Rachel Hirschey | UNC School of Nursing

Dr. Hirschey is an Assistant Professor in the UNC School of Nursing and associate member of the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research program focuses on improving cancer outcomes and achieving health equity across populations. Guided by the SHARE (Striving to Hold Accountability in Research Equity) community advisory board, she collaborates with non-scientist community members, cancer survivors, patient advocates, and individuals impacted by racism to develop a relevant and effective research program. Her work emphasizes reducing cancer disparities and creating scalable behavioral interventions in oncology practice. Her research has been funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Oncology Nursing Foundation. She also serves as MPI of the NCI/CDC funded Comprehensive Cancer Center Control Collaborative, NC (4CNC) (2019-2025) which aims to improve research dissemination and implementation nationally.

Adsul P, Austin JD, Chebli P, Dias EM, Hirschey R, Ravi P, Seaman AT, Vogel R. From study plans to capacity building: a journey towards health equity in cancer survivorship. Cancer Causes Control. 2023 Oct 18. doi: 10.1007/s10552-023-01808-6. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37851185. (This paper all authors contributed equally and we did alpha order, equal authorship is noted in the pub – should I notate that somehow here?)

Hoover RL, Xu J, Conklin JL, Nichols HB, Smitherman A, Valle CG, Schwartz T, Mayer DK, Hirschey R. Physical Activity Intervention Characteristics and Effects on Behavioral and Health-Related Outcomes Among Adolescents and Young Adults Living with and Beyond Cancer: A Systematic Review. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2023 Sep 8. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2023.0047. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37682344.

Hirschey R, Xu J, Ericson K, Burse NR, Bankole AO, Conklin JL, Bryant AL. A Systematic Review of Interpersonal Interactions Related to Racism in Studies Assessing Breast and Gynecological Cancer Health Outcomes Among Black Women. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2023 Sep 6. doi: 10.1007/s40615-023-01769-1. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37672189.

Wickersham KE, Morrill KE, Lopez-Pentecost M, Heiney SP, King JJ, Madhivanan P, Hirschey R. Losing a part of life: experiences of cancer survivors accessing treatment and sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer Causes Control. 2023 Jun 28. doi: 10.1007/s10552-023-01742-7. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37378866.

Wahlen MM, Lizarraga IM, Kahl AR, Zahnd WE, Eberth JM, Overholser L, Askelson N, Hirschey R, Yeager K, Nash S, Engelbart JM, Charlton ME. Effect of rurality and travel distance on contralateral prophylactic mastectomy for unilateral breast cancer. Cancer Causes Control. 2023 Apr 25. doi: 10.1007/s10552-023-01689-9. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37095280.

Hirschey R, Wangen M, Okanlawon Bankole A, Hoover B, Wheeler SB, Leeman J, Leak Bryant A. Implementing Physical Activity Recommendations in Clinical Practice: A Survey of Oncology Nurses’ Perspectives. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2023 Apr 21;50(3):325-336. doi: 10.1188/23.ONF.325-336. PMID: 37155975.

Hirschey R, Rohweder C, Zahnd WE, Eberth JM, Adsul P, Guan Y, Yeager KA, Haines H, Farris PE, Bea JW, Dwyer A, Madhivanan P, Ranganathan R, Seaman AT, Vu T, Wickersham K, Vu M, Teal R, Giannone K, Hilton A, Cole A, Islam JY, Askelson N. Prioritizing rural populations in state comprehensive cancer control plans: a qualitative assessment. Cancer Causes Control. 2023 Feb 25:1–11. doi: 10.1007/s10552-023-01673-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36840904; PMCID: PMC9959942.

Adsul P, Islam J, Chebli P, Kranick J, Nash S, Arem H, Wheeler S, Lopez-Pentecost M, Foster V, Sharma RK, Felder T, Risendal B, Chavarria EA, Kwon S, Hirschey R, Trinh-Shevrin C. Identifying research practices toward achieving health equity principles within the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network. Cancer Causes Control. 2023 Feb 24:1–7. doi: 10.1007/s10552-023-01674-2. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36826623; PMCID: PMC9950692.

Hirschey R, Xu J, Lea DF, Milner JL, Duggins P, Coleman K, Teal R, Carda-Auten J, Giannone K, Hilton A, Waheed M, Triglianos T, Wheeler SB, Valle CG, Bryant AL. Barriers and facilitators to the engagement of physical activity among Black and African American cancer survivors during and after treatments. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Jan 26;31(2):136. doi: 10.1007/s00520-023-07601-0. PMID: 36700992; PMCID: PMC9877498.

Hirschey R, Getachew B, Coleman K Jr, Lea D, Milner J, Bryant AL, Carlisle V. Development of a Community Advisory Board to Guide Research About Cancer Disparities in the Black and African American Community. Nurs Res. 2023 Mar-Apr 01;72(2):123-131. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000631. Epub 2022 Nov 15. PMID: 36450360; PMCID: PMC9991945.

Guimond E, Getachew B, Nolan TS, Miles Sheffield-Abdullah K, Conklin JL, Hirschey R. Communication Between Black Patients With Cancer and Their Oncology Clinicians: Exploring Factors That Influence Outcome Disparities. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2022 Oct 20;49(6):509-524. doi: 10.1188/22.ONF.509-524. PMID: 36413731.

Chan YN, Betancur S, Conklin JL, Hirschey R, Piepmeier A, Foster M, Anderson RA, Bender CM, Bryant AL. Cognitive Function in Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review. Cancer Nurs. 2022 Dec 1. doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001164. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36066343.

Morrill KE, Robles-Morales R, Lopez-Pentecost M, Martínez Portilla RJ, Saleh AA, Skiba MB, Riall TS, Austin JD, Hirschey R, Jacobs ET, Spotleson L, Hanna TP. Factors associated with cancer treatment delay: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 28;12(6):e061121. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061121. PMID: 35768104; PMCID: PMC9240873.

Zahnd WE, Del Vecchio N, Askelson N, Eberth JM, Vanderpool RC, Overholser L, Madhivanan P, Hirschey R, Edward J. Definition and categorization of rural and assessment of realized access to care. Health Serv Res. 2022 Jun;57(3):693-702. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13951. Epub 2022 Mar 7. PMID: 35146771; PMCID: PMC9108055.

Hirschey R. (2022). Nursing diversity is critical to address health disparities. ONS Voice: Oncology Nursing Society. https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/nursing-diversity-is-critical-to-address-health-disparities

Hirschey R, Nance J, Hoover R, Triglianos T, Coffman E, Horrell LN, Walker J, Leak Bryant A, Valle C. Physical Activity: A Systematic Review to Inform Nurse Recommendations During Treatment for Colorectal Cancer. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2021 Dec 1;25(6):697-705. doi: 10.1188/21.CJON.697-705. PMID: 34800098; PMCID: PMC8674841.

(co-first author) Jones RA, Hirschey R, Campbell G, Cooley ME, Lally R, Rueter EK, Gullatte MM. Update to 2019-2022 ONS Research Agenda: Rapid Review to Promote Equity in Oncology Healthcare Access and Workforce Development. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2021 Nov 1;48(6):604-612. doi: 10.1188/21.ONF.604-612. PMID: 34673761.

(co-first author) Jones RA, Hirschey R, Campbell G, Cooley ME, Lally R, Rueter EK, Gullatte MM. Update to 2019-2022 ONS Research Agenda: Rapid Review to Address Structural Racism and Health Inequities. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2021 Nov 1;48(6):589-600. doi: 10.1188/21.ONF.589-600. PMID: 34673760.

Chan YN, Leak Bryant A, Conklin JL, Girdwood T, Piepmeier A, Hirschey R. Systematic Review of Cognitive Impairment in Colorectal Cancer Survivors Who Received Chemotherapy. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2021 Nov 1;48(6):634-647. doi: 10.1188/21.ONF.634-647. PMID: 34673756.

Hirschey R, Nance J, Wangen M, Bryant AL, Wheeler SB, Herrera J, Leeman J. Using Cognitive Interviewing to Design Interventions for Implementation in Oncology Settings. Nurs Res. 2021 Jan 6;Publish Ahead of Print. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000498. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33416224.

Hirschey, R., Nance J., Hoover, R., Triglianos, T., Coffman, E., Horrell, L. N., Walker, J. S. Bryant, A. L., Valle, C. G. (Accepted May 2021). Physical activity is feasible during treatment for colorectal cancer: A systematic review to inform nurse recommendations. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing.

Nolan, T. S., Bryant, A. L., Chan, Y., Walker, J., Hirschey, R., (Accepted April 2021) Use of video education interventions to increase racial and ethnic diversity of cancer clinical trials: A systematic review. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing.

Hirschey R., Nyrop KA, Mayer DK. Healthy Behaviors: Prevalence of Uptake Among Cancer Survivors. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 2020 Oct;24(5):19-29. DOI: 10.1188/20.cjon.s2.19-29

Hirschey, R., Bryant, A. L., Walker, J. S., Nolan, T. S. (2020). Systematic Review of Video Education in Underrepresented Minority Cancer Survivors. Cancer Nursing.

Hirschey, R., Bryant, A. L., Macek, C., Battaglini, C., Santacrcoe, S., Courneya, K. S., Walker, J. S., Avishai, A., Sheeran, P. (2020). Predicting Physical Activity among Cancer Survivors: Meta-Analytic Path Modeling of Longitudinal Studies. Health Psychology.

LeBlanc, M.R., Hirschey, R., Bryant, A.L., LeBlanc, T.W., Smith, S.K. (2020) Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma studies: A systematic review. Quality of Life Research.

Bryant, A.L., Coffman, E., Phillips, B., Tan, X., Bullard, A., Hirschey, R., Bradley, J., Bennett, A.V., Stover A.M., Song L, Shea, T.C., & Wood, W.A. (2020). Pilot Randomized Trial of an Electronic Symptom Monitoring and Reporting Intervention for Hospitalized Adults Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Supportive Care in Cancer.

Hirschey, R., Rodgers, C., Hockenberry, M. (2019). A Program to Enhance Writing Skills for Advanced Practice Nurses. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. PMCID: PMC6684255.

Hirschey, R., Rodgers, C., Hockenberry, M. (2019). A Program to Enhance Writing Skills for Advanced Practice Nurses. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. PMCID: PMC6684255.

Hirschey, R., Pan, W., Kimmick, G., Hockenberry, M., Shaw, R., and Lipkus, I. (2019). What Do Breast Cancer Survivors Expect from Exercise? Cancer Nursing. doi: 10.1002/pon.4849. PMID: 30085945.

Hirschey, R., Kimmick, G., Hockenberry, M., Shaw, R., Pan, W., Page, C. (2018). A Randomized Phase II Trial of MOVING ON: An Intervention to Increase Exercise Outcome Expectations among Breast Cancer Survivors. Psychooncology. doi: 10.1002/pon.4849. PMCID: 30071146. PMC6684254.

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. doi: 10.1200/JOP.18.00074. PMID: 29944435.

Hirschey, R., Kimmick, G., Hockenberry, M., Shaw, R., Pan, W., Lipkus, I. (2018) Protocol of Moving On, a Randomized Controlled Trial to Increase Outcome Expectations and Exercise among Breast Cancer Survivors. Nursing Open. doi:10.1002/nop2.119. PMID: 29344401.

Lewinski, A.A., Mann, T., Flores, D., Vance, A., Prvu Bettger, J., & Hirschey, R. (2017). Partnership for Development: A Peer Mentorship Model for PhD Students. Journal of Professional Nursing. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2017.03.004. PMID: 28931484

Hirschey, R., Docherty, S. L., Pan, W. & Lipkus, I. (2017). Exploration of Exercise Outcome Expectations Among Breast Cancer Survivors. Cancer Nursing Doi:10.1097/NCC.0000000000000362. PMID: 26925999.

Hirschey, R., Lipkus, I., Jones, L., Mantyh, C., Sloane. R., & Demark-Wahnefried W. (2016). Message Framing and Physical Activity Promotion in Colorectal Cancer Survivors. Oncology Nursing Forum, 43(6), 697-705. PMID: 27768135.

Centers for Disease Control (Wheeler/Brenner/Hirschey) | 09/30/2023-9/29/2024
UNC CPCRN Coordinating Center National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Supplement
Project goal: To enhance large scale efforts to improve health and wellness for people who have or have had cancer (cancer survivors) as well as work to ameliorate health disparities among people from communities who may experience different outcomes after being diagnosed with cancer. The overall outcome of this project is to increase the adoption of sustainable strategies and evidence-based interventions to decrease the burden of cancer and achieve more health equity among US populations.
Amount: $600,000
Role: MPI

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities | 2021-2026
K23 “Physical activity intervention for African American Colorectal Cancer Survivors”
Project goal: To create and pilot test a physical activity intervention with and for African American colorectal cancer survivors.
Amount: $ 795,103
Source: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Role: PI

Centers for Disease Control (Wheeler/Leeman) | 2019-2024
U48 DP005017-SIP, U48-DP006400-SIP “Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network”
Project Goal: UNC is home to the Cancer Prevention and Control Networks coordinating center (Wheeler, PI) and to one of eight collaborating centers that comprise the network (Leeman, PI). CPCRN network centers undertake site-based and cross-site projects to accelerate the implementation of evidence-based cancer control interventions.
Role: UNC site MPI

Oncology Nursing Foundation | 2020-2022
RE01 “African American Colorectal Cancer Survivor Engagement to Create a Physical Activity Intervention”
Project Goal: To explore how psychosocial factors should be tailored to African American colorectal cancer survivors in physical activity interventions.
Amount: 25,000
Source: Oncology Nursing Foundation
Role: PI

Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Alpha Chapter | 2019
Exploration of Multilevel Factors that Influence Nurses Providing Physical Activity Counseling to Cancer Survivors
Project Goal: To assess multi-level factors that impact nurses’ delivery of physical activity counseling.
Source: Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Alpha Chapter
Role: PI

North Carolina Translational Research Institute | 2019
Stakeholder engagement voucher “African American Cancer Survivor Engagement to Develop a Physical Activity Intervention”
Project Goal: To build a participatory research collaboration with a community partner and develop the research strategy section of a grant proposal.
Source: North Carolina Translational Research Institute
Role: PI