Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Global Affairs; Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Term Professor & Co-Director of PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center
Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Global Affairs and Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Term Professor | Assistant Director of Cancer Research Training Education and Coordination, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN is the Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Global Affairs and the Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Professor in the School of Nursing. She also serves as the director of the School’s Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Center in Quality and Safety Education in Nursing and Midwifery. She is also assistant director of Cancer Research Training Education Coordination at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sylvia Lauterborn, and Warren Piver Oncology Nursing Fellowship, which provides an immersive introduction to oncology for undergraduate nursing students.
Dr. Bryant possesses expertise on older adults, palliative and supportive care, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), interprofessional collaboration, and workforce development. Her program of research focuses on delivering multidisciplinary interventions to improve symptoms, functional status, and quality of life for both older adults with blood cancers and their caregivers. Dr. Bryant just completed her NINR-funded feasibility and acceptability study—the Palliative and Collaborative Care Intervention (PACT)—investigating a nurse-led and occupational and physical therapy focused palliative and supportive care intervention for newly diagnosed adults with AML. Two papers have been published and three in preparation.
In addition to being a dedicated nurse-researcher, Dr. Bryant has maintained an active clinical practice since 2003. During that time, she has worked in cancer centers, continuing care retirement communities, and inpatient hospice facility. Her clinical roles have given her unique insight into the various settings in which older adults and patients with cancer receive care and have empowered her to pursue experience-based, research-backed development of the nursing workforce both within the United States and abroad. At home, Dr. Bryant has grown the oncology nursing careforce by developing an oncology fellowship and oncology elective course for undergraduates. Internationally, Dr. Bryant has been a pivotal member of UNC-Project Malawi, which works to build capacity for strong leadership and research-based practices in nursing, particularly oncology nursing.
Because she believes that developing the next generation of nurses and leaders is of paramount importance, Dr. Bryant is passionate about mentoring. She mentors early-career faculty, pre and post-doctoral scholars, PhD students, DNP students, Masters students, and undergraduate honors students across multiple disciplines and institutions. Her early career development and workforce development work has been published in interdisciplinary journals.
2022 North Carolina Triangle Oncology Nursing Society (TONS) Excellence in Oncology Research Award
2020 Fellow, American Academy of Nursing
2020 Laurel Archer Copp Literary Award, UNC School of Nursing
2020–2022 Anne Belcher Interprofessional Faculty Scholar in Nursing
2019 Faculty Award for Excellence in Doctoral Mentorship and Education, UNC School of Nursing
2017-2019 NIH Loan Repayment Program Clinical Scholar
2017 ONS Victoria Mock New Investigator Award
2016 ONS Excellence in Care of the Older Adult with Cancer
2014 Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto Emerging Nurse Scholar
2011-2014 American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Gerontology Content Expert Panel Member
2010 Gordon H. DeFriese Career Development in Aging Research Award, Institute of Aging, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2010 The Pauline W. Brown Diversity Scholarship Award, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing
2009-2011 Nurse Educators for Tomorrow, College Foundation for North Carolina
2009 Interdisciplinary Best Poster, Interdisciplinary Center for Aging Research: Uniting Scientists (ICARUS) Award, NC Aging Exchange
Pergolotti, M., Deal, A., Williams, G., Bryant, A.L., McCarthy, L., Nyrop, K., Reeve, B. B., Basch, E., & Muss, H. (2019). Older Adults with Cancer: A Randomized Control Trial of Occupational and Physical Therapy. Journal of American Geriatrics Society, https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.15930
Pergolotti, M., Deal, A.M., Bryant, A.L., Bennett, A. V., Severino, E., Covington, K., Lucas, K., & Williams, G. R. (2019). Senior Sway: Using a mobile application to measure fall risk. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, doi: 10.1519/JPT.0000000000000223
Newman, R., Alfano, C., Radomski, M.V., Pergolotti, M., Wolf, T., Speight, A., Bryant, A.L., Voelbel, G., de Moor, J., Nitkin, R., Daniels, E., Braveman, B., Walker, R.K., Williams, G., Winters-Stone, K.M., Cheville, A., Campbell, S., Lawlor, M., King, A., Ness, K., Drivastava, P., Lyons, K. (2019). Catalyzing Research to Optimize Cancer Survivors’ Participation in Work and Life Roles. Occupation, Participation, and Health, doi: 10.1177/1539449219844749.
Jensen, C.E., Heiling, H.M., Beke, K.E., Deal, A.M., Bryant, A.L, Coombs, L.A., Richardson, D.R. (2023). Time spent at home among older adults with acute myeloid leukemia receiving azacitidine- or venetoclax-based regimens. Haematologica. 108(4):1006-1014. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2022.280728.
Tan, K., Chan, Y.N., Iadonisi, K., Poor, E., Betancur, S., Jung, A., Sagester, K., Coppola, S., Pergolotti, M., Kent, E.E., Schwartz, T., Richardson, D., & Bryant, A.L. (2023). Perspectives of caregivers of older adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia during Initial hypomethylating agents and venetoclax chemotherapy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 4;31(1):95. doi: 10.1007/s00520-022-07565-7.
Telehealth Use in Rural North Carolina Counties: Perceptions Among Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 26(5), 569-573.
Chan, Y.., Betancur, S., Conklin, J., Hirschey, R., Piepmeier, A., Foster, M.C., Anderson, R.A., Bender, C., & Bryant, A.L. (2022). Cognitive Function in Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review. Cancer Nursing. DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001164
Bryant, A.L., & Buhlinger, K. (2022). Role of the Advanced Practitioner in the Management of Oral Chemotherapy for Adults with AML. Journal of Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 13(3), 333-336.
Mayo, S.J., Brennenstuhl, S., Panesar, P., & Bryant, A. L. (2022). Patterns of Concerns among hematological cancer survivors. Cancer Nursing. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001060.
Poor, E., Chan, Y. N., Iadonisi, K., Tan, K., & Bryant, A.L. (2022). Exploring Experiences of Bereaved Caregivers of Older Adult Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Clinical journal of oncology nursing, 26(2), 135–139. https://doi.org/10.1188/22.CJON.135-139
Bryant, A.L., Leblanc, T., Albrecht, T., Chan, Y., Richardson, J., Foster, M., Dang, M., Dudley, W., & Owenby, S., & Wujcik, D. (2020). Oral adherence in adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Results of a mixed methods study. Supportive Care in Cancer. DOI: 10.1007/s00520-020-05349-5
Bryant, A.L., Chan, Y., Foster, M., Richardson, J., Owenby, S., & Wujcik, D. (2020). Understanding Barriers to Oral Therapy Adherence in Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Journal of the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology, 11(4), 342-349
Albrecht, T. & Bryant, A.L. (2019). Psychological and Financial Distress Management in Adults with Acute Leukemia. Seminars in Oncology Nursing; 35(6):150952.doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2019.150952.
Bryant, A.L & LeBlanc, T. W. (2019). Introduction to Acute Leukemia. Seminars in Oncology Nursing;35(6):150961. doi: 10.1016/j.soncn.2019.150961.
Bryant A.L., Gosselin, T., Coffman, E.M., Phillips, B., Gray, T.F., Knafl, G.J., Klepin, H.D., Wood, W.A., Muss, H., & Reeve, B.B. (2018). Symptoms, Mobility and Function, and Quality of Life in Adults with Acute Leukemia During Initial Hospitalization. Oncology Nursing Forum. 1;45(5):653-664. doi: 10.1188/18.ONF.653-664. PMID: 30118443
Coffman, E.M., Bryant, A.L., Deal, A.M., Wang, Y., Hanson, E.D., Phillips, B., Bailey, C., Foster, M., Wood, W. A., Muss, H., & Battaglini, C. L. (2018). Feasibility and Safety of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Acute Leukemia Patients during Induction Chemotherapy. Annals of Hematology & Oncology, 5(1): 1188.
Bryant, A.L., Coffman, E., Bullard, E., Hirschey, R., Bradley, J., Stover, A., Wood, W. A., & Bennett, A.V. (2018). Experiences of Inpatient Bone Marrow Transplant Nurses and Providers using Electronic Symptom Reporting. Journal of Oncology Practice, 14(8), e496-e504. PMID:29944435.
Bryant, A.L., Drier, S.W., Lee, S. & Bennett, A.V. (2018). A systematic review of patient reported outcomes in phase II or III clinical trials of myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia Research, 7:70, 106-116. PMID: 29925044
Bryant, A.L., Deal, A.M., Battaglini, C., Phillips, B., Bailey, C., Pergolotti, M., Coffman, E. Hackney, A.C., Wood, W.A., Mayer, D.K., Muss, H., & Reeve, B.B. (2018). The Effects of Exercise on Patient Reported Outcomes and Performance-Based Physical Function in Adults with Acute Leukemia Undergoing Induction Treatment. Integrative Cancer Therapies, doi: 10.1177/1534735417699881. PMID: 28627275
Story, S., Gray, T. & Bryant, A.L (2017). Comorbidity, physical function and quality of life in older adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Current Geriatrics Report, 6(4), 247-254. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-017-0227-8.
Bryant, A.L., Walton, A.M., Phillips, B., Bailey, C., Pergolotti, M., Mayer, D.K., & Battaglini, C. (2017). Perceived Benefits and Barriers to Exercise for Recently Treated Adults with Acute Leukemia. Oncology Nursing Forum, 44(4), 413-420, doi: 10.1188/17. PMID: 28632248
Pergolotti, M., Deal, A., Williams, G.R., Bensen, J., Bryant, A.L., Muss, H., Reeve, B.B. (2017). Activities, Function, and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) of Older Adults with Cancer. Journal of Geriatric Oncology. pii: S1879-4068(17)30035-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2017.02.009. PMID: 28285980
Caviness-Ashe, N., Zimmerman, S., Chappel-Aiken, L.C., Onsomu, E., Bryant, A.L., & Smith, S.K. (2023). Exploring the relationship between social support and mental health status among lymphoma survivors: Does patient-centered communication really matter? A Brief Report. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 41(2):235-241. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2022.2072792. https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2022.2072792
LeBlanc, M.R, Zimmerman, S., LeBlanc, T.W, Bryant, A.L., Hudson, K., & Smith, S.K. (2022). Persistent fatigue among long-term non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivors. Leukemia and Lymphoma, doi: 10.1080/10428194.2021.1984450.
Noonan, D., Leblanc, M., Mayer, D.K., Bryant, A.L., Zimmerman, S., Smith, S.K. (2020). Quality of Life and Impact of Cancer: Differences in Rural and Non-Rural Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors. Journal of Rural Health. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12420.
LeBlanc, M.R., Bryant, A. L., LeBlanc, T.W., Yang, Q., Sellars, E., Costa, Chase C., & Smith, S.K. (2022). A cross-sectional observational study of health-related quality of life in adults with multiple myeloma. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30(6):5239-5248
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-06943-5
LeBlanc, M.R, LeBlanc, T.W., Bryant, A.L., Pollak, K.I., Bailey, D.E., Smith, S.K. (2021). A qualitative study of the experiences of living with multiple myeloma. Oncology Nursing Forum, 48(2):151-160. doi: 10.1188/21.ONF.151-160.
Leblanc, M., LeBlanc, T., Bryant, A.L., Hirschey, R., & Smith, S. (2019). How are patient-reported outcomes and symptoms being measured in adults with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma? A Systematic Review. Quality of Life Research. DOI: 10.1007/s11136-019-02392-6
Hotchkiss, J., Bryant, A.L., Bula, A., Song, L., Zimba, C., Bingo, S., Chilemba, E., & Chinkhata, M. (2023). Evaluating the Knowledge change before and after Continuing Cancer Education in Malawian Nurses. Journal of Cancer Education.
Ikharo, E., Gondwe, K., Conklin, J., Zimba, C. C., Bula, A., Jumbo, W., Wella, K., Mapulanga, P., Idiagbonya, E., Bingo, S., Chilemba, E., Hotchkiss, J., Peragallo Montano, N., Qan’ir Y., Song, L. & Bryant, A.L., (2023). Psychosocial Experiences of Cancer Survivors and their Caregivers in sub-Saharan Africa: A Synthesis of Qualitative Studies. Psycho-Oncology, doi: 10.1002/pon.6122.
Guan, T., Qan’ir, Y., Conklin, J.L., Zimba, C.C., Bula, A., Jumbo, W., Wella, K., Mapulanga, P., Bingo, S., Chilemba, E., Haley, J., Montano, N.P., Bryant, A.L., & Song L. (2023). Systematic review of psychosocial interventions for adult cancer patients and their family caregivers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Global Public Health;18(1):2199062. doi: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2199062.
Qan’ir, Y., Guan, T., Idiagbonya, E., Dobias, C., Conklin, J.L., Zimba, C.C., Bula, A., Jumbo, W., Wella, K., Mapulanga, P., Bingo, S., Chilemba, E., Haley, J., Montano, N.P., Bryant, A.L., & Song L. (2023). Quality of life among patients with cancer and their family caregivers in the Sub-Saharan region: A systematic review of quantitative studies. PLOS Glob Public Health;2(3):e0000098. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000098. eCollection 2022.
Kahwa, E., Dodd, A., Conklin, J., Woods Giscombe, C., Bryant, A. L., Munroe, D., Ferguson, V., Singh, S., Lynch, M., & Bolton, A. (2022). A Bibliometric analysis of Nursing and Midwifery Research in the Caribbean. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, doi: 10.1111/jnu.12721. Ivanov, L. & Hu, J., & Leak, A. (2010). Immigrant women’s cancer screening behaviors. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 27, 32-45. PMID: 20131135
Smith-Miller, C., Leak, A., Harlan, C., Dieckmann, J., & Sherwood, G. (2010). Leaving the comfort of the familiar”: Fostering workplace cultural awareness through short-term global experiences. Nursing Forum, 45, 18-28. PMID: 20137021
Leak, A., Ivanov, L., & Brown, H. (2006). Nursing administration in Russia. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 36, 177-180. PMID: 16609339
Bryant, A.L., Krok-Schoen, J., Cobran, E., Greer, J., Temel, J., & Pirl, W. (2023). Evaluation of an Intensive Workshop on Research Methods in Supportive Oncology. Palliative and Supportive Care, 1-6, DOI: 10.1017/S1478951522001432
Gillett, C., Mason, S., Fleming, L., Mayer, D. K., & Bryant, A. L. (2022). An Academic-Practice Partnership During COVID-19 Pandemic: Transitioning from a Clinical to Virtual Fellowship. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 10.1111/jocn.15817. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15817
Bryant, A.L., Foster, B., Giscombe, C., Santos, H., Jenerette, C., Brooks, J., & Rodgers, S. (2022). Supporting Racial, Ethnic Minority, and Disadvantaged Undergraduate Nursing Students with Honors Projects. Journal of Professional Nursing.
Brody, A.A., Edelman, L., Siegel, E.O., Foster, V., Bailey, D.E., Bryant, A.L., & Bond, S. M. (2016). Evaluation of a Peer Mentoring Program for Early Career Gerontological Nursing Faculty and Its Potential for Application to Other Fields in Nursing and Health Sciences. Nursing Outlook, pii:S0029-6554(16)30011-2. Doi:10.1016. PMID: 27156778
Bryant, A.L., Brody, A., Perez, A., Shillam, C., Edelman, L., Bond, S., Foster, V. & Siegel, E. (2015). Development and Implementation of a Peer Mentoring Program for Early Career Gerontological Faculty. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, doi: 10.1111/jnu.12135. PMID: 25808927
Update Grant Sections
| Role | Title | Total Direct Amount (FTE if available) | Percent Effort | Agency | Dates |
| Site PI | R01 Overcoming the triple threat to diversity in the health science workforce: empowering the next generation (PI: Shine Chang, PhD) | $1,867,380 | — | National Institute for General Medical Sciences | 08/15/2022-5/31/2027 |
| Consultant | R25 Preparing Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses as Generalists in Palliative Care
CA217270 (PI: Betty Ferrell) |
— | National Cancer Institute | 10/10/2022-9/31/2027 | |
| Consultant | R25 Workshop on Methods in Supportive Oncology Research
CA181000-09 (PI: William Pirl and Jennifer Temel) |
— | — | National Cancer Institute | 07/25/2022-08/31/2023 |
| Site PI | Real World Treatment Experience of Patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Using Remote Symptom Monitoring | $90,290 | 20% | Carevive
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7/1/2021-06/30/2023 |
Palliative and supportive care interventions
Patient reported symptoms and outcomes
Quality of life in blood cancers
Survivorship
