Olga Ehrlich, PhD, RN, CHPN

Assistant Professor
2003 Human Health Building
(248) 364-8742
[email protected]

Biography

Dr. Ehrlich received her BSN from Arizona State University, her PhD from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and was a post-doctoral research fellow at the Phyllis F. Cantor Center in Nursing and Patient Care at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA. Prior to becoming a nurse, Dr. Ehrlich was a homebirth midwife. Her clinical career included working as a nurses’ aide, surgical technician, and Med-Surg ICU nurse before finding that her passion was palliative and hospice care, her board specialty. Dr. Ehrlich’s program of cancer pain research has focused on the intersections of perception, behavior, and social processes used by persons with end-stage cancers, their informal caregivers, and their nurses when managing pain, in order to identify and test interventions for poorly controlled cancer pain. Other research has focused on teaching undergraduate nursing instructors how to incorporate palliative care in competency-based learning activities and in reducing disparities in rural palliative care. 

Dr. Ehrlich has taught students at all levels of nursing, developed and piloted a primary palliative care curriculum for undergraduate students, presented her research and workshops on teaching palliative care at national symposia, and served as a reviewer for journal manuscripts and conference posters, as well as foundation grants. She is a longtime member of Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA), serves on the HPNA Research Advisory Committee, and is a regional co-chair for the ELNEC Faculty support initiative. She currently serves as co-chair for the Oakland University Essentials/Competency-Based Education Faculty Work Group and self-published a manual to help instructors of baccalaureate programs incorporate hospice/palliative/supportive care content into their courses. 

Dr. Ehrlich enjoys collaborative research with nurses and multidisciplinary scientists and practitioners, as well as engaging with students as they develop their authentic professional nursing personas. 

Clinical Expertise: Community based palliative and hospice care, advance care planning, symptom management, pain management, care of dying persons and families. 

Education:

• Post-doctoral research fellowship, 2017-2019, UMass Boston/Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Phyllis F. Cantor Center for Research in Nursing and Patient Care
• PhD, Nursing, 2017, UMass Amherst, Dissertation: Cancer Pain Social Processes
• Graduate Nursing Education Certificate, 2016, UMass Amherst
• BSN, Nursing, 2006, University of Arizona, Tempe

Research Area Interests:

• Poorly controlled cancer pain, pain in persons with advanced cancers; primary palliative care professional and undergraduate nursing education; palliative care inequities

Research/Publications:

• Publications (Journal)
• Ehrlich, O., Lackowski, A., Glover, T., & Vallerand, A. H. (2024). A scoping review of ‘functional pain goals’ in cancer pain research. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 68(3), 194-205. ·       https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2024.05.026
• Lippe, M., Wingett, G., Davis, A., Jizba, T., Ehrlich, O., Cormack, C. L., Fasolino, T., Glover, T. L., Meskis, S., LeBlanc, L. G., Weiss, D., & Kirkpatrick, A. J. (2024). Instruments for evaluating student learning outcomes in palliative care: A literature Review. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, https://doi.org/10.1097/NJH.0000000000001051
• Ehrlich, O., Izumi, S., Bigger, S. E., & Johnson, L. (2023). Gag order laws threaten nursing education and health equity. Journal of Professional Nursing, (46), 27-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.02.005
• Ehrlich, O. & Vallerand, A. H. (2022). Patient goals in hospice cancer pain management: A total pain case scenario. Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 25(2) 75-81. DOI: 10.1097/NJH.0000000000000929
• Ehrlich, O., Schweitzer, N., & Berry, D. L. (2022). Functional goals and how palliative patients with cancer managed pain. Pain Management Nursing, 23(5),
• 640-645. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2022.02.004  
• Ehrlich, O., Brandoff, D., Gorman, D. P., & Berry, D. L. Nurse-led motivational interviewing for setting functional cancer pain goals. Pain Management Nursing. Online May 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmn.2021.03.003
• Azizoddin, D. R., Adam, R., Kessler, D., Wright, A. A., Kematick, B., Sullivan, C., Zhang, H., Hassett, M. J., Cooley, M. E., Ehrlich, O., & Enzinger, A. C. Leveraging mobile health technology and research methodology to optimize patient education and self-management support for advanced cancer pain. Supportive Care in Cancer. Online March 2021. DOI:10.1007/s00520-021-06146-4
• Chua, I. S., Ransohoff, J. R., Ehrlich, O., … Melanson, T. F. (2021). Laboratory-generated urine toxicology interpretations: A mixed methods study. Pain Physician, 24(2). E191-E201
• Ehrlich, O., Walker, R. K., & Jacelon, C. S. (2019). Cancer pain social processes and pain management in home hospice care. Pain Management Nursing, 20(6), 541-548. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmn.2019.06.011
• Ehrlich, O. & Walker, R. K. (2018). Recruiting and retaining patient–caregiver–nurse triads for qualitative hospice cancer pain research. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 35(7), 1009-1014. DOI: 10.1177/1049909118756623
• Ehrlich, O., & Walker, R. K.  (2016). Pain and social processes for hospice cancer patients. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, (25), 83-89. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2016.10.001
• Presentations (Poster-Referreed)
• Ehrlich, O., Lackowski, A., Glover, T., & Vallerand, A. H. Cancer Pain Goals Use: A Systematic Review. (2024). [Poster, accepted, abstract number: 1643336]. The 2024 Annual Assembly of Hospice and Palliative Care, March, 20-23, 2024. Phoenix, AZ.
• Colby, L. & Ehrlich, O. A theory substruction for hybrid virtual nursing. (2024). [Podium presentation, accepted]. 2024 Virtual Nursology Theory Week. March 21-25, 2024.
• Pozzar, R. A., Gray, T., Underhill-Blazey, M., Nayak, M., Ehrlich, O., Haas, N. M., Enzinger, A. C., Hammer, M. J., & Berry, D. L. Engaging patient-family dyads to inform the development of a digital health intervention to support cancer caregivers. [Poster]. (2023). ASCO Quality Care Symposium; Oct 27-28, 2023; Boston, MA. ASCO Featured Abstract: https://ascopubs.org/op/qcs-23-featured-abstracts
• Ehrlich, O. & Lackowski, A. A total pain approach in hospice care planning. [Poster]. (2023). 2023 Team Conference for Hospice & Palliative Care; September 29, 2023.
• Colby, L., Ehrlich, O., & Bigger, S. E. Primary palliative care needs in the rural United States. (2023). [Poster]. 2023 International Rural Nursing Conference, July 27-28, 2023. Johnson City, TN.
• Ehrlich, O., & Lackowski, A. A total pain approach in nursing care planning. (2023). [Poster]. Sigma Theta Tau Theta Psi at-large chapter, Scholarship Day, April 11, 2023.
• Ehrlich, O., Schweitzer, N., & Berry, D. L. (2022). [Poster]. A content analysis of motivational interviews to describe cancer pain obstacles and goals. AAHPM-HPNA State of the Science in Hospice and Palliative Care 2022, virtual online, February 12-23, 2022.
• Ehrlich, O., & LeBlanc, R. G. Nurses at the COVID-19 bedside: Generalist palliative care support. CSU Shiley Institute for Palliative Care’s National Symposium Spotlights for Academic Palliative Care Education and Research, Virtual Poster Gallery, October 5 – November 8, 2020.
• Ehrlich, O., Berry, D. L., Brandoff, D., & Gorman, D. Motivational interviewing for functional cancer pain goals: A feasibility study. AAHPM-HPNA State of the Science in Hospice and Palliative Care 2020, San Diego, California, March 20-22, 2020. http://aahpm.org/uploads/AAHPM_SOTS20_SESSIONS_v2.pdf
• Ehrlich, O. Testing feasibility of motivational interviewing for patient-reported cancer pain goals. The Annual Assembly Hospice & Palliative Care, Orlando, Florida, March 14, 2019. 
• LeBlanc, R. G., Groden, M., & Ehrlich, O. The “D-Word” An undergraduate learning experience in talking about dying. CSU Institute for Palliative Care National Symposium, San Diego, California, October 11-12, 2018.
• Ehrlich, O., & Walker, R. K. Cancer pain management goals for the hospice caring triad. International Association for the Study of Pain 17th World Congress on Pain, Boston, Massachusetts, September 15, 2018. 
• Ehrlich, O. Pain and social processes for hospice cancer patients: An integrative review of the literature. American Pain Society 35th Annual Scientific Meeting, Austin, Texas, May 11-14, 2016.
• Ehrlich, O., Lamoureux, E., LeBlanc, R. G., & Groden, M. [Poster]. Introducing palliative care curriculum into an undergraduate chronic illness nursing course. Engaging the Next Generation: The First Annual Academic Symposium on Palliative Care Education and Research, San Marcos, California, September 30-October 1, 2016.
• Ehrlich, O. Hospice cancer patients define pain control: A hybrid concept analysis. Eastern Nursing Research Society, Washington, DC, April 16, 2015.
• Ehrlich, O. The meaning of cancer pain for hospice patients and associated caregiver and nursing concerns: A synthesis of the literature. Rising Stars of Scholarship & Research Invited Poster. Sigma Theta Tau International 42nd Biennial Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana, November 16-20, 2013.
• Presentations (Oral-Referreed)
• Ehrlich, O., & Walker, R. K. Cancer pain processes in the hospice caring triad: A grounded theory study. Oncology Nursing Society 43rd Annual Congress, Washington, DC, May 17, 2018.
• Ehrlich, O., & LeBlanc, R. G. Measuring undergraduate nursing student knowledge in palliative care delivery. 2017 National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Research and Education, San Marcos, California, September 29, 2017.
• Ehrlich, O. Hospice cancer pain social processes: Initial codes from a study of the caring triad. Beta Zeta at-large Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International, Scholarship Day, Holyoke, Massachusetts, April 6, 2016. 
• Ehrlich, O. Defining pain control: A qualitative study of pain control for hospice cancer patients. Beta Zeta at-large Chapter, Sigma Theta Tau International, Scholarship Day, Holyoke, Massachusetts, April 9, 2014.
• Ehrlich, O., & Groden, M. Palliative pain management: Best practice for best outcomes. Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts, 2016 Annual Education Conference, Norwood, Massachusetts, October 23, 2013.
• Presentations (Oral-Invited)
• Ehrlich, O. Functional pain goals in nursing management of pain: A professional dialogue. American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Quarterly Education Online Meeting. August 7, 2023.
• Ehrlich, O., Izumi, S., Bigger, S. E., & Johnson, L. (April 14, 2023). A talk with the authors: Gag order laws threaten nursing education and health equity (virtual). Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, UMass Amherst.
• Ehrlich, O. (October 15, 2022). Virtual Live Workshop: The Role of the Nurse in Providing Psychological Support in Palliative Care. Webinar Series #8 Palliative Care. Aspek Psikologis. Universitas Gadja Mada. Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
• LeBlanc, R. G., Groden, M., & Ehrlich, O. Using digital storytelling to make meaning about loss and grief. CSU Institute for Palliative Care National Symposium, San Diego, California, October 11-12, 2018.
• LeBlanc, R. G., Ehrlich, O., & Murray, K. Palliative and End-of-Life Nursing Education P4 Model. 2017 National Symposium for Academic Palliative Care Research and Education, San Marcos, California, September 28, 2017.
• Groden, M., & Ehrlich, O. Hospice & SNF collaboration for a comfort care plan of care. Hospice & Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts, 2016 Annual Education Conference, Norwood, Massachusetts, November 2, 2016.
• Grants
• 2024 Pilot Feasibility Testing of a Guidebook and Case-Based Intervention for Faculty Knowledge Application in Teaching Primary Palliative Care Nursing, Oakland University Faculty Research Fellowship
• 2022 - 2024 Assisting pre-licensure nursing faculty in meeting competency-based education requirements for the AACN New Essentials, Oberhauser Nursing Instruction Endowment
• 2023 - 2024 Faculty Development: Integrating LGBTQ+ health into the curriculum, Oberhauser Nursing Instruction Endowment
• 2021 - 2024 Creating pre-licensure curriculum alignment areas for OU nursing faculty to comply with AACN New Essentials for hospice/palliative care, Oberhauser Nursing Instruction Endowment
• 2018 - 2021      Motivational interviewing for cancer pain goals, Sigma/American Nurses’ Foundation                     
• 2016 – 2017     Measuring undergraduate nursing student knowledge in palliative care delivery, CSU Palliative Care Institute, West Foundation Seed Grant
• 2016                 Hospice social processes for cancer pain management, UMass Amherst Graduate School
• 2015 – 2016     Hospice social processes for cancer pain management, Oncology Nursing Society Foundation      
• 2015 – 2016     Hospice social processes for cancer pain management, Sigma Theta Tau International, Beta Zeta at-Large Chapter
• 2015 – 2016     Hospice social processes for cancer pain management, UMass Amherst Graduate School
• 2013                 Hybrid concept analysis for pain control for the home hospice cancer patient,  Sigma Theta Tau International, Beta Zeta at-Large Chapter
• Other Scholarly Work
• Ehrlich, O., Lackowski, A., & Gjata, N. (2023). Integrating the AACN hospice/palliative/supportive care sphere in undergraduate nursing education: A practical guide for faculty. Self-published book. https://tinyurl.com/Palliative-Care-Ed-Guidebook
• Ehrlich, O. (2015) Communicating about Palliative Care Options (Adults), Palliative Care Education to Support Practice, on-line nursing education module, AACN CNEs granted. 
• Ehrlich, O., & LeBlanc, R. G. Nurses at the Dying Bedside – A COVID-19 Response. July 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 2020. https://www.palliativepracticesupport.info/

Professional Affiliations:

• Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
• American Society of Pain Management Nursing
• Rural Nurse Organization
• American Nurses Association/Michigan Nurses Association
• Palliative Care Research Cooperative