Jane Elizabeth Skeen MNZM is a New Zealand paediatric oncologist who worked at Starship Blood and Cancer Centre at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland. In 2023, Skeen was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to children with cancer. She is an honorary life member of the Child Cancer Foundation, and a life member of the Australia and New Zealand Children's Haematology and Oncology Group.

Jane Skeen
Skeen in 2023
Alma materUniversity of Auckland
Scientific career
FieldsPaediatric oncology
InstitutionsStarship Children's Hospital

Academic career

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Skeen qualified in medicine at the University of Auckland,[1] and specialised in paediatric oncology from 1979.[2] She was appointed to a position as paediatric oncologist in 1981, and retired in 2022.[1]

Skeen was the health professional representative on the Child Cancer Foundation Board for 33 years.[1][3] During her career, child cancer survival rates increased such that research was needed into late effects of child cancer treatment.[4] Skeen was also involved in the establishment of child palliative care as a discipline, and taught in a teaching programme to improve paediatric palliative care.[5][6][1]

Skeen was Chair of the National Child Cancer Network Pacific Child Cancer working group, which was established in 2007 to try to address poor survival rates for child cancer in the region due to treatment availability.[2] Skeen led annual visits of a team from Starship Hospital to Tonga, Samoa and Vanuatu.[2][7][8]

Honours and awards

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In the 2023 New Year Honours, Skeen was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to children with cancer.[2]

In 2001 Skeen was awarded an Honorary Life Membership for the Child Cancer Foundation.[1]

Skeen was awarded life membership of the Australia and New Zealand Children's Haematology and Oncology Group, for providing "exceptional oncology care" and for her "pioneering role in the development and achievements of the Pacific Working Group".[9]

Selected works

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "In appreciation of Dr Jane Skeen". Child Cancer Foundation. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d "New Year Honours List 2023 - Citations for Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 31 December 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  3. ^ Mayron, Sapeer (31 December 2022). "New Year Honour for Dr Jane Skeen, the paediatric oncologist loved by hundreds of families". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  4. ^ Walsh, Rebecca (26 September 2024). "Child cancer success leaves problems". NZ Herald. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  5. ^ Nealon, Kelly (12 August 2024). "New programme to improve end-of-life care for children". Inside Government NZ. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Making living better for dying children - The University of Auckland". www.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Child cancer initiatives seeing results in Pacific". RNZ. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  8. ^ Fruean, Adel. "New Zealand medical specialists review cancer cases". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Membership - Australian & New Zealand Children's Haematology/Oncology Group". ANZCHOG. Retrieved 26 September 2024.