Marci Lee Nilsen earned a Betty Irene Moore Fellowship

Marci Lee Nilsen, assistant professor in Pitt’s School of Nursing, was accepted to the fourth cohort of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators.

Sixteen innovative nurse-scientists will receive $450,000 over three years to conduct a project or study with the potential to address a gap in knowledge, meet a vital need, alter care delivery, or design a new solution to advance health. Nilsen’s project focuses on improving symptom management during cancer treatment in underresourced and diverse settings.

“Head and neck cancer survivors, especially those in rural areas, face barriers to high-quality cancer care, including disparities in access to care and insufficient resources,” said Nilsen, who developed and coordinates UPMC’s Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Clinic. “We must make these programs equitable and accessible regardless of clinic locations. This fellowship will provide me with training, networking and other activities essential to further my research and advocate for policy changes to achieve equitable, person-centered cancer care.” 

Nilsen (NURS ’05, ’08G, ’13G) is not only a faculty member but is a three-time graduate of Pitt Nursing — she earned her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and PhD from the school. She is also a member of the Oncology Nursing Society, the Gerontological Society of America and Sigma Theta Tau International.

“As the recipient of this highly competitive, prestigious national fellowship, Dr. Nilsen has distinguished herself as one of our most successful and promising alumna and junior researchers to date within the School of Nursing and within the larger University community,” said Pitt Nursing Dean Christine E. Kasper. “With this fellowship, I am confident that she will make major life-long contributions to the fields of nursing and cancer survivorship, particularly for vulnerable, underserved individuals, families and communities.”

In addition to the project, the fellowship program features a curriculum designed and taught in partnership with the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management and national experts to enhance leadership and innovation capacity, strengthen strategic thinking and collaborative skills, expand professional networks, develop entrepreneurial skills and propel innovative ideas to fruition. A mentor selected by the fellow and an additional mentor provided by the national program office round out the educational experience. 

Applications for the 2024 cohort of Betty Irene Moore Fellows are open Sept. 22 through Dec. 1. To learn more, visit the School of Nursing website.