Opinion|Articles|July 4, 2026

Nurse Tackles Food Insecurity to Improve Cancer Patient Outcomes

Listen

0:00 / 0:00

Key Takeaways

Patient-centered chronic pain care is strengthened when clinical interventions are integrated with sustained therapeutic communication, trust-building, and tailored psychosocial support.
Attention to food insecurity operationalizes social determinants of health within specialty clinics and reframes symptom management as inseparable from basic needs security.
Piloting the Hunger Vital Sign enables systematic identification of at-risk patients and supports earlier referral pathways to community-based nutrition and assistance resources.
Clinic-wide education and protocol change can normalize equity-focused screening, improving coordination beyond prescriptions and procedures while reinforcing a culture of accountability.

Zachary Rieke, of MD Anderson Cancer Center, pioneered a screening tool to identify and address food insecurity among pain management patients.

Zachary Rieke exemplifies the highest standards of compassionate and holistic nursing care through his work at a pain management clinic, where he consistently goes beyond clinical duties to address the broader needs of his patients. His extraordinary commitment to alleviating suffering is evident in the individualized attention he provides, ensuring that each patient's pain is managed not only through medical interventions, but also through empathetic listening and tailored support. Rieke's approach fosters trust and healing, making him a pillar of comfort for those navigating chronic pain.

What truly sets Rieke apart is his deep awareness of the social determinants of health, particularly the impact of food insecurity on patient outcomes. Recognizing that access to nutritious food is essential for recovery and overall well-being, Rieke initiated a project aimed at educating his clinical team about the importance of screening for health care disparities. His advocacy has led to the integration of routine assessments for food access and other social needs into patient care protocols, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive the support they need beyond prescriptions and procedures.

Through Rieke's leadership, the institution is now piloting a Hunger Vital Sign tool to screen all patients for food insecurity, an effort that reflects his vision for a more equitable, patient-centered model of care. This initiative not only increases early identification of at-risk individuals, but also strengthens care coordination by connecting patients to essential community resources.

Rieke has cultivated a culture of awareness and action within his clinic, inspiring colleagues to view patients through a broader lens of equity and compassion. His work not only improves individual lives, but also enhances the health care system's ability to respond to the complex realities patients face.

Zachary Rieke's dedication to both clinical excellence and social justice makes him a model nurse and a transformative force in patient-centered care.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don't forget to subscribe to CURE®'s newsletters here.