"Although I have worked with youngsters with a variety of medical diagnosis, my passion has been working with youth diagnosed with cancer, brain tumors, serious blood disorders, or a chronic, complex disease like sickle cell requiring blood or marrow transplant, and their families. I recognized that these families had emotional and support needs that went well beyond what physicians and nurses could provide and wanted to make sure that regardless of ethnicity and socioeconomic background the child/family did not feel alone or that their voices were not heard as they navigated the medical system. The Hope and Cope program was developed to address these disparities,” stated Dr Avi Madan-Swain who was recently honored with the Wright Ross Salk Award for distinguished service in pediatric psychology.
The Award from the Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP), a division of the American Psychological Association, "recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding service in pediatric psychology through the development and implementation of significant programs, training models, prevention and intervention initiatives, professional leadership, and scholarship,” noted a report dated April 3, 2025 on the website of The University of Alabama at Birmingham from where Madan-Swain retired last year. She had been serving as Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, and Director, Hope and Cope Psychosocial Program, Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders.
When requested by Parsiana to elaborate on the programs she had designed and implemented, Madan-Swain specified that the Hope and Cope Psychosocial and Education Program provides support and services to families of children suffering from life-threatening ailments. "It has been gratifying being able to be present with these families even in their darkest hours and walking with them — regardless of whether their child survived or lost their fight with cancer,” declared the pediatric psychologist.
She mentioned that this program was "the first of its kind at Children’s of Alabama Hospital and serves as a model for service delivery to other chronic illness populations,” earning her the University of Alabama-Birmingham, School of Medicine, Dean’s Excellence in Service Award a decade earlier.
Madan-Swain also received a grant from Protective Life in 2004 to develop a multi-disciplinary clinic for childhood cancer survivors. "It was the first and at that time the only survivorship clinic in the state of Alabama and served as a model for adult oncology programs a decade later,” she stated.
Actively engaged in training and raising awareness of pediatric psychology, for over a decade Madan-Swain was chair of the Academic-Scientific Affairs Committee of the Alabama Psychological Association.
Taking pride in her accomplishments, her brother Cyrus Madan, trustee of the Calcutta Zoroastrian Community’s Religious and Charity Fund, had first sent Parsiana a brief write-up mentioning that she grew up in Calcutta and completed her schooling from Loreto House. While studying for her Teachers Training Course certificate and BA in Calcutta, she volunteered at the School for Multi-handicapped Children that also served disabled children from Mother Teresa’s orphanage. The lessons she had learnt from Mother Teresa "to do small things with great love and that people may not remember what I may have said but will remember how I made them feel,” continued to inspire her over the years.
Top: Dr Avi Madan-Swain;
above: Children’s of Alabama Hospital
With a scholarship from Tata Trusts she went to the US in 1978 to pursue a doctorate in Special Education from Purdue University, focusing on children with attention difficulties. Subsequently she earned a second doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Georgia State University, with a grant to focus on learning and coping in youth diagnosed with leukemia, and their families.
"My faith has been a source of strength and support throughout my life journey. I not only believe but practice the promise I made of good thoughts, words and deeds on a daily basis. I learned early from my father Jamshed Madan, a chartered accountant, who was very involved with the Parsi community in Calcutta, the importance of not only ‘talking the talk — but more importantly walking the walk,’ providing a helping hand to those who were less fortunate. I continue to honor his memory and fight for the downtrodden and those who feel marginalized,” acknowledged the daughter.
Married for more than 40 years to James Swain who has now retired after serving for over two decades as Department Chair for Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, they had met when he was pursuing a PhD in Industrial Engineering at Purdue University. Their daughter Deanna’s research and clinical focus is autism and developmental disabilities at Denver Children’s Hospital. She is an Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine. Avi’s main reason for retiring was "to be able to spend more time with my family — both in India and here — particularly my granddaughter Laurel — who is two years old. However, I will be working part-time as a consultant helping with program development and providing training and supervision.”