APHON Director-at-Large

Ijeoma Julie Eche-Ugwu, PhD MPH FNP-BC AOCNP CPHON® TCTCN™

2023 – 2026 | 2026 – 2029

APHON Member Since 2007
APHON Boston Chapter Since 2010

Professional Background

Current Position

Nurse Scientist
The Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Associate Director
Pediatric and Family Health Core, Precision Health Symptom Science Program, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Instructor in Medicine
Harvard Medical School

Education

MPH, 2022, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Master of Public Health, Global Health
PhD, 2018, University of Massachusetts Boston, Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing Science, Population Health
MSN, 2010, University of Massachusetts Boston, Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner
BSN, 2005, Regis College, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Minor in English and Writing

Certifications

Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner (AOCNP®), 2017 – Present
Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse (CPHON®), 2017 – Present
Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse (CPON®), 2008 – 2017
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Certified Nurse (TCTCN™), 2016 – Present
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC), 2010 – Present

Leadership & Service

National Leadership

APHON Board of Directors, Director-at-Large, 2023-2026
JOPHON Editorial Board, 2022-Present
Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, Reviewer, 2019–Present
APHON DEI Advisory Board, 2022-2024

Nursing Leadership

Oncology Nursing Forum, Associate Editor, 2026–Present
Journal of Clinical Nursing, Reviewer, 2026–Present
Oncology Nursing Society, Site-Specific Cancer Series: Leukemia, Reviewer, 2025
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Abstract Reviewer, 2023 and 2025
Eastern Nursing Research Society, Abstract Reviewer, 2025
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, Reviewer, 2024–Present
Palliative and Supportive Oncology – Reviewer, 2023–Present
Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, Associate Editor, 2021–2024, Reviewer, 2020–Present
Journal of Pediatric Nursing, Reviewer, 2021–Present
Cancer Nursing: An International Journal of Cancer Care, Reviewer, 2020–Present

Other Memberships Professional Societies

Organization of Nurse Leaders, 2025–2026
American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM), 2020–Present
Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), 2020-2021
Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS), 2020–2021
Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group (PCRC), 2020–Present
National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), 2015–2017; 2025–Present
Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), 2010–Present
Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS), 2010–Present
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), 2010-2011
Children’s Oncology Group (COG), Nursing Role 2005–2020; Investigator Role 2025–Present

Awards & Recognition

Awards and Honors

Victoria Mock New Investigator Award, Oncology Nursing Society, 2025
Kornfeld Scholar Program Award, National Palliative Care Research Center, 2022
Research Award for Scholarly Excellence, New England Regional Black Nurses Association, 2022
Diversity Supplement Research Grant, National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH, 2020
Journal of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Nursing Writing Award 2021
Journal of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Nursing Writing Award 2020
Doctoral Book Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, University of Massachusetts Boston 2018
Roberta Schofield Memorial Certification Award, Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, 2017
United Health Foundation Award for Leadership and Scholarship, National Black Nurses Association, 2014
DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, DAISY Foundation, 2010
Excellence Award for Professional Achievement, New England Regional Black Nurses Association, 2008

Publications

Eche-Ugwu IJ, Aronowitz T, White-Hammond GE, Umaretiya PJ, Bullock K, Brock K, Johnston EE, Wolfe J, Feraco AM. Psychosocial Experiences of African American Parents of Children with Cancer. Pediatrics. 2025 Jun 1;155(6):e2024070319. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-070319. PMID: 40398876.

Eche-Ugwu IJ, Aronowitz T, Broden EG, Merz A, Vernadakis A, Bullock K, Wolfe J, Feraco AM. Uncovering Structurally Differential Care: Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Perspectives Caring for African American Families. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025. Epub 2025 Feb 7. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.01.020. PMID: 39920978.

Eche-Ugwu IJ, Dunnack Yackel H, Pozzar RA, Hammer MJ, Cooley ME. A qualitative descriptive study to assess experiences and care needs of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2025;52(3):205-216. doi:10.1188/25.ONF.205-216. PMID: 40293934. PMCID: PMC12056828.

Eche-Ugwu IJ, Aronowitz T, White-Hammond GE, Merz A, Umaretiya PJ, Bullock K, Johnson KS, Wolfe J, Feraco AM. Enabling Inclusive Psychosocial Research Strategies Among African American Parents of Children with Cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025;69(5):e414-e416. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.02.015

Eche-Ugwu IJ, Mazzola E, Stevens SE, Wolfe J, Feraco AM. Illness Uncertainty in Parents of Children with Cancer-An Exploratory Analysis to Inform Intervention Development. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2025 Jul;72(7):e31726. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31726. Epub 2025 Apr 14. PMID: 40230010.

Pozzar RA, Yackel HD, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Hammer MJ, Cooley ME. Cancer care experiences, resilience, and psychological symptoms among patients with and without distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed methods study. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2025;52(2):97-112. doi:10.1188/25.ONF.97-112. PMID: 40028986.

Sutcliffe RT, Eche-Ugwu IJ. A systematic literature review of interventions to manage hiccups in patients with cancer undergoing active treatment. Cancer Nurs. 2025 Mar 18. doi:10.1097/NCC.0000000000001448. PMID: 40099882.

Eche-Ugwu IJ, Alcindor N, Alonso C. COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs among family caregivers of adults with hematologic malignancies: A cross-sectional analysis. Cancer Care Research Online. 2025;5(3):e076. doi:10.1097/CR9.0000000000000076.

Lo SB, Holtze M, Post KE, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Cooley ME, Pirl WF, Temel JS, Greer JA. Depression and anxiety as moderators for behavioral treatment for dyspnea in advanced lung cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025. Epub 2025 Apr 4. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.03.030.

Lo SB, Shin J, Holtze ME, Post KE, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Temel JS, Cooley ME, Greer JA. Characterization of multidimensional dyspnea in advanced lung cancer with moderate to severe dyspnea-related functional impairment: A latent profile analysis. Support Care Cancer. 2025 Jul 18;33(8):700. doi:10.1007/s00520-025-09757-3. PMID: 40681792.

Han JX, Koh MJ, Boussi L, et al; Eche-Ugwu IJ. Global outcomes and prognosis for relapsed/refractory mature T-cell and NK-cell lymphomas: Results from the PETAL consortium. Blood Adv. 2025;9(3):583-602. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014674.

Sorial MN, Han JX, Koh MJ, et al; Eche-Ugwu IJ. Forecasting optimal treatments in relapsed/refractory mature T- and NK-cell lymphomas: A global PETAL Consortium study. Br J Haematol. 2025. Epub 2025 May 1. doi:10.1111/bjh.20063.

Arciprete EGB, Eche-Ugwu IJ, DeCourcey DD, Rosenberg AR, Snaman JM. “Leave no question unanswered”: Nurses’ role in preparing children’s families during end-of-life care. Am J Crit Care. 2025;34(5):380-384. doi:10.4037/ajcc2025791.

Arciprete EGB, Ouyang N, Wawrzynsji SE, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Batten J, Costa DK, Feder SL, Snaman JM. Improving intensive end-of-life care for infants and children: A scoping review of intervention elements. Children (in press).

Tsuchiyose E, Feifer D, Merz AF, Avery M, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Awofeso O, Orellana L, Becker D, Feudtner C, Freedman JL, Kang TI, Rosenberg AR, Waldman ED, Ullrich CK, Wolfe J, Requena ML, Dussel V. Research burden in pediatric cancer: A mixed methods study from the PediQUEST Response Trial. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025. Epub 2025 Sep 1. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2025.08.032.

Feifer D, Merz AF, Avery M, Tsuchiyose E, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Awofeso O, Wolfe J, Dussel V, Requena ML. Parent Views on Parent and Child-reported Outcomes in Pediatric Advanced Cancer: A Qualitative Study. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025 Feb;69(2):e131-e138. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.10.001. Epub 2024 Oct 15. PMID: 39414121; PMCID: PMC11710963.

Eche-Ugwu IJ, Orellana L, Becker D, et al. Household material hardship and distress among parents of children with advanced cancer: A report from the PediQUEST Response trial. Cancer. 2024;130(20):3540-3548. doi:10.1002/cncr.35432. PMID: 38865435.

Greer JA, Post KE, Chabria R, Eche-Ugwu IJ et al. Randomized controlled trial of a nurse-led brief behavioral intervention for dyspnea in patients with advanced lung cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2024;42(30):3570-3580. doi:10.1200/JCO.24.00048. PMID: 39088766.

Lo SB, Ruprecht AL, Post KE, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Cooley ME, Temel JS, Greer JA. Dyspnea-related dimensions and self-efficacy: Associations with well-being in advanced lung cancer. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2024 Feb 1. PMID: 38307373.

Broden EG, Eche-Ugwu IJ, DeCourcey DD, Wolfe J, Hinds PS, Snaman J. “At least I can push this morphine”: PICU nurses’ approaches to suffering among dying children. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2024;68(2):132-141.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.04.018.

Other Publications

Eche-Ugwu IJ. My anomaly. Palliat Support Care. 2026;24:e122. doi:10.1017/S1478951526102521

Eche-Ugwu IJ. My anomaly. Palliat Support Care. 2026;24:e122. doi:10.1017/S1478951526102521

Eche IJ. Vaught’s single story and health care’s culture of safety. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2022;26(5):461-462. doi:10.1188/22.CJON.461-462.

Eche IJ, Nahas M, Dunn E, Eche IM, O’Brien KL. Transfusion reactions: A case study of an ocular adverse event during autologous transplantation. Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2019;23(5):509-513. doi:10.1188/19.CJON.509-513.

Eche IJ. Diagnostic and staging procedures. In: APHON’s Essentials of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing: A Core Curriculum. 4th ed. Glenview (IL): Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing

Eche IJ. Whispers from Fogo. Palliat Support Care. 2022;20(6):916. doi:10.1017/S1478951522000712.

Eche IJ. A nurse’s love. Palliat Support Care. 2020;18(6):763. doi:10.1017/S1478951520000048.

Eche IJ. Patience. Palliat Support Care. 2020;18(2):249. doi:10.1017/S1478951519001044.

Professional Presentations

2026 Pires C, Trainor K, Bhimani AS, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Palardy A, Pepe DE. A Quality Improvement Project to Reduce Medical Supply Waste in a Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit: A Single Institution Experience. Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference, Boston, MA.
2025 Eche-Ugwu IJ. Listening, Learning, Leading: Amplifying African American Parent Voices and Understanding the Roles of Nurses in Pediatric Oncology to Inform Culturally Tailored Interventions. Oncology Nursing Society Victoria Mock New Early Research Investigator Award Session, Denver, CO.
2025 Eche-Ugwu IJ. Developing ACCOMPANI: African American Childhood Cancer Multiprong Psychosocial Nurse Intervention Using Feedback from Thought Partners. Oncology Nursing Society Conference, Denver, CO.
2025 Eche-Ugwu IJ. What Families Tell Us When We Listen Safely. Invited TED-Style Talk, Kathleen M. Foley Palliative Care Retreat & Research Symposium, Alberta, Canada
2025 Eche-Ugwu IJ. Creating Your Path to Advance Nursing Science and Practice. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA.
2025 Skeens M, Evans M, Eche-Ugwu IJ, Morrison CF, Hooke C. Pre-Conference: Bridging Research and Practice: Critical Appraisal & Effective Use of Evidence in Pediatric Oncology Nursing. Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses (APHON) Annual Conference & Exhibition
2025 Eche-Ugwu IJ. The Value of the PhD and DNP to the Advanced Practice Provider Role. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA.
2024 Eche-Ugwu IJ. Enhancing Quality of Life: Pediatric Palliative Care in African American Communities. National Medical Association Annual Convention, New York, NY.
2024 Eche-Ugwu IJ. Unique Barriers in Delivering Palliative and Supportive Care to Historically Marginalized Families Affected by Childhood Cancer. Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine Grand Rounds, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.
2024 Eche-Ugwu IJ. Addressing Unique Barriers: Palliative and Supportive Care for Marginalized Families Facing Childhood Cancer. IDE Conference, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA.
2024 Eche-Ugwu IJ, Merz A, Feraco AM, Wolfe J, Aronowitz T. The PERCEIVE Study: Pediatric Oncology Nurses’ Perspectives on Roles as Psychosocial Interventionists. American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Annual Assembly.
2024 Eche-Ugwu IJ, Pozzar RA, Dunnack-Yackel H, Hammer MJ, Cooley ME. “It Was a Hard Experience for the Whole World”: A U.S.-Based Qualitative Study of Cancer Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Eastern Nursing Research Society Conference, Boston, MA.
2023 Eche-Ugwu IJ, Merz A, Feraco AM, Wolfe J, Aronowitz T. “I Think What You’re Doing Is Awesome”: Inclusive Recruitment Strategies and Study Procedures for African American Parents of Children with Cancer. International Family Nurse Association Conference, Dublin, Ireland.
2023 Eche-Ugwu IJ. Psychosocial Needs of African American Parents of Children with Cancer: Childhood Adversity and Serious Childhood Illness. Massachusetts General Hospital Grand Rounds, Boston, MA.