Comments

# Dean Martha N. Hill said on November 16, 2007 11:30 AM:

Dear SON community and friends— Our very special Vicki Mock died early on the morning of November 15 at home. The School, the Oncology Center—the entire Hopkins community—and her many friends and colleagues will miss her greatly. Vicki’s husband, Quent, has informed me that there will be no service. However, on Monday, November 19, from 12:30 to 1:30 pm, faculty, staff, and students, and other friends and colleagues of Vicki will gather in the Alumni Auditorium, Room 140, to remember her and to support one another. To further celebrate her life and capture our wonderful memories of this kind and generous researcher, teacher, mentor, and friend, we have created this website to share our feelings, memories, and favorite photographs. We will share all of your postings with Quent, her son Grey, her mother, and her sisters. We also are establishing a research fund in her honor. I spoke with Vicki and Quent about this idea last week. When I described that the fund would support pilot studies and enhance the work of the Center on Collaborative Intervention Research, which she led, Vicki responded with gentle tears of appreciation and remarked, “That is beautiful.” Quent leapt out of his chair to share how very pleased he was with the idea. By establishing and supporting the Victoria Mock Research Fund, we will continue her passion for mentoring new investigators and launching new studies, and thereby celebrate her life and continue her work. To join in this tribute to Vicki, please send your contributions to: Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing The Victoria Mock Research Fund 525 N. Wolfe Street, Room 529 Baltimore, MD 21205 (Checks should be made to Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. For more information, call 410.955.4284) In the next weeks, with Sharon Krumm, Director of Nursing in the Oncology Center, and input from Vicki’s family, we will begin planning a special commemorative program early in the new year to celebrate her major contributions and the impact she had on so many colleagues, students and trainees. I hope you will join me in each of these opportunities to remember our dear friend and colleague.

Martha N. Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean
Professor of Nursing, Medicine and Public Health
The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

# Hayley Mark said on November 16, 2007 2:18 PM:

Dr. Vicki Mock was my faculty mentor at the SON. I will always remember her integrity and kindness. She was always willing to offer sound and balanced advice. I will really miss her.

# Martha L. Hare said on November 16, 2007 4:49 PM:

I received the sad news concerning Vicki Mock yesterday. I was so sorry to hear about this. She was such a trooper - I really had no idea that she was struggling as a cancer patient and survivor. Despite all this, Vicki moved the fields of oncology and nursing science forward considerably. Aside from the huge personal loss, I am sure that she would have contributed even more to these fields. That too is a loss worth mourning, but we also know that Dr. Mock's legacy is alive through her colleagues and students.

Respectfully,

Martha L. Hare, Ph.D., R.N
NIH/National Institute of Nursing Research
Program Director

# Margaret Barton-Burke, Ph.D., R.N. said on November 17, 2007 8:01 AM:

The death of Vicki Mock leaves a gap in the field of oncology nursing, nursing science, and the profession.  We met when she was conducting her dissertation research and we remainded friends and colleagues since that time.  I learned and was mentored in many aspects of research from Vicki from developing a code book, to presenting and then publishing research findings.  This was all done in Vicki's special way of gentle and generous guiding of the work.  She was a kind and special person who gave of herself in ways that most notable people do not and she always made time, even if it was just for a cup of tea.  She loved her Johns Hopkins family as much as she loved her own family.  We will miss her but we know that she has left her mark on all of us.  It is now our job to remember how Vicki shared with each of us, and pass those kindnesses to the next generation of nurses and nurses scientists.

Sincerely,
Margaret Barton-Burke, Ph.D., R.N.

# Jane M. Fall-Dickson, RN, PhD said on November 17, 2007 12:27 PM:

Vicki Mock was a stellar person who gave of her knowledge, regarding nursing research and herself, to me when I was a PhD student at the JHU SON. She continued through the years to always help when I asked her. She was a rare human being who was quietly powerful because she had integrity, scholarship, and a calming way of moving a project forward. She gave so much. No matter how tired she was she would always ask how others were doing. I spoke to her a few weeks ago and did not know how sick she was. Through her fatigue and perhaps existential concerns, she asked quietly how our family was coping and apologized for a late reply to an e-mail. For you, my dear Vicki. God speed.

"...and when she shall die,
Take her and cut her out in little stars,
And she will make the face of heaven so fine
That all the world will be in love with night,
And pay no worship to the garish sun."

Jane M. Fall-Dickson

# Dolores Elliott MSN APRN BC said on November 17, 2007 3:43 PM:

Dr. Mock was a brilliant scholar, researcher, educator, role-model and nurse with warmth and compassion.  I liked her smile and receptive demeanor.  She embodied our alma mater's, The Catholic University of America, mission of mentorship of others with passion and dedication.

It is a loss for our profession and for all who knew her.

May His light shine upon you, Vicki.

# Wendy Blakely, PhD, RN said on November 17, 2007 11:37 PM:

Vicki Mock’s professional impact as a gifted scientist, scholar, teacher, and mentor is internationally known. For those of us who knew her personally, however, her qualities as an extraordinary human being left an even greater indelible imprint on our lives. I had the honor of being a student in her awesome symptom management class and having her as a dissertation committee member. One year, I don’t remember which one, one of my doctoral student colleagues happened to mention my birthday to her. She sent me a birthday card that year, and every birthday since, even after I graduated and moved to Ohio, and even though I never remembered her birthday. Such an act was so typical of her thoughtful and giving nature. She always saw the best and brought out the best in others. Vicki treated every person she met with the same high degree of gracious kindness and respect, regardless of job title or status. How privileged I feel to have had such a great teacher and mentor that losing her hurts this much. I pray that she will find the same joy and peace in heaven that she has given to us here on earth.

Wendy Blakely
PhD alumna
Assistant Professor, Ohio State University College of Nursing

# Tao Liang, doctoral student, PUMC, Beijing China said on November 19, 2007 3:32 AM:

I got the sad short-text from my friend yesterday concerning profressor Vicik Mock. I could not believe it absolutely. Today I surffed the JH Son website, it sure was!! What is a pity!  All the pictures about Vicik Mock, her sound,her face, emerged in mind. These pictures were not so clear, but they were so beautful!!  Thanks for Vicik and her husband, with their helps, my friends and I had a wonderful time at JH Son in Baltimore!  I will really miss her.

Tao Liang
Doctoral student
Doctor Cooperation program JH Son and PUMC Son

# Janice M. Phillips, PhD, RN, FAAN said on November 19, 2007 1:43 PM:

My sincere condolences regarding the passing of Dr. Mock. My prayers and thoughts go with you as you celebrate her life and contributions to nursing and JHU today.

As one of her NINR Program Officers, I too know first hand of her remarkable contributions to oncology nursing. I remember her husband as well who always accompanied her to the ONS meetings and was mindful to send me Christmas cards.

Take care, just wanted you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you and the faculty.

Janice M. Phillips, PhD, RN, FAAN
Nurse Researcher
University of Chicago Hospitals

# Vicki J. Coombs, PhD, RN, FAHA said on November 19, 2007 2:29 PM:

My sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Vicki Mock.  

Dr. Mock served on my doctoral dissertation committee, much as she served in life:  with compassion, dignity, sincerity and honesty.  

Her passing is a great loss to the nursing profession and to all who loved her.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Vicki J. Coombs, PhD, RN, FAHA
JHU SON PHD Alumni (2005)
Executive Director
The Midatlantic Cardiovascular Foundation

# Jessica Gill, PhD, RN said on November 20, 2007 8:14 AM:

Dr. Mock brought a sense of peace and love to all those who knew her. I remember being in a meeting with her regarding a heated issue. She was able to modulate extreme personalities and ideas for the benefit of the student in a way that I don't feel anyone else could of. She seemed to operate in this manner in all settings, with integrity, kindness and exuding a sense of peace. She was able to inspire students, including myself, and has inspired me to use my research to improve the lives of others. Dr. Mock will be truelly missed, but I hope because of her dedication to her students, her vision of nursing research will live on through our careers.

# Zou Haiou said on November 20, 2007 8:55 AM:

Dear Dean Hill and Dr. Nolan,

Attached is the condolence letter from Prof. Lu, she is out of town and asked me to send her letter to you. She really felt sad about the new. We all feel so. Our doctoral students and faculty will joint together and remember Dr. Mock on this Friday. take care

haiou

# Lu Chongmei said on November 20, 2007 8:56 AM:

Dear Dean Hill and Dr. Nolan,

I was shocked when I was told the news of Vicki's death. I know she was not feeling well recently, but the sudden death brought an end to this wonderful lady that was too soon.

Words really cannot express how sad I feel.  My heart is filled with sympathy on the loss of beloved Vicki. Vicki was such a vibrant, talented, caring woman and dearly loved by everyone here at PUMC. As I write, flooded with precious memories, I am recalling the day when I first met Vicki at JHU to talk about the idea of starting the joint PhD program. She was so dedicated to this program.  She has done well and we will be eternally grateful for her great contributions.  The students, advisors and faculties who involved in our joint PhD program were totally shocked and feel heartbroken to loss such a dear friend. We will gather to remember her on this Friday.  Please extend our deep condolence to Quent, Grey and other Vicki’s family members.

I know how much you will miss Vicki. We all will. We will remember the many blessings of the beautiful days she with us.  She will forever be with us: her dignity and modest, her sincerely and honesty, her commitment, her undying love for our students and her optimistic toward life.

LuChongmei, MD
PI - PUMC, Joint PhD program
Professor and President, PUMC Hospital

# Pat Reid Ponte RN, CNO and Edward Benz, MD, CEO said on November 20, 2007 10:59 AM:

Martha,

I just called your office and left a message for you with your assistant. We are so terribly saddened by the news of the loss of Dr. Vicki Mock, PhD, RN, FAAN. You may know that Vicki served on the DFCI External Advisory Board for our Cantor Center for Nursing Research. We learned so much from Vicki over the years through her collaborative support, incredible knowledge, compassion and expertise. We will miss her greatly. We know how difficulty this must be for you, your faculty, students and staff and for all those patients and families who so greatly benefited from Vicki’s work.

Warmly and with our sincere condolences,
Pat Reid Ponte RN, CNO and Edward Benz, MD, CEO
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, MA

# Alva P. Hutchison - AM. Cancer Society said on November 20, 2007 5:06 PM:

Ray Lenhard just shared with us the passing of Vicki Mock.  I am again saddened to hear of a loss to the Hopkins Oncology family and friends.  I join others in remembering Vicki as a gentle person, always kind, reaching out to make a difference.  Again, we are reminded that the fight to control cancer must continue.

On behalf of our organization, I extend my sympathy to you and your colleagues.

Best wishes to you,

# Li Yang said on November 20, 2007 9:15 PM:

I felt very sad about the news. These days I always remember the time we studied in the Johs Hopkins University. Dr. Mock arranged everything well for us, she was concerned about our study and lives very much. She really gave us much help and surpport. I will always remember her smile and kindness!

# Huaping Liu said on November 20, 2007 9:22 PM:

Dear Dean Hill,

Sometimes news arrives that literally cuts off your breath and paralyses your brain. You don't have a single second to take in the news that is being communicated. In fact, we have learned that Dr. Vicki Mock had a serious medical condition a couple of months ago, we knew that she undergoing a trying time for treatment and recovery. However, when reality comes, we still cannot escape the shock from it. There is an emptiness that will be with us for a very longtime.

We got to know Dr. Mock when we first start our pioneering joint PhD nursing program in 2003. Dr. Mock was one of the founders of this program which we established with so much effort. Since 2005, Dr. Mock visit PUMC twice every year, she devoted herself on selecting and interviewing qualified candidates, providing high-quality lectures and tutoring students’ thesis. Her last time came to PUMC is May 2007, that was only six months ago! How can we come to cope with such a sudden disappearance of a person whom one considers a close friend and colleague?

We in School of Nursing join the rest of our colleagues in Medical School in sending our deep condolence to Dr. Mock’s family and to the people of School of Nursing, JHU on this sad loss. This is indeed a painful moment, but we trust that the loss of beloved Vicki will inspire us even more to accomplish the program.

On Friday moring, our faculty and doctoral students will gather in the main campus of PUMC School of Nursing's office to remember Vicki and to support each other.

We will forever keep dear Vicki alive in our hearts.

Huaping & Faculty of School of Nursing

Huaping Liu, RN, PhD
Dean and Associate Professor
School of Nursing
Peking Union Medical College

# Christopher Friese, RN, PhD, AOCN said on November 21, 2007 1:05 AM:

Vicki Mock was the consummate scholar; she epitomized the integration of practice, education, and research. I first met Vicki as a young staff nurse at JHH and her love for oncology nursing research was infectious. Vicki leaves us with a powerful legacy of using nursing research to improve patient outcomes. I mourn this loss, but I am also grateful for her many contributions to the profession. Her warmth and kindness will be missed. My thoughts are with Vicki's family at this difficult time.

Christopher R. Friese, RN, PhD, AOCN
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

# Peng Wentao, Wang Yan, Wang Yanhong, Lv Yan, Chi Juntao, Guo Aimin. doctoral students, PUMC said on November 21, 2007 6:51 AM:

It was a profound shock and sorrow that we learned of the passing of Vicki Mock. We are all grateful for her dedication to the jiont PhD nursing program, which greatly promote the development of advanced nursing education in China. As an eminent scholar, researcher and educator, She made outstanding contribution to profession. Her kindness, dignity, wisdom and  sincerity will be missed forever!

# Xiaokun Liang said on November 21, 2007 9:08 PM:

I can not believe it is true when I got this shock news. I still remember the last time I met with Dr Mock in Beijing in this April. She said, "Please send to me your paper whenever you finish… Good luck for your study." Her smile is still in my mind. We had a wonderful time when we studied in the Johns Hopkins. She arranged everything for us whenever we need her help.

She is a real scholar, educator and scientist. She have had made a great contribution to her loved nursing school and professional career. It has been influenced with students around the world.

I extend my sympathy to her husband, her family and her colleagues.

Dr Mock will be alive in my heart forever.

Xiaokun Liang
Doctoral student of joint doctoral program
PUMC and SON JHMI

# Yu Jia said on November 24, 2007 9:13 PM:

Dr Mock impressed everyone arounded her with gentle smile and unselfish help.She knowed how to listen and appreciate others with her heart. Now we miss her as a helpful mentor, a true  friend,and a kind soul.

# Linda Rose, RN, PhD said on November 26, 2007 10:06 AM:

Vicki Mock was my mentor and colleague and I was privileged to work with her over the last several years. She was an amazing role model who guided me and other faculty in the pursuit of our goals. I will always remember her kind smile and her unfailing support.  I felt honored to work with her and to know her as a scholar.

# Faith Howarth said on November 27, 2007 8:48 AM:

Having had Vicki Mock as a Graduate Student....

Enjoying a chat when seeing her regularly as Clinical Faculty for several years...

The memorial hour for Vicki was so moving and so sad...

I remember Vicki as...

         Generous with her intellect, with her caring, of her spirit
         She was an inspiration to me and so many others.
         Vicki was ........Serenely Exceptional. 
          We we so fortunate to have known her.

Faith  

# Peter Kokol said on November 27, 2007 1:59 PM:

We were shocked when we received the news of Prof. Mock's death. Words really cannot express how sad we feel.   We first met Vicki at JHU on December 2004 when we  talked about the idea of starting the cooperation between JH SON and the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Maribor, Slovenia. She was a great supporter of our collaboration which resulted in student and staff exchange and the signing of cooperation agreement between our two faculties.  

I know how much you will miss Vicki. We all will, but we will remember her dignity, her honesty, her commitment, and her optimisms toward life.

Prof. Peter Kokol Ph.D., acting dean
Helena Blažun, M.Sc, secretary general
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor, Slovenia

# Joyce M. Ciszek, MBA said on November 27, 2007 4:54 PM:

Dr. Vicki Mock was the Chair of the Department of Health Systems & Outcomes at The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.  When I began working for her as her Department Manager, she requested that our relationship be a partnership.  Her genuine warmth in addition to her incredible knowledge and experience was truly something to behold.  I was privileged to witness her daily.  Vicki was extremely dedicated to the School of Nursing Core Values-Excellence, Respect, Diversity, Integrity and Accountability.  She spoke of their utmost importance at all of our department meetings as well as in her interactions with me.  Dr. Mock felt that it was the Values that would enable the faculty, staff and students to accomplish the mission of the School.  Actions speak louder than words.  Dear Vicki, by her example, represented all of the core values in her everyday interactions with her colleagues, her students, her friends, as the Chair of HS&O and the staff.  I am honored to have been her partner.  She and the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Values are truly one and the same.  

Dear Vicki, Dear Partner, I will miss you.  Love, Your Partner Always, Joyce

Joyce M. Ciszek, MBA
Department Administrative Manager
Department of Health Systems & Outcomes
The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

# Peggy Vettese said on December 1, 2007 9:32 AM:

I was so saddened and shocked to learn about Vicki's recent death.  I first met Vicki many years ago during a recruitment visit to Boston College.  I then was delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with her during my tenure on the faculty at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.  She simply was an amazing person, researcher, teacher, colleague, and caring friend.  She also joined our external advisory board at the Cantor Center for Nursing Research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute a couple of years ago.  So, I feel privileged to have had the benefits of interacting with her again in the not too distant past.  She will be missed but her work will be a living legacy, and I know that her husband and son will gain solace from this and of course, their own memories of her love for them always.   Thank you for allowing me to share these thoughts and I hope to join you for the commemorative event in January.  Respectfully, Peggy Vettese

# Akiko TONOSAKI said on December 2, 2007 4:14 PM:

Dr. Vicki Mock was very tender and warmhearted person. I met her the first time in August 2006 at the passenger’s gate of Baltimore International Airport. She picked us up herself in her Japanese Honda Accord. Our arrival date was just a few days after of the act of terrorism at Heathrow Airport in London. Vicki had kindly sent me an e-mail that said, “I guess you would be very nervous for your flight at this time. I am going to wait you at the Baltimore Airport. If the arrival time would be very late, I can wait there, so don’t worry.”  

Next, Dr. Mock visited Tokyo from 28th June to 1st July 2007 to present at St Luke’s College of Nursing, Tokyo. She was always gentle and had a soft smile; as her presentations were quite logical and practical, they were extremely useful for our Japanese audience. We Japanese developed great respect for her at this time. But, we thought she looked a little bit tired and assumed it was because of jetlag. After Vicki returned to her hometown, she sent me an e-mail and she said in it, “I definitely want to come back!” However, I am sad to say, her wish was not to come true. I will miss her very much.

Akiko TONOSAKI, RN, PhD

Associate Professor, Adult Nursing and Oncology Nursing

St Luke’s College of Nursing, Tokyo Japan

# Kathy Sabatier said on December 5, 2007 4:36 PM:

I learned of Vicki's death only today and, when I read the notice, it took my breath away!  During my years at the School of Nursing, Vicki was somone I always knew I could count on to listen well and respond thoughtfully and wisely to any idea that I shared with her.  Her gentle manner put colleagues, students and patients at ease.  She taught all of us so much.  Our world is richer for having had her in it, and we will miss her greatly.

Kathy Sabatier,

(former) Director of the Institute for Johns Hopkins Nursing

Magnet Coordinator-Franlin Square Hospital Center

# Kayleen Bailey said on December 5, 2007 10:39 PM:

I searched for Dr. Mock's e-mail address today, only to find this article posted.   Last December, I e-mailed Dr. Mock to receive a critique on a grant that I had written.   Although we had never met, she gave me superior advice via e-mail and I distinctly remember her comment of, "I hope we can work together in the future."  As an undergrad kid, hearing those words from such a  accomplished woman made me feel awesome.  If she could make me feel that great just by a few e-mails, I can't imagine how much she will be missed by those who knew her personally.  I am very sorry that I missed that opportunity to work with her again.  

# Marilyn Howe Rhodes said on December 10, 2007 6:45 PM:

Vicki and I were classmates at Duke University for 4 years and 3 summers, while we completed the BSN program there. At that time, the nurses lived in their own dorms, separate from the rest of the women, so we all became very close. I will always remember Vicki's soft voice and southern accent, her wonderful smile, and her ready laugh. She was a very kind person who always seemed ready to help any of her classmates. I was impressed with her intellectual ability, but moreso her gentleness and compassion. I worked in the field of oncology for 26 years and followed Vicki's illustrious career and her many valuable contributions to oncology nursing research. She was such an asset to our profession, and she will be missed by many. I send my condolences to her family.

# Jennifer Hatzfeld said on December 11, 2007 10:09 AM:

Dr. Mock accomplished my interview for entrance into the nursing PhD program at JHU. Although I was terribly nervous, she was so gracious and down-to-earth it not only helped me in the interview, it also helped my decision to enroll in the program. During my first year of coursework, I was fortunate enough to take a grant-writing course and a publication class taught by her, and I was always impressed with the way she so artfully wove humility, wisdom and very high expectations into her feedback. I know I'll remember Dr. Mock with each grant proposal and manuscript I submit, and I'm proud to be able to carry on a small piece of her legacy through my work.

# Sandra Goldsby, BSN, RN, said on December 16, 2007 10:17 PM:

Vicki and I were classmates at Duke University School Of Nursing (Class of '64) and we worked on Hanes Ward, at Duke, the first year our of school. In the summer of 65, Vicki and I took off together and moved to San Francisco - she to get her Masters and I to work at UC Med Center.

The trip across country in Vicki's 1959 Ford was a true adventure - travelling through Arizona in the middle of summer - the car breaking down - Vicki loosing her wallet (left on the roof of the car??) - braving a drive into Los Angeles. What a trip! We ended up on a  road just south of San Francisco and took photos because the road was called Pigeon Point Rd - same street she had lived on in Beaufort, SC! We shared an apartment in SF near UC Med Center and then rarely saw each other because Vicki was in school and working some shifts to help with the rent and I was working. At the end of the year, Vicki left the area and we did not see each other again until 2004, at our 40th Duke reunion. I am just so glad she made it to the reunion.

I have been travelling for 2 months, so only just now heard that she had died. So sad for someone so young and someone who made such an impact on nursing. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Sandra Foster Goldsby

Vancouver, BC, Canada

# Jackie Dienemann said on December 19, 2007 5:54 PM:

Vicki and Quent became our friends when she came to work at JHU and did a small grant as part of the P20 that I was managing. It was amazing to see how she built that small grant into a major program of oncology research in fatigue management. Vicki was a person of quiet wisdom who had a clear vision of what she desired to accomplish. Quent was ever at her side supporting and cheering her every success. Very few people are able to combine practice wisdom and research acumen as she did. Her real interest and concern for others -- be they patients, students, colleagues or friends empowered others to become more then they had imagined. She came as the Kerley Scholar to UNC Charlotte to mentor faculty and assist them to develop as scholars. She is warmly remembers as a person who encouraged and provided much needed guidance to many. Her suggestions on how to improve the infrastructure to support faculty development continues as a template for growth. I am thankful to have known Vicki and shared her early years at JHU and for the friendship that continues in my heart. Jackie

# Jayne Fernsler said on January 2, 2008 12:55 PM:

Victoria Mock was a consumate scholar, an outstanding mentor, and a warm and caring human being who will be greatly missed by all who knew her. In her quiet, unassuming, and dignified manner she brought knowledge and hope to the field of cancer care. I feel honored to have known her for nearly 20 years and to have benefitted from her many contributions to the nursing profession, as well as to patients and families. I can only imagine how much she will be missed by her family and her colleagues at Johns Hopkins. You have my sincere condolences.

# Sharon Earley Reeves, MAS, MScN, RN said on January 8, 2008 5:42 PM:

I had the privilege and honor to know Vicki throughout her years at Hopkins Hospital and University. She was a kind, caring and warm woman. A true role model and exemplary in her work and research. When a several of my family members were diagnosed with cancer over the years - it was Vicki I turned to for information, treatment options, strength and comfort. Without hesitation she was always there for me. It is her kindness, gentle manner and smile that I will forever remember. Having been out of town for sometime I just learned of her death. Her family are in my prayers. I plan to attend the commemortive gathering in her honor. Sharon Earley Reeves Churchville, Maryland

# JOHN S. MURRAY, Colonel, USAF, NC said on January 24, 2008 8:33 AM:

I am a member of the NINR Advisory Council and learned today of the sad news that Vicki Mock died. Vicki was my thesis Chair at Boston College and the reason why I became a nurse researcher in pediatric oncology. I have always thought the world of her. She was not only a wonderful teacher and mentor but a truly special person. You and your faculty are in my thoughts, prayers and heart during this difficult time. With Sympathy John Murray

# Julie Hohmeister, MSN,ARNP said on January 26, 2008 7:14 PM:

I extend my sincerest thoughts of sympathy to Dr. Mock's family and associates at JHU with the news of her passing. Dr. Mock was an invaluable researcher and leader in the profession who will be greatly missed. She was a wonderful professor, offering excellence in the education of her nursing students. I was fortunate to have had her as a professor while she was at Boston College in the early 90's in the graduate program there. She spoke fondly then of her association with JH.

# James Thornton said on January 29, 2008 8:19 PM:

I knew Vicki as a high school classmate in Beaufort, SC. She will be remembered by me as bright and always caring. It seems these early glimpses of her potential were fullfilled. She will be missed by all who knew her. Jim Thornton BHS Class of 1960 Banking Consultant, New Orleans, LA

# Alva Hutchison, American Cancer Society said on January 30, 2008 2:31 PM:

Remembering Victoria Mock, The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, January 14, 2008.

I am honored to be with you today, representing your American Cancer Society, our staff and volunteers, as we remember Dr. Victoria Mock. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends and colleagues.

I first met Vicki around 1997-98. My job with the American Cancer Society had changed and I came to Baltimore. This was a time when the Maryland Division of the ACS was merging to become the Mid-Atlantic Division. As happens with non-profits during times of change, there were restricted funds that must honor the intent of the donor. So it was with funding we had in the Maryland Division for our Oncology Nursing Professors program. The award honored an oncology nurse educator for contributions to cancer-related clinical practice, education and research.

The research of Dr. Mock immediately came to mind and so Victoria Mock, as an associate professor here at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, was named an American Cancer Society Professor of Oncology Nursing by the ACS Mid-Atlantic Division, Maryland Council. Dr. Mock used our minimal funds to build her research around the role of exercise to reduce fatigue in women undergoing treatment for *** cancer. She had 48 women in her study. She found that simply walking reduced their fatigue and anxiety, made them feel stronger and more capable, reduced sleeping problems and improved the overall quality of life. As you know, she continued this work and contributed to changes in the counseling patients receive today.

As I prepared for today, a slogan from another ACS program came to mind. Lane Adams, a former executive, coined the phrase for our Quality of Life programs as the “warm hand of service”. An award for nursing and social work clinicians carries his name and several clinicians from Hopkins have received the Lane Adams Award. The American Cancer Society is strongly dedicated to its goal of achieving measurable improvements in the quality of life – physical, psychological, social and spiritual – from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life for all cancer survivors.

I remember Vicki giving a “warm hand of service”.

What I remember is Vicki the person – beyond the academic setting and this commendable research institution. As an American Cancer Society volunteer, she was humble and extremely appreciative of our minimal funding. She was dedicated to serve as a volunteer on our local ACS Council. Her husband would often drop her off and then wait around to pick her up after the meetings in our White Marsh office. So – much too late – Quent, I’m telling you thank you for supporting her commitment to the ACS.

Just today I received an email from our national research department. The Peer Review Committee on Scholarships and Professorships in Cancer Nursing met on Friday in Atlanta. The chair, Dr. Mel Haberman, began the meeting with an invitation to the group to share their memories of Vicki.

"The reviewers, all of whom are leaders in the field of oncology nursing science, described Vicki as a "tireless and superior nurse scientist" who was the recipient of the first Oncology Nursing Society FIRE grant. Dr. Susan McMillan, who served with Vicki on various review groups, saw her as someone who was always concerned for young researchers and thus a mentor to those who didn't even know her. Dr. Susan Bauer-Wu shared that Vicki had been her first mentor in her academic career. She acknowledged not only her superb guidance and commitment, including her willingness to tirelessly read all her papers, but also the kindness and support she and her husband, Quent, showed to her as a new resident of the Boston area.

In browsing the grants database, I noted that Vicki had received a pilot project grant in 1995 through the Society's Institutional Research Grant awarded to Johns Hopkins. We were pleased to realize that the American Cancer Society played a small part in helping her become the extraordinary researcher she was. The other entries in the database, however, were perhaps more indicative of how Vicki contributed to her chosen field. These grants are scholarships for graduate nursing students, and Vicki served as advisor to these individuals.

On Friday, the Peer Review Committee was tasked with approving requests to change advisors for JHU students who currently hold these scholarships, and so we were starkly reminded of the school's loss of this remarkable woman. Even without this reminder, however, the committee wondered just how it would be possible to fill the void left by Vicki Mock's passing." Ginger Krawiec

2007 was a difficult year for the oncology family here at Hopkins, losing Dr. Victoria Mock, but also among others was the loss of Dr. Martin Abeloff.

Perhaps, more than other years, in 2007 the burden of the disease of cancer became real. It is through such personal loss that we are reminded that the fight to control cancer must continue.

On behalf of the American Cancer Society, I extend deepest sympathy – but also I want to express a sincere appreciation that my path of life crossed with Vicki Mock.

Thank you.

# Joellen W. Hawkins said on February 2, 2008 2:58 PM:

What a loss for nursing and for oncology nursing research. Only today did I learn of Vicki's death. She was a wonderful colleague during her years in Boston. I am saddened for her family and for all of you at Johns Hopkins, her extended family, including colleagues, present and former students, staff members, and patients whose lives she touched.

# Alice Lowery R. Pepper said on February 6, 2008 5:32 PM:

I attended high school in Beaufort,S.C. with Vicki.She always had a smile for all and a sense of humor no matter what she faced.. I send her family my condolences. It appears that she continued her kindness to those needing her..With her research..I am sure she has helped many.

# chris J. de Jongh said on February 18, 2008 1:48 PM:

As a physical therapist I was honored to hear prof.Mock at a lecture in 2000 at the milestones gathering Free university Amsterdam, the Netherlands. From that moment I was deeply inspired and she never left me as an inspiration to develop programs for improving quality of life for patients with cancer. I wish every one the strenght to continu her mission.

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# Esther Muscari Desimini said on May 30, 2008 10:33 PM:

My sad heart and grief go to Quent and Vicki's son. I am gratified to know so many people loved Vicki as that means she was loved in life, as we would all like to know, and is being remembered as we all would like. As we all agree, Vicki so deserved the kindness and deep deep affection and respect that she did receive and is reflected in everyone's grief for that is how she treated everyone she enountered. I was struck so many times by her graciousness and receptiveness to others----even those not half as kind or pleasant. Wow!, what an amazing loving soul!!! To Quent, you were SUCH a supportive and adoring husband. I am grateful she had you for a partner and that you were so devoted to her. My heart goes out to you today and in the days/months/years ahead. I only just learned of Vicki's death and am so SO sorry I didnt know sooner as i would have reached out immediately. You both were so kind and so good to me and my girls. I will always remember. To Vicki's son: I know you knew how loving your mom was and I'm sure you are as special as your mom. She spoke so loving of you every time I saw her and I had always hoped I'd meet you someday. If you find your way to Charlottesville, VA, the door is always open. When your mom and Quent visited us, it was quite the treat. So with my girls, we extend our deepest sympathies to you. With great love and gratitude that Vicki befriended and "bementored" me. xoxo always, Esther

# Lane Cameron said on June 11, 2008 10:55 PM:

I'm stunned. Had not heard from Vicki in over a year. Wish I had called her last year. She was my boss for 3 years at JHU. The best! I've never met anybody like Vicki. So meek, gentle and the embodiment of grace and kindness. I would've liked to have given her back some of the loving care at the end of her life, the kind she gave to others so freely, so often. Vicki, I love you and will never forget you. Quent, my prayers are with you. Laney Cameron

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