricia Gerrity, R.N., Ph.D., FAAN, health consultant for the Barra Foundation, also is associate dean for community programs at the College of Nursing and Health Professions, as well as director of the College’s 11th Street Family Health Services.

“We are pleased to provide support to Dr. Davey and the college of Nursing and Health Professions in this significant research,” Harral says. “So often we overlook the devastating impact a parent’s illness has on a child. This study will help find ways to bring about positive outcomes for families affected by cancer and other illnesses, and the Barra Foundation is proud to be part of that important work.”