Sarah M. Belcher

Dr. Belcher’s research focuses on understanding and improving health outcomes among patients with cancer. . 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). In addition to the National Cancer Institute, her research and training have been supported by 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.

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’s publications can be found at: MyNCBI Bibliography

Research Areas & Scholarly Emphasis

Cancer treatment adherence, Cancer and cancer therapy outcomes, Exposome, Cancer survivorship, Palliative care, Symptom science, Family caregivers

Teaching

Dr. Belcher teaches the Cancer Survivorship doctoral 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 two T32 grants to train scholars in genomics and in technology research. An Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN®) with experience in nursing management and clinical expertise in cancer care across the disease trajectory, Dr. Belcher has taught and mentored nursing and interdisciplinary students across levels of training.

Service

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.

Clinical Emphasis

Dr. Belcher's primary clinical focus is in Oncology.