2023 Award Recipient
The Distinguished Guest Lecturer in Cancer Rehabilitation & Survivorship Care Award recognizes those making important contributions to the advancement of oncology care. We are delighted to award Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN with the 2023 lectureship in honor of her achievements.
The award presentation will take place during the Cancer Rehabilitation Networking Group Business meeting at the ACRM 2023 Annual Conference
ABOUT ASHLEY LEAK BRYANT
Dr. Ashley Leak Bryant joined the School of Nursing (SON) in 2013 as an Assistant Professor. During her time at UNC, she has engaged in global and oncology focused research, teaching, and service opportunities to improve the quality of lives for patients, families, and communities. Her research has two themes: (1) mediating symptom and functional synergies that impact quality of life of adults and older adults with blood cancers; and (2) developing the nursing and cancer careforce through interprofessional education and global capacity building. She has been highly successful in obtaining continuous funding to support this work since her promotion to Associate Professor in 2016. In August 2021, Dr. Bryant was named an inaugural Assistant Director for Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination where she directs 2 fellowship programs for students at UNC and North Carolina Central University. The internships focus on capacity building of oncology nurses and the oncology workforce to increase diversity in cancer clinical trials. Additionally, she developed an inaugural oncology nursing elective course (Summer 2020) across the lifespan and ~130 students have participated in the course and 35% work in pediatric or oncology nursing today. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Bryant was named as the Interim Associate Dean for Global Initiatives and Director of the Pan American Healthcare Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Center in Quality and Safety in Nursing and Midwifery. She leads cross-cultural collaborations to build the oncology workforce and strengthen nursing education at both national and international levels. Finally, Dr. Bryant has continued to manage an active program of research, mentors undergraduate and graduate students across academic programs, and remains engaged in professional and service activities. Her exceptional work has been recognized by both the American Academy of Nursing and Gerontological Society of America where she is designated as a fellow. She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and has been invited to present nationally and internationally, just recently in Thailand about palliative care and cancer. Dr. Bryant is a key faculty leader at UNC and beyond who continues to demonstrate exceptional levels of quality and rigor in leadership, administration, teaching, service, and scholarship. In summary, the SON anticipates Dr. Bryant she will continue to enrich her research and global collaborations as well as produce scholars to build capacity in the nursing, cancer, and global oncology. Dr. Bryant is a highly valued and respected member of our School and is an exceptional asset to the reputation of the University.
