Phone: (585) 276-6123
Office: HWH 2W322
Email: Meghan Underhill

Meghan Underhill, PhD, APRN, AOCNS

(Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Assistant Professor
Nurse Practitioner, Wilmot Cancer Institute Hereditary Cancer Program

Bio

Meghan Underhill-Blazey is an assistant professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, a member of Cancer Control and Prevention at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, and a nurse practitioner at the Wilmot Cancer Institute.

Underhill-Blazey has dedicated her career to understanding the experiences of and improving care for individuals and families living with inherited cancer risk. As an active nurse practitioner within the Hereditary Cancer Program, her program of research focuses on building and implementing clinical innovations that transform the focus of cancer genetics from an illness model to a wellness focused model that directly responds to the needs of individuals and families. She has widely disseminated research findings both through publications and presentations and has served as the nurse scientist on multidisciplinary teams which has had national and international impact. She has worked to share her research expertise with others and has provided long-lasting successful research mentorship to multiple pre and postdoctoral nursing trainees.

In addition to clinical practice, research, and mentorship, Underhill-Blazey has served in multiple capacities as an oncology nursing science leader both locally and nationally within the Oncology Nursing Society and the American Academy of Nursing.

Current Focus

My current focus is building interventions to support cancer genetics clinical care and the patients and families impacted by cancer genetics. I am leading a study entitled FRAME: Familial cancer Risk Assessment and Mindfulness Education to support individuals living with inherited pancreatic cancer risk. Additionally, I am leading a study to evaluate the impact of EHR-initiated intervention to promote referral and completion of cancer genetic testing in the context of pancreatic cancer. I also am leading work to understand the impact of telemedicine on cancer genetic care at the University of Rochester Medical Center. I serve as co-investigator on a number of different externally-funded projects in cancer care.

Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing

American Academy of Nursing, 2021

The experience of uncertainty in individuals with high risk for pancreatic cancer, podium presentation

Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, 2022

Familial cancer Risk Assessment and Management Education (FRAME), poster presentation

Melanie Bobry

Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science, 2022

From an illness model to a wellness model: opportunities for improving psychosocial care of patients and families at high risk for hereditary cancer

International Society of Nurses in Genetics, 2022

Assessment of patient reported needs, preferences, and educational outcomes after attending an online support group for persons with Lynch Syndrome

Ashley Hendershot; Carol Lustig

Oncology Nursing Society, 2022

Symptom management after risk reduction for inherited cancer risk.

Oncology Nursing Society, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Nursing Research 2021 Scientific Colloquium, 2021

Zhang, Y., Flannery, M., Zhang, Z., Underhill-Blazey, M., Bobry, M., Leblanc, N., Rodriguez, D. & Zhang, C. (2024). Digital Health Psychosocial Intervention in Adult Patients With Cancer and Their Families: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Cancer. PMID: 38315546 DOI: 10.2196/46116

Rodriguez, N.J., Furniss, C.S., Yurgelun, M.B., Ukaegbu, C., Constantinou, P.E., Fortes, I., Caruso, A., Schwartz, A.N., Stopfer, J.E., Underhill-Blazey, M., Kenner, B., Nelson, S.H., Okumura, S., Zhou, A.Y., Coffin, T.B., Uno, H., Horiguchi, M., Ocean, A., McAllister, Fl., Lowy, A.M....Syngal, S. (2024). A Randomized Trial of Two Remote Healthcare Delivery Models on the Uptake of Genetic Testing and Impact on Patient-Reported Psychological Outcomes in Families With Pancreatic Cancer: The Genetic Education, Risk Assessment, and Testing (GENERATE) Study. Gastroenterology. PMID: 38320723 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2024.01.042

Rana, H.Q., Stopfer, J.E., Weitz, M., Kipnis, L., Koeller, D.R., Culver, S., Mercado, J., Gelman, R.S., Underhill-Blazey, M., McGregor, B.A., Sweeney, C.J., Petrucelli, N., Kokenakes, C., Pirzadeh-Miller, S., Reys, B., Frazier, A., Knechtl, A., Fateh, S., Vatnick, D.R., Silver, R., Kilbridge, K.E., Pomerantz, M.M, Wei, X.X., Choudhury, A.D., Sonpavde, G.P., Kozyreva, O., Lathan, C., Horton, C., Dolinsky, J.S., Heath, E.I., Ross, T.S., Courtney, K.D., Garber, J.E. & Taplin. M.E. (2023). Pretest Video Education Versus Genetic Counseling for Patients With Prostate Cancer: ProGen, A Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial. JCO Oncology Practice. PMID: 37733980 DOI: 10.1200/OP.23.00007

Blazey, M., Marinac, C., Whiteley, J., Peterson, S., Burns White, K., Jacques, C., Lam, H., Halpenny, B., Patel, S., Lamothe, R., & Wright, J. (2023). Designing a Dyad-Based Digital Health Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Time in Black Breast Cancer Survivors and Their First-degree Relatives: Human-Centered Design Study. JMIR Formative Research. DOI: 10.2196/43592

Knapp, S.T., Revette, A., Underhill-Blazey, M., Stopfer, J.E., Ukaegbu, C.I., Poulin, C., Parenteau, M., Syngal, S., Bae, E., Bickmore, T., Hampel, H., Idos, G.E., Parmigiani, G., Yurgelun, M.B., & Braun, D. (2023). MyLynch: A Patient-Facing Clinical Decision Support Tool for Genetically-Guided Personalized Medicine in Lynch Syndrome. Cancers. DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020391

Allen, D.H., Arthur, E.K., Underhill-Blazey, M., Brassil, K., Cahill, J.E., Cooley, M.E., Fadol, A.P., Hammer, M.J., Hartranft, S., MMurphy, B., Nolan, T.S., Sun, V., Whisenant, M., & Yoder, L.H. (2023). A scoping review on the nurse scientist role within healthcare systems. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. PMID: 36617530 DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12624

Pozzar, R.A., Hong, F., Xiong, N., Stopfer,J.E., Nayak, M.M, & Underhill-Blazey, M. (2022). Knowledge and psychosocial impact of genetic counseling and multigene panel testing among individuals with ovarian cancer. Fam Cancer. DOI: 10.1007/s10689-021-00240-6

Underhill-Blazey, M., Rodriguez, D., & Norton, S. (2022). Scoping Review of Nonsurgical, Nonpharmacologic Interventions After Risk Reduction: Improving Quality of Life for Patients With Inherited Cancer Risk. Oncology Nursing Forum. PMID: 35446837 DOI: 10.1188/22.ONF.193-200

Pozzar, R.A., Xiong, N., Hong, F., Wright, A.A., Goff, B.A., Underhill-Blazey, M., Tulsky, J.A., Hammer, M.J. & Berry, D.L. (2022). How does patient-centered communication in ovarian cancer care enhance patient well-being? A mixed methods study. Gynecologic-Oncology. DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2022.08.019

Rodriguez, N.J., Furniss, C.S., Yurgelun, M.B., Ukaegbu, C., Constantinou, P.E., Fortes, I., Caruso, A., Schwartz, A.N., Stopfer, J.E., Underhill-Blazey, M., Kenner, B., Nelson, S.H., Okumura, S., Zhou, A.Y., Coffin, T.B., Uno, H., Horiguchi, M., Ocean, A.J., McAllister, F., Lowy, A.M., Lippman, S.M., Klein, A.P., Madlensky, L., Petersen, G.M., Garber, J.E., Goggins, M.G., Maitra, A., & Syngal, S. (2022). Abstract A029: A randomized study of two Strategies of remote Genetic Education, Risk Assessment, and Testing (GENERATE) for family members of patients with pancreatic cancer. Cancer Research, 82, A029-A029. DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.panca22-a029

Underhill-Blaze, M., Zhang, Y., Stanek, S., & Norton, S. (2022). The Experience of Uncertainty in Individuals With High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Nursing. DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001171

Samborski, A., Wilbur, M., Marshall, L., Mahon, L., Anderson, E., Thevenet-Morrison, K., & Underhill-Blazey, M. (2022). Rates and results of germline genetic testing in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer at a tertiary care center.. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 40, e17607-e17607. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.e17607

Pozzar, R., Xion, N., Hong, F., Nayak, M., & Underhill-Blazey, M. (2021). Knowledge and Psychosocial Impact of Genetic Counseling and Multigene Panel Testing among Individuals with Ovarian Cancer. Familial Cancer. PMID: 33751319 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-021-00240-6

Pozzar, R.A., Xiong, N., Hong, F., Wright, A.A., Goff, B.A., Underhill-Blazey, M.L., Tulsky, J.A., Hammer, M.J., & Berry, D.L. (2021). Perceived patient-centered communication, quality of life, and symptom burden in individuals with ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology. PMID: 34454724 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.08.007

Legor, K. A., Hayman, L. L., Foust, J. B., & Blazey, M. L. (2021). The role of clinical research nurses in minority recruitment to cancer clinical trials.. Contemporary clinical trials. PMID: 34634475 DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2021.106590

Furniss, C.S., Yurgelun, M.B., Ukaegbu, C., Constantinou, P.E., Lafferty, C.C., Talcove-Berko, E.R., Schwartz, A.N., Stopfer, J E., Underhill-Blazey, M., Kenner, B., Nelson, S H., Okumura, S., Law, S., Zhou, A.Y., Coffin, T.B., Rodriguez, N.J., Uno, H., Ocean, A.J., McAllister, F., Lowy, A.M., Lippman, S.M., Klein, A.P., Madlensky, L., Petersen, G.M., Garber, J.E., Goggins, M.G., Maitra, A., & Syngal, S. (2021). Novel Models of Genetic Education and Testing for Pancreatic Cancer Interception: Preliminary Results from the GENERATE Study.. Cancer prevention research (Philadelphia, Pa.). PMID: 34625409 PMCID: PMC8563400 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-20-0642

Pozzar, R.A., Xiong, N., Hong, F., Wright, A.A., Goff, B.A., Tulsky, J.A., Underhill-Blazey, M., Hammer, M.J., & Berry, D.L. (2021). Associations between patient-centered communication and quality of life in patients with ovarian cancer.. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 39, 12120-12120. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.12120

Jones, T., Howard, H., Freeman-Costin, K., Creighton, A., Wisdom-Chambers, K., & Underhill-Blazey, M. (2021). Knowledge and perceptions of BRCA1/2 genetic testing and needs of diverse women with a personal or family history of breast cancer in South Florida.. Journal of community genetics. PMID: 33555545 PMCID: PMC8241944 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-021-00507-6

Baroutsou, V., Underhill-Blazey, M. L., Appenzeller-Herzog, C., & Katapodi, M. C. (2021). Interventions Facilitating Family Communication of Genetic Testing Results and Cascade Screening in Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer or Lynch Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Cancers. PMID: 33672149 PMCID: PMC7926393 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040925

Cao, C., Sullivan, S., & Underhill-Blazey, M. (2021). Creative Art Expression: Using Hand-Lettering Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety in Patients With Cancer. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 25 (1), 97-99. PMID: 33480879 DOI: 10.1188/21.CJON.97-99

Jabaley, T., Rizzo, P., Grenon, N.N., Sullivan, C., Bagley, J., Nassif, M., Siegel, R., & Underhill-Blazey, M.L. (2020). Chemotherapy Education and Support: A Model for Use in the Ambulatory Care Setting. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. PMID: 32678366 DOI: 10.1188/20.CJON.E43-E49

Underhill-Blazey, M., Blonquist, T., Chittenden, A., Pozzar, R., Nayak, M., Lansang, K., Hong, F., Garber, J., & Stopfer, J. (2020). Informing models of cancer genetics care in the era of multigene panel testing with patient-led recommendations. Journal of Genetic Counseling. PMID: 32851753 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1317

Chittenden, A., Harladsdottir, S., Ukaegbu, C., Underhill-Blazey, M., Gaunkar, S., Uno, H., Brais, L., Pere, K., Wolpin, B., Syngal, S., & Yurgelun, M. (2020). Implementing Systematic Genetic Counseling and Multigene Germline Testing for Individuals with Pancreatic Cancer. Journal of Oncology Practice.

Amweg, L., McReynolds, J., Lansang, K., Jones, T., Snow, C., Berry, D., Partridge, A., & Underhill-Blazey M. (2020). Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivor Wellness: development of a web-based intervention. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. PMID: 32441674 DOI: 10.1188/20.CJON.284-289

Pozzar, R., Hammer, M.J., Underhill-Blazey, M., Wright, A.A., Tulsky, J.A., Hong, F., Gundersen, D.A., & Berry, D.L . (2020). Threats of bots and other bad actors to data quality following research participant recruitment through social media: cross-sectional questionnaire. Journal of Medical Internet Research. PMID: 33026360 PMCID: PMC7578815 DOI: 10.2196/23021

Brady, J.A., Underhill-Blazey, M., Burke, P.J., Lee, C.S., Howard, E.P., & Duffy, L.V. (2020). Experiences of school nurses caring for newly arrived immigrant and refugee children. International Journal of Education Reform. DOI: 10.1177/105678792199151

Zhou, S., Murali, P., Underhill-Blazey, M., & Bickmore, T. (2020). Cancer Genetic Counseling by Humanoid Robot. Companion of the 2020 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction. DOI: 10.1145/3371382.3378303

Underhill-Blazey, M., & Klehm, M. (2020). Genetic Discrimination: The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act’s Impact on Practice and Research. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 24 (2), 135-137. PMID: 32196007 DOI: 10.1188/20.CJON.135-137

Jabaley T., Underhill-Blazey M.L., & Berry D.L. (2019). Development and Testing of a Decision Aid for Unaffected Women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutation. Journal of Cancer Education, 1-6. PMID: 30661232 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-019-1470-9

Jones, T., Trivedi, M.S., Jiang, X., Silverman, T., Underhill, M., Chung, W.K., Kukafka, R., & Crew, K.D. (2019). Racial and Ethnic Differences in BRCA1/2 and Multigene Panel Testing Among Young Breast Cancer Patients. Journal of Cancer Education. PMID: 31802423 PMCID: PMC7293107 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-019-01646-8

Underhill M.L., Pozzar R., Chung D., Sawhney M., & Yurgelun M. (2019). Health Care Provider Perceptions of Caring for Individuals with Inherited Pancreatic Cancer Risk. J Cancer Educ. PMID: 31701425 PMCID: PMC7057412 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-019-01623-1

Berry, D.L., Hong F., Halpenny, B., Sanda, M., Master, V.A., Filson, C.P., Chang, P., Chien, G.W., Underhill, M., Fox, E., McReynolds, J., & Wolpin, S. (2019). Evaluating clinical implementation approaches for prostate cancer decision support.. Urology Practice. DOI: 10.1016/j.urpr.2018.05.003

Underhill-Blazey, M. (2019). What does the research say about genetic testing and underserved populations?. ONS Voice.

Underhill M., Stopfer J., Chittenden A., Nayak M.M., Lansang K., Lederman R., Garber J., & Gundersen D.A. (2019). Development and testing of the KnowGene scale to assess general cancer genetic knowledge related to multigene panel testing. Patient education and counseling. PMID: 31010603 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.04.014

Underhill-Blazey, M., Blonquist, T., Lawrence, J., Hong, F., Yurgelun, M. B., & Syngal, S. (2019). Health behaviours and beliefs in individuals with familial pancreatic cancer. Familial Cancer. PMID: 31522335 PMCID: PMC6784816 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-019-00143-7

Jones T., Duquette D., Underhill M., Mendelsohn-Victor K., Anderson B., Ming C., Milliron K., Copeland G., Janz N., Northouse L., Duffy S., Merajver S., & Katapodi M. (2018). Surveillance for cancer recurrence in long-term young breast cancer survivors randomly selected from a statewide cancer registry. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. DOI: 10.1007/s10549-018-4674-5

Underhill M., Hong F., Lawrence J., Blonquist T., & Syngal S. (2018). Relationship between individual and family characteristics and psychosocial factors in persons with familial pancreatic cancer. Psycho‐Oncology. DOI: 10.1002/pon.4712

Underhill M., Habin K., & Shannon K. (2017). Perceptions of cancer risk, cause, and needs in participants from low socioeconomic background at risk for hereditary cancer. Behavioral Medicine. PMID: 26808295 DOI: 10.1080/08964289.2016.1138925

Underhill M., Blonquist T., Habin K., Lundquist D., Shannon K., Robinson K., Woodford M., & Boucher J. (2017). A state-wide initiative to promote genetic testing in an underserved population. Cancer Medicine, 6 (7), 1837-44. PMID: 28556546 PMCID: PMC5504327 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.1100

Underhill M., Germansky K.A., & Yurgelun M.B. (2016). Advances in Hereditary Colorectal and Pancreatic Cancers. Clinical Therapeutics. PMID: 27045993 PMCID: PMC5746874 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2016.03.017

Underhill M., Roper K., Siefert M., Boucher J., & Berry D. (2015). Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation Before and After an Initiative to Promote Evidence Based Nursing in an Ambulatory Oncology Setting. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing. PMID: 25704058 DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12080

Underhill M., Berry D., Dalton E., Schienda J., & Syngal S. (2015). Patient experiences living with pancreatic cancer risk. Hereditary Cancer in Clinical Practice, 13 (1), 13. PMID: 26029287 PMCID: PMC4449523 DOI: 10.1186/s13053-015-0034-1

Underhill M., Hong F., & Berry D. (2014). When study site contributes to outcomes in a multi-center randomized trial: A secondary analysis of decisional conflict in men with localized prostate cancer.. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 12 (1), 159. PMID: 25344101 PMCID: PMC4213457 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-014-0159-3

Underhill M., Chicko L., & Berry D. (2014). A nurse-led evidence based practice project to monitor and improve the management of chemotherapy induced nausea or vomiting. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19 (1), 38-40. PMID: 25689647

Underhill M., Sheldon L., Halpenny B., & Berry D. (2014). Communication About Symptoms and Quality of Life Issues in Patients with Cancer: Provider Perceptions. Journal of Cancer Education, 29 (4), 753-61. PMID: 24748096 PMCID: PMC4206668 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-014-0651-9

Boucher J., Roper K., Underhill M., & Berry D. (2013). Science and Practice Aligned Within Nursing: Structure and Process for Evidence Based Practice. Journal of Nursing Administration. PMID: 23528689 DOI: 10.1097/NNA.0b013e3182895a5b

Underhill M., & Crotser C. (2013). Seeking balance: Decision support needs of women without cancer and a deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 23 (3), 350-62. PMID: 24271037 PMCID: PMC4138835 DOI: 10.1007/s10897-013-9667-2

Rhodes M., Meyers C.,& Underhill M. (2012). Evaluation Outcomes of a Dedicated Education Unit in a Baccalaureate Nursing Program. Journal of Professional Nursing. PMID: 22818192 DOI: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2011.11.019

Lally R., & Underhill M. (2012). Transition to breast cancer survivorship: A longitudinal qualitative follow-up study of two year survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. PMID: 22269078 DOI: 10.1080/07347332.2011.633983

Underhill M., & Dickerson S. (2012). Engaging in medical vigilance: the personal meaning of breast surveillance. Oncology Nursing Forum. PMID: 22037331 DOI: 10.1188/11.ONF.686-694

Underhill, M., Lally, R., Kiviniemi, M., Murkeysioni, C., & Dickerson, S. (2012). Living my family’s story: identifying the lived experience in healthy women at risk for hereditary breast cancer. Cancer Nursing. PMID: 22544165 PMCID: PMC3635541 DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e31824530fa

Underhill M., Boucher J., Roper K., & Berry D. (2012). Symptom management excellence initiative: promoting evidence-based oncology nursing practice. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. PMID: 22641315 DOI: 10.1188/12.CJON.247-250

Dickerson S., Alqaissi N., Underhill M., & Lally R. (2011). Surviving the wait: defining support while awaiting breast cancer surgery. Journal of Advanced Nursing. PMID: 2382077 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05612.x

Underhill M., & Kiviniemi M. (2011). The association of perceived provider-patient communication and relationship quality with colorectal cancer screening. Health Education and Behavior, 39 (5), 555-63. PMID: 21986241 PMCID: PMC3627480 DOI: 10.1177/1090198111421800

Dickerson S., Kennedy M., Wu Y., Underhill M., & Othman A. (2010). Factors related to quality-of-life pattern changes in recipients of implantable defibrillators. Heart & Lung: The Journal of Acute and Critical Care. PMID: 20561848 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2009.10.022