Dr. Belcher’s research focuses on understanding and improving health outcomes among patients with high cost, advanced cancers. Her research and training have been supported by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Nursing Research (K23NR019296), the American Cancer Society, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Future of Nursing Scholars), the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, the Center for Nursing Excellence in Palliative Care at Emory University, the Alpha Epsilon chapter of Sigma, and intramural awards from the University of Pittsburgh. Her current research is examining multi-level predictors and outcomes of different phases of adherence to oral anticancer medications among patients with hematologic malignancies (R01CA292925).
She is a member of the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Biobehavioral Cancer Control Program; core faculty with the Palliative Research Center (PaRC), with a secondary appointment in the School of Medicine; and a faculty affiliate of the Center for Pharmaceutical Policy and Prescribing in the School of Medicine and the Center for Health Equity in the School of Public Health.
Dr. Belcher received her BSN from The Ohio State University. She completed an oncology nursing internship at Duke University Medical Center. She earned her PhD at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing with a focus in cancer survivorship. Her postdoctoral fellowship was in biobehavioral oncology at Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She earned a graduate Health Equity Certificate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health.
- Cancer treatment adherence
- Cancer and treatment related financial toxicity
- Cancer and cancer therapy outcomes
- Cancer survivorship
- Symptom science
- Family caregivers
Dr. Belcher currently teaches the doctoral Cancer Survivorship seminar, Health Promotion at the graduate level, and facilitates doctoral research apprenticeship experiences. She is a member of the teaching faculty on the School of Nursing’s T32 grant to train scholars in technology research to improve chronic and critical illness. An Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) with experience in nursing management and clinical expertise in cancer care across the disease trajectory, she has previously taught interdisciplinary students across levels of training. She guest lectures on career development, mentorship, and numerous aspects of oncology nursing and has taught and mentored nursing and interdisciplinary students across levels of training.
Within the School of Nursing, Dr. Belcher is active on the PhD Council and serves on the Progress and Graduation Committee. Dr. Belcher is an active member of national and international organizations, including the Oncology Nursing Society, the International Society for Medication Adherence (ESPACOMP), and the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC). She has served on study sections and reviewed grants for the NIH, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, the CDC, and other small grant mechanisms. Dr. Belcher has provided numerous community-based presentations on oncology topics and scientific careers to oncology nurses and to school-age children.