Nicki Febus Head and Neck Cancer Psychology Fellowship Welcomes Inaugural Fellow

Nicki Febus was an accomplished professional with a wide circle of family and friends who came to Loyola when faced with a cancer diagnosis. Following her passing in 2024, Nicki’s friends, family, and colleagues came together in a remarkable show of support to establish the Nicki Febus Head and Neck Cancer Psychology Fellowship in her memory. Nicki was known for her kindness and generosity, and after her passing, her family sought a meaningful way to celebrate her life and honor her legacy. Even while facing her own health challenges at Loyola, Nicki remained focused on the well-being of others and expressed the desire that gifts made in her memory would help support patients navigating the same difficult diagnosis

The Nicki Febus Head and Neck Cancer Psychology Fellowship provides dedicated psychological support for individuals and families navigating the unique challenges associated with head and neck cancer. Changes to speech, eating, appearance, and social interaction can have a profound impact on quality of life for both patients and their loved ones.  The fellowship was designed to address these needs by providing psychological care, identifying emotional distress early, and helping patients and families build resilience throughout the cancer journey. 

Funded for an initial two-year period, the fellowship stands as a powerful example of how philanthropy can help channel grief to create something meaningful and lasting. In speaking about the Fund, Nicki’s sister, Kristin Foster, DNP, an oncology nurse practitioner at Iowa Health Care, said, “Through this fellowship, Nicki’s instinct to care for others will continue [and] it is one of the many ways her generosity will live on as part of her legacy.” Loyola recently welcomed Emily Maniacci, MA, as the inaugural Nicki Febus Head and Neck Cancer Psychology Fellow. Emily will help launch and develop the program while providing vital support to patients navigating the challenges of head and neck cancer.