College of Nursing
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Robin Lally, PhD, MS, BA, RN, AOCN, FAAN

Director, Center for Chronic Illness, Self-Management and Prevention (CRISP)
Bertha L. Pankratz Professorship in Nursing
Professor, UNMC College of Nursing

402-559-5464

Robin Lally, PhD, MS, BA, RN, AOCN, FAAN
Dr. Lally joined the UNMC College of Nursing in the fall of 2016 after 10 years at the University at Buffalo School of Nursing in Buffalo, NY. She received a bachelor of arts in human physiology, a bachelor of science in nursing, and a masters and PhD in nursing with a specialty in oncology all from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Dr. Lally’s background includes ICU nursing in the Mayo hospitals, Rochester, MN, clinical trials nursing, and two decades of oncology nursing, specializing in breast cancer and psycho-oncology concepts and development of an Internet-based clinical intervention to support the psychosocial wellbeing of women with breast cancer and their families. Dr. Lally also holds a minor in biomedical ethics and earned a certificate in applied cognitive behavioral therapy and related supportive oncology.
  • 1987, BA, University of Minnesota
  • 1991, BSN, University of Minnesota
  • 1999, MSN, University of Minnesota
  • 2006, PhD, University of Minnesota
  • Psychological adjustment of people newly diagnosed and surviving cancer
  • Reducing Distress and Depressive-symptoms
  • Internet-based Psychoeducation to Promote Initial Breast Cancer Adjustment
  • Increasing our understanding of the immediate post-breast cancer diagnosis experience of women
  • July 2023-June 2024 Title: IntegRating EHeAlth and Lay navigation to OptImiZe TrEatment Initiation and Adherence (REALIZE) among Black Women with Breast Cancer: A Pilot Implementation Feasibility Study, Award Amount: $49,892, Role: Lally, R (P.I.)
  • August 2021-July 2024 Title: Impact of an mHealth Augmented Coaching Program for Self-Management in Patients with and Survivors of Cancer, Award Amount: $48,128, Role: Lally, R. (P.I.)
  • Lally, R.M. Tlusty, G., Lake, K., Tanis, K., Jobanputra, J. Cozad, M. Exploring the Experiences of Care Partners Co-Surviving in the Context of Living with Metastatic Breast Cancer. J of Psychosocial Oncology (online ahead of print). February 8, 2025. 10.1080/07347332.2025.2465576
  • Brown, K.A., Cordts, K, Acquazzino, M., Meaker-Medcalf, S., Lally, RM. Quality of life and unmet needs of late-stage and metastatic colorectal cancer survivors: A mixed methods study. Cancer Nursing (online ahead of print) March 6, 2025 Doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001480
  • Rosenzweig, M., Belcher, S.M., Braithwatie, L.E., Cuaron, L., Fischer-Cartlidge E., Lally, R.M., Linder, L.A., Meyeraan, T., Ogunkunle R., Springer, N.G., Song, L., Wickersham, K.E., Moore, M.S.B. & Anderson, A. Research priorities of the Oncology Nursing Society: 2024-2027. Oncology Nursing Forum, 51(6), 502 – 515.10.118/24.ONF.502-515.
  • Brown, K.A, Poppert Cordts, K & Lally, RM. Quality of life and unmet needs of late-state and metastatic colorectal cancer survivors: An integrative review. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. Online ahead of print Nov 11, 2024. Doi: 10.1080/07347332.2024.2425679
  • Lally, RM, Schmidt, R., Kupzyk, K., Wengel, S., Cordts, K, Mills, A., Richards, S. (published online March 11, 2024; hard copy April 2024). Implementing longitudinal wellbeing interventions and evaluation among Midwestern healthcare workers during COVID-19. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 46(4); 296-306. Doi: 10.117/01939459241237663
  • Lim, A., Dickinson, K., Lally, RM. Health care professional education on cancer screening of SGM individuals: An integrative review (published online January 2024; hard copy June 2024). Journal of Cancer Education, 39 (3): 220-233 Doi: 1007/s13187-024-02399-9
  • Hendricks, B.A., Kupzyk, K., Cordts, K., & Lally, R.M. Oncology’s silent caregivers: A mixed-methods exploration of the experiences, outcomes, and unmet needs of caregiving youth of a parent with cancer. Cancer Nursing. April 10, 2024; DOI: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001342
  • Obeidat RF, Lally RM. Determinants of breast cancer screening mammography uptake: Results from Jordan population and family health survey. Indian J Cancer 2023; 60: 266‑74.
  • Dunovan S, Zak, R., Lally RM. Illuminating Black, Hispanic, and Asian women’s breast cancer-related cognitive impairment symptom experience: An integrative review (October 19, 2022) Cancer Care Research Online). Doi: 10.1097/CR9.0000000000000030
  • Ginex, PK, Cooley, ME, Biedrzycki B, Brant J, Hammer, MJ, Lally RM, Tucker S. (online ahead of print April 2022; hard copy March/April 2023) Translation of evidence-based interventions into oncology care settings: An integrative review. Cancer Nursing.46(2) doi: 10.1097/NCC.0000000000001109
  • Jones, R., Hirschey, R., Campbell, G., Cooley, M. E., Somayaji, D., Lally, R., Rueter, E.K., Gullatte, M. M., (November 2021). Update to 2020-2022 ONS Research Priorities: Rapid Review to Promote Equity in Oncology Healthcare Access and Workforce Development. Oncology Nursing Forum. doi: 10.1188/21.ONF.604-612.
  • Jones, R., Hirschey, R., Campbell, G., Cooley, M. E., Somayaji, D., Lally, R., Rueter, E.K., Gullatte, M. M. (November 2021). Update to 2020-2022 ONS Research Priorities: Rapid Review to Address Structural Racism and Health Inequities through Oncology Nursing Research Agenda.  Oncology Nursing Forum 48(6). doi: 10.1188/21.ONF.589-600.
  • Lally, R.M., Zak, R., Raemakers, R., Coates, A. Reed, E. (September 2020) Developing Pathway to Cure: A Multimodal Clinical Pathway Platform to Support Timely and Appropriate Care of Women Under 50 Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Journal of Clinical Pathways
  • Lally, R.M., Kupzyk, K., Gallo, S., & Berry, D. (July 2020). Use of an Unguided, Web-Based Distress Self-Management Program After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Sub-Analysis of CaringGuidance Pilot Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research 6;22(7): e19734. https://doi: 10.2196/19734.
  • Doorenbos, A.Z., Li, H., Jang, M.K., & Lally, R.M. (June 2020). eHealth education: methods to enhance oncology nurse, patient, and caregiver teaching. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing. 24(3):42-48 DOI: 10.1188/20.cjon.s1.42-48
  • Lally, R.M., Hydeman, J., Brooks, C., Akter, H., & Yoerg, M.T. (March 2020). Experiences and needs of African American youth in supportive care roles for relatives with breast cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum 47(2), 165 – 176.
  • Lally, R.M., Kupzyk, K., Bellavia, G., Hydeman, J., Gallo, S., Helgeson, V., Erwin, D., Mills, A., Brown, J. (online 8/14/19, hard copy 3/22/2020) CaringGuidance™ After Breast Cancer Diagnosis eHealth psychoeducational intervention to reduce early post-diagnosis distress. Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer 28(5), 2163-2174 https://doi: 10.1007/s00520-019-05028-0
  • Riba, MB., Donovan, K.A., Andersen, B.A., Braun, I., Breitbart W.S., Brewer, B.W .Lally, R. et al. (October 2019). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Distress Management Version 3.2019. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. 17 (10), 1229 – 1249. Doi:10.6004/jnccn.2019.0048
  • Lally, R., Bellavia, G., Gallo, S., Kupzyk, K., Helgeson, V., Brooks, C., Erwin, D., Brown, J. (online 2-25-19; April 2019 in print). Feasibility and acceptance of the CaringGuidance web-based, distress self-management, psychoeducational program initiated within 12-weeks of breast cancer diagnosis. PsychoOncology 28(4):888-895. https://doi: 10.1002/pon.5038.
  • Lally, R. M., Kupzyk, K., Mills, A., Gallo, S., & Meneses, K†. (online 1-7-19). Effects of social constraints and web-based psychoeducation on cancer-related psychological adjustment early-after breast cancer diagnosis. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.  (†Died 8-1-18) https://doi.org/10.1080/07347332.2018.1546787
  • Obeidat, R.F., & Lally, R. M. (October-December 2018). Jordanian physicians' perceived barriers and facilitators to patient participation in treatment decision making. Indian Journal of Cancer ;55(4):377-381. doi: 10.4103/ijc.IJC_122_18.
  • Lally, R.M., Eisenhauer, C., Buckland, S., Kupzyk, K. (Online October 23, 2018). Feasibility of Synchronous Online Focus Groups of Rural Breast Cancer Survivors on Web-Based Distress Self-Management. Oncology Nursing Forum, 45(6), E111 – E124.
  • Paradiso C, & Lally, R.M. (April 2018) Nurse practitioner knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs when caring for transgender people. Transgender Health 3 (1), 47–56, DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2017.0048
  • Lally, R.M. & Brooks, C. (Dec 2016; Epub ahead of print 7-14-15). Psychoeducational interventions for supporters of women with breast cancer: An integrative review. Journal of Cancer Education 4,626 - 632. PMID: 26166444 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-015-0883-3 +
  • Survivorship, Version 2.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Denlinger CS, Sanft T, Baker KS, Baxi S, Broderick G, Demark-Wahnefried W, Friedman DL, Goldman M, Hudson M, Khakpour N, King A, Koura D, Kvale E, Lally RM, Langbaum TS, Melisko M, Montoya JG, Mooney K, Moslehi JJ, O'Connor T, Overholser L, Paskett ED, Peppercorn J, Rodriguez MA, Ruddy KJ, Silverman P, Smith S, Syrjala KL, Tevaarwerk A, Urba SG, Wakabayashi MT, Zee P, Freedman-Cass DA, McMillian NR. (September 2017). Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network;15(9), 1140-1163. doi: .6004/jnccn.2017.0146.
  • Lewis, F.M., Griffith, K.A., Walker, A., Lally, R.M., Loggers, E.T., Zahlis, E.H., Shands, M.E., Alzawd, Z., Mulla, H.AL,Chi, N. (Oct. 2016). The enhancing connections telephone study: A pilot feasibility test of a cancer parenting program. Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer, 25 (2), 615 - 623. PubMed: 27770206 PMC: PMC5199615 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-016-3448-z
  • Lally, R.M. & Brooks, C. (Dec 2016; Epub ahead of print 7-14-15). Psychoeducational interventions for supporters of women with breast cancer: An integrative review. Journal of Cancer Education 4,626 - 632.+ PMID: 26166444 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-015-0883-3
  • Lally, R.M., McNees, P, Meneses, K. (February 2015; published on-line October 30, 2014). Application of a novel transdisciplinary communication technique to develop an internet-based psychoeducational program. Applied Nursing Research. E7 – 11. Doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2014.10.006 (Methods used in current research development).
  • Connors, L.M., Voian, N., Lally, R.M., Austin-Ketch, T., Edge, S.B. (June 2014). Decision making after BRCA genetic testing. Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing, 18(3), E58-E63. (Original data based clinical inquiry project)*+
  • Obeidat, R. & Lally, R.M. (September 2014). Health-related information exchange experiences of Jordanian women at breast cancer diagnosis. Journal of Cancer Education, 29 (3), 548-554. (Original data based research)* DOI: 10.1007/s13187-013-0574-x.
  • Obeidat, R., Homish, G. Lally, R.M. (September 2013). Shared decision making among individuals with cancer in non-Western cultures: A literature review. Oncology Nursing Forum, 40(5), 454-463. (Doctoral Advisee, Systematic Search & Narrative Review of Literature; Corresponding Author)+
  • Lally, R.M., Hydeman, J., Schwert, K, Edge, S.B. (July 2013). Unsupportive social interactions in the weeks immediately following breast cancer diagnosis. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 31(4), 468-488. (Original data based Research)* DOI:10.1080/07347332.2013.798758
  • Obeidat, R. Dickerson, S., Homish, G, Alqaissi, N. & Lally, RM. (Nov/Dec 2013). Controlling fear: Jordanian women’s perceptions of the diagnosis and surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer. Cancer Nursing, 36 (6), 484-92 (Original data based dissertation research).
  • Underhill, M.L., Lally, R.M., Kiviniemi, M.T., Murekeyisoni, C., & Dickerson, S.S. (2012). Living my family’s story: Identifying the lived experience within the context of high risk for hereditary breast cancer. Cancer Nursing 35(6), 493-504. (Original Research, Doctoral co-advisee dissertation)*+
  • Othman, A., Kiviniemi, M.T., Wu, Y. Lally, R.M. (March 2012). Influence of demographic factors, knowledge and beliefs on Jordanian women’s intention to undergo mammography screening. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 44(1), 19 – 25. DOI:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2011.01435.x (Doctoral Advisee Original data based Research; Corresponding Author)*+
  • Lally, R.M. & Underhill, M. L. (2012). Transition to breast cancer survivorship: A qualitative longitudinal follow-up study of 2 year survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 30(1), 97-127. (Original data based Research) *+
  • Lally, R.M., Hydeman, J., Schwert, K., Henderson, H., Edge, S. (Jan/Feb 2012). Exploring the first days of adjustment to cancer: A modification of acclimating to breast cancer theory. Cancer Nursing 35 (1), 3 – 18 (doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e318227ca62). (Original Research)*+
  • Obeidat, R., Lally, R.M., Dickerson, S. (2012). Arab American women's lived experience with early-stage breast cancer diagnosis and surgical treatment. Cancer Nursing, 35(4), 302 - 311.doi: 10.1097/NCC.0b013e318231db09 (Doctoral Advisee, Original Research)*+
  • Obeidat, R., Finnell, D., Lally, R.M. (2011). Decision aids for surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer: Narrative review of the literature. Patient Education and Counseling, 85 (3), e311 – e321. (Doctoral Advisee’s Narrative Review)+
  • Dickerson, S., Alqaissi, N., & Underhill, M., Lally, R. M. (2011). Surviving the wait: Defining support while awaiting breast cancer surgery. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 67(7), 1468-1479. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05612.x (Original research Dr. Lally’s data)*+
  • Lally, R.M. (2010). Acclimating to breast cancer: A process of maintaining self-integrity in the pretreatment period. Cancer Nursing, 33(4), 268-279. (Original Research)*
  • Lally, R.M. (2009). In the moment: Women speak about surgical treatment decision making days after breast cancer diagnosis. Oncology Nursing Forum, 36(5), E257-E265. (Original Research)*
  • Lally, R.M., Chalmers, K.L., Johnson, J., Kojima, M., Endo, E., Suzuki, S., Lai, Y, Yang, Y., Degner, L., Anderson, E. & Molassiotis, A., (2008). Smoking behavior and patient education practices of oncology nurses in six countries. European Journal of Oncology Nursing 12 (4), 372 - 379. (Original Research)*
  • Swenson, K.K., Mahipal, A., Nissen, M.J., Tuttle, T.M., Heaton, K., Lally, R. M., Spomer, A., Lee, M.W. (2005). Axillary disease recurrence after sentinel lymph node dissection for breast carcinoma. Cancer, 104, 1834-9. (Original Research)*
  • Swenson, K.K., Sladek, M.L., Lally, R., & Tuttle, T. (2001). Educating patients on sentinel lymph node dissection for breast cancer. Cancer Practice, 9 (2) 92-96. (Review of Literature & Education)
  • Nissen, M.J., Swenson, K.K., Ritz, L.J., Farrell, J.B., Sladek, M.L., & Lally, R. (2001). Quality of life after breast cancer surgery: A comparison of three surgical procedures. Cancer, 91, 1238-46. (Original Research)*
  • Ritz, L.J., Nissen, M.J., Swenson, K.K., Farrell, J.B., Sperduto, P.W., Sladek, M.L., Lally, R.M., & Schroeder, L.M. (2000). Effects of advance practice nursing on quality of life and cost outcomes of women diagnosed with breast cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 27(6), 923-932. (Original Research)*
  • Lewis, M. Hepburn, K., Narayan, S., Lally, R., Corcoran-Perry, S., Maddox, M., Dropkin, K., & Haase, S. (2000). Decision making by family caregivers of elders experiencing dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 15(6), 361-366. (Original Research)*
  • Lewis, M.L., Corcoran-Perry, S., Narayan, S.M., & Lally, R.M. (1999). Women's approaches to decision making about mammography. Cancer Nursing, 22 (5), 380-388. (Original Research)*
  • Lewis, M., Hepburn, K., Corcoran-Perry, S., Narayan, S., & Lally, R.M. (1999). OOVL decision-making guide for patients and families. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 25(12), 19-25. (Instrument Development)
  • 3/2017 & 3/2016 Nominated to ballot for election to Nomination Committee Council for the Advancement of Nursing Science (CANS).
  • Selected for Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute (2017).
  • Selected for Applied Cognitive Behavioral & Related Interventions in Cancer Supportive Care certificate program.
  • Oncology Nursing Society Foundation Core Grant Reviewer (2016-present).
  • Selected for NCI Sponsored Massachusetts General Hospital Supportive Oncology Workshop (2015).
  • Elected Oncology Nursing Society Coordinator Advanced Nursing Research Special Interest Group (2013-14, coord.-elect; 2014-16, coordinator).
  • Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2012).
  • Designated Trainee Western New York Cancer Coalition (WNYC2) Center to Reduce Disparities U54 NCI grant Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo NY (2010-2013).
  • Selected Attendee Pittsburgh Mind Body Center Summer Institute (NIH sponsored) University of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon (2010-2013).
  • Multiple leadership positions on panels, advisory groups, and editorial boards within the Oncology Nursing Society (2005 - 2014).
  • 3/2017 Accepted Fellow – Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute (competitive) Society of Behavioral Medicine.
  • Cancer Nursing: An International Journal for Cancer Care Annual Research Award (for outstanding research article - first author) Cancer Nursing: An International Journal for Cancer Care
  • Excellence in Research Award University at Buffalo School of Nursing (2012).
College of Nursing - Omaha Division

University of Nebraska Medical Center
985330 Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, NE  68198-5330