Verónica De la Maza is a pediatric oncology nurse, educator, and researcher whose work is transforming how families in Chile—and across Latin America—navigate the childhood cancer journey. Based in Santiago, she serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Chile’s Faculty of Medicine, where she leads innovative research that empowers caregivers and improves treatment outcomes for pediatric oncology patients.
With more than 15 years of experience, De la Maza’s career began as an intern nurse in oncology and has evolved into a leadership role in Chile’s national pediatric cancer landscape. She has secured competitive research funding for six investigator-led projects, including studies demonstrating the power of structured caregiver education in improving treatment adherence and reducing adverse events. Her work has been published in high-impact journals and regularly presented at international forums, including the SIOP Congress.
De la Maza serves on the Institutional Review Board at Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital and contributes to the Education Subcommittee of Chile’s National Pediatric Antineoplastic Drug Program (PINDA). Since 2021, she has also taught in the St. Jude Global Nurse Educator Training Program, further advancing regional capacity building in pediatric cancer care.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Nursing with a specialization in pediatrics from Universidad de los Andes, as well as diplomas in clinical research methodology and biostatistics from the University of Chile. Her continued academic and professional growth reflects her deep commitment to delivering evidence-based, family-centered care.
De la Maza joined the Master’s in Global Child Health program at St. Jude to enhance her understanding of health systems and deepen her impact through international collaboration. She believes caregiver education is a powerful, scalable solution in resource-limited settings—and is determined to lead the development of national-level education programs that improve outcomes for children with cancer in Chile and beyond.
Hometown: Santiago, Chile
Education:
2023 - Diploma in Biostatistics and Applied Epidemiology - University of Chile
2017 - Pediatric Chemotherapy and Biotherapy for Latin America, Association of Pediatric Hematology – Oncology Nurses (APHON) - Buenos Aires, Argentina
2013 - Diploma in Clinical Research Methodology - University of Chile
2008 - Bachelor of Nursing with a Specialization in Pediatrics - University of Los Andes
Publications:
De la Maza V, Fernández CM, Concha RL, Santolaya ME, Villarroel CM, Castro CM, Torres JP. "Impact of an Educational Program for Parents of Children with Cancer on Increasing Knowledge of Their Child’s Illness and Reducing Anxiety." Rev. Chil. Pediatr. Vol. 86, No. 5, pp. 351 – 356. 2015.
De la Maza V, RN, Simian D, RN, Castro M, RN, Torres JP, MD, PhD, Lucero Y, RN, Sepúlveda F, RN, Mazquiaran S, RN, Salazar, RN, Segovia L, RN, Santolaya ME, MD. "Administration Time for the First Dose of Antimicrobials in Episodes of Febrile Neutropenia in Children with Cancer." Pediatr Infect Dis J. October 2015; 34(10):1069-1073. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000000820.
De la Maza V, Manríquez M, Castro M, Viveros P, Fernández M, Vogel E, Peña E, Santolaya ME, Villarroel M, Torres. "Impact of a Structured Educational Programme for Caregivers of Children with Cancer on Parental Knowledge of the Disease and Pediatric Clinical Outcomes During the First Year of Treatment." Eur J Cancer Care (Engl). July 2020; 24 doi: 10.1111/ecc.13294.
De la Maza V, Fuentes V, Cabrolier E, Fernández MS, Saéz S, Concha C, Nicklas C, Castro M, Torres JP. "Efficacy, Safety, and Pain Level of Subcutaneous Catheter Use for Administration of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) in Children With Cancer: A Randomized Pilot Study." J Pediatr Hematol Oncol Nurs.September-October 2023; 40(5):305-312.
De la Maza V, Fierro V, Facusse C, Carvajal D, Pavez T, Méndez K, Barra M, Torres JP, Torres D, Moscoso P, Santolaya M, Paris C. Assessment of Caregivers and Their Children With Cancer Regarding Information Provided by Healthcare Teams: Advancing Stages Toward the Creation of a Structured Education Program at the National Level. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2025 Apr;72(4):e31577. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31577. Epub 2025 Feb 4. PMID: 39905560.