CANCER BUZZ: Recent Episodes

Association of Community Cancer Centers

CANCER BUZZ features fresh perspectives on hot topics in oncology care delivery.

CANCER BUZZ is where stakeholders from the front lines of care to the C-suite, from research to the registry, from chairside to benchside, talk about top-of-mind questions and real-world impact.

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) continue to garner the interest of both academic and community cancer centers due to their rapid growth in FDA approvals and increasing use in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. However, practical considerations such as treatment-related toxicities, choosing the right delivery model, and staffing constraints deter many programs from attempting to implement BsAbs.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with 2026 ACCC Innovator Award winner Kate Kennedy, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP, an Outpatient Hematology Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Team Lead at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, about her program's APP-led BsAb step-up dosing clinic. With APPs at the helm, this model enables efficient and specialty-expert management of therapies while optimizing physician resources. In addition, its adherence to step-up dosing protocols prioritizes patient safety and convenience while reducing inpatient resource utilization.

"[It's important to look] at what you need to spend money on, [make] sure that you're spending money on the right things, and then [look] for areas like space and staff that maybe have capacity that you can utilize in a little bit of a different way to deliver this care." – Kathryn Kennedy, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP

Guest: Kathryn Kennedy, MSN, APRN, ACNP-BC, AOCNPOutpatient Hematology APP Team Lead Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Nashville, Tennessee

Resources:

ACCC 43rd National Oncology Conference
2026 ACCC Innovator Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
Blog: An APP-Led Outpatient Bispecific Antibody Clinic
Podcast: APPs Paving the Way in Leadership
Blog: Maximizing the Role of APPs in Oncology Care
Blog: Bispecific Antibodies Are Moving Forward; So Are the Implementation Questions

As bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) become more integrated into oncology care, much of the focus has been placed on clinical protocols and operational readiness. However, less attention has been paid to the patient and caregiver experience. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ explores how it feels physically and emotionally for patients to begin and continue BsAb therapy. Grounded in real-world insights, this discussion highlights the logistical and emotional challenges that arise during the step-up period and early treatment phases and identifies opportunities for care teams to better support patients throughout their journey.

In partnership with HOPA and APSHO.

This program was made possible with support from Johnson & Johnson and Genentech.

Guest:

Leslie Mader, RN, BSN, OCN

Patient Care Coordinator, Bispecific Drug Therapy and IEC Therapy, Hematology/Stem Cell Transplant

Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center

"It decreased the amount of time they had to be in the clinic, you know, because a lot of these people we're getting them back to their regular lives where they can work, they can go to you know continue on with life. So anything that we can give that's in an injection, and anything that's targeted to decrease systemic reactions is better for the patient." - Leslie Mader

"They think, oh, this is great. I'm going to get through it with no problems. And then they get dose three or dose four, and they're like crap. You know, they get discouraged. But usually, you know, we have emergency drugs that we give them dexamethasone, and it usually resolves quickly." - Lesie Mader

Resources:

A Blueprint for Successful Integration of Bispecific Antibodies
Delivery Models for Administering T-Cell-Engaging Bispecific Antibodies
Delivering T-Cell-Engaging Bispecific Antibodies: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
ACCC Office Hours Recording - Bispecific Antibodies: One BiTE at a Time
Bispecific Antibodies Checklist for Community Providers
Using Bispecific Antibodies in Community Practice: Challenge and Opportunities
Expanding Access to Cellular and Bispecific Therapies: Considerations and Recommendations

In this episode of Oncology Unscripted, hosts Mark Liu and Deirdre Saulet speak with Arif Kamal, MD, Chief Patient Officer at the American Cancer Society (ACS). Dr. Kamal discusses his recent appointment to this inaugural role at ACS, leading into a conversation about how he expects the cancer care field to evolve. Namely, a shift for providers toward building a skillset for compassionate patient conversations, a shift toward self-administered treatment modalities whenever possible, and new payment models for multi-cancer early detection tests. Dr. Kamal also shares how ACS's recently launched Access to Clinical Trials and Support program—an education-forward initiative designed is helping to reduce the challenges and barriers patients face when enrolling in clinical trials. "When you think about...the goal of cancer care...it's about more and better days. It is a false choice to choose between one or the other...As we're getting people to the other side [of treatment], are we leaving them financially devastated, significantly lonely, without support around them?" – Arif Kamal, MD

Arif Kamal, MD Chief Patient Officer American Cancer Society

To submit a topic of discussion to the podcast, please email mark.liu@mountsinai.org and deirdre.saulet@hellojasper.com.

The 2026 Oncology Unscripted series is exclusively sponsored by Advarra.

Resources Spirituality and Cultural Humility: Core Components of Comprehensive Palliative Care

Together As One: Advancing Joy, Resilience, and Peer Support in Oncology Care

Oncology Unscripted: Transforming Palliative Care in Oncology

Oncolytic viruses are a novel and effective way to treat cancers by infecting and destroying cancer cells, but clinical delivery necessitates creative strategies to account for the required safety protocols, deep-freeze storage, and rigorous clinical oversight. The University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is a referral center for the only currently FDA-approved oncolytic virus therapy for cancer, talimogene laherparepvec, and its staff noticed that a common pain point for patients receiving this treatment is the extensive time spent in appointments.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with 2026 ACCC Innovator Award winner Morgan Gwynn, PharmD, BCOP, CPP, an Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner at UNC Lineberger, about her program's development of a pharmacist-led care model to make oncolytic virus treatments more efficient for patients and providers. By moving toxicity assessment, clinical review, and dose planning to pre-treatment telemedicine visits, the program reduced treatment time by more than 2 hours per session and helped decrease unnecessary clinic visits and drug waste.

"Just because there's one way that things are done, [that] doesn't mean that's the only way things can be done...Finding creative solutions that benefit...the patient, the physician, and our pharmacy...was key." – Morgan Gwynn, PharmD, BCOP, CPP

Guest: Morgan Gwynn, PharmD, BCOP, CPP Oncology Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner University of North Carolina Medical Center UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Chapel Hill, North Carolina Resources:

ACCC 43rd National Oncology Conference
2026 ACCC Innovator UNC Lineberger
A Pharmacist-Led Strategy to Improve Care With Oncolytic Virus Treatments
Heart and Healing: Embedding Pharmacists in Cardio-Oncology Clinics
Oncology Pharmacy Virtual Office Hours Highlight Emerging Strategies for Implementing Bispecific Antibodies

In 2025, the FDA approved the antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) enfortumab vedotin combined with pembrolizumab for patients with cisplatin-ineligible muscle-invasive bladder cancer, unlocking a new perioperative treatment option. To administer this ADC-based therapy alongside surgical intervention, multidisciplinary teams must prioritize collaborative workflows at all points of the treatment journey. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Manojkumar Bupathi, MD, President of Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, about how ADCs are reshaping the care model toward earlier, structured collaboration between urology and medical oncology.

Guests: Manojkumar Bupathi, MD President Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Co-Chair, GU Executive Committee Sarah Cannon Research Institute Denver, CO

"The challenge wasn't learning the drug itself. The challenge was how you integrate the regimen into your treatment paradigm." —Manojkumar Bupathi, MD

"There's always this relationship that happens from the beginning and is maintained throughout the entire process." —Manojkumar Bupathi, MD

Resources:

ACCC Bladder Cancer Resources
ACCC Antibody-Drug Conjugate Resources

At the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the team treating patients with bladder cancer and other genitourinary malignancies utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach to ensure care is coordinated, personalized, and patient-centered. This is particularly important when administering antibody-drug conjugates, a promising tool for some patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer that comes with a high risk of adverse events (AEs). In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Terence Friedlander, MD, and Iva Petrovchich Colón, NP, both part of the team treating bladder cancer at UCSF, about how their cancer program manages the toxicity profile of ADCs in order to prioritize patient outcomes and quality of life.

Guests:

Terence Friedlander, MD Robert and Virginia O'Reilly Family Professor of Medicine Chief of Hematology-Oncology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center San Francisco, CA

Iva Colón, NP Nurse Practitioner, Genitourinary Medical Oncology UCSF Health Genitourinary Medical Oncology Mission Bay San Francisco, CA

"The median onset is in the mid 60s, and folks who are in their 60s are more mature, they may have more comorbidities, more medical problems, and we have to be really sensitive to that." —Terence Friedlander, MD

"It takes a village and having that having open and direct communication is key." —Iva Colón, NP

Resources:

ACCC Bladder Cancer Resources
ACCC Antibody-Drug Conjugate Resources

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a rare category of bone marrow disorders that may develop into acute myeloid leukemia, are categorized into risk groups ranging from very low to very high risk. However, this language can be misleading to patients. Low risk (LR) does not equate to low impact or lack of urgency. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy DeZern, MD, MHS, from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Christin Blair DeStefano, MD, FACP, from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, about the importance of aligning language and terminology regarding LR-MDS across academic and community settings. These experts candidly discuss their own collaboration and the importance of early conversations with patients to align expectations on goals, disease trajectory, and treatment sequencing.

Guests: Amy DeZern, MD, MHS Hematologist/Oncologist Director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Baltimore, MD

Christin Blair DeStefano, MD, FACP Hematologist/Oncologist Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Bethesda, MD

"I really try and individualize [language] to a patient and their family, because I worry that sometimes the terminology 'lower risk' may not correctly convey the impact the disease is going to have on an individual human's life." — Amy DeZern, MD, MHS

"Frequent reassessment—questioning our patients about quality of life and if we're meeting the goals they have—should be something that's readily reassessed, especially in the lower risk space, every 2 to 3 months, just to make sure we don't put anybody on autopilot." — Amy De Zern, MD, MHS

"There's been such an explosion in understanding the molecular landscape of MDS and slicing and dicing it into different diseases that fall under the MDS umbrella. It has sometimes created a little bit of confusion." — Christin Blair DeStefano, MD, FACP

Resources:

ACCC Hematologic Malignancies Resources
Blood Cancer Awareness Month: Tackling Communication Challenges
Addressing Frequency of Care to Improve Quality of Life in Patients with Low-Risk MDS
Defining and Managing Erythropoietin Stimulating Agents (ESAs) Failure in Patients with Low-Risk MDS

From the moment a woman learns that she has breast cancer, her life is forever changed—from the treatment challenges of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery to the personal and emotional challenges of a change in identity, a loss of control, and physical self-acceptance. For many survivors, the difficult journey of emotional healing continues long after active treatment ends, and this phase deserves to be addressed with the same urgency and compassion as diagnosis and treatment. To dive into this defining moment of the cancer care continuum and learn how providers can support patients as they navigate vulnerable moments, CANCER BUZZ spoke with Taylor Keeney, an areola restoration tattoo artist, licensed esthetician, and owner of TayK Cosmetics, and her client Eraina Bartholomew, a survivor of breast cancer. Together, the guests explore the human side of cancer care, how paramedical tattooing bridges a critical gap in breast cancer survivorship care, and the importance of restoring not just physical health, but dignity and joy.

"Unfortunately, cosmetics can be seen as superficial in today's society, especially with women. But [paramedical tattooing] plays a big role in [survivors'] mental and emotional health, their psyche, [and] how they view themselves. It's very symbolic to help them close that chapter of breast cancer and move forward in their life." – Taylor Keeney

"That experience changed my life. It meant so much to me...at the end of this journey, to find some sense of normalcy in feeling [complete and] like a whole woman...being able to look in the mirror and not cringe at myself." – Eraina Bartholomew

Guests:

Taylor Keeney Areola Restoration Tattoo Artist Licensed Esthetician Owner TayK Cosmetics

Eraina Bartholomew

Breast Cancer Survivor

Resources:

Restoring Wholeness: The Role of Paramedical Tattooing in Continuous Cancer Care
Efficiency and Safety of the Dual Surgeon Bilateral Mastectomy Approach
A Legacy of Healing, A Future of Hope for Egyptian Women: Spotlight on the Baheya Foundation
A New Frontier— Where Women's Health Meets Oncology

Radiation therapy is a powerful and non-invasive tool in the management of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), but radiation oncologists are not always fully integrated into the care team. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Charles B. Simone, II, MD, FASTRO, FACRO, FACR, chief medical officer of the New York Proton Center and radiation oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, about strategies to improve collaboration between radiation and medical oncology. He discusses some of the biggest barriers and greatest rewards of enhancing this partnership and expanding access to radiation therapy for SCLC.

Guest: Charles B. Simone, II, MD, FASTRO, FACRO, FACR Research Professor and Chief Medical Officer New York Proton Center Radiation Oncologist Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY

"While we don't have large, randomized trials really telling us how the modalities should be sequenced, that really should be a discussion and personalized for each patient." —Charles B. Simone, II, MD, FASTRO, FACRO, FACR

"After a slow 20 years of limited progress, this last half a decade has seen dramatic progress for small cell, and with that, the multidisciplinary collaboration is even more important." —Charles B. Simone, II, MD, FASTRO, FACRO, FACR

Resources:

Comprehensive Quality Care for Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer
Small Cell SMASHERS: How Community, Advocacy, and Emerging Science Are Changing the Narrative in Small Cell Lung Cancer

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are an emerging and fast-developing area of immunotherapy, particularly in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. However, access to this therapy remains limited, particularly for Veterans. Administrative hurdles and challenging adverse events have slowed adoption of BsAbs in the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nicholas Burwick, MD, hematologist in the Puget Sound VA Health Care System, about how his VA site tackled these challenges and made BsAbs available to its patient population through a collaborative hub-and-spoke model.

Guest: Nicholas Burwick, MD President, Association of VA Hematology/Oncology Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Puget Sound VA Health Care System

"We set expectations, we came up with a plan, and we didn't have too many bispecific antibody patients at the same time. At least initially, we wanted some control." — Nicholas Burwick, MD

"The collaboration among different VA centers has been something that I've come to appreciate. We have a heme malignancy group, for example, so we can compare notes, work together, and in some cases even collaborate on VA initiative proposals or industry-sponsored clinical trials." — Nicholas Burwick, MD

Resources:

Addressing Care Disparities for Veterans: Tackling Barriers and Identifying Solutions
Bispecific Antibodies
Bispecific Antibodies Are Moving Forward; So Are the Implementation Questions
Service, Sacrifice, and Survival: Advancing Cancer Care for America's Heroes

Toxicities related to antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) can significantly impact quality of life for patients with locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer, but data-driven programs can help multidisciplinary teams manage some of the most challenging adverse events. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Cindy Y. Jiang, MD, assistant professor at MD Anderson Cancer Center, about how her institution conducted and implemented research to aid management of rashes and peripheral neuropathy associated with the ADC enfortumab vedotin combined with pembrolizumab.

Guest: Cindy Y. Jiang, MD Assistant Professor Department of GU Medical Oncology MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX

"It's important to assemble this team before you start on any sort of journey, because as oncologists, we're definitely not experts in skin rashes or neurological issues, and so you really need to rely heavily on those collaborators." — Cindy Y. Jiang, MD

Resources:

Bladder Cancer
Antibody-Drug Conjugates

The ACCC Global eXchange series is committed to highlighting cross-regional collaborations that advance cancer care delivery and workforce development nationwide. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Dr. Michael Cavnar discusses his humanitarian efforts in Zambia and why volunteering in this capacity is crucial and meaningful for US oncology providers.

"The more you're around people that are different than you, the more different perspectives you see. It creates a more open mind and a better world, because people understand each other better." – Michael Cavnar, MD

Guest: Michael Cavnar, MD GI Surgical Oncologist UK HealthCare/Markey Cancer Center Lexington, KY

Resources:

Shared Solutions for Rural Oncology: Insights Across the Americas
Breast Cancer Knowledge Gaps and Misconceptions Among Non-Medical Female University Students in Southwestern Nigeria
A Global Perspective: Innovative Care and Supporting Women in Medicine in Nigeria
ACCCNOC: Advancing Global Health Equity

At the inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit, C-suite executives and senior-level decision makers in oncology convened for strategic dialogue, panel discussions, and peer-to-peer exchange focused on the most pressing issues in cancer care today. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Misha Kaur, chief operating officer at Cureety, about her key takeaways as a member of the panel: Value-Based Care in Oncology: From Pilots to Scale. Kaur discusses the importance of keeping quality and affordability at the heart of value-based care, and how Cureety's remote monitoring solution effectively captures nuanced patient insights in precision oncology care.

"[Value-based care] was never meant to be a contract. The original spirit was [about] aligning incentives [and creating] better outcomes for patients. But in practice, over time...it can sometimes become just a contracting discussion [about] targets, benchmarking, reporting, utilization, [and] cost reduction." – Misha Kaur

Guest: Misha Kaur Chief Operating Officer Cureety

Resources:

2026 ACCC Leadership Summit
Innovation, Policy, and Partnership: Key Takeaways From the Inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit
From Hospital to Home: A Solution for Proactive Symptom Monitoring and Precise Care
Staying Connected Between Visits: A Sustainable Model for Remote Monitoring

At the inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit, C-suite executives and senior-level decision makers in oncology convened for strategic dialogue, panel discussions, and peer-to-peer exchange focused on the most pressing issues in cancer care today. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jay Seemann, vice president of market and access value at BeOne Medicines, about his key takeaways as a member of the panel: Health Policy: Provider Voices Outlook. Seemann addresses macro-level health care reform changes across all market segments, and the impact on manufacturers, providers' choice of therapy, and patient access to care.

"What we heard at the conference is that we all need to unite, come together, and come up with partnerships and solutions collectively versus independently." – Jay Seemann

Guest: Jay Seemann

Vice President of Market And Access

BeOne Medicines

Resources:

2026 ACCC Leadership Summit
Innovation, Policy, and Partnership: Key Takeaways From the Inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit
ACCC 2026 Policy Priorities
Legislative and Regulatory Updates
Year in Review: 2025 Policy Wrap-Up
Policy Shifts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Threaten Access & Care Coverage for Patients With Cancer

At the inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit, C-suite executives and senior-level decision makers in oncology convened for strategic dialogue, engaging panel discussions, and peer-to-peer exchange focused on the most pressing issues in cancer care today. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Michele LeSueur, DBA, vice president of Sales and Marketing at Johnson & Johnson, about her key takeaways as a member of the final panel of the Summit: Strategic Partnerships: Creating a Thriving Innovation Oncology Ecosystem. Across the diverse panel of stakeholders, one theme consistently rang true: Innovation is happening very quickly in oncology, but the gap continues to widen between the inception and the implementation of these ideas into day-to-day patient care. Lesueur also comments on the importance of industry partners listening and understanding where friction might occur when launching a new treatment or delivery system.

"It's not just about continuously generating breakthrough science or breakthrough treatment. That's only going to take us so far. We have to think about how to actually incorporate that and get it to the patients." – Michele LeSueur, DBA

Guest:

Michele LeSueur, DBA Vice President of Sales and MarketingJohnson & Johnson

Resources:

2026 ACCC Leadership Summit
Innovation, Policy, and Partnership: Key Takeaways From the Inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit
One Purpose, One Passion, 2 Directions: How to Bring Together Clinical and Administrative Leaders

At the inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit, C-suite executives and senior-level decision makers in oncology convened for strategic dialogue, engaging panel discussions, and peer-to-peer exchange focused on the most pressing issues in cancer care today. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Ashley Johnson, MBA, chief innovation officer at LeanTaas, about her key takeaways as a member of the first panel of the Summit: AI in Oncology: Tools for Today, Breaking and Remaking for Tomorrow. Johnson reflects on the challenges oncology leaders face as they attempt to vet and adopt a flood of new AI tools in health care, as well as the importance of being an educated consumer in this space.

"I hope oncology leaders took away [that] you can become a smart consumer of AI and AI tools even if you don't fully understand AI and all of the buzzwords." – Ashley Joseph, MBA

Guest: Ashley Joseph, MBA

Chief Innovation Officer

LeanTaas

Resources:

2026 ACCC Leadership Summit
Innovation, Policy, and Partnership: Key Takeaways From the Inaugural ACCC Leadership Summit
Artificial Intelligence: The Legalities of AI in Health Care and the Day-to-Day Use of AI in the Clinical Setting
Precision With Purpose: Transforming Oncology Care Through Predictive Insights
Scaling Early Detection Across Rural America: Lifepoint Health's Healthy Person Program
The Evolving AI Landscape in Cancer Care: An NCCN Summit
AI's Changing Role in Oncology: Recapping the NCCN Summit
Harnessing AI to Empower the Community Oncology Workforce

Indications for the use of bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are rapidly increasing in oncology. While many cancer centers are keeping an eye on this developing field, curiosity must be transformed into proactive planning to avoid being caught unprepared as BsAb indications expand. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Laura Kuzma, MSW, admin administrative director of FirstHealth Cancer Center and Oncology Services at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, about the real-world lessons she has learned about governance considerations, ramp-up strategies, and workflows. She shares the importance of proactively building workflows, readiness plans, and cross-team communication pathways to safely operationalize BsAb therapy.

Guest: Laura Kuzma, MSW Administrative Director, Oncology Services and Clinical Trials FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital Pinehurst, NC

"That was the biggest hesitancy: are we equipped to manage this type of care in this type of setting?"

"My request to the hospital administrators was to allow me to put together a team across the hospital to fully explore the financial side as well as the medical management side."

"We had doctors in every area of the hospital on this. They cared about it, and I think it was exciting to them too. They felt like they were doing something meaningful, and their input was taken seriously."

Resources:

A Blueprint for Successful Integration of Bispecific Antibodies
Delivery Models for Administering T-Cell-Engaging Bispecific Antibodies
Deliverying T-Cell-Engaging Bispecific Antibodies: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
ACCC Office Hours Recording - Bispecific Antibodies: One BiTE at a Time
Bispecific Antibodies Checklist for Community Providers
Using Bispecific Antibodies in Community Practice: Challenge and Opportunities
Expanding Access to Cellular and Bispecific Therapies: Considerations and Recommendations

For 52 years, ACCC has brought together thousands of health care professionals from across the nation representing all disciplines in oncology. Today, with over 46,000 members, ACCC's mission remains the same: to provide education, forums, and opportunities to promote the delivery of high-quality, equitable cancer care. Each year, the Association produces an ACCC Annual Report showcasing key educational programming and policy work it has produced for its member cancer programs and practices across the country. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Meagan O'Neill, MS, executive director of ACCC, about the 2025 ACCC Impact Report, highlighting advancements in financial advocacy, patient-centered care for Veterans with cancer, and access to cutting-edge therapies like CAR T-cell therapy.

"The most exciting thing about [the Impact Report] is it's a reflection of what's possible when the oncology community works together. Progress in cancer care is not going to happen through isolation. It's going to happen through collaboration, and that's what ACCC is here to support." – Meagan O'Neill, MS

Guest: Meagan O'Neill, MS Executive Director Association of Cancer Care Centers

Resources:

2025 ACCC Impact Report
2025 ACCC Innovator Award Winners
Financial Advocacy Network
Addressing Care Disparities for Veterans

In this episode of Oncology Unscripted, hosts Mark Liu and Deirdre Saulet speak with 2025 ACCC Innovator Award Winner Andrew Ambort, DO, a palliative care consulting physician at WellSpan Health. Dr. Ambort received the award for his team's innovation "Adopting Machine Learning-Enabled Decision Support to Improve Oncology End-of-Life Outcomes," which leveraged an existing module in the electronic health record to integrate a 12-month mortality risk into clinical workflows. He discusses the vision behind this initiative, plans for expansion into other specialties and service lines, and the human impact that early, integrated palliative care has had on WellSpan's patient community.

"[Caregivers] are so busy dealing with the chaos of end-of-life care...and then [they] get this bill at the end that surprises [them] too. It's not the experience we want for anyone, especially patients with cancer." – Mark Liu, MHA

"Unfortunately, the bills don't stop coming when people die...and it puts them right back in that [difficult] place. Being able to reduce that cost helps them grieve appropriately and get to a place where they [find acceptance] and prevent backsliding." – Andrew Ambort, DO

"The visibility is huge in terms of staying at the forefront of the oncology team's mind...[and reminding them] this is a resource we need to be leveraging and bringing into the fold." – Deirdre Saulet, PhD

Andrew Ambort, DO Palliative Care Consulting Physician WellSpan Health

To submit a topic of discussion to the podcast, please email mark.liu@mountsinai.org and deirdre.saulet@hellojasper.com.

Resources

Precision With Purpose: Transforming Oncology Care Through Predictive Insights – Oncology Issues
2025 ACCC Innovator Award Winner: WellSpan Cancer Institute
Spirituality and Cultural Humility: Core Components of Comprehensive Palliative Care
Bringing Cancer Care Home: The Shaw at Home Model for Community-Based Oncology Palliative Care

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) cell therapy is a promising option for patients with advanced melanoma, but logistical and referral challenges can be a barrier to care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP, medical oncologist at Moffit Cancer Center and Research Institute, an authorized treatment center (ATC) for TIL cell therapy, and Raju Vaddepally, MD, hematologist-oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists, a non-ATC, about the referral process. Both guests discuss the relationship between their cancer programs, offering actionable tips on how to streamline the identification and referral of melanoma patients for TIL therapy across institutions.

Guests:

Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP Medical Oncologist Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute Tampa, FL

Raju Vaddepally, MD Hematologist-Oncologist Florida Cancer Specialists Naples, FL

"It is extremely important that providers think about this earlier, because the huge issue that we have with TIL therapy is that we get a lot of patients referred but unfortunately, they are no longer fit to proceed with the therapy." - Lilit Karapetyan, MD, MS, FACP

"Cancer care can be so fragmented and always requires multidisciplinary input, whether it be within the town or going to an academic center, so we do have a specialized department in which they handle all these referrals." - Raju Vaddepally, MD

Resources

ACCC TIL Therapy Resources
ACCCBuzz Blog: Streamlining TIL Cell Therapy: ACCC Resources to Improve Referral Pathways and Academic–Community Coordination
CANCER BUZZ: Developments in TIL Cell Therapy

Changing regulations are reshaping the practice of oncology. Issues such as prior authorization, shifting coverage policies, reporting mandates, and reimbursement certainty all affect how clinics must operate to provide the best care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with 3 oncology professionals, representing different roles and regions of the country, about their experiences of how policy impacts care delivery. Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA, FASCO, medical oncologist at Messino Cancer Centers, Patricia Serna, MHS, PA-C, CGRA, APP area manager at Texas Oncology, and Gretchen Van Dyck, financial counselor at Green Bay Oncology, connect the dots between legislative intents and clinical realities.

"When my patients see that their options for clinical trials are diminishing, or some of these clinical trials are shutting down, they lose hope." - Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA, FASCO

"Being able to work with the Texas Society of Clinical Oncology has given me that behind-the-scenes background of if we don't speak up, our patients are going to suffer." Patricia Serna, MHS, PA-C, CGRA

Guests: Patricia Serna, MHS, PA-C, CGRA APP Area Manager – APP Services Texas Oncology Dallas, TX

Gretchen Van Dyck Financial Counselor II Green Bay Oncology Green Bay, WI

Martin Palmeri, MD, MBA, FASCO Medical Oncologist Messino Cancer Centers Asheville, NC

This podcast is part of the Oncology State Societies (OSS) Advocacy Engagement program, made possible with support from Johnson & Johnson.

Resources:

ACCC Advocacy Resources
Access, Payment & Reimbursement Reform
ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI)

As the number of patients and survivors of cancer grows each year, awareness of the disease's emotional toll—including depression, anxiety, and deep existential distress—is increasingly recognized as a critical aspect of cancer care. In response, psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining attention as a promising alternative to traditional mental health interventions, providing relief for some patients. To shed light on the patient experience with this treatment, CANCER BUZZ spoke with breast cancer survivor Judy Wight; Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FACCC, executive director of Life with Cancer and Patient Experience at Inova Health System; and Manish Agrawal, MD, cofounder and CEO of Sunstone Therapies, about the human side of psychedelic-assisted therapy, promising existing research, and how it can shape the future of psychosocial care.

"It's not that I'm a different person. It's more like I'm becoming the person I was meant to be. And all those layers of trauma and sadness...I've been able to shed a lot of that." – Judy Wight

"When I started to learn about psychedelic-assisted therapy, read some of the patient accounts, and see some of the research, I said, 'I've got to learn about this. I think that this could be another tool that would be useful for people in this space where we don't have the perfect answer, and we don't have the perfect treatments.'" – Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FACCC

"When I give talks around this, I have an iceberg. Above the iceberg I have chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, and underneath the iceberg I have what's called psychosocial, psycho-spiritual, psychological care. And I think true cancer care is treating everything in the iceberg, not just what's above the water." – Manish Agrawal, MD

Guests:

Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FACCC Executive Director, Life with Cancer and Patient Experience

Inova Health System

Fairfax, VA

Judy Wight

Breast Cancer Survivor

Manish Agrawal, MD

Cofounder and CEO

Sunstone Therapies

REKINDLE Investigator

This podcast is sponsored by Reunion Neuroscience.

Resources:

The REKINDLE Study
ClinicalTrials (NCT07002034)
REKINDLE Brochure
Reunion Neuroscience
Adjustment Disorder Associated With Medical Illness: Unmet Needs and Rationale for RE104 as a Novel Psychedelic Therapy
Exploring Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Oncology
Addressing the Psychological Burdens of Cancer on World Mental Health Day
Psychosocial Care in Oncology: Advocating for Policy Changes that Improve the Culture of Care
Collaborative Care: A Model for Embedding Counseling in Oncology and Palliative Care
Spirituality and Cultural Humility: Core Components of Comprehensive Palliative Care
Psychosocial Care in Oncology
Collaborative Care: A Solution for Increasing Access to Psychosocial Care in Cancer Programs and Practices

Scan to learn more about the REKINDLE study:

Of the barriers to innovation and adopting new strategies, human hesitation is one of the greatest. Health care is a rapidly evolving field by nature, which is compounded by near constant technological advancement. For insight into overcoming hesitation while navigating frequent change in a burnout-oriented industry, CANCER BUZZ spoke with Michelle Rozen, PhD, behavioral scientist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker at the upcoming 2026 ACCC Leadership Summit. Dr. Rozen shares concrete strategies that oncology leaders can implement in their programs to not just survive, but thrive in an unprecedented era of change.

"You can't control change around you. You can't control change in [your] organization. You can't control change in the health care industry. You can't control change in the world...but you are not helpless. There is a way to set goals and actually follow through that gives you a sense of control in this fast-paced, rapidly changing world that we live in." – Michelle Rozen, PhD

Guest: Michelle Rozen, PhD Behavioral scientist and bestselling author

Resources:

Lessons in Leadership: Thriving as Women at the Top
Developing Effective Cancer Program Leadership
Spring Into Action- Essential Leadership Tools to Help the Team Win Together
Effective Leadership Strategies: Defining + Helping Others with Their Purpose

In the second installment of Oncology Unscripted, an unfiltered, honest dialogue about the state of cancer care today, hosts Mark Liu and Deirdre Saulet invite Meagan O'Neill, MS, Executive Director of ACCC, to discuss the Association's plans for the upcoming year, honing in on challenges and opportunities within its membership. O'Neill shares the vision behind expanding the CANCER BUZZ podcast, the continued development of ACCC's 2030 vision, and how she views crisis as a path forward for innovation.

"When I look at 2026, [I look] at crisis as an opportunity...How can we use this time to try something new and solve some of these problems?" – Meagan O'Neill, MS

"Unfortunately, [with] cancer care in this country, the outcomes and experience you [have] are too dependent on who you are, your zip code—even down to the door that you enter and the provider you see...There's no shortage of opportunities to help programs start chipping away at that." – Meagan O'Neill, MS

Meagan O'Neill, MS Executive Director Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC)

To submit a topic of discussion to the podcast, please email mark.liu@mountsinai.org and deirdre.saulet@hellojasper.com.

Resources

ACCC 2025 Impact Report
Introducing Oncology Unscripted

Advanced practice providers (APPs) are both an integral part of the care team and a driving force behind innovation in oncology. This special state society episode of CANCER BUZZ will explore how oncology APPs are stepping into leadership roles—formally and informally—to advocate for role clarity and equitable compensation, improve mentorship, and elevate the value of APPs within the multidisciplinary cancer care team. Jessica Leibelt, AGNP-C, AOCNP, from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Carlin Callaway, DMP, RN, ACNP-BC, ACNS-BC, AOCNP, from the University of Colorado Cancer Center, and Rachel M Stevenson, PA-C, from ECU Health, will share their real-world experiences of driving systemic change while paving the way for the next generation of APPs.

Guests:

Jessica Leibelt, AGNP-C, AOCNP Manager, Community Advanced Practice Providers Nurse Practitioner, Hematology Oncology + Oncosexology Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center at UW Medical Center – Northwest Seattle, WA

Carlin Callaway, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, ACNS-BC, AOCNP Assistant Professor, School of Medicine Lead Advanced Practice Provider, Medical Oncology University of Colorado Cancer Center – Anschutz Medical Campus Aurora, CO

Rachel M Stevenson, PA-C Physician Assistant ECU Health Greenville, NC

"We have a huge role in educating and doing symptom management, but also really creative things like doing APP-led clinics." - Jessica Leibelt, AGNP-C, AOCNP

"It takes a heck of a lot of work to hire people, and it takes even more work to let somebody go when it's not a good fit. So much of what I do is trying to help find [APPs] who will be a good fit for the organization" - Carlin Callaway, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, AOCNP

"Our main goal is the same [as doctors]: to make sure there is excellent health care for all individuals that come to our door. As long as we can work together, I think we can provide great health care." - Rachel M Stevenson, PA-C

This podcast is part of the Optimizing the Role of the APP in Oncology Care program, made possible through the support from the Colorado Oncology Society, Iowa Oncology Society, Empire State Hematology & Oncology Society, Nevada Oncology Society, North Carolina Oncology Association, and Washington State Medical Oncology Society.

Resources:

Blog: A Day in the Life of an Oncology APP Across Various Practice Settings
Blog: Maximizing the Role of APPs in Oncology Care
CANCER BUZZ Podcast: Real World Models for APP Onboarding
Colorado Oncology Society APP Resources
Iowa Oncology Society APP Resources
Empire State Hematology & Oncology Society APP Resources
Nevada Oncology Society APP Resources
North Carolina Oncology Association APP Resources
Washington State Medical Oncology Society APP Resources

Cancer cases, cancer-related deaths, and survivorship are projected to rise exponentially—yet oncology faces critical workforce shortages. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Tristan Blanco, a biology major and fellow in VCU Massey's Cancer-focused Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Program, who shares his experience as part of a program designed to scale oncology education and meet the evolving needs of cancer care nationwide. Get behind the scenes of an innovative training model that's preparing the next generation of oncology leaders.

"It's one of the smartest ways to address the workforce shortage. We're making sure more students get the chance to discover oncology and have that opportunity." — Tristan Blanco

Tristan Blanco Biology major and fellow in the Cancer-focused Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Program VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Richmond, VA

Resources:

Building a Scalable Model to Train the Next Generation of Oncology Leaders

Pipeline Partners: Developing Training and Recruitment Programs for the Oncology Workforce

Pipeline Partners - [mini podcast] Ep 183

Combatting Healthcare Workforce Issues with Proven Leadership Skills

Onboarding Experienced Non-Oncology Nurses to Address Staffing Shortages

(Re)Building the Oncology Workforce: ACCC President Dr. Ajayi's 2023-2024 Theme

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Spotlight

Addressing Social Determinants of Health through a Medical-Legal Partnership

Introducing a brand new podcast from ACCC: Oncology Unscripted. In this inaugural episode, hosts Mark Liu and Deirdre Saulet lay out what listeners can expect from the show, including unfiltered, honest dialogue about the state of cancer care today, the most pressing challenges providers are facing, and how they can move forward with hope amid unpredictable headwinds. Liu and Saulet will approach a variety of topics, from operational to financial to clinical, as they explore how providers can help one another, continue to hold important conversations, and act as agents of change in oncology.

"I think about my grandmother who spoke Spanish, Chinese, and English...If she was here, and needed to navigate our health care system with a serious illness or diagnosis of cancer, what would that look like for her? I often put my family members in these scenarios...What would they do? What would I do if I was on the other side?...How can we make a complicated health care system work for everyone?" -- Mark Liu, MHA

"We can have all the innovations in the world, but if the people who need them most can't access them, what's the point? What are we doing this for?" -- Deirdre Saulet, PhD

Mark Liu, MHA Senior Director of Oncology Strategy Transformation & Analytics Mount Sinai Health System

Deirdre Saulet, PhD Chief Strategy Officer Jasper Health

CAR T-cell therapy is a potentially life-saving treatment for patients with certain hematologic malignancies. Yet, the logistical challenges and the need for specialized management of adverse events have limited its availability in community settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jeremy M. Pantin, MD, FACP, clinical director of the Adult Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program at TriStar Centennial Medical Center, part of the Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network. Dr. Pantin discusses the cancer center's community-based, outpatient model, impact on outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies, and shares his perspective on future changes needed to help further expand access to CAR T-cell therapy.

"Education of community oncology staff at their offices—coordinators, nurses, physicians, advanced practice providers—also goes a long way in helping facilitate patients to be recognized when they are candidates for cell therapy." - Jeremy M. Pantin, MD, FACP

"It did not matter the distance to the center; did not matter the socioeconomic background. Many of the other factors one would think would lead to decreased access, we did not find among our centers. It was really the delay from consult to treatment." - Jeremy M. Pantin, MD, FACP

Guest:

Jeremy M. Pantin, MD, FACP

Clinical Director, Adult Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program

Sarah Cannon Transplant and Cellular Therapy Network At TriStar

Centennial Medical Center

Nashville, TN

Resources:

Bringing CAR T-Cell Therapies to Community Oncology

Outpatient Administration of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy Using Remote Patient Monitoring

FDA Eliminates Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) for Autologous Chimeric Antigen Receptor CAR T cell Immunotherapies

Claudin 18.2 is a novel biomarker for advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer. Patients who test positive for claudin 18.2 may be candidates for the monoclonal antibody, zolbetuximab, which directly targets this biomarker. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Manish A. Shah, MD, FASCO, director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Weill Cornell Medicine, about how claudin 18.2 is shaping treatment decisions and some of the clinical trials pursuing more information about the potential for this biomarker. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with Sasha Watson, PharmD, outpatient medical oncology clinical pharmacist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, about the importance of engaging the whole multidisciplinary team in biomarker testing for optimal patient outcomes.

"I often talk to my gastroenterologist and ask them to get more than 1 biopsy to make sure that we have enough tissue for now and even in the future." - Manish A. Shah, MD, FASCO

Instead of lumping all gastric cancers into one group, we use these biomarkers to split them out... We have more refined and tailored treatments for patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma based on these biomarkers." - Manish A. Shah, MD, FASCO

"Nurses in the infusion center are a huge help that we absolutely need, and administering this treatment would be very difficult if we didn't have scaled and experienced nurses here." - Aleksandra (Sasha) Watson, PharmD

"What I see is just a lot of patients having hope—some new part of their cancer that we can target with a drug that we previously didn't have any options for." - Aleksandra (Sasha) Watson, PharmD

Guests:

Manish A. Shah, MD, FASCO Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology Program Weill Cornell Medicine New York, NY

Aleksandra (Sasha) Watson, PharmD Outpatient Medical Oncology Clinical Pharmacist (GI + Sarcoma) Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Miami, FL

Resources

ACCC Biomarkers Webpage

ACCCBuzz Blog: Importance of Biomarker Testing, Patient Goals and Education When Treating Gastric Cancer

Relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma (R/R FL) is challenging to treat, requiring thoughtful clinical decision-making during treatment selection and sequencing. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Benjamin Heyman, MD, hematologist and clinical associate professor at City of Hope, about the importance of individualized care, shared decision-making, clinical trial referrals, and multidisciplinary collaboration. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with Laurie Adami, patient advocate with R/R FL, about her real-world experience with multiple lines of therapy, clinical trials, and patient advocacy.

"There are lots of options available, which is really great for patients, so you get to have a good conversation with patients about what they value." - Benjamin Heyman, MD

"The medications you receive in clinical trials may not be the standard of care today, but it may be the standard of care 5 years from now." - Benjamin Heyman, MD

"Patient advocacy organizations have patients that can talk to you. They know what you're talking about. They're on the road ahead of you." - Laurie Adami

Guest:

Benjamin Heyman, MD

Hematologist

Clinical Associate Professor

City of Hope

San Diego, CA

Laurie Adami

R/R FL Patient Advocate

Los Angeles, LA

Received care at UCLA Lymphoma Program

Additional Reading/Sources

ACCC Follicular Lymphoma

Effective Practice Guide: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Treating Patients With R/R FL

Putting Guidance Into Practice: Real-World Approaches to Relapsed/Refractory Folicular Lymphoma

ACCC's Community Oncology Research Institute

After 6 years of bringing listeners key insights into the most pressing topics in oncology, ACCC's podcast, CANCER BUZZ, has gotten a facelift! In this episode, CANCER BUZZ brings back our first podcast guest, Tina Curtis, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, executive director of cancer services at Froedtert Hospital. In the June 26, 2019, inaugural CANCER BUZZ episode, Dr. Curtis spoke about her institution's 24-hour, oncology-only urgent care clinic, which earned the cancer program a 2018 ACCC Innovator Award. Today, she's returned with her colleague Jayme Cotter to share an update on that program, as well as recent innovations happening at Froedtert Hospital.

"I would venture to guess I've probably talked to no less than 20 or 25 different organizations that found out about the 24-hour urgent care clinic through ACCC's journal and podcast…to have meaningful conversations about where and how to start."

Tina Curtis

"Another piece that we are looking at expanding is the ability to have a virtual visit from the 24-hour clinic advanced practice providers."

Jayme Cotter

Guests

Tina Curtis, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC

Executive Director of Cancer Services

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center,

Froedtert Hospital Campus

Milwaukee, WI

Jayme Cotter, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, AOCNS

Director for Clinical Practice & Program Development for the Cancer Service Line

Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center,

Froedtert Hospital Campus

Milwaukee, WI

Additional Resources:

A Pilot 24-Hour Urgent Care Oncology Clinic Reduces ED Use and Cuts Costs

Ochsner Chemotherapy Care Companion: Improving Outcomes through Digital Medicine

Leveraging Technology to Develop an Express Symptom Management Program & Prevent ED Visits

Expediting Cancer Treatment Through a Rapid Access APP-Led Diagnostic Clinic

Shaw at Home: An Oncology Specific Home and Community-Based Palliative Care Program – [Mini Podcast] Ep 193

Delivering Hospital Level Acute Care at Home: Learning from Huntsman at Home

US Veterans are at a heightened risk for lung cancer due to service-related exposures. Integrating clinical research into routine oncology care at the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can help bring clinical trials closer to where Veterans live and improve access to cutting edge therapies. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Millie Das, MD, chief of oncology at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, about the collaborations and institutional support that allowed them to launch lung cancer clinical trials and the role industry has played.

"My primary motivation was just to allow veterans access to trials in the same way that I saw my patients at Stanford have access to clinical trials." - Millie Das, MD

"One of the biggest myths is that you can't work with pharma within the VA and I think just trying to break down some of these old myths was a challenge." - Millie Das, MD

Guest:

Millie Das, MD

Chief, Oncology

VA Palo Alto Health Care System

Clinical Professor

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Additional Reading/Resources

· Veterans Care Resource Library

· Improving Cancer Care for Native American Veterans: A Model of Interagency Collaboration

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 isoform IIIb (FGFR2b) is an emerging biomarker present in about 38% of patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nataliya Uboha, MD, PhD, a medical oncologist at University of Wisconsin Health, about current recommendations for biomarker testing in this population, emerging biomarkers such as FGFR2b, and how multidisciplinary collaboration can ensure patients receive timely biomarker testing. CANCER BUZZ also interviews Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, ODS, FACCC, administrative director of cancer services and ambulatory infusion at Southern Ohio Medical Center, about care coordination strategies and lessons learned from her team's experience administering biomarker testing. Finally, Kristina A. Matkowskyj, MD, PhD, pathologist at Mayo Clinic, explains the vital role of pathologists in identifying biomarkers and strategies for success in biopsies.

"We have to work closely with our pathology colleagues to make sure that all of the tests are done quickly and so that they are readily available by the time the patient is seen in clinic." - Nataliya Uboha, MD, PhD

"Tracking, knowing what and when new things come out, being able to mine your data to find those things, I think is going to be uber critical." - Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, ODS, FACCC

"I believe that the precision medicine testing that we're doing today... is going to change the face of cancer care." - Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, ODS, FACCC

"As a pathologist, if I was able to stress one thing, it would be to collect as many biopsies as is safely possible for that particular patient." - Kristina A. Matkowskyj, MD, PhD

Guests:

Nataliya Uboha, MD, PhD

Medical Oncology

University of Wisconsin Health

Madison, WI

Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, ODS, FACCC

Administrative Director of Cancer Services & Ambulatory Infusion

Southern Ohio Medical Center

Portsmouth, OH

Kristina A. Matkowskyj, MD, PhD

Pathologist

Mayo Clinic

Rochester, MN

In metastatic breast cancer, resistance to therapy remains one of the most challenging aspects to care. A key driver of resistance in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative disease is the ESR1 mutation, a genetic change that alters the estrogen receptor and limits the effectiveness of certain standard therapies. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Eleonara Teplinsky, MD, FASCO, head of breast and gynecologic medical oncology at Valley-Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care, about how the ESR1 mutation shapes treatment decisions and explains communication strategies, such as the "lock-and-key" model. Then CANCER BUZZ speaks with Maimah Karmo, president and CEO of Tigerlily Foundation about the importance of communicating with patients in ways that foster clarity and compassion through relatable analogies.

Guest:

Eleonora Teplinsky, MD, FASCO

Medical Oncologist

Valley Mount Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Care

Paramus, NJ

Maimah Karmo

President/CEO

Tigerlily Foundation

"If you had molecular testing of your tumor done at the time of diagnosis, that may not be enough. If there is disease progression, we might need to repeat it. So it's really important to stress that there are points in the disease course where we're going to be checking for these biomarkers." - Teplinsky

"The more that we can know about the tumor, how it's going to behave, what treatment it may or may not respond to, really can help us." - Teplinsky

"Having a physician that is a true partner with the patient, that has a relationship, that's trusted, and that feels safe and secure, it's really, really critical." - Karmo

Resources:

Unlocking the Conversation: Navigating ESR1 Mutations in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Una Hopkins, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, RN, FACCC, president of the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) designated her theme for the 2025-2026 year as Designing Oncology Care to Meet the Needs of a Growing Patient Population in response to forecasts predicting both patient and survivor populations will grow in coming years. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Dr. Hopkins about the importance of peer-to-peer mentorship in workforce development and empowerment, particularly for nurses, and why retired nurses are well-equipped to provide this mentorship.

Later in the episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Josephine Lisowski, RN, BSN, OCN, PRN nurse at Advocate Health, who came out of retirement to fill a new role reducing burnout and increasing retention of oncology nurses. Throughout her career, Lisowski identified that a strong culture rooted in quality, patient safety, and excellence in nursing must be nurtured to avoid burnout. Upon retirement, she felt a pull to return towards mentoring and supporting younger oncology nurses to improve retention and job satisfaction. Lisowski will discuss how using a retired nurse for this mentorship role at Advocate Health lifted the burden on the main work force and combined generational strengths to enable nurses to provide the best care possible to patients.

"We have to create spaces that are more psychologically safe for both our patients and our providers. I think that once we do that, we will see burnout change" - Dr. Hopkins

"When you bring a retired nurse back again, it's meeting them where they are. They still want to share that knowledge that they have." - Dr. Hopkins

There's so much new innovation coming every day. But peer-to-peer, we can knock things between each other... It educates me and it educates them." - Lisowski

"I'm trying to encourage hospital management to keep the older nurses on at some point and not just have a whole new crew... In oncology, experience counts." - Lisowski

Una Hopkins, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, RN, FACCC President, Association of Cancer Care Centers Director for Research and Evidence-Based Practice Montefiore Medical Center Bronx, New York

Josephine Lisowski, RN, BSN, OCN PRN Nurse Advocate Health Park Ridge, Illinois

Resources:

Healthcare Burnout: An Epidemic Among Oncology Nurses

Burnout Prevention & Education

Mentoring Those New to Oncology

Onboarding Experienced Non-Oncology Nurses to Address Staffing Shortages

A Perfect Fit: Mentoring Experienced RNs to Meet Oncology Clinic Demand

This podcast is part of a special series featuring ACCC members committed to the 2025-2026 ACCC President's Theme: Designing Oncology Care to Meet the Needs of a Growing Patient Population.

Synopsis: Live this week from the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ speaks with Dr. Deirdre Saulet, who discusses highlights from Friday morning's panel session: Women Leaders in Oncology: Exploring Successful Dyad Models.

Guest:

Deirdre Saulet, PhD

Chief Strategy Officer

Jasper Health

Resources:

ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference Agenda

Live this week from the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ catches up with attendees who highlight takeaways from this year's hot topic sessions.

Guests:

Laura Kuzma

Administrative Director

FirstHealth of the Carolinas

Brittany McArn, OPN-CG, CPPN

Financial Navigation Manager

Outpatient Oncology Services

FirstHealth of the Carolinas

Resources:

ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference Agenda

Live this week from the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ shares highlights from the President's Fireside Chat, where Una Hopkins leads a dynamic conversation with oncology providers from 3 cancer programs that are designing innovative care models to meet the needs of a growing patient population.

Speakers:

Dr. Una Hopkins

President, ACCC

Director, Nursing Research

Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center

Karla Bowen

Director, Nursing Operations

Orlando Health Cancer Institute

Brian Lasonde

Advanced Practice Clinician Manager for Medical Specialties

Sutter Health - Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Charles Shelton, MD

Radiation Oncologist, Medical Director Cancer Center

Outer Banks Health

Resources:

ACCC Buzz Blog: #ACCCNOC: The Psychosocial Oncology Professionals Symposium and a Fireside Chat With ACCC's President ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference Agenda

Live this week from the ACCC's 42nd National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ speaks with ACCC Board of Trustees member Jennifer Bires, who details the highlights from the Wednesday panel discussion she led, "POPS: Navigating Quality Integrative Cancer Support Resources."

Guest:

Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FACCC

Executive Director, Life with Cancer and Patient Experience

Inova Health System, Fairfax Hospital

Inova Schar Cancer Institute

Fairfax, VA

Resources:

ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference Agenda

Live this week from the ACCC's 42nd National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ speaks with ACCC Executive Director Meagan O'Neill, MS, who previews the week.

Guest:

Meagan O'Neill, MS

Executive Director, Association of Cancer Care Centers

Resources:

ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference Agenda

Since 2010, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) has produced an annual Trending Now in Cancer Care report, highlighting the biggest challenges, solutions, and opportunities in oncology. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lindsey Causey, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, nurse practitioner at Cone Health Cancer Center, about part 2 of the 2025 trend report. She shares takeaways from the in-person discussions at the ACCC Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS) that informed this report, as well as how she uses the information from ACCC's trend reports at her own cancer center.

Part 2 of the 2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care report focuses on payer-driven challenges and solutions, comprehensive cancer care services, research and clinical trials, and mobile screening to engage communities in cancer prevention and education. The full article can be found in Oncology Issues, the official journal of ACCC.

Lindsey Causey, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AOCNP Nurse Practitioner Cone Health Cancer Center Greensboro, NC

"Many patients come into my clinic and they say, I just feel like a piece of me goes to one office, a piece of me goes to another office. I don't want to be seen as pieces of a whole person. I want to be seen as the whole person and know what to do and feel like I have all my answers in one place. "

"[The trend report] really allows you to reflect on what the current state is first and then understand what might need to happen to be able to bring some of these things to fruition."

"Early palliative care is essential, not just because it helps with patients and improving their symptoms and wellbeing, it also increases their survival, but it can also help reduce provider burnout by partnering with palliative care."

Resources:

2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 1
2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 2
Archived Reports
CANCERBUZZ episode: 2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 1

Since 2010, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) has produced an annual Trending Now in Cancer Care report, highlighting the biggest challenges, solutions, and opportunities in oncology. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Calliope Bodenhorn Payne, MHA, virtual care coordinator at Texas Oncology, about part 1 of the 2025 trend report. She shares takeaways from the in-person discussions at the ACCC Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS) that informed this report, as well as how these ideas have impacted the standard of care for patients of Texas Oncology.

Part 1 of the 2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care report focuses on AI and BI solutions, navigating tech enablement, strategic partnerships and affiliations, and growth opportunities in oncology. The full article can be found in Oncology Issues, the official journal of ACCC.

Calliope Bodenhorn Payne, MHA Virtual Care Coordinator Texas Oncology

“Technology in health care is changing as rapidly as technology in other sectors, and so we have to be prepared to adopt these new emerging technologies as they're coming along.”

“It's so helpful for others to be able to see what steps have been taken by practices all across the United States, and it doesn't matter what size the practice is. It is just a bunch of us who want the best patient care and are looking for innovative ways to make that happen.”

Resources:

· 2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 1

· 2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 2

· Archived Reports

The George Washington Cancer Center serves a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse population across Washington, D.C., northern Virginia, and southern Maryland. Their Breast Cancer Program has found that a community-informed model is most successful for managing care and adverse events related to CDK4/6 inhibitors. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Pavani Chalasani, MD, MPH, director of the division of hematology/oncology at the George Washington University Cancer Center about the flexible and collaborative team design that allows for culturally responsive and comprehensive care for their patients with breast cancer.

Pavani Chalasani, MD, MPH Director, Division of Hematology/Oncology George Washington University Cancer Center Washington, DC

“I think adapting and knowing what the barriers are and how we can divide and support and come up with roles for our team members is essential.”

“[Navigators] give us an understanding of where the hesitancy is coming from, or where the concerns are coming from, so that we can do a better job explaining and overcoming those barriers.”

Resources

· Spotlight on George Washington (GW) Cancer Center: Managing Adverse Effects of CDK4/6 Inhibitors With a Patient-Centered, Team-Based Approach

· ACCC Resource: CDK4/6 Inhibitors Management

· ACCC CDK4/6 Inhibitors Infographic

It is essential for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) to have a foundation of care prior to discharge after their cancer treatment, and the multidisciplinary care team, including primary care providers (PCPs), must be equipped to support these patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Scott J. Capozza, PT, MSPT, on his journey navigating care after cancer treatment as a young adult and his ASCO JCO Oncology Practice article, “Patient is Otherwise Healthy.” CANCER BUZZ then speaks with Melody Griffith, MSW, LMSW, Outpatient Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology social worker at Mayo Clinic Arizona, on her role in patient navigation and how her department supports AYAs through their entire cancer continuum. CANCER BUZZ concludes with Cathy Lee-Miller, MD, director of AYA Oncology Clinic at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, on their cohort training program preparing PCPs for managing AYA survivorship care.

“The late effects for young adults are very real and a lot of times they are not recognized because we look otherwise healthy on the outside, but that belies what's going on internally.” - Scott J. Capozza, PT, MSPT

“We talk about post-traumatic stress, but also post-traumatic growth and what they bring with them and what they've learned through their process. It's not just the treatment, right? After treatment, there's a lot of years left to live.” - Melody Griffith, MSW, LMSW

“We really try and help empower these patients, particularly AYAs who maybe relied on their parents for their medical care before... We really try to spell that out for people so they can take responsibility and take charge of their own long-term health.” - Cathy Lee-Miller, MD

Scott J. Capozza, PT, MSPT

Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Oncologic Physical Therapy

YNHH Outpatient Oncology Rehabilitation Services

Smilow Cancer Hospital Adult Cancer Survivorship Clinic

New Haven, CT

Melody Griffith, MSW, LMSW

Outpatient Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Social Worker

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Cathy Lee-Miller, MD

Director, AYA Oncology Clinic

Associate Professor, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Transplant & Cellular Therapy

University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center

Madison, WI

This podcast is part of the AYA Oncology Screening and Survivorship Services program, made possible through the support from The Arizona Clinical Oncology Society, Indiana Oncology Society, and Wisconsin Association of Hematology and Oncology.

Resources:

The Arizona Clinical Oncology Society: https://tacos.accc-cancer.org/resources/adolescent-and-young-adult-cancer-resources
Indiana Oncology Society: https://inos.accc-cancer.org/resources/aya-cancer-resources
Wisconsin Association of Hematology and Oncology: https://waho.accc-cancer.org/resources/adolescent-and-young-adult-cancer-resources

Advanced practice providers (APPs) play an increasingly vital role in delivering high-quality, team-based care. APPs need the right support and structure when stepping into the complex world of oncology, through thoughtful onboarding programs. It is essential to spotlight effective APP onboarding models across various practice settings, including academic, comprehensive, and community settings. Multidisciplinary oncology teams in all settings for APP programs highlight structure, support, and sustainability as key aspects of successful integration. This podcast, supported by state society oncology programs, discusses different approaches to onboarding, mentorship, and role optimization tailored to each institution’s unique needs and resources. CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jennifer Gray, DNP, ACNP-BC, AOCNP, assistant director of advanced practice at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute on her experience onboarding APPs with different experience levels in a comprehensive setting and onboarding APPs in clinical research. CANCER BUZZ then speaks with Glen Peterson, DNP, ACNP, RN, APP education & quality director and hematology quality director at the University of Colorado Cancer about effective strategies in a large academic environment. The podcast concludes with Jonathan Catrona, MS, PA-C, advanced practice clinical education specialist at New York Cancer & Blood Specialists on retaining APPs in a community setting.

“We do believe that mentorship is key to building a resilient workforce and for retaining APPs, and it’s really an investment in supporting APP development and helping create the environment and workforce that you want in the future” – Jennifer Gray, DNP, ACNP-BC, AOCNP

“I think one of the most important things in onboarding APPs in a complicated academic medical center environment is that we have a very clear system and a clear structure to how we orient and onboard our APPs.” – Glen Peterson, DNP, ACNP, RN, APP

“My goal is to help you learn… [and] my goal is to make sure that you’re able to help patients and help people.” – Jonathan Catrona, MS, PA-C

Glen Peterson, DNP, ACNP, RN, APP

Education & Quality Director, Hematology Director

University of Colorado Cancer Center

Aurora, CO

Jennifer Gray, DNP, ACNP-BC, AOCNP

Assistant Director of Advanced Practice

Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute

Charlotte, NC

Jonathan Catrona, MS, PA-C

Advanced Practice Clinical Education Specialist

New York Cancer & Blood Specialist

New York, NY

This program is part of the Optimizing the Role of the APP in Oncology Care initiative, made possible with support from the Rocky Mountain Oncology Society, Empire State Hematology & Oncology Society, North Carolina Oncology Association, Iowa Oncology Society, Nevada Oncology Society, and Washington State Medical Oncology Society.

Resources:

Rocky Mountain Oncology Society: https://rmos.accc-cancer.org/resources/advanced-practice-provider-resources

Iowa Oncology Society: https://ios.accc-cancer.org/resources/advanced-practice-provider-resources

Empire State Hematology & Oncology Society: https://eshos.accc-cancer.org/resources/advanced-practice-provider-resources

Nevada Oncology Society: https://nos.accc-cancer.org/resources/advanced-practice-provider-resources

North Carolina Oncology Association: https://ncoa.accc-cancer.org/resources/advanced-practice-provider-resources

Washington State Medical Oncology Society: https://wsmos.accc-cancer.org/resources/advanced-practice-provider-resources

According to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), approximately every 3 minutes, 1 person in the United States is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. AML is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy; despite advances in treatment, AML remains challenging to cure. Integrating new treatment options for patients with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), including menin inhibitors, into routine oncology care can help bring novel therapies to patients with relapsed or refractory AML. ACCC is committed to providing information on the latest research and treatment options for blood cancer. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Keri Halsema, NP, MSN, RN, nurse practitioner in the Blood Disorders Center at the University of Colorado Anschutz about the factors that influence treatment choices and the use of menin inhibitors to treat relapsed or refractory AML.

“We, as clinicians, are really excited that we have another treatment choice with respect to targeted therapy in these patients that have either the KMT2A rearrangement or the NPM1 mutation…Having outreach and making sure that community oncologists are aware that these medications are available, that various academic centers have various clinical trials that patients may qualify for and may be enrolled in, that’s something that’s very important in moving care forward for these patients with AML.” – Keri Halsema, NP, MSN, RN

Keri Halsema, NP, MSN, RN

Nurse Practitioner

Blood Disorders Center

University of Colorado Anschutz

Aurora, CO

This podcast is made possible by funding and support provided by Kura Oncology.

Resources:

Menin Matters

ACCC Hematologic Malignancies

ACCC AML Resource Page

ACCC Educational Video: Best Practices and Solutions for Performing Bone Marrow Biopsies in AML Care

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Facts and Statistics

Menin inhibitors in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Susan Salgado, PhD, keynote speaker at the upcoming 42nd National Oncology Conference, about her approach to organizational culture and leadership. With over 2 decades of experience in consulting spanning more than 20 industries, Dr. Salgado is adept at transferring hospitality skills to the field of health care. She discusses the importance of zeroing in on the employee experience first, and the downstream impacts this has on the patient or customer experience, as well as the key role leadership plays in reinforcing a human-centered culture.

Susan Salgado, PhD Founder Grason Consulting

“If you create a culture where people are thriving—where they feel valued and appreciated, they want to come to work every day, they love their colleagues, they love the work that they do, they feel that sense of purpose—that's when you’re going to get the best out of your teams.”

– Susan Salgado

For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

Getting to Know the 2025 NOC Keynote

Attend the 42nd National Oncology Conference

Seven Steps to Achieve a Culture of Happiness at Work

Clinical research is critical to the development of life saving treatments. And ACCC has long supported equitable access to clinical trials, including efforts to ensure that these trials reflect the diversity of the populations they serve. ACCC has made the Just ASK™ Training Program and Site Self-Assessment available free-of-charge to help research sites address barriers to participation in cancer clinical trials among racial and ethnic populations. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ facilities a candid conversation with Glyniss Redman, who received treatment at Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute for multiple myeloma, and 2 members of her cancer treatment team: clinical research coordinator Audrianna Carrington and oncologist hematologist Dr. Tondre Buck, about overcoming barriers, ensuring shared decision-making, and improving the inclusion of historically underrepresented groups in clinical trials.

“If you look at cancers in general, treatments have gotten better over the years in almost every category, and we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for clinical trials.” – Tondre Buck, MD

“We’re playing the long game here. Some of the information or this research may not be about me. This is about our future generation…so this is a legacy game for me…This is what I’m doing with my [one] wild and precious life. I want to be here as long as I possibly can, but I also want my offspring: my children, my grandchildren, and my great grandchildren to be here as well and [to] have a better experience as far as health care and cancer.” – Glyniss Redman

“We do have to talk about past unethical experimentation and research in order for us to better prepare how we're going to go forward…[transportation] is one barrier that we are tackling. You know, we don't want to put that stress on the patients who have to choose between gas, their physician visit, their food, or their medicine for the day. So that is a huge barrier, and you really want that population to be represented on the trial, because rural populations tend to have higher cancer rates.” – Audrianna Carrington

Tondre Buck, MD

Oncologist Hematologist

Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute

Spartanburg, SC

Audrianna Carrington

Clinical Research Coordinator

Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute

Spartanburg, SC

Glyniss Redman

Poet and Patient with Multiple Myeloma

Reference:

Unger JM, Shulman LN, Facktor MA, et al. National estimates of the participation of patients with cancer in clinical research studies based on Commission on Cancer accreditation data. J Clin Oncol. 2024;42(18):2139-2148. doi:10.1200/JCO.23.01030

Resources:

The Just ASK™ Training Program, Site Self-Assessment, and Training Facilitation Guide

ACORI Call to Action Summit

Clinical Research Terms Glossary

Increasing Clinical Trial Accrual Through the Implementation of a Clinical Trials Navigator

Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute

Cancer Moonshot Biobank

National Estimates of the Participation of Patients With Cancer in Clinical Research Studies Based on Commission on Cancer Accreditation Data

TalkAboutTrials.com

The high cost associated with cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship makes the burden of financial toxicity an unavoidable reality for many patients—and makes financial navigators central to the delivery of high-quality cancer care. In this vodcast episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Heather Simpson, BCPA, patient financial navigator lead, who shares her experience using the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network’s financial advocacy services guidelines assessment tool to pinpoint financial navigation challenges within her cancer program.

Heather Simpson, BCPA Patient Financial Navigator Lead

Allina Health Cancer Institute

River Falls, WI

“When [ACCC] came out with a gap assessment tool in 2024...it allowed us to see where we had hit the mark with our program and where we had some gaps we could take care of to really be in line with the [Financial Advocacy Network’s] guidelines.”

Resources:

Financial Advocacy Guidelines
Financial Advocacy Services Assessment Tool
Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines Assessment Tool User Guide
In the Field: Practical Financial Advocacy Strategies for Supporting Cancer Patients
Oncology Reimbursement Meetings

This podcast is made possible by funding and support provided by Genentech, Eisai, Pfizer, and Regeneron and in partnership with AONN+, NPAF, Triage Cancer, and CancerCare.

Effective management of adverse events and addressing barriers to care are critical to optimizing outcomes and maintaining quality of life for patients receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Julia Lea Ziegengeist, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacist coordinator in solid tumor oncology at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute about proactive, team-based strategies to identify, monitor, and manage treatment-related toxicities in patients with early-stage and metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer. Dr. Ziegengeist sheds light on the patient journey, the roles of various multidisciplinary care team members, and useful resources for language and literacy barriers.

“I think the biggest thing that is specific to CDK4/6 inhibitors is... eligibility criteria and when we’re using the drugs in what setting, having those monitoring protocols and getting that multidisciplinary collaboration is really key.” – Julia Lea Ziegengeist, PharmD, BCOP

Julia Lea Ziegengeist, PharmD, BCOP

Clinical Pharmacist Coordinator, Solid Tumor Oncology 

Levine Cancer Institute 

Atrium Health 

Charlotte, NC 

Resources:

ACCC Resource: CDK4/6 Inhibitors Management

ACCC CDK4/6 Inhibitors Infographic

Clinical trials are vital to offering and developing the most effective treatment options. However, there are large disparities in enrollment across race, ethnicity, geography, and type of cancer care center. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Baton Rouge, LA uses local partnerships, culturally tailored outreach, and workforce innovation to drive sustainable and equitable participation in clinical trials. Minorities now make up 21% of their clinical trial participation, surpassing the national average. Following these meaningful gains in attracting local minority populations and underserved communities to take part in clinical trials, the Mary Bird Perkins research team received a grant to further support this work. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Victor Lin, MD, PhD, research medical director at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, shares strategies for success in their community, including awareness campaigns and partnerships. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with TaeJeanne “TJ” Taylor-Lawrence, RN, registered nurse and patient navigator, about building relationships and supporting patients in clinical trials.

“We really, really have to be thinking, from a trial design standpoint, about the barriers that we're throwing up in the name of trying to keep the science and the data clean.” - Victor Lin, MD, PhD

“There's been this long-standing perception that cancer clinical trials are really the domain of only academic cancer centers. But I think increasingly we're finding that ... community cancer centers can be more nimble and are perfectly capable of running the same trials and seeing these patients where they live.” - Victor Lin, MD, PhD

“I think that representation builds trust. If people don't see themselves in this process, whether it's in the data, whether it's in the staff, or any of the outreach programs that we have, they're just less likely to believe that this is for them. In my community, black and brown communities especially, I think there's a deep need to feel seen, respected, and understood. When a patient sees someone that looks like them or shares their background talking about clinical trials, I think that that shifts the energy.” - TaeJeanne “TJ” Taylor-Lawrence, RN

“If the research does not reflect all of us, the solutions won't either.” - TaeJeanne “TJ” Taylor-Lawrence, RN

Victor Lin, MD, PhD

Research Medical Director

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

Baton Rouge, LA

TaeJeanne “TJ” Taylor-Lawrence, RN

Registered Nurse

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

Baton Rouge, LA

Resources:

ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI)

Bringing Cancer Research to the Community: Strategic Approaches to Representative Oncology Clinical Trial Design

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Receives $400,000 Grant to Continue Expansion of Nationally-Recognized Clinical Trials Program

Anticipating and managing CDK4/6 inhibitor toxicities in HR+ HER2- breast cancer is essential to improving patient quality of life and optimizing clinical outcomes. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Diana Van Ostran, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacy specialist – breast clinic at Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida, about strategies to monitor and manage treatment-related adverse events in patients with early-stage and metastatic breast cancer receiving CDK4/6 inhibitors. She discusses the importance of individualized care and robust patient education around lifestyle and dietary techniques to improve tolerance of this treatment.

Diana Van Ostran, PharmD, BCOP

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Breast Clinic

Miami Cancer Institute

Baptist Health South Florida

Miami, FL

“Clinical pharmacists play a vital role in managing the patient's treatment. Because, as we know, if you're having excessive side effects, patients are going to be less likely to take their medications.”

Resources:

ACCC Adverse Event Management for CDK Inhibitors in HR+ Breast Cancer

ACCC CDK Inhibitors Management

Miami Cancer Institute

ACCC Spotlight on Miami Cancer Institute: The Role of a Breast Cancer Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for CDK4/6 Inhibitor Management

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Bart Daugherty, vice president of clinical technology and systems at Georgetown Cancer Center, Lifepoint Health, about his program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. Lifepoint’s innovation, Transforming Cancer Detection and Treatment with the AI-Driven Healthy Person Program, leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze the health records of all patients who have received care at Lifepoint Health’s facilities and identify those who are at risk of developing catastrophic diseases. This initiative, dubbed the Healthy Person Program, has already impacted over 280,000 patients since the deployment of Lifepoint’s AI tool and made significant strides in improving population health in its communities.

Bart Daugherty Vice President, Clinical Technology and Systems Lifepoint Health Brentwood, Tennessee

“We’ve taken a lot of the administrative burden off of [our cancer team] and allowed them to focus on critical patient [cases].”

– Bart Daugherty

This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2025 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

Cancer Crushing Prevention and Early Detection

ACCC Recognizes National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month

Exploring Current Perceptions of Multi-Cancer Early Detection Testing Among Healthcare Providers

[PODCAST] Ep 05: Rural Cancer Care

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Andrew Munchel, MSN, RN, OCN, CPHQ, quality program administrator, oncology service line at WellSpan Health, WellSpan Cancer Institute about his program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. WellSpan Cancer Institute’s innovation, Adopting Machine Learning-Enabled Decision Support to Improve Oncology End-of-Life Outcomes, involved the implementation of the End-of-Life Care Index, a machine learning and cognitive computing model that predicts 12-month mortality risk, into the cancer program’s clinical decision support tool. Driven by a desire to address the underutilization of palliative care, Munchel will discuss how this implementation enhanced both the efficiency and effectiveness of WellSpan Cancer Institute’s care delivery.

Andrew Munchel, MSN, RN, OCN, CPHQ Quality Program Administrator, Oncology Service Line WellSpan Health, WellSpan Cancer Institute York, Pennsylvania

“Our innovation looked at how [we could] better predict who is most likely to benefit from [palliative care] conversations, queue them up, and have them at the appropriate times to link those patients to palliative care.”

This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2025 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

Spirituality and Cultural Humility: Core Components of Comprehensive Palliative Care

Collaborative Care: A Model for Embedding Counseling in Oncology and Palliative Care

Building a Palliative Care Program from the Inside Out

Early Palliative Care Program Proactively Meets Patient Needs

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Anna Liza Rodriguez, MSN, MHA, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer and vice president of Nursing and Patient Care Services at Fox Chase Cancer Center about her program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. Fox Chase Cancer Center’s innovation, Ambulatory Care Excellence (ACE): Charting a New Path in Ambulatory Care Model and Coordination, is a structured approach designed to improve efficiency, coordination, and patient outcomes in ambulatory cancer care while ensuring top of license scope of work for clinicians. Rodriguez will discuss key features of the ACE Model, its impact on patients with cancer, and notable results of the initiative.

Anna Liza Rodriguez, MSN, MHA, RN, OCN, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer, Vice President, Nursing and Patient Care Services Fox Chase Cancer Center Philadelphia, PA

“All of our team members are really connected to our purpose...from frontline staff to executives to different support services. [They] truly have the patient front and center, [and] that really drives a lot of our passion towards improvement [and] making sure that the care we deliver is exceptional.”

Anna Rodriguez

This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2025 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

Geriatric Oncology Ambulatory Care Clinics

Implementing Telephone Triage Guidelines into Nursing Workflow

The Oncology Nursing Fellowship Program

Transitioning Select Chemotherapeutics to the Outpatient Setting Improves Care and Reduces Costs

Genetic factors play a critical role in prostate cancer treatment planning, with both germline and somatic mutations guiding therapeutic decisions. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) remains committed to improving prostate cancer care and has developed the Metastatic Prostate Cancer Handbook: A Guide to Optimizing Outcomes with Germline and Somatic Testing. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Andrea Murphy, FNP-C, ACGN, CGRA, genetics nurse practitioner at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC, director at Meredith & Jeannie Ray Cancer Center, about the impact this handbook has had on patient care delivery, measuring success during the pilot program, and recommendations for sustaining germline and somatic mutation testing in clinical practice.

“I think a lot of people were surprised, definitely with germline testing, that all metastatic patients met the criteria [for testing]…”– Andrea (Ani) Murphy, FNP-C, ACGN, CGRA

“The other thing that the [hand]book did is [give] us a good outline on what our deficiencies were, where we wanted to go with testing...and just pretty much set it up so that it was easy for us to follow.” – Amy D. Smith, NP-BC

“Overall, I think the handbook could give anybody the guidance that they need to set up their own program.” – Amy D. Smith, NP-BC

Andrea (Ani) Murphy, FNP-C, ACGN, CGRA

Nurse Practitioner – Genetics

Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

Baton Rouge, LA

Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC

Director

Meredith & Jeannie Ray Cancer Center

Ivinson Memorial Hospital

Laramie, Wyoming

Resources:

ACCC Metastatic Prostate Cancer Handbook: A Guide to Optimizing Outcomes with Germline and Somatic Testing

Understanding the Uptake and Challenges of Genetic Testing Guidelines for Prostate Cancer

NCCN Guidelines and Frameworks for Prostate Cancer

ACCC Prostate Cancer Resources

Navigating the growing complexity of bladder cancer care is essential to improving patient access and treatment closer to home. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Suzanne Merrill, MD, urologic oncologist at Colorado Urology about barriers and solutions to delivering high-quality bladder cancer care in community settings. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with Patrick Hensley, MD, urologist at University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, about implementing the Delivering High-Quality Bladder Cancer Care infographic in the community setting. Created by ACCC and BCAN, the infographic describes the 10 elements of excellent bladder cancer care. Cancer programs that align their practices with these guidelines can join a public registry so that patients and caregivers can identify quality bladder cancer care close to where they live.

“The best strategies and tools to deliver high quality bladder cancer care out in the community lie first and foremost with having a bladder cancer clinician. It could be a urologist, it could be a urologic oncologist, could even be a medical oncologist or a radiation oncologist...their discipline doesn't matter as much as [having] the core clinical expert that is excited and dedicated to developing and instituting a comprehensive bladder cancer program.” - Suzanne Merrill, MD, FACS

“Everybody assumes comprehensive care is being delivered at academic university settings, which it is, but there's so much...bladder cancer care being performed out in the community. So [the question is] how can we achieve comprehensive programs out in the community?” - Suzanne Merril, MD, FACS

“I think it's really important that subspecialists and community providers work together to streamline those referrals and anticipate when the patients are coming in and what their needs are going to be, from a procedural standpoint, imaging standpoint, etc, so that you can avoid some of those undue delays in diagnosis and treatment.” - Patrick Hensley, MD

Suzanne Merrill, MD, FACS Urologic Oncologist Colorado Urology Aurora, CO

Patrick Hensley, MD Urologist Markey Cancer Center – Urology University of Kentucky Lexington, KY

Resources:

Infographic: Delivering High Quality Cancer Care in the Community

Addressing Disparities in Bladder Cancer Care

Understanding and Mitigating Disparities in Bladder Cancer Care

Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN)

Funder Statement

This program is supported by Astellas Pfizer Alliance, EMD Serano, and Gilead.

Immune-related adverse events (AEs) are becoming more frequent in oncology patients receiving immunotherapy. To better understand emerging trends and education needs, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) developed the Immuno-Oncology Census as part of its ongoing commitment to sharing up-to-date strategies for managing adverse events. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Bat-ami Gordon, clinical research PhD candidate at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, who discusses best practices for cancer care providers to identify immune-related AEs caused by immunotherapy.

“Understanding the best practices for identification is going to be the best way we can start to implement better treatments for these immune-related adverse events.” – Bat-ami Gordon

Bat-ami Gordon

Clinical Research PhD Candidate

Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai

New York, NY  

Additional Reading/Sources  

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

ACCC Immune-Related Adverse Events Resources

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Immune-Related Adverse Events of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

ACCC Immuno-Oncology Census

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Ramy Sedhom, MD, section chief of medical oncology at Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Princeton Cancer Center about his program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. His team’s innovation, Implementing a Structured, Scalable Geriatric Oncology Program, paves the way for other programs to effectively integrate the use of geriatric assessments into routine clinical workflows, thus bridging a critical gap for older adults with cancer.

Ramy Sedhom, MD Section Chief, Medical Oncology Penn Medicine Princeton Health, Princeton Cancer Center Plainsboro, New Jersey

“Precision oncology is not just about tailoring treatment of the cancer to its molecular characteristics, but really tailoring the treatment plan to the needs of our patients and [their] families.”

This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2025 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

New Geriatric Assessment Guide Gives Cancer Care Teams Tools to Help Aging Patients

Growing Need Demands New Approaches to Caring for Older Adults with Cancer

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Caring for Older Adults with Cancer

Geriatric Assessment: One Size Does Not Fit All

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Katie Jones, FNP, MA, nurse practitioner for oncology and palliative care at Shaw Cancer Center, about her program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. Recognizing the urgent need for the expansion of palliative care services beyond the clinic setting, Shaw Cancer Center’s innovation, Shaw at Home: An Oncology Specific Home and Community-Based Palliative Care Program, bridges this critical gap in care by addressing the unmet needs of the patients in its community. Katie will discuss how the program has created a continuous transition of care between hospital and home, as well as continuity of care through end-of-life.

Katie Jones, FNP, MA Nurse Practitioner, Oncology and Palliative Care

Vail Health, Shaw Cancer Center/ Shaw at Home

Edwards, Colorado

“It’s so different from seeing a patient in the clinic...to go to their home and see their family pictures on the wall, and see the things that are meaningful and valuable to them, and being in their own space. We learn so much about our patients during these visits.”

This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2025 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

Hospital Care Comes Home

Optimizing Cancer Care Delivery in 2022, Part 1

Home as a Site of Care for Acutely Ill Patients with Cancer

Building a Palliative Care Program from the Inside Out

Expanding access to clinical trials in community oncology settings is essential to improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in cancer research. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with clinical research coordinator, Oluwakemi “Kemi” Oladipupo, MSHS, MPH, BSN, RN, CCRP, whose cancer center recently participated in a foundational oncology clinical trials course, developed by ACCC and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) to help cancer programs expand availability of trials to traditionally underserved communities. Oladipupo shares how this training prepared their center for the challenges of a growing research program, the progress they’ve made, and the pivotal role of clinical research coordinators in expanding research programs and improving patient access to clinical trials.

Oluwakemi “Kemi” Oladipupo, MSHS, MPH, BSN, RN, CCRP

Clinical Research Coordinator

Touro-Cancer Center

New Orleans, LA

“We know that diversity is a big point, not only as per new FDA guidance, but [to] ensure that every participant is given an equal opportunity to hear about the study. [Our] approach is not to target a certain group of individuals. Really the approach is to target any individual that looks potentially eligible.”

Oluwakemi “Kemi” Oladipupo

Resources:

Community Oncology Can Close the Gap in Cancer Research

Increasing Clinical Trial Accrual Through the Implementation of a Clinical Trials Navigator

The Role of the Clinical Trials Navigator — [MINI PODCAST] EP 129

Human-Centered Design: A Possible Solution to Rural Clinical Trial Enrollment

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lauren Hughes, RN, director of infusion services at Highlands Oncology about her program’s receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. Highlands Oncology’s innovation, Improving Care Between Clinic Visits: A Sustainable Model for Remote Patient Monitoring, ensures continuous support and symptom management for patients between clinic visits. An early contributor to real-world evidence on the impact of remote patient monitoring, Hughes will discuss how Highlands Oncology significantly reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations while increasing treatment adherence and patient engagement.

Lauren Hughes, RN Director of Infusion Services

Highlands Oncology

Fayetteville, Arkansas

“[Patients] like the ease and simplicity of being able to pick up [their] phone, go to an app, and send a quick message...We’ve heard time and time again [from patients that even though] it’s an app...it still feels personal. They feel like they’re being checked on and cared for when they’re on site...and after hours.”

Lauren Hughes

This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2025 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

Technology-Enabled Assessments Support Remote Care of Oncology Patients and Improve the Care Team Experience

Remote Patient Monitoring: The New Frontier in Telemedicine Opportunities

Ochsner Chemotherapy Care Companion: Improving Outcomes through Digital Medicine

ePROs: Lighting the Way to Improved Outcomes Efficiency and Patient Experience

On October 29-30, 2024, the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI) hosted the Community Oncology Inclusive Clinical Trial Design Summit in Arlington, VA. The event brought together stakeholders including academic and community cancer center practitioners and researchers, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and industry partners to discuss strategies to increase patient access to clinical trials in the community setting. Five priority areas were identified that characterize actionable strategies to promote fair and accessible clinical trial design that is representative of all patients with cancer: strengthening the clinical trial workforce, optimizing trial design, engaging communities outside of clinical trial interactions, decentralizing clinical trials, and leveraging artificial intelligence/digital health tools for increased access and efficiency.

ACCC is committed to providing support in these priority areas to increase representative participation and opportunities in clinical trials for oncology patients across the US. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Kimberly Demirhan, MBA, BSN, RN, assistant director of education programs at ACCC, discusses the 5 priority areas identified at the ACORI Summit and ways to transform how we think about access to trials, especially leveraging AI and digital tools to do so.

“We looked at optimizing trial design to reflect real world patient populations ... assessing eligibility criteria to make it more reflective of the patient populations that we see out in the community.”

“[We suggest] simplifying protocols so we're not accidentally eliminating patients [due to] benign factors, and then really engaging our community providers early on in the design process.”

“It’s a really important time to be addressing [AI] and looking at the opportunities we have to transform the way we think about clinical trials, how we think about the delivery and access to them.” – Kimberly Demirhan

Kimberly Demirhan, MBA, BSN, RN

Assistant Director, Education Programs

Association of Cancer Care Centers

Resources:

2024 ACORI Summit

Just ASK: Increasing Diversity in Cancer Clinical Research

Bringing Cancer Research to the Community: Strategic Approaches to Representative Oncology Clinical Trial Design

Navigating disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract cancer (BTC) is essential for improving patient outcomes, ensuring equitable care, and optimizing the patient experience. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) remains committed to increasing awareness and disseminating the latest strategies for BTC management. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ explores these issues with Paige Griffith, CRNP, lead oncology nurse practitioner at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, who highlights the vital role of multidisciplinary teams in reducing care fragmentation and streamlining care delivery. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with Chaundra Bishop, a patient with biliary tract cancer, who shares her personal experience confronting systemic barriers—particularly delays and obstacles during the diagnostic process—and offers insights into how addressing such disparities can improve the patient journey for others.

“Everyone plays a role, even from early-stage disease all the way to advanced disease, and having someone help navigate patients through that very complex system is important.” – Paige Griffith, CRNP

“From the patient perspective, I think it's always important to ask for what you need, or ask questions if you don't understand something. Don't, as they say, suffer in silence.” – Chaundra Bishop

Paige Griffith, CRNP

Lead Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, MD

Chaundra Bishop

Patient With Biliary Tract Cancer

Resources:

Bile Duct Cancer - MD Anderson Cancer Center - https://bit.ly/42YPRdT

Cholangiocarcinoma - NCI - https://bit.ly/44oV4N2

Synopsis: One of the most significant social determinants of health is housing, which can lead to prolonged hospital stays and an endless cycle of episodic care. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to highlighting programs that address this disparity to improve medical outcomes and restore stability to patients’ lives. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Deirdre Sekulic, associate director of social work at Montefiore Health System to discuss ways that HARP prioritizes patient outcomes to improve continuity of care.

“We really wanted to focus on coordinating health and housing and putting in a support system to manage those patients better, get them linked to primary care so they would have better health outcomes and also to improve the flow of people into the emergency room and into the hospital” – Deirdre Sekulic

“Housing is complex, never be afraid to ask people about their housing situation… ask them that in a very dignified manner, but to make sure to ask the question.” – Deirdre Sekulic

Deirdre Sekulic, LCSW

Associate Director of Social Work

Montefiore Health System

Resources:

· An Innovative Program Addresses Housing Insecurity - Oncology Issues - https://bit.ly/3EJ2Pmr

· Montefiore's HARP Celebrates 15 Years - https://bit.ly/4iE0TcX

· Montefiore Health System - https://bit.ly/3Gw5nVA

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel therapeutic agents designed to target specific tumor markers with potent anticancer drugs. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on ADC treatment management. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nancy Mallett, a patient advocate, to discuss the patient’s perspective and experience receiving treatment for gynecologic cancers, particularly with ADCs such as mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx.

“[Providers] giving me the information and allowing us to decide together, instead of just telling me, makes me feel more cared about and that I’m not just a number, I’m a person. They care about what I think, and look at my life and what it can do for me.” – Nancy Mallett

Nancy Mallett

Patient Advocate

Resources:

FDA Approval Summary: Mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx for FRα-positive, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer - https://bit.ly/4is00nD

Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO): Gynecologic Cancer Resources for Patients and Their Families - https://bit.ly/4jpYaoP

ASCO: Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Gynecologic Cancer - https://bit.ly/42GP5k8

Society of Gynecologic Oncology Journal Club: The ABCs of ADCs (Antibody drug Conjugates) - https://bit.ly/42U2962

Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Gynecologic Cancers - https://bit.ly/4cLYECZ

Funder Statement

This program is supported by AbbVie.

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face poorer cancer outcomes and experiences compared with younger and older patients, and they historically have been lost between pediatric and adult models of oncology care. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing up-to-date guidance on treating AYA patients with cancer to improve their outcomes. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, a team from the University of North Carolina (UNC) AYA Oncology Program shares how it’s meeting the unique needs of this patient population by providing developmentally appropriate cancer care through a multidisciplinary approach, including clinical trial access and interactive infusion space; sharing resources where AYAs need additional support; and developing education about fertility and the short- and long-term impacts of cancer.

“We talk about things like sleep, mental health, diet, exercise, knowing all of those aspects of life have been impacted by cancer and its treatment, and in order to have the best quality of life and best outcomes, we need to pay attention to all of those aspects of an AYA survivors’ life.” – Andrew Smitherman, MD, MS

“We know that AYAs are one of the most underinsured or uninsured populations in the United States, and so that means often they are at least initially facing these diagnoses without any insurance at all to help defray the costs.” – Jacob Stein, MD, MPH

“My approach [for talking about long term effects] is that patients want to be able to have the opportunity to receive information.” – Alison Manikowski, PsyD

Read the full article here.

Guests

Andrew Smitherman, MD, MSc

AYA Medical Director

Pediatric Oncologist

UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC

Jacob Stein, MD, MPH AYA Oncology Liaison

Medical Oncologist

UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC

Alison Manikowski, PsyDAYA Program Pediatric Psychologist

UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC

Resources:

UNC AYA Cancer Program
ACCC AYA Resources

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) disproportionately impacts underserved and minority populations, compounded by systemic barriers in care. These populations face increased risk factors yet often experience delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialists, leading to later-stage detection. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a GI oncology nurse navigator at UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer, and Henry Rendon, a patient diagnosed with HCC in June 2023. Together, they share insights on the vital role of multidisciplinary teams and how nurse navigators can mitigate access barriers by improving patient outreach, facilitating access to care, and guiding patients through the complexities of the health care system.

“Karen, my nurse navigator, knew everything I was going through. She made sure everything was coordinated and ran smoothly. She communicated clearly and thoroughly every time. I never had to second-guess what was happening. She made sure I was prepared, not just once, but every step of the way.” - Henry Rendon, patient guest with HCC

“At our institution, we have a clinic where the patient can see a medical oncologist, a liver medical physician, an interventional radiology specialist, a pharmacist… the whole gamut. If they need social work, we’ll pull in social work. If they need palliative care, we’ll pull in palliative care. And that’s in one visit. For folks with transportation issues or those who live far away, it’s truly the best way to get care.” - Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG

Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG

GI Oncology Nurse Navigator

UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer

Birmingham, Alabama

Henry Rendon

Patient Guest, diagnosed with HCC

Helena, Alabama

Additional Resources:

Multidisciplinary HCC Care Effective Practices in Care Coordination - https://bit.ly/4lHTpbN

HCC Education and Protocols to Advance Treatment through Integrated Collaboration - https://bit.ly/42GpatW

Understanding practices and gaps in multidisciplinary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) care within the community oncology setting - https://bit.ly/3XT4k84

Building Multidisciplinary Care Capacity for People Impacted by Hepatocellular Carcinoma - https://bit.ly/44rgFUS

Raising awareness about disparities in cancers impacting women, screening among Indigenous populations, and barriers to accessing care is essential. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicating to providing up-to-date information on approaches to improving women’s health screening, education, and prevention in Indigenous subpopulations. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Tricia Numan, MD, assistant professor of pathology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center about geographical challenges to accessing care and strategies for culturally tailored approaches for indigenous women.

“[There] are some major things that have happened in not so recent past to native populations, and I think it’s really important for health care providers to take that recent history into account when they’re caring for native patients.” – Tricia Numan, MD

“If you want to culturally tailor your health care I think that it’s very important, because it’s not a one size fits all.”

Tricia Numan, MD

Gynecologic Pathologist

Assistant Professor of Pathology

Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Department of Indigenous Cancer Health

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Buffalo, New York

Resources:

Roswell Park Department of Indigenous Cancer Health

Oncology Issues Roswell Park Article

Personalized therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), guided by shared decision-making, can improve outcomes by aligning treatment with a patient’s unique clinical profile, preferences and goals. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on CLL management and treatment strategies. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Christopher Nelson, ACNP, MBA, certified oncology nurse practitioner at Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology, to explore the importance of shared decision-making and patient communication in CLL. Additionally, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Meghan McGrath, MSN, RN, AGACNP, clinical trial nurse navigator at The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), who discusses ways to incorporate clinical trials in the shared decision-making process and LLS services that are available to support patients and providers.

“You do what the patient feels is best, you know, you look at what their values are and what’s important to them, and then you try to find a therapy that fits those.” – Christopher Nelson, ACNP

“I think it’s really important to try and make every patient aware of the fact that a clinical trial could be right for them at any stage in the game.” – Meghan McGrath, MSN, RN, AGACNP

Christopher Nelson, ACNP

Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology

Aberdeen, SD

Meghan McGrath, MSN, RN, AGACNP

Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)

Resources:

· ACCC Treatment for Double-Exposed CLL - https://bit.ly/4iSmfV1

· ACCC CLL Resources - https://bit.ly/3E4QqZK

· LLS Clinical Trial Support Center - https://bit.ly/42sqGQk

· ACCC CLL Video Series - https://bit.ly/4la4li5

With the ongoing workforce challenges in oncology, health systems must develop strategies to support their pipeline of health care employees. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing resources and support on managing this challenge and strengthen strategic partnerships. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Laura Matthews, MBA, MPH, FACHE, vice president and administrator at Inova Schar Cancer, to discuss the strategies to address these workforce needs through local partnerships and early career recruitment. Ms. Matthews highlights opportunities to collaborate with high school programs, undergraduate students, and community colleges to create opportunities for students to gain experience and introduce health career options.

“Don’t let geography limit you in terms of being creative about the different educational partners you may want to work with.” – Laura Matthews

“For anyone who is looking to replicate some of these programs: bring your creativity, bring your innovation. Many of these, if not all of these, were ideas that came from leaders and team members who saw an opportunity to better grow our workforce.” – Laura Matthews

Laura Matthews, MBA, MPH, FACHE

Vice President and Administrator

Inova Schar Cancer

Inova Health System

Falls Church, VA

Resources:

Pipeline Partners

Inova Schar Cancer

There is an increasing awareness of the importance of screening for social drivers of health (SDOH) for patients with cancer. Social drivers like income level and stable housing can impact a patient’s access to quality cancer care. To help multidisciplinary teams in oncology care screen for SDOH, ACCC has developed a screening tool to help identify potential SDOH factors that may hinder access to cancer treatment and clinical trial participation. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Richard Martin III, MD, MPH, medical director of Health Equity and Community Engagement at Tennessee Oncology and Dana McDaniel, DNP, FNP-C, AOCNP, director of Oncology and Clinical Research at Mosaic Life Care about their experiences using the screening tool as part of ACCC’s pilot program.

“Everybody’s role with SDOH is different, but really, everyone has a role with SDOH assessment—taking the time to sit down with the patient, ask the questions, listen to them, and then connect them to the appropriate services so that we can tailor their care and ultimately improve quality.” - Dana McDaniel, DNP, FNP-C, AOCNP

“Being able to capture data around patients’ interest [in clinical trials], their awareness and their barriers, and being able to cross reference those 3 things to better focus strategies around [trial] enrollment…that's just going to be gold as far as information to help you know where to go…and when that patient's ready, to help get them onto a trial.” – Richard Martin III, MD, MPH

Richard Martin III, MD, MPH

Medical Director, Health Equity and Community Engagement

Tennessee Oncology

Nashville, Tennessee

Dana McDaniel, DNP, FNP-C, AOCNP

Director of Oncology and Clinical Research

Mosaic Life Care

St. Joseph, Missouri

Additional Resources:

ACCC SDOH Screening Tool (English) (https://bit.ly/4ikNPdb)

ACCC SDOH Screening Tool (Spanish) (https://bit.ly/4ixsixA)

ACCC SDOH Resource Library (https://bit.ly/4bJtDz6)

Improving Equitable Access to Care: Unpacking Medicare’s New Documentation, Coding, and Billing Requirements (https://bit.ly/4bKlMRU)

Dermatologic toxicities associated with oncology treatment can significantly impact quality of life and treatment adherence for patients with breast cancer. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing up-to-date guidance on managing these dermatologic side effects to enhance clinical outcomes. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Allison Gordon, MD, a supportive oncodermatologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, discusses the dermatologic toxicities associated with breast cancer treatment. Dr Gordon explores preventive measures that oncologists can implement early in the treatment course and offers alternative resources for oncology clinicians when an oncodermatologist referral is not feasible. Additionally, she highlights capivasertib, a recently approved antineoplastic drug, and reviews its associated cutaneous adverse events, along with supportive care and management strategies.

Thank you to AstraZeneca for their support of this program.

Allison Gordon, MD

Dermatologist

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York, NY

“Because many of these medications can cause dry skin, which can be debilitating for patients... [we recommend] using a thick ointment or cream moisturizer on their damp skin after they shower... it doesn't have to be anything expensive... I always recommend that to all patients regardless of what treatment they're on.”– Allison Gordon, MD

Additional Reading/Sources

ACCC Supportive Care Strategies for Dermatologic Toxicities Related to Cancer Therapies education program (https://www.accc-cancer.org/home/learn/comprehensive-cancer-care-services/dermatologic-toxicities?)

Targeted Therapy Side Effects – American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/treatment-types/targeted-therapy/side-effects.html)

Oncodermatology: Advancing the Science and Care of Cancer Patients and Survivors (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10569770/)

Dermatologic Adverse Events of Systemic Anticancer Therapies: Cytotoxic Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Immunotherapy (https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/EDBK_289911)

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Oncodermatolgy Study Group (https://mascc.org/resources/mascc-guidelines/)

Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Radiation-Induced Skin Reactions (https://mascc.org/resources/mascc-guidelines/)

Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Dermatological Toxicities Related to Anticancer Agents (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33248228/)

Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ talks the role of AI in oncology with ACCC President Elect Douglas Flora, MD, LSSBB, FACCC.

Guest:

Douglas Flora, MD, LSSBB, FACCC

ACCC President Elect

Executive Medical Director, Oncology Services

St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Edgewood, KY

Editor-in-Chief, AI in Precision Oncology

Resources:

How AI Will Shape Oncology Care

The Transformative Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Cancer Care Delivery

Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ shares insights from Yulonda Greene, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN, Lindsey Causey, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, and John D. Shevock, FACHE, FACMPE.

Guest:

Yulonda Greene, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN

Director, Patient Care Service

Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation

Lindsey Causey, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, AOCNP

Cone Health | Hematology and Oncology

CHMG Executive Council—Chair

John D. Shevock, FACHE, FACMPE

Senior Director Of Operations Oncology Service Line

Executive Director

Bayhealth Cancer Institute

Resources:

AMCCBS Capitol Hill Day

AMCCBS Keynote Address and Award Ceremony

AMCCBS Women's Health and Oncology

Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ speaks with ACCC President Una Hopkins, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, FACCC, RN, on the first day of her 2025-2026 presidency.

Guest:

Una Hopkins, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, FACCC, RN

ACCC President

Director for Research and Evidence Based Practice

Montefiore Medical Center

Bronx, NY

Resources:

ACCC Biography

DNP Alum Advances Healthcare Through Clinical Research

2025-2026 President's Theme

Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ shares insights from ACCC President Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, and ASCO President Robin Zon, MD, FASCO, FACP, on challenges in cancer care, leadership strategies, AI, and more.

Guest:

Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS

Senior Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Equity in Research

Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Atrium Health

Robin Zon, MD, FASCO, FACP

President, American Society of Clinical Oncology

Physician Emeritus, Michiana Hematology Oncology

Resources:

Interview with Dr. Barrett

Reimagining Community Engagement and Equity in Cancer

Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ highlights ACCC President Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, on her tenure as ACCC’s 2024-2025 President.

Guest:

Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS

Senior Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Equity in Research Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Atrium Health

Resources:

President's Theme 2024-2025

Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ speaks with Wade Swenson, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP about Capitol Hill Day and how engaging in advocacy positively impacts oncology.

Guest:

Wade T. Swenson, MD, MPH, MBA, FACP

Medical Director

Lakewood Health System

Staples, MN

Resources:

ACCC OSS Advocacy Engagement Initiative

ACCC Legislative Action Center

Live this week from the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ speaks with Mandi Pratt-Chapman, PhD, the winner of this year’s Clinical Research Award, about how her research has impacted oncology and paved the way for better patient care.

Guest:

Mandi Pratt-Chapman, PhD

Associate Professor of Medicine for the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Associate Professor of Prevention and Community Health for the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health

Associate Center Director, Community Outreach, Engagement and Equity

The George Washington (GW) Cancer Center

Resources:

Clinical Research Award (https://www.accc-cancer.org/home/about/awards/clinical-research-award?)

Bladder cancer remains a prevalent disease with significant disparities in care, particularly in underserved populations. To address this, ACCC launched a national quality improvement initiative in three phases: 1. assessment and preparation, 2. action plan implementation, and 3. monitoring for continuous improvement. Dr. Samuel Washington, from the University of California, San Francisco, discussed the initiative’s early findings, highlighting site-specific approaches.

Sustainability was a key consideration, ensuring a balance between short-term wins and long-term impact. Action plans need to be both ambitious and practical to drive meaningful change. Continuing outcome monitoring will refine strategies, and the initiative could serve as a replication model in other clinical settings and cancer types. An important opportunity exists to expand multidisciplinary collaboration to include patient advocates and ensure the long-term integration of these improvements. Despite varied site objectives, all participants were committed to improving cancer care. This initiative highlights the power of structured, collaborative efforts to address disparities and enhance patient outcomes.

"Now we have an opportunity to bring in patients and advocates… and expand this type of work in a structured way to other cancers and other institutions, other sites in an already national program." – Dr. Samuel Washington

“The feasibility of the program overall was important, the fact that we could engage leadership champions at the clinic level and then multi-disciplinary team buy-in at each institution with this goal across oncology, urology, practices, radiation oncology, nursing, to all come together for each of these visits to help develop an action plan, it is something that I have not seen much of in recent years." – Dr. Samuel Washington

This project is sponsored by EMD Serono and Pfizer.

Samuel L. Washington III, MD, MAS

Assistant Professor of Urology,

Goldberg-Benioff Endowed Professorship in Cancer Biology University of California, San Francisco San Francisco, CA

Additional Resources:

Implementing Shared Decision-Making in Bladder Cancer Care eCourse (https://courses.accc-cancer.org/products/implementing-shared-decision-making-in-bladder-cancer-care?_gl=11l9u2ab_gaMTU3NjkxMTU5Mi4xNzM2MTc4MTQy_ga_HW05FVSTWC*MTczODk0Mjk3OS41MC4xLjE3Mzg5NDMyOTAuNTUuMC4w#tab-product_tab_overview)

Understanding and Mitigating Disparities in Bladder Cancer (https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/projects/bladder-cancer/understanding-and-mitigating-disparities-in-bladder-cancer-care.pdf?sfvrsn=a2630102_2&)

Providing Equitable Care for Patients With Bladder Cancer (https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/projects/bladder-cancer/accc_bladdercancer_8-5x11_patientexperienceresorce_interactive.pdf?sfvrsn=934efb33_2&)

Effective Practices in Bladder Cancer Care: Multispecialty Clinics (https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/projects/bladder-cancer/accc_bladdercancer_1_multispecialtyclinics.pdf?sfvrsn=e4cf453f_2&)

Members of the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) are preparing for a day of cancer care advocacy on Capitol Hill during its 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS) in Washington, DC between March 5-7, 2025. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nicole Tapay, JD, director of Cancer Care Delivery & Health Policy at ACCC about key policy issues that members will address during ACCC’s Capitol Hill Day, including drug shortages, Medicare reimbursement for patient navigation, and concerns over the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on provider reimbursement for infused medications.

“[Capitol] Hill Day is a chance for cancer care providers to directly engage in the policymaking process—it's not part of their normal day jobs, but they find it incredibly rewarding." – Nicole Tapay, JD

"When cancer care providers visit the Hill in person, it’s a very valuable part of the process; they share firsthand experiences that truly illustrate the impact of policy decisions." – Nicole Tapay, JD

Nicole Tapay, JD Director, Cancer Care Delivery & Health Policy Association of Cancer Care Centers

Additional Resources

ACCC Capitol Hill Day (https://www.accc-cancer.org/home/attend/capitol-hill-day)

2024 Policy Wrap-Up – Oncology Issues, Vol.40, No 1, 2025 (https://journals.accc-cancer.org/view/2024-policy-wrap-up?_gl=1ael8au_gcl_awR0NMLjE3Mzg2OTM3MDUuQ2owS0NRaUFrb2U5QmhEWUFSSXNBSDg1Y0RPekNiaW1WYkJ0TGw1dEtwV0s3ZzFtbWZ3b0tFMkxENTUwMVRkZGZUQzByOUFCS1FUeVpVSWFBa3dvRUFMd193Y0I._gaMTIxNzU0NTA2MC4xNjkxNzY0Mjg0_ga_HW05FVSTWC*MTc0MDA2NjkzMS41Ni4xLjE3NDAwNjc2NzEuNTIuMC4w)

Register for the 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Care Business Summit (https://events.accc-cancer.org/event/90b42ca3-a5fd-4f87-a1eb-fe4e00d2e9de/overview?RefId=LIP&utm_campaign=2025AM&utm_campaign=CMI%20%7C%20CMA-22-ACCC010%20%7C%20AMCCBS%2025%20%7C%20EV&utm_medium=paid&utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=google&utm_source=adwords&utm_term=accc%20annual%20meeting&hsa_acc=3682411462&hsa_cam=22029487582&hsa_grp=175156250827&hsa_ad=725387102374&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=kwd-2265122107589&hsa_kw=accc%20annual%20meeting&hsa_mt=p&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAn9a9BhBtEiwAbKg6fhOf1fzDdOci-BU8AdIjtS9Y9domwiVkSlasNVK7jVaYE2yv799cHRoC_k4QAvD_BwE)

View Agenda for the 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Care Business Summit (https://agenda.mjhlifesciences.com/agenda/accc/e02ac0e0-7646-4ff5-b872-e3e2ee8b7e22?_gl=11k3a1eu_gcl_awR0NMLjE3NDAwMDE0ODcuQ2p3S0NBaUFuOWE5QmhCdEVpd0FiS2c2ZmhPZjFmekRkT2NpLUJVOEFkSWp0UzlZOWRvbXdpVmtTbGFzTlZLN2pWYVlFMnl2Nzk5Y0hSb0NfazRRQXZEX0J3RQ.._gaMTU3NjkxMTU5Mi4xNzM2MTc4MTQy_ga_HW05FVSTWC*MTc0MDAwMDc4NS43Mi4xLjE3NDAwMDE0ODguNDQuMC4w)

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have the potential to transform cancer treatment and are being actively integrated into community oncology practices. To support oncology practices as they introduce BsAbs into their treatment protocols, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) has developed a comprehensive blueprint for this process. This resource highlights key strategies, best practices, and considerations for successful implementation. It gives guidance on capacity building, care coordination, and adverse event management, reflecting ACCC’s commitment to providing education and expanding access to this innovative treatment for patients with cancer. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Donald Moore, PharmD, clinical oncology pharmacy manager at Atrium Health Levine Cancer, about the role of bispecific antibodies in oncology care and unique challenges associated with interdisciplinary collaboration. Dr Moore also discusses how the new Blueprint is designed to empower cancer practices to optimize the rollout of these innovative therapies.

“I think that the blueprint really nicely describes and delineates some high-level roles and responsibilities of a community academic partnership and how both sites can collaborate to deliver care to their patients” – Donald Moore

“Ultimately, my hope is that the blueprint, along with some of the additional resources provided with it, will be helpful in bringing these new therapies closer to home for all of our patients... improving the access to care for this emerging drug class.” – Donald Moore

Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP

Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Manager

Division of Pharmacy

Atrium Health Levine Cancer

Charlotte, NC

Resources:

ACCC Best Practices for Expanding Access to BsAbs  - https://www.accc-cancer.org/home/learn/precision-medicine/treatment/bispecific-antibodies/best-practices-bispecific-antibodies

ACCC Operational Insights in Delivery of BsAbs - https://www.accc-cancer.org/home/learn/precision-medicine/treatment/bispecific-antibodies/bispecific-antibodies-in-solid-tumors

ASCO Use of BsAbs in Community Practices - https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.e13575

AJMC Obstacles to Optimal Transition Between Academic and Community Centers - https://www.ajmc.com/view/obstacles-to-optimal-transitions-of-care-between-academic-and-community-settings-when-utilizing-bispecific-antibodies

ASH Multidisciplinary Provider Insights for Promotion of BsAbs in the Community - https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/138/Supplement%201/4033/481457/Multidisciplinary-Provider-Insights-to-Promote

The imPROVE study aims to bridge the gap in patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data for Black women with breast cancer by enhancing engagement with tailored electronic PROs (ePROs) and partnering with community leaders to address barriers and ensure accessibility and relevance in community cancer care settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Manraj Kaur, PhD, investigator and lead faculty for research and innovation at Patient-Reported Outcomes, Value, and Experience (PROVE) center at Mass General Brigham and Andrea Pusic, MD, chief of division of plastic and reconstructive surgery, director of PROVE center at Mass General Brigham, and professor of surgery at Harvard Medical School about the imPROVE study’s efforts to enhance Black women’s engagement in ePROs in breast cancer treatment. Dr. Kaur sheds light on strategies to improve technology accessibility for Black women in their cancer care center by providing iPads and refined usability features on the imPROVE app. Dr. Pusic highlights imPROVE implementation results at five community cancer centers, including utilizing local champions and equitable access to resources.

“When we make sure Black women are included, we gain a more accurate picture of health, we can design better care, and then we take a real step towards closing the health equity gap.” – Manraj Kaur

“The imPROVE study is all about increasing accessibility of patient-reported outcome measurements to Black breast cancer patients receiving care in community cancer centers.” – Andrea Pusic

Manraj Kaur, PhD 

Investigator, Lead Faculty for Research and Innovation Patient-Reported Outcomes Value Experience (PROVE) Center

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Boston, MA

Andrea Pusic, MD

Chief of Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Director, PROVE Center

Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Professor of Surgery

Harvard Medical School

Boston, MA

Resources:

ACCC imPROVE Study Blog - https://www.accc-cancer.org/acccbuzz/blog-post-template/accc-buzz/2024/06/18/the-power-of-patient-reported-outcome-measures-to-community-cancer-centers?

Harvard/BWH PROVE Center - https://prove.bwh.harvard.edu/current_project/improve-breast-cancer-care/

In anticipation of the 51st Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), ACCCBuzz spoke with this year’s keynote speaker, Nick Webb, who gave some insight into what AMCCBS attendees can expect from his session. As a health care futurist, Nick’s consulting practice is centered around the future of health care and trends that are both already present and fast-approaching. One trend Nick plans to speak to in his keynote is hyper-consumerism and how it is impacting patients’ experience with health care. Namely, patients today want customization, transparency, and humanity—among other things. They want relationships that are more than just the transaction of health care. Nick will dive into best practices to create experiential value for patients, as well as ways to leverage technological innovations like artificial intelligence to take the pressure off providers and free up their time so they can engage and create meaningful relationships with patients.

Guest: 

Nick Webb Health Care Futurist Author, Chaotic Change: Embracing Chaos to Drive Innovation and Growth

Quote: 

“[Patients today] want humanity. They want the relationship to be more than just the transaction of health care. The best organizations...are going to make the transition from the transaction of health care to the experiential value of health care.”

Register for the 51st AMCCBS and view the full agenda on the ACCC website.

Additional Resources: 

ePROs: Lighting the Way to Improved Outcomes Efficiency and Patient Experience -- Oncology Issues

The Future of the Patient Experience — [MINI PODCAST] EP 137

Healthcare Burnout: An Epidemic Among Oncology Nurses

A Toxic Mixture: Burnout in Oncology Pharmacy

2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care Part 2 – Oncology Issues

ACCC’s Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (ORMs) assist members in navigating the frequent changes in oncology reimbursement and regulations through expert-led sessions in different regions across the US. In addition to bringing attendees up to speed on annual updates to the revenue cycle, a wide range of related issues that can impact oncology reimbursement are brought to the table, including navigation reimbursement, expanding existing financial programs, and providing important services for patients. The dates and locations for the Spring 2025 in-person ORMs have been announced, with more information to follow.

Guest:

John J. Montville, MBA, FACHE, FACMPE, FACCC, COA Executive Director, Oncology Service Line Mercy Health – Paducah Cancer Center

Quote:

“These meetings have true takeaways. It’s not just about networking [although] that is important in this industry...You walk away with pages of notes of things you want to bring back to your program to make it better.”

For more information about ACCC’s upcoming Oncology Reimbursement Meetings in 2025, visit the ACCC website.

Additional Resources:

Reimbursement Changes Seek to Reduce Disparities in Access to Cancer Care

Breaking Down Principal Illness Navigation Services: Helping Oncology Providers and Administrators Document, Code, and Bill for Patient Navigation Services

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Will Pay for Patient Navigation—Now What – Oncology Issues

Virtual Fall 2024 Oncology Reimbursement Meeting

Synopsis: Adverse reactions involving the skin, nails, and hair are common among patients undergoing treatment for cancer and are often underreported and overlooked. These reactions directly impact patient quality of life and may be the reason for interruptions in lifesaving antineoplastic treatment. To address these toxicities, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is leading an initiative that aims to educate providers and other cancer care team members about the optimal management of dermatologic side effects.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Julie Ryan Wolf, PhD, MPH and C.J.G. (Corina) van den Hurk, PhD, the chair and vice chair of the Oncodermatology Study Group at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) about common oncodermatological toxicities including radiation dermatitis, hair loss, and nail changes unique to EGFR-inhibitors. Also discussed are strategies to increase provider collaboration to intervene at an early stage to improve quality of life for patients receiving cancer treatment.

“If we have symptom monitoring on a regular basis throughout the course of treatment, we’ll be able to intervene sooner… helping improve [patient] quality of life” – Julie Ryan Wolf, PhD, MPH

“In effect, almost each patient has a dermatologic side effect at the end of the treatment, or has experienced that during the treatment, and they are all very interfering.” – CJG (Corina) van den Hurk, PhD

Julie Ryan Wolf, PhD, MPH

Chair, Oncodermatology Study Group

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)

Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Department of Radiation Oncology

University of Rochester Medical Center

Rochester, NY

CJG (Corina) van den Hurk, PhD

Vice Chair, Oncodermatology Study Group

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC)

Senior Researcher, Santeon Hospitals

Netherlands

Thank you to Johnson & Johnson for their support of this program.

Additional Reading/Sources  

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Home

Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) Oncodermatology Study Group

MASCC Study Group Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines

ACCC Supportive Care Strategies for Dermatologic Toxicities Related to Cancer Therapies

Oncology Issues – Supportive Oncodermatology: Addressing dermatologic adverse events associated with oncologic therapies

Dermatologic Adverse Events of Systemic Anticancer Therapies: Cytotoxic Chemotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Immunotherapy

Oncodermatology: Advancing the Science and Care of Cancer Patients and Survivors

Supportive oncodermatology-a narrative review of its utility and the way forward =

As a medical oncologist working in a rural private practice in Australia, Dr. Christopher Steer expresses that one of the biggest challenges in cancer care is a limited workforce. Lacking personnel at every level of cancer care makes it difficult to provide high-quality, timely care, especially in a rural region. In this episode, Dr. Steer also mentions the importance of advocacy work in improving patient care. A particularly salient issue in Australia is the lack of coverage for cancer therapeutics by private insurance companies—which affects about 40% of patients with cancer in the country. Dr. Steer emphasizes the need for patients and providers alike to use their voices to make meaningful improvements in cancer care.

Guest:

Christopher Steer, MBBS, FRACP Medical Oncologist, Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Associate Professor University of New South Wales Adjunct Professor John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research La Trobe University

Quote:

“Adequate assessment yields appropriate treatment. Ask the patients. Personalize their care. That will give them the best [outcomes].”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources:

NOC Preview: Financial Advocacy Guidelines to Mitigate Financial Toxicity - [MINI PODCAST]

Providing Comprehensive Financial Advocacy Services in Rural America

Improving Access to Clinical Trials for Rural Populations

#ACCCNOC: Financial Advocacy and Building Sustainable Navigation

Virtual Infusion Services: Bringing Cancer Therapies Closer to Rural Patients

The involvement of oncology fellows in state policy and advocacy efforts is essential for enhancing cancer care and advancing research. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) provides up-to-date information and opportunities for oncology advocacy, helping oncologists early in their career to be aware of how to contribute to local, state, and national initiatives. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Katherine Baker, MD, medical director of value-based care and medical oncologist at Tennessee Oncology, to discuss her experience in engaging in advocacy efforts with the American Society of Hematology (ASH), the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), and her current role as a board member on the Tennessee Oncology Practice Society (TOPS) advocacy committee. We also hear from Haley M Simpson, MD, PhD, physician-scientist, Division of Hematology at the University of Colorado, about the direct impact of advocacy on patient care.

“To me, forming coalitions through these [national] organizations is essential for driving meaningful, long lasting policy change, as collective voices are often much stronger and more impactful than individual efforts on your own.” -Katherine Baker, MD

“By getting involved in advocacy and policy earlier in your career, it has all the more ability to amplify the impact for patients.” -Haley Simpson, MD, PhD

Katherine Baker, MD, MMHC

Medical Director of Value-Based Care and Medical Oncologist

Tennessee Oncology

Nashville, TN

Haley M. Simpson, MD, PhD

Physician-Scientist, Division of Hematology

University of Colorado

Aurora, CO

This podcast is part of the Oncology State Societies (OSS) Policy and Advocacy program, made possible through the support of Johnson & Johnson.

Please visit your state society's website for potential fellowship opportunities, which you can find here. For any questions or to learn about upcoming events and opportunities, feel free to email Amanda Impellizzeri directly at aimpellizzeri@accc-cancer.org.

Resources

ACCC and OSS Advocacy Engagement Initiative

ACCC Legislative Action Center

NCCN Policy Fellows Program

ASCO Advocacy Resources

ASCO Fellows Resources

The delivery of cancer care in Nigeria is impeded firstly by a lack of infrastructure, with a low number of hospital beds and skilled staff across the care pathway—an issue which has been compounded by the migration of skilled staff out of sub-Saharan Africa and to more developed countries. A lack of specialized equipment, such as radiotherapy machines, and the prohibitive costs of delivering cancer care are significant challenges as well. According to Dr. Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, challenges at the governmental level play a role as well, because in addition to a lack of skilled staff, there is a lack of developed cancer centers and a lack of funding, all of which prevent patients from accessing high-quality care. This great need inspired Dr. Elebute-Odunsi to establish the Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital in Lagos, Nigeria, which offers all the treatments patients need across the care continuum in one place.

Guest:

Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath Founder/CEO Marcelle Ruth Cancer Centre and Specialist Hospital Founder/Chair Board of Trustees Women In Healthcare Network Lagos, Nigeria

Quote:

“We’re a one-stop comprehensive cancer center...When patients walk in the door, they can [receive] all the treatments they require [here] from beginning to end.”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources:

The Study of High-Cost Oncology Patients to Improve Care & Curb Costs – Oncology Issues

Mobile App Eases Patient Cost-of-Care Conversations

[PODCAST] Ep 03: Why Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Matter

Providing Comprehensive Financial Advocacy Services in Rural America

Navigation: A Critical Component in a Comprehensive Approach to Dismantling Health Inequities – Oncology Issues

Raising awareness about sarcoma is essential to reducing treatment delays and preventing misdiagnoses of this rare cancer with over 100 subtypes. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on sarcoma management and the unique challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment in community settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Richard Riedel, MD, professor of medicine at Duke Cancer Institute, to explore the critical resources needed for sarcoma care, including psychosocial support and the financial difficulties often faced by patients. Dr Riedel also discusses the future of treatment options in community-based settings and the importance of collaboration between community providers and academic/specialty centers. Additionally, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Katie Wintergerst, a sarcoma patient, who shares her personal journey and the challenges she encountered on her path to diagnosis.

“It’s critically important to partner with centers with disease-specific expertise, academic centers, for example, that are well-positioned to partner with community-based providers in providing optimal care for patients.” – Richard Riedel, MD

“What I’ve had to become comfortable with ... is that clinical trials can be tricky and they can be scary, but in the world of sarcoma, there haven’t been a lot of new products FDA-approved for treatment. Clinical trials is where the work is going on.” -Katie Wintergerst

Richard Riedel, MD

Professor of Medicine

Duke Cancer Institute

Durham, NC

Katie Wintergerst

Sarcoma Patient

Resources:

ACCC Sarcoma Resources for Providers and Patients

SFA Clinical Trials Resource Center

Sarcoma Treatment Centers

Like many nations across the world, 1 of the biggest challenges in oncology facing Sweden is a growing number of patients with cancer, including a large subset of elderly patients and those with comorbidities. In this episode, Dr. Mef Nilbert also explains that data sharing issues with other countries in Europe makes collaboration difficult. Two areas of great success, however, are prevention and early detection, with approximately 85%-90% of Sweden’s population vaccinated against HPV. According to Dr. Nilbert, the simple success story is that this vaccination is offered for free in schools to all boys and girls at age 13. This achievement along with continuously improving hereditary cancer diagnostics are exciting developments that serve as powerful lessons from which other nations can benefit.

Guest:

Mef Nilbert, MD, PhD Professor, Department of Oncology Skåne University Hospital and Lund University Lund, Sweden

Quote:

“This is not the time for competition in oncology. It’s the time for collaboration, especially if we want to be successful in science, precision medicine, and prevention.”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources:

HPV Vaccination: Engaging Community Partners for Success – Oncology Issues

Cancer Crushing Prevention and Early Detection – Oncology Issues

Time to Get Screened – Oncology Issues

A Comprehensive Cancer Risk Management Clinic for Families With Hereditary Cancer Syndromes – Oncology Issues

ACCC Signs Letter in Support of the Reducing Hereditary Cancer Act

With nearly half the patients the Baheya Foundation for Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer in stage 3 or 4 of the disease, delayed diagnoses are one of the biggest challenges in oncology faced in Egypt today. This both causes patients to present for treatment in more advanced stages of the disease and contributes to a high breast cancer mortality rate in Egypt compared to other developed countries like the US. Dr. Inas Maged Moaz added that studies have noted a 7-month difference between the onset of symptoms and the beginning of treatment, due largely in part to a lack of patient awareness of breast cancer symptoms, a lack of prevention and early detection measures, and failure to self-exam. In response, the Baheya Foundation was created to be an integrated health care center that is specialized in providing services to breast cancer patients all in one location and free of charge, including screening, psychosocial support, and nutritional counseling.

Guest: 

Inas Maged Moaz, MD Lecturer of Public Health Medical Coordinator of Baheya Research Center Baheya Foundation for Early Detection and Treatment of Breast Cancer Al Haram, Egypt

Quote: 

“Baheya has placed a strong emphasis on our outreach program to reach women all over Egypt to enhance their awareness and education about breast cancer and to catch cases in early stages.”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources: 

Views: The Breast Cancer School for Patients – Oncology Issues

Virtual Reality Brings Patient Education to Life

2023 NMQF Summit: Patient Education to Achieve Health Equity

A Model for Demonstrating Sustainable Outreach for Cancer Screening – Oncology Issues

A One-Stop Breast Clinic Improves Time to Diagnosis and Patient Satisfaction

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have transformative potential in cancer treatment and can be successfully integrated into community oncology practices. To support this integration, ACCC is committed to providing educational initiatives and support for cancer care teams to optimize care coordination. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jean Louise Koff, MD, MSc, associate professor of hematology and medical oncology at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, to discuss the impact of bispecific antibodies on cancer treatment outcomes, and the challenges and opportunities of integrating this innovative approach into community oncology practices. Dr. Koff sheds light on the opportunities for future partnerships with academic centers and community oncology sites to ensure there is proper infrastructure and training to safely administer bispecific antibodies.

“We’re only at the beginning here; I think that as new bispecific agents are developed, there may be other indications in which they can be used, so it will be a broader population of patients who may end up being eligible to receive these drugs.” -Jean Louise Koff

Jean Louise Koff, MD, MSc

Associate Professor, Hematology and Medical Oncology

Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Atlanta, GA

This podcast was developed in connection with APSHO and LRF and made possible with support by Genentech and Johnson & Johnson.

Resources:

ASCO Use of BsAbs in Community

AJMC Obstacles to Optimal Transition Between Academic and Community Centers

As a large country, economic disparities persist as a public health issue in Brazil, with 70% of the population depending on the public health system. According to Dr. Theodora Karnakis, the aging population of patients with cancer is expected to result in a 61% increase of new cancer cases between 2020 and 2040. The type of care received depends heavily on where patients are located, due to the varying allocation of services. Dr. Karnakis emphasized equitable access to high-quality care, thorough cancer prevention efforts, and patient education as priorities in her country.

Guest:

Theodora Karnakis, PhD

Coordinator of Oncogeriatrics

Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo-ICESP/FMUSP

Coordinator of Oncogeriatrics

Hospital SírioLibanês

São Paulo, Brazil

Quote:

“It’s very interesting to recognize that in each part of the world, [our situations are different, yet the same]. It’s difficult to imagine that our reality is the same in other countries...but at the same time, we learn a lot and find ideas to propose in our country.”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources: Quality Improvement Officers: Key Members of the Multidisciplinary Cancer Care Team – Oncology Issues Patient Navigation Services Promote Equitable Access to High-Quality Care Tailoring Education for the Oncology Patient – Oncology Issues ABC’s of Health Disparities Reimbursement Changes Seek to Reduce Disparities in Access to Cancer Care

It is crucial that multidisciplinary cancer care teams stay informed about upcoming changes to Medicare Part D under the Inflation Reduction Act. To support this effort, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing updated information on health care policy changes, ensuring that both providers and patients are aware of the financial benefits. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lindsay Greenleaf, JD, MBA, solution leader in federal and state policy at ADVI Health and Pam Traxel, senior vice president of alliance development and philanthropy at American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network, to discuss the impact of these policy updates. Ms. Greenleaf sheds light on the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap that will take place for Part D patients in 2025 and how future pricing policy could have an effect on drug innovation. Ms. Traxel expands on benefits and challenges involved with providing updates to oncologists on the new Medicare Part D cap, with the goal of ensuring that all patients who could benefit are aware.

“I think the most important thing that oncologists and their practices can do is to make sure that they are providing information to patients about the fact that there is a change that will hopefully allow patients to better afford their cancer care.” -Pam Traxel

“The second key piece of the Inflation Reduction Act related to Part D has to do with Part D benefit redesign, and that is what kicks in January 1, 2025, and that is a very notable, very positive change to the law where we finally have a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap that will be in place for Part D patients. This is a huge win for cancer patients, specifically due to the historically very high out-of-pocket costs for oral cancer drugs.” -Lindsay Greenleaf

Lindsay Greenleaf, JD, MBA

Solution Leader, Federal & State Policy

ADVI Health, LLC

Austin, TX

Pam Traxel

Senior Vice President of Alliance Development and Philanthropy

American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network

Silver Spring, MD

This podcast was developed in connection with the Oncology State Society Policy Program and made possible with support by Johnson & Johnson.

Resources:

ACCC Access, Payment & Reimbursement

CMS Medicare Part D Improvements

Immunotherapy and targeted therapies have transformed the way patients are treated and allow more patients than ever before to survive stage IV diagnoses. Other key advancements in oncology being prioritized in Puerto Rico today include early detection and prevention efforts. However, a lack of education, access, and health insurance coverage often prevents community members from timely cancer screenings. The same factors contribute to a lack of diversity in clinical trials, as noted by Dr. Marcia Cruz-Correa. Both these important issues require a community-based approach, through building advisory groups, working with local oncologists, and reaching community members where they are in a way they understand.

Guest:

Marcia Cruz-Correa, MD, PhD, AGAF, FASGEExecutive DirectorCentro Comprensivo de Cáncer de la Universidad de PuertoSan Juan, Puerto Rico

Quote:

“Less than 5% of patients in the US participate in clinical trials...and less than 5% of that [group] is diverse. That’s a huge disadvantage...If you don’t include the patients who will eventually be taking the drugs developed by pharmaceutical companies, how do you know it will work for them?”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources:

Bridging the Gap: Early Detection of Cancer for the Medically Underserved – Oncology Issues

Effective Patient-Provider Communication for Colorectal Cancer Screening

Multi-Cancer Early Detection: Legislative Landscape— [PODCAST] EP 99

Examining Clinical Research for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

2023 NMQF Summit: Improving Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials

In both high- and low-income countries, the most common struggles patients with cancer face are largely the same, including financial toxicity from treatment costs, difficulty with transportation to and from appointments, and the impact of treatment on their caregivers and families. Consistently, the greatest barrier to accessing health care in many nations is a lack of insurance coverage, often driving many patients to travel hours away to large centers to get basic oncology care. All health systems work with limited resources to some degree. The challenge faced across the globe is finding the best way to allocate those resources to help the patient population as much as possible. To that end, low-income countries often find ways to reach the same outcomes as high-income countries like the US, at a fraction of the cost, shared today’s guest who has practiced medicine in both Mexico and the United States.

Guest:

Enrique Soto Pérez de Celis, MD, PhDAssociate Director for Global Oncology University of Colorado Cancer Center Aurora, Colorado

Quote:

“For multicultural countries like the US where people come from all over the world…[it’s important to] make sure that we are providing care that has cultural humility, that includes the values of their culture and the things that matter to patients. That’s what we should try to do: provide patients with care that is personalized to them, their values, their family, and their culture.”

Read more global perspectives from the international panelists who spoke at the October ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference in this ACCCBuzz blog.

Additional Resources:

Addressing Social Determinants of Health through a Medical-Legal Partnership – Oncology Issues

Overcoming Health Disparities through Remote Patient Monitoring — [PODCAST] EP 97

Navigation: A Critical Component in a Comprehensive Approach to Dismantling Health Inequities – Oncology Issues

NOC Preview: Financial Advocacy Guidelines to Mitigate Financial Toxicity - [MINI PODCAST]

Providing Comprehensive Financial Advocacy Services in Rural America

UCSF Health’s Seeking Care Patient Experience Team introduced web self-scheduling to improve fragmented workflows and streamline the process of seeking care from a cancer specialist. Patients now have the option to conveniently self-register and schedule appointments through 2 distinct models: direct scheduling of a new-patient appointment or use of a navigator-led intake appointment. This innovative self-scheduling approach improved the patient experience and contributed to cancer service line growth. Read more about this initiative in “The Evolution of Patient Empowerment: Self-Scheduling New Patient Consultations” in the Volume 39, Number 4 Oncology Issues.

“A lot of our stakeholders felt that patients would not be capable of accurately self-scheduling. [We found] that is not true. We were able to design simplified decision trees for patients to help them have high accuracy selecting the right practice and provider.” —Laurel Bray-Hanin, MA

“Almost 50% of the patients who used our online self-scheduling did so outside of traditional business hours…in evenings and weekends. That's the time when they're able to deal with their medical care. And I think that's pretty striking because typically our call centers and staff who might respond to messages are not available during those hours.”—Laurel Bray-Hanin, MA

Laurel Bray-Hanin, MA

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cancer Services

UCSF Health

San Francisco, CA

Resources

Improving the Care of Patients Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer—Oncology Issues

Bedside Scheduling Improves Patient Access—Oncology Issues

Patient-Centered Scheduling

How Infusion Scheduling is Like a Game of Tetris—Oncology Issues

Breast Care ACCESS Program—Oncology Issues

CANCERBUZZ speaks with Dr. Naoto Ueno about his NOC session titled The Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium: An Equitable Clinical Trials Initiative.

Guest:

Naoto T. Ueno, MD, PhD, FACP

Director

Interim Program Co-Leader, Cancer Biology Program, Translational and Clinical Research

University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center

Resources:

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with Melanie Grant about her NOC session titled Navigating Access and Equity: Providing the Answers That Matter.

Guest:

Melanie Grant, Esq.

Staff Attorney

Triage Cancer

Resources:

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with guests at the 2024 NOC Gala event about what they are looking for at the conference.

Guests:

Una Hopkins, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, FACCC, RN

ACCC President-Elect

Director for Research and Evidence Based Practice

Montefiore Medical Center

Bronx, NY

Nadine Barrett, PhD, MA, MS

ACCC President

Senior Associate Dean, Research Equity and Community Engagement

Wake Forest School of Medicine

Durham, North Carolina

Russell C. Langan, MD, FACS, FSSO

Director of Surgical Oncology

RWJBarnabas Health and the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey

Jersey City, New Jersey

Brittany McArn, OPN-CG, CPPN

ACCC Advisory Committee

Financial Navigation Manager, Outpatient Oncology Services

FirstHealth of the Carolinas, Inc.

Pinehurst, NC

Beau Palin

Co-Founder & COO

Colla Health

JiaJoyce Conway, DNP, CRNP, AOCNP

ACCC Board of Trustees

Nurse Practitioner

Cancer Care Associates of York

York, PA

Resources:

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with Terry Keys about his NOC session titled Empowering Partnerships: Enhancing Cancer Research Through Patient Advocacy.

Guest:

Terry Keys

Patient Advocacy Manager

Staff Senator – President’s Advisory Committee

University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center

Lexington, KY

Resources:

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with ACCC President Dr. Nadine Barrett about this year’s NOC theme: Realizing Innovation. Listen to what’s new in conversations and oncology education in 2024.

Guest:

Nadine Barrett, PhD, MA, MS

ACCC President

Senior Associate Dean, Research Equity and Community Engagement

Wake Forest School of Medicine

Durham, North Carolina

Resources:

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with ACCC’s Immediate Past President Dr. Olalekan Ajayi about the international panel held at NOC this year, where cancer care providers from around the world share and learn from common challenges and best practices.

Guest:

Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA

Chief Operating Officer

Highlands Oncology Group

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Resources:

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

CANCERBUZZ speaks with Magbis Nunez Love about her NOC session titled Renacer: Culturally Tailored, Patient-Centered Survivorship Care Improves Access and Outcomes.

Guest:

Magbis Nunez Love, MHR

Community Liaison

Atrium Health Levine Cancer/Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center

Charlotte, NC

Resources:

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

Discussions from the ACCC 50th AMCCBS held from February 28 to March 1, 2024, were used to develop the 2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care Part 1 and Part 2 reports. Download Part 1 for a look at trends in collaborative care delivery models, community engagement in cancer prevention, oncology workforce challenges, and the provision of comprehensive cancer care services. Download Part 2 for an examination of 4 key topics: artificial and business intelligence technology; EHR integration in precision medicine; payer, manufacturer, and supply chain challenges; and key partnerships in research and clinical trials.

Guest:

Meagan O’ Neill Executive Director Association of Cancer Care Centers

Quote:

“[In terms of AI], ACCC starting is with the here and now. So, what's available today that has been proven to save time or reduce burnout or be an effective tool for better patient care, for better access. Those solutions are what we’re focused on this year and into 2025 so that we can help our members cut through the noise in this space.”

“[Prior authorization] is a very big issue because it takes so much time, and it creates this additional burden for our cancer care team members. And if you look at the impact on patient care, that's really where the conversation needs to be focused because there is a significant and detrimental impact on patient care.”

Participate in sessions and discussions that will inform the 2025 Trending Now in Cance Care Delivery report by attending the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit, March 5-7 in Washington, DC.

Additional Resources:

2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 1

2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 2

2023 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 1

2023 Trending Now in Cancer Care Part 2

Staying abreast of recent clinical practice guidelines for the management of relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma can be challenging for providers who may seldom encounter it in community practice. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jeff Sharman, MD, medical director of hematology research, US Oncology, and director of research, Willamette Valley Cancer Institute, about the role of biomarker testing in guiding treatment decisions and how evidence-based management of treatment-related adverse events can serve this patient population.

“Fortunately, treatments such as BTK inhibitors are generally very well tolerated by patients, and there are very few patients who can't take a BTK inhibitor. But as you go up the scale of increasing intensity, such as CAR T-cell, or even allogeneic stem cell transplantation, those are therapies not suitable for patients with more extensive comorbidities.” – Dr. Jeff Sharman, MD

“A collaborative relationship between a community practice and an academic center can be of considerable benefit to a patient, so that as treatment decisions are made, both the physician and patient can feel like they're offering the patient the very best therapy.” – Dr. Jeff Sharman, MD

Jeff Sharman, MD

Medical Director of Hematology Research, US Oncology

Director of Research

Willamette Valley Cancer Institute

Eugene, Oregon

This project is made possible by funding and support provided by Eli Lilly and in collaboration with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Resources

Treatment for Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma Tip Sheet - ACCC

Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma Educational Video Series:

Update on New Therapies: https://vimeo.com/942756449

BTK Inhibitors in MCL: https://vimeo.com/942755401

R/R MCL Case Studies: https://vimeo.com/942754652

BTK Inhibitors Stretch Frontline Approaches in Mantle Cell Lymphoma – Targeted Oncology

Emerging Data Continue to Affect BTK Inhibitor Usage in Mantle Cell Lymphoma - OncLive

HCP Fact Sheet: Facts About CAR T-cell Therapy

The CAR T-cell Therapy Process

Patient-Caregiver CAR T-cell Therapy Facts

Learn About CAR T-cell Therapy

Mantle Cell Lymphoma Facts for Patients and Caregivers -The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Designing a health equity playbook starts with a deep understanding of the patients you serve. Successful playbooks have components that build on the patient experience, the protocols that are in place to ensure the cancer program is meeting the unique needs of all its patients, and staff education and and training on how to best serve those different patient populations. When developing a health equity playbook, cancer programs need to break down existing silos and ensure that all key players are involved in developing strategies and identifying how the cancer program is going to use this tool to improve care.

Guest:

Maria Hernandez, PhD President and COO Impact4Health, LLC

Quote:

“Hopefully, we will get to a place in the future where every single health system’s strategy for providing the best quality of care always has equity in mind…a hospital system of the future will have in its DNA the ability to look at its operations and understand that health equity must be in everything we do.”

Hear more about how to develop and activate a health equity playbook in the 2-hour ACHE accredited session, More than Words: Leveraging Governance and Partnerships to Advance Health Equity, at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference, October 9-11, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Additional Resources:

Healthcare With Community in Its DNA: Exploring Montefiore Health System’s Community Health Worker Institute Model

Community Engagement: Increasing Access to Supportive

Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients

The Role of Population Health Navigators — [MINI PODCAST] Ep 101

Addressing Social Determinants of Health through a Medical-Legal Partnership — [PODCAST] EP 88

The range of frontline therapy options for mantle cell lymphoma can influence subsequent treatment choices for patients with relapsed or refractory disease. Providers must determine initial treatment based on individual patient characteristics, while also factoring in future treatment options. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nirav Shah, MD, MSHP, associate professor of medicine at Medical College of Wisconsin and Kirollos Hanna, PharmD, BCOP, PCOP, FACCC, assistant professor of pharmacy at Mayo Clinic and director of pharmacy at Minnesota Oncology, about shared decision making in the management of relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma.

“The key to all of this is good collaboration between the community and their affiliates… their partners and academics, or tertiary referral centers, to really engage… these patients in a collaborative format… it really takes a team, a village, to take care of complex mantle cell lymphoma patients. “ –Dr. Nirav Shah, MD, MSHP

“We’re not really seeing a lot of CAR T-cell therapy move in the frontline setting just yet, while there are a lot of ongoing clinical trials… Really, right now, it’s going to be the patient characteristic: how well they did on frontline therapy, access to care, affordability, institutional preparedness… that would potentially… allow your patient to receive CAR T-cell therapy.” –Kirollos Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, PCOP, FACCC

Nirav Shah, MD, MSHP Associate Professor of Medicine Medical College of Wisconsin Division of Hematology and Oncology

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Kirollos Hanna, PharmD, BCPS, PCOP, FACCC

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, Mayo Clinic

Director of Pharmacy

Minnesota Oncology

St. Paul, Minnesota

This project is made possible by funding and support provided by Eli Lilly and in collaboration with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Resources

Treatment for Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma Tip Sheet - ACCC

Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma Educational Video Series:

Update on New Therapies: https://vimeo.com/942756449

BTK Inhibitors in MCL: https://vimeo.com/942755401

R/R MCL Case Studies: https://vimeo.com/942754652

BTK Inhibitors Stretch Frontline Approaches in Mantle Cell Lymphoma – Targeted Oncology

Emerging Data Continue to Affect BTK Inhibitor Usage in Mantle Cell Lymphoma - OncLive

HCP Fact Sheet: Facts About CAR T-cell Therapy - https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/FSHP1_CART_Factsheet_June2022_rev.pdf

The CAR T-cell Therapy Process - https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/PS100_CART-CellTherapyProcessFlyer_0224.pdf

Patient-Caregiver CAR T-cell Therapy Facts - https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/FS27_CART_Fact_Sheet_0424_rev.pdf

Learn About CAR T-cell Therapy - https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/2024-03/PS126_CART_ResourceCard_3_24.pdf

Mantle Cell Lymphoma Facts for Patients and Caregivers -The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society https://lls.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/FS4_Mantle_Cell_Facts_0423rev.pdf

Advancements in treatment combined with a multimodal approach are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer. However, the unique challenges of a head and neck cancer diagnosis and its treatment side effects—such as speech and communication difficulties as well as negative effects on body image and self-esteem—can significantly impact a patient’s mental health. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS, clinical oncology social worker at UT Southwestern Medical Center—Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, clinical oncology social worker at David & Donna Long Cancer Center—Sharp Grossmont Hospital, about providing optimal psychosocial support for this patient population.

“Ask your patients ‘what is most valuable to you, what gets you up in the morning…what do you draw strength from?’ If we can tap into what is essential for them to be happy in life, [we can] try to problem solve and build skills in them so that they can counter some of the issues that they'll experience because of their treatment.”–Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, MSSW, CTTS

“What we want is the patients at the center, and we want to build out a team around them so that they have as much support as possible, and that the energy is coming into the patient versus the patient trying to find these things [psychosocial care, dieticians, speech and language pathologists, oncology social workers].” –Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C

Guests:

Jacquelyn Doenges, LCSW, OSW-C, CTTS

Clinical Oncology Social Worker, Head and Neck Surgery

UT Southwestern Medical Center—Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dallas, TX

Linda Hutkin-Slade, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C Clinical Oncology Social Worker David & Donna Long Cancer Center—Sharp Grossmont Hospital San Diego, CA

This episode, developed in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer Care, was made possible with support by EMD Serono.

Additional Reading/Sources

Beyond the Brush: Navigating Dental Care in Head & Neck Cancer [Podcast] Ep 149

Making the Case for Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Navigators [Podcast] Ep 143

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care

Head and Neck Patient and Caregiver Resources

Female sexual dysfunction is a well-studied adverse effect of cancer treatment. Despite its prevalence, however, it remains vastly underdiagnosed and undertreated in oncology patients, with providers inadequately addressing sexual function before, during, and after treatment. Although most patients prefer that their providers initiate conversations regarding sexual health, providers may be reticent to screen for such problems due to insufficient knowledge and expertise in the diagnosis and management of female sexual dysfunction. In this podcast episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nicole Dreibelbis, certified registered nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health at UPMC Magee Cancer Center in central Pennsylvania.

“Sexual health is a part of everyone’s well-being [and] is important. I think we need to start addressing that, in survivorship and even prior, for patients to be able to get the most out of their lives. Because that’s the whole point of our treatments—to make sure that we’re giving them more life. We want that life to be as good as possible.”—Nicole Dreibelbis, CRNP, WHNP-BC

Nicole Dreibelbis, CRNP, WHNP-BC

Gynecologic Oncology Nurse Practitioner

UPMC Magee Cancer Center

Mechanicsburg, PA

Resources

Addressing the Unmet Need of Sexual Health in Oncology Patients—Oncology Issues

Fertility Preservation for Women with Cancer—Oncology Issues

Sexual Health: All of Me—CANCER BUZZ Podcast

All of Me: Bridging the Sexual Health Communication Gap in Cancer Care—Oncology Issues

Improving Fertility Preservation Discussions for Adolescent and Young Adult Male Oncology Patients—Oncology Issues

Developing a Community Oncofertility Program—Oncology Issues

Patient-provider communication about sexual concerns in cancer: a systematic review—Journal of Cancer Survivorship

Female Sexual Health Training for Oncology Providers: New Applications—The Journal of Sexual Medicine

Effective partnerships between dermatologists and oncologists are an essential component of care coordination for patients with advanced non-melanoma skin cancers. This interprofessional collaboration can be more challenging in the community setting, where fewer resources are available in comparison to large academic medical centers. In this podcast episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Emily Smith, MD, associate professor of Dermatology at St. Louis University School of Medicine, about best practices for early referral from dermatology and how to identify high-risk patients.

“It’s impossible to read through every single journal that comes out every single day. There are really nice email listservs that [community] providers can sign up for that will provide updates—the American Academy of Dermatology host[s] guidelines for the care and management of different cancers: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma [and] basal cell carcinoma being two of them, and they are updated on a cyclical basis. Those are great guidelines to just ensure…that they are reviewed and that current practices are following those guidelines.”—Emily Smith, MD

Emily Smith, MD

Associate Professor of Dermatology

Department of Dermatology

St. Louis University School of Medicine

St. Louis, MO

This podcast was made possible with support from Regeneron.

Resources

ACCC: Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers - Effective Practices in Multidisciplinary Care

Oncodermatology Society

American Academy of Dermatology issues new guidelines for treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer

Novel cancer therapies have emerged over the past 10-15 years with high rates of cutaneous side effects, leading to increased demand for specialists in oncodermatology. These subspecialists have expertise in managing therapeutic complications, cutaneous metastases, and proactive management of potential adverse events. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ TV speaks with guest Meghan Heberton, MD, director of Oncodermatology and assistant professor of Dermatology at UT Southwestern Medical Center – Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Heberton built the oncodermatology program at her cancer center and shares insights on the importance of collaboration across the multidisciplinary team. In developing a holistic care plan for each patient, Dr. Heberton sheds light on issues of access for patients with cancer seeking dermatologic expertise.

“I love communication…I think that direct communication breeds familiarity and also collegiality—it allows for us working together. Maybe you [as a clinician] see a pattern that you never saw before because you’re actually directly talking to the person who’s taking care of that patient in a different way.”—Meghan Heberton

Meghan Heberton, MD

Director, Oncodermatology

Assistant Professor of Dermatology

UT Southwestern Medical Center – Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Dallas, TX

This video podcast was made possible with support from Johnson & Johnson.

Resources

ACCC Supportive Care Strategies for Dermatologic Toxicities Related to Cancer Therapies education program

Targeted Therapy Side Effects – American Cancer Society

Oncodermatology: Advancing the Science and Care of Cancer Patients and Survivors – National Institutes of Health PubMed Central

Common adverse events associated with treatment of mantle cell lymphoma include gastrointestinal, hematologic, and cardiac toxicities. Proactive management of these toxicities and collaboration between members of the cancer care team, including pharmacists, are key to optimizing patient outcomes. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen Fancher, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacy specialist in oncology at University of Pittsburgh – Passavant Hospital, and Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP, clinical pharmacist specialist in ambulatory hematology and adjunct clinical instructor at the University of Michigan, about strategies to address common adverse events experienced by patients with mantle cell lymphoma.

“There are some unique strategies using electronic resources if patients can be tech-savvy…We have some cool technology that use[s] text-message-based responses, where you can ask patients about side effects or vital signs. All they have to do is text a response, and it will automatically populate into the electronic medical record.”—Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP

“I’m at a very small community practice…Institutions like Michigan are light years ahead of some of us in terms of patient-friendly communication strategies through technology…As those institutions perfect and work out the kinks, [the technology] is going to trickle down to those of us in the community setting. And I’m really excited to see how we can harness that technology for patients.”—Karen Fancher, PharmD, BCOP

Victoria Nachar, PharmD, BCOP

Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Ambulatory Hematology

Adjunct Clinical Instructor

University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

Ann Arbor, MI

Karen Fancher, PharmD, BCOP Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Oncology

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center – Passavant Hospital

Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice Duquesne University School of Pharmacy Pittsburgh, PA

This video podcast was produced in partnership with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and made possible with support from Eli Lilly.

Resources

Cancer Diagnostics Education Program - ACCC

Treatment for Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma Tip Sheet - ACCC

BTK Inhibitors Stretch Frontline Approaches in Mantle Cell Lymphoma – Targeted Oncology

Emerging Data Continue to Affect BTK Inhibitor Usage in Mantle Cell Lymphoma - OncLive

HCP Fact Sheet: Facts About CAR T-cell Therapy

The CAR T-cell Therapy Process

Patient-Caregiver CAR T-cell Therapy Facts

Learn About CAR T-cell Therapy

Mantle Cell Lymphoma Facts for Patients and Caregivers -The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Effective communication between patients and healthcare providers is crucial to facilitate shared decision-making and meaningful dialogue that supports improved patient outcomes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jean Louise Koff, MD, MSc, associate professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, about fostering trust, rapport, and collaboration in the patient-provider relationship.

“I think empathy is a key part of establishing a relationship between a provider and a patient. [It] helps the patient feel safe when they’re dealing with what can be a very stressful and frightening situation...A phrase that I like to use: ‘Our care team is going to take care of you. We are here for you during this diagnosis, and we’re going to take care of you as you move through your care plan.’” — Jean Louise Koff, MD, MSc

Jean Louise Koff, MD, MSc

Associate Professor

Department of Hematology and Oncology

Winship Cancer Institute

Emory University School of Medicine

Atlanta, GA

This video podcast was produced in partnership with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and made possible by support from Abbvie, Genmab, and Genentech.

Resources

· Reframing the Conversation: Effective Practices for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma - ACCC

· DLBCL Communication Roadmap - ACCC

Anemia presents a significant challenge in the management of patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Given the considerable potential for symptom burden associated with anemia in patients with MDS, health care professionals must prioritize enhancing quality of life when evaluating treatment options. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with David Sallman, MD, associate member in the Department of Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center, and Karley Trautman, DNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC, senior instructor of Medical Oncology at Highlands Ranch Cancer Center, to discuss best practices in the management of anemia in low-risk MDS patients.

“The goal is still personalizing [treatment] for the patient. So say a patient feel[s] better when their hemoglobin is greater than 10 grams per deciliter, as an example. So you titrate or transition therapies until you achieve that…in order to make the patient’s experience better.”—David Sallman, MD

“Two people that have the same hemoglobin level can have completely different symptoms. So it’s really important that we don’t just focus on the numbers, but we focus on how the patient is feeling and how they’re functioning…so that if they’re doing well, even at a lower number than something we might typically treat, we don’t let that number drive how often we feel like they need to be seen, but we take it into account—[treating] the whole person.”—Karley Trautman, DNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC

David Sallman, MD

Associate Member, Department of Malignant Hematology

Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, FL

Karley Trautman, DNP, ANP-BC, AGACNP-BC

Senior Instructor, Medical Oncology

Highlands Ranch Cancer Center

Denver, CO

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education initiative Anemia Mitigation & Optimal Care for MDS Patients and is supported by Bristol Myers Squibb.

Resources:

ACCC Myelodysplastic Syndromes

ASH 2020 Treatment Algorithm Lower-Risk MDS

Enterprise intelligence software analyzes imaging results of all patients treated at UCHealth to identify and stratify those with high-risk findings. When a concerning abnormality is found, patients and providers are alerted to the finding, and patients are referred for additional follow-up. After this system-wide approach led to a 2,514% increase in actively managed patients, a centralized care management function was implemented to streamline processes, reducing the time to recommend next steps from 34 to 5 days.

Guest:

Nina Thomas, MD

Director, Thoracic Malignancy Pillar of Center for Lung and Breathing

University of Colorado – UCHealth, University of Colorado Cancer Center

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Sciences & Critical Care Medicine

University of Colorado School of Medicine

Aurora, Colorado

Quote:

“This is a universal problem that we have across the country as far as early detection and following up with these patients…so the benefit to coming in person [to a meeting like the NOC] is that it can be a collaborative event where we can have discussions, share ideas and innovations, and improve each other’s systems.”

Hear more about this innovation at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference, October 9-11, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Additional Resources:

Lung Cancer Screening Implementation Change Package

Reimagining Healthcare for Incidental Lung Nodules

A 3D Lung Nodule Tool Improves Patient Distress Following LDCT

Robotic Bronchoscopy

New opportunities are emerging for dedicated biomarker testing navigators facilitated by laboratory professionals to better streamline sample collection and optimize test ordering and results for patients with cancer. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ TV speaks with Lynnette Pineault, MBA, SCT (ASCP), chair of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Biomarker Testing Navigation Feasibility Study and manager of Laboratory Operations and Genetic Counseling Services, Medical Library and Pathology Services, at HealthPartners – Regions Hospital, who shares insights on reshaping multidisciplinary cancer care team workflows to enable laboratory professionals to improve biomarker testing efficiency.

“We see these roles [dedicated biomarker testing navigators] playing across and matrixing to support the sample [biomarker testing specimen] along its pathway, so the patient and the sample get to their destination and their treatment/follow-up at the appropriate times together.”—Lynnette Pineault, MBA, SCT (ASCP)

Lynnette Pineault, MBA, SCT (ASCP)

Chair, ASCP Biomarker Testing Navigation Feasibility StudyManager, Laboratory Operations and Genetic Counseling Services

Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Services

HealthPartners – Regions Hospital

St. Paul, MN

This video podcast was produced in partnership with the American Society for Clinical Pathology and by support from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Exact Sciences, and Merck.

Resources:

ASCP Explores Innovative Cancer Biomarker Testing Navigator Role (criticalvalues.org)

ACCC Cancer Diagnostics Education Program

Precision Medicine Stewardship (accc-cancer.org)

This accelerated delivery platform improves clinic workflow and speeds up breast cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. From screening mammogram, a clinical pathway flags patients who meet One-Stop Breast Clinic criteria, eliminating the traditional “first come, first served” scheduling model. To date, more than 300 patients have benefited from this rapid diagnostic approach, receiving their diagnosis in 3 to 7 days, far below the national average of 26 days.

Guest:

Michele Brands

Network Director Women's Imaging

St. Luke's University Health Network, St. Luke's Cancer Care

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Quote:

“[After COVID-19] access really became an issue for diagnostic breast imaging…the One-Stop Breast Clinic allows us to take our highest-risk patients…and get them from the diagnostic process through biopsy to pathology in 48 hours or less.”

Additional Resources:

Improving the Care of Patients Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Clinical Meaningfulness: Insights from a Metastatic Breast Cancer Qualitative Study

The Changing Landscape of Breast Cancer

Empowering Cancer Patients Using Integrative Medicine: A Novel Model for Breast Cancer Risk Modification

Breast Care ACCESS Project

Anemia presents a significant challenge in the management of patients with low-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). As clinicians focus on maintaining quality of life, it is necessary to understand the care sequencing of anemia treatment in patients with low-risk MDS. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Steven Gilmore, PharmD, BCOP, Senior Manager of Clinical Content in Pharmacy and Clinical Programs with McKesson Specialty Health, and Christopher Benton, MD, hematologist and medical oncologist at Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, to review key considerations and emerging trends for the treatment of anemia in the low-risk MDS population.

“Social determinants [are] an important element in terms of patient compliance...MDS is a disease that primarily affects older individuals. And sometimes this can be hard [for them], to make it into the clinic on a weekly or biweekly basis in order to get an injection of the ESA.”—Christopher Benton, MD

“Everyone on the health care team can contribute [to] the management of MDS—hematologist-oncologists…clinical pharmacists and APPs [advanced practice providers]…hematopathologists…dietitians and social workers—all of the expertise from these professionals leads to a holistic approach that addresses medical, psychosocial, and supportive care needs of the patient.”—Steven Gilmore, PharmD, BCOP

Christopher Benton, MD

Hematologist and Medical Oncologist

Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers

Denver, CO

Steven Gilmore, PharmD, BCOP

Senior Manager, Clinical Content, Pharmacy & Clinical Programs

McKesson Specialty Health

Baltimore, MD

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education initiative Anemia Mitigation & Optimal Care for MDS Patients and is supported by Bristol Myers Squibb.

Resources:

ACCC Myelodysplastic Syndromes

ASH 2020 Treatment Algorithm Lower-Risk MDS

This AI-driven incidental findings program identifies and then monitors pancreatic abnormalities to improve the quality of care to patients who are at increased risk for developing pancreatic cancer. To do so, the patient management software integrates with the electronic health record and facilitates patient identification, risk assessment, care plan tracking, patient and provider communication, outcomes recording, and registry functionality. In the 2 years following program implementation, 82 pancreatic cancers were detected from incidental findings with 65% of patients being diagnosed in earlier stages (stages I, II, and II), as well as instances of ampullary cancer, gallbladder cancer, and gastric cancer.

Guest:

Russell Langan, MD, FACS, FSSO

Associate Chief Surgical Officer, System Integration and Quality & Director of Surgical Oncology

RWJBarnabas Health, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center

Livingston, New Jersey

“There remains a knowledge gap with respect to the risk associated with pancreatic cysts. Many patients are identified to have a pancreatic cyst on an incidental scan and then told [by providers] that there’s no risk. [Some] patients will then return years later with pancreatic cancer. And it’s very unfortunate because we know that risk could have been addressed when it was in its precancerous state.” —Russell Langan, MD, FACS, FSSO

Hear more about this innovation at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference, October 9-11, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Register today.

Additional Resources:

Reimagining Healthcare for Incidental Lung Nodules

Oncology Capture of ED Patients with Incidental Radiologic Findings

Pancreatic Cancer and Community Engagement: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Let’s Win Pancreatic Cancer: A Partner for Patients and Care Teams

This machine learning algorithm runs nightly and is linked to a smart texting application that goes out to patients every morning for 7 days following chemotherapy, asking about symptoms like diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, and pain. Patients reporting severe or worsening symptoms have the smart text escalated to the oncology clinic where they received chemotherapy. Initial analysis broken down by responders (those that opted in and answered the daily text messages) and non-responders (opted out or opted in but did not answer the texts) found that ED visits were 5.7% for responders compared to 6.7% for non-responders. Across the health system, about 30 responders are added daily to the program.

Guest:

Michelle Eichelmann

Executive Director, Oncology Services and Precision Medicine

Mercy, Mercy Oncology Services

Saint Louis, Missouri

“It’s one thing to mine data out of our EMR, but to actually use it in a proactive approach to patients I think is very unique. That’s the key behind this...not just data, but what do we do with the data?” —Michelle Eichelmann

Hear more about this innovation at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference, October 9-11, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Additional Resources:

Smart-Texting High-Risk Patients After Chemotherapy Reduces ED Visits – ACCCBUZZ Blog

Reducing ED Visits and Hospital Admissions after Chemotherapy with Predictive Modeling of Risk Factors

Utilizing Technology to Identify Patient Co-Morbidities and Reduce Hospital and ED Admissions

ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference Registration

While molecularly targeted therapies based on actionable biomarkers are improving outcomes for patients with lung cancer, access to biomarker testing continues to hinder equitable and comprehensive care for underserved patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ TV speaks with Tom Lycan, DO, MHS, assistant professor of Hematology & Oncology at the Wake Forest School of Medicine, about a practical tool that can provide a care plan roadmap for providers and patients to mitigate precision medicine disparities.

“[The 4R Care Sequences pathway] gives an overarching view of what they [patients] are looking for in the immediate future and also down the road, and it can be a very helpful thing for patients and navigators, and honestly for clinicians...when I’m meeting with patients in-clinic, it helps me to just point to this and go through and review their pathway with the patient, so that I also can reframe everything in how we’re coming up with a [treatment] plan together.”—Tom Lycan, DO, MHS

Tom Lycan, DO, MHS

Assistant Professor, Hematology & Oncology,

Department of Internal Medicine

Wake Forest School of Medicine

Winston-Salem, NC

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities, in partnership with the LUNGevity Foundation, and is supported by Janssen Oncology and Pfizer.

Resources:

Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities - ACCC

LUNGevity Patient Resources

Care Action Plans for People with Cancer - ACCC

Fostering a High-Functioning Team in Cancer Care Using the 4R Oncology Model: Assessment in a Large Health System and a Blueprint for Other Institutions

Guest:

Courtney VanHouzen, PharmD

PGY-2 Oncology Resident

Munson Healthcare, Cowell Family Cancer Center

Traverse City, Michigan

“While this [implementation of bispecific T-cell engager therapy] is not an easy thing to make happen, it’s possible for it to be done safely and effectively. That’s what we’re trying to show community cancer centers across the country—that they’re able to offer this therapy to their patients.”

Hear more about this innovation at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference, October 9-11, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Resources:

Expanding Access to Cellular and Bispecific Therapies – Considerations and Recommendations by ACCC and SITC

Sharing Operational Insights for the Delivery of Bispecific Antibodies in Solid Tumors

Best Practices in Expanding Access to Bispecific Antibodies and Adverse Event Management

This rule-based informatics solution pulls from the electronic health record to automate the election of an appropriate biosimilar therapy based on the patient’s insurance and hospital formulary preferences, streamlining prior authorization and approval processes. This e-tool decreased administrative burden to providers, pharmacists, and prior authorization specialists and increased biosimilar utilization by 21.9%.

Guest:

Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, PharmD, RPh, FACCC

Assistant Director of Reimbursement Services

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute

“Using an EHR auto-selection tool that takes into consideration insurance preferences and contractual relationships to provide a proactive solution has helped our providers, our pharmacists, and our prior authorization specialists.”

Hear more about this innovation at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference, October 9-11, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Resources:

Biosimilars Implementation Roadmap

[MINI PODCAST] Ep 103: Precision Medicine: Robots, Biologics, and Advocates: Lessons from the Pharmacy

Improve Oral Oncolytic Workflow and Reduce Treatment Delays with a Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Agreement

Shifting Chemo Administration from Inpatient to Outpatient Setting Improves Care and Reduces Costs

Reducing Revenue Loss and Patient Financial Toxicity with Pharmacy Pre-Certification and Denials Management

[PODCAST] Ep 39: Biosimilars—What Patients Need to Know

As the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy continues to expand as an effective treatment for hematologic malignancies, understanding how to identify eligible patients early and implementation of an effective framework for identification can improve care coordination and better prepare community cancer programs for widespread use of CAR T-cell therapy. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with David L. Porter, MD, director of Cell Therapy and Transplant at Penn Medicine, about the challenges community oncologists face and the key role they can play in identifying and recommending eligible patients for CAR T-cell therapy.

“The single most important thing for a patient out in the community at a place that doesn’t have familiarity or immediate access to CAR T-cells is to refer them somewhere that does and refer them soon and timely.” – David L. Porter, MD

Guest:

David L. Porter, MD

Director, Cell Therapy and Transplant

Jodi Fisher Horowitz Professor in Leukemia Care Excellence

Penn Medicine- University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS)

Philadelphia, PA

This episode has been developed in connection with the ACCC education program Tips for Early Patient Identification for CAR T-Cell Therapy and Creating “Stickiness” with Community Providers for Optimal Care Coordination. This episode was made possible with support by Kite Pharma.

Additional Reading/Sources

ACCC Oncology Issues Article

If They RECUR, You Should Refer: A Community Oncologist Patient ID Roundtable Summary

Essentials for Identifying Patients – Bringing CAR T-cell Therapy to Community Oncology

Optimizing Care Coordination – Bringing CAR T-cell Therapy to Community Oncology

Social determinants of health have been proven to impact access to care, but further delineation is necessary to describe their effect on treatment selection itself. To mitigate this knowledge gap, the Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) sought to identify the impact that social determinants of health may have on guideline-concordant treatment selection in hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative, metastatic breast cancer and early breast cancer. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Niharika Dixit, MD, medical oncologist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and professor of medicine at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Dixit sheds light on inadequate insurance coverage and the challenges faced by health systems during comprehensive treatment planning. She considers the impact of social determinants of health on screening, timely diagnosis, treatment tolerability, and adherence.

“Many of the patients who have barriers related to social determinants of health would not be included in the clinical trials that determine the guidelines for treating breast cancer. I cannot overstate the importance of that—addressing social determinants of health brings more patients who are from racial and ethnic minoritized groups, who would make our clinical trials richer and our evidence-based guidelines more generalizable.”—Niharika Dixit, MD

Niharika Dixit, MD Medical Oncologist Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital San Francisco, CA

Professor of Medicine UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center San Francisco, CA

This podcast was developed in connection with the ACCC educational initiative Social Drivers of Health in Metastatic Breast Cancer and made possible with support by Pfizer.

Resources:

ACCC Social Drivers of Health in Metastatic Breast Cancer

Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity

Immunotherapy is redefining survivorship to include an increasing population of patients who live with cancer and navigate toxicities that differ from those that accompany traditional treatments. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Brittney Baer, BSN, RN, patient care coordinator, immune effector cells, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center about key strategies and solutions to prioritize patient quality of life by addressing barriers to holistic survivorship care.

“I think simply talking to your patients and seeing what they would like to see [as survivorship care] out of your cancer center—you don’t have to start a huge holistic program right away, but maybe talking to your patients to see what they would want to see first, whether it be a nutritional program or a one-day-a-week meditation class or a yoga class…and then start growing from there.”—Brittney Baer, BSN, RN

Brittney Baer, BSN, RN

Patient Care Coordinator, Immune Effector Cells

Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, TN

This episode was made possible by support from Bristol Myers Squibb and developed in connection with ACCC’s Immuno-Oncology Institute, which is made possible by support from Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck & Co., and AstraZeneca.

Resources:

About the Institute - ACCC

IO Institute Survivorship Resources

State of Survivorship Survey - NCCS

Germline and somatic testing for in prostate cancer can improve outcomes and promote early detection and prevention, yet many patients are not aware of testing and the impact it can have on treatment options. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with David Gill, MD, medical oncologist at Intermountain Healthcare’s Intermountain Cancer Center and Lindsey Byrne, MS, LCGC, licensed certified genetic counselor at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, who discuss how genetic counselors and increased patient education can help cancer programs close the practice gap and promote guideline-concordant testing among patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I’d really advocate—even in your patients with a negative NGS panel—please still consider getting germline testing in those patients.” –David Gill, MD

“We know that individuals, yes, they’re dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, but the first thing people say to me when I sit down with them is, ‘All right, I have this figured out, but what does this mean for my family?’ They’re really worried about their family, and that’s where our focus is, to help take care of that.”—Lindsey Byrne, MS, LCGC

David Gill, MD

Medical Oncologist

Intermountain Healthcare - Intermountain Cancer Center

Salt Lake City, Utah

Lindsey Byrne, MS, LCGC

Licensed Certified Genetic Counselor

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – The James

Columbus, Ohio

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Germline and Somatic Testing for Mutations to Optimize Outcomes in Metastatic Prostate Cancer and is supported by AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer.

Resources:

Germline and Somatic Testing for Mutations to Optimize Outcomes in Metastatic Prostate Cancer - ACCC

Abstract: Homologous recombination repair gene mutation (HRRm) testing patterns and treatment selection from a real-world cohort of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

Abstract: Utilization of genetic counseling and testing for patients with prostate cancer following integration of a genetic counselor into a genitourinary cancer clinic

Anemia can negatively affect quality of life and treatment outcomes for patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy DeZern, MD, MHS, director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP, clinical oncology pharmacy manager, Atrium Health Levine Cancer in Charlotte, North Carolina, and David Sallman, MD, assistant member, Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. Their discussion elucidates an array of patient-centered approaches, touches on social determinants of health, and highlights collaborative measures to support care coordination in the management of anemia in patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.

“It really does take a village to manage the anemia of high-risk MDS…We as providers need to think through transfusion mitigation strategies but also keep our patients safe.” –Amy DeZern, MD, MHS

“Health disparities can play a really important role in affecting outcomes. And a lot of that is multifactorial—it may be due to patients without insurance having a higher tendency to delay seeking care due to the associated cost of seeking medical attention, and therefore they may present sicker.”—Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP

“There’s no question, especially as therapies are getting more complex, and the side effects as far as the severity of cytopenias are increasing, this collaboration between blood bank centers and community oncologists is going to be increasingly important.”—David Sallman, MD

Amy DeZern, MD, MHS

Director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program

Professor of Oncology and Medicine

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore, MD

Donald Moore, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP, DPLA, FCCP

Clinical Oncology Pharmacy Manager

Atrium Health Levine Cancer

Charlotte, NC

David Sallman, MD

Assistant Member, Department of Malignant Hematology

Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, Florida

This episode was developed in connection with an initiative of the ACCC education program Myelodyplastic Syndromes, Optimal Management of Anemia in Adults with High-Risk MDS, which is supported by Gilead.

Resources:

Myelodysplastic Syndromes - ACCC

Achieving & Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Project - ACCC

Disparities in Acute Myeloid Leukemia - ACCC

Prior to 2020, patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s Comprehensive Cancer Center experienced high variability in the number of days it took to see a breast cancer provider. Scheduling was decentralized across the departments and rarely could multiple visits be coordinated to occur on the same day, within the same location. Addressing this issue required a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that involved engaging the cancer center leadership across 3 treatment departments—medical, radiation, and surgical oncology—administration, physicians, advanced practice providers (APPs), patient navigation, genetic counseling, scheduling, imaging, lab, and pathology. The primary goals of the initiative were to transform patient experience and improve timeliness to care for every newly diagnosed patient.

Guest:

Hunter Hayes, MBA

Associate Principal

The Chartis Group

“Being able to get patients seen quickly; being able to retain patients for their full cancer treatment is incredibly important…competition is growing and being able to keep those patients and keep their experience positive is critical.”

Read more in “Improving the Care of Patients Newly Diagnosed With Breast Cancer” coming in your Volume 38, Number 2, Oncology Issues.

Resources:

Improving Cancer Care Teamwork: Five Patient-Centered Strategies to Strengthen Care Coordination

Machine Learning and Predictive Analytics Solution Transforms Infusion Center Operations

Location Technology Improves Efficiency, Safety & the Patient Experience

Breast Care ACCESS Project

Oncology IssuesVolume 39, Issue 2 Apr 2024

Improving timely identification and referral of patients who may be eligible for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is critical for improving outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies. On February 7, 2024, ACCC hosted a virtual Working Summit: Advancing CAR T-Cell Therapy Care Continuity and Collaborative Patient Education to explore topics including patient and caregiver needs as well as care coordination between referring providers and certified CAR T-cell therapy centers.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC, director of the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center at Ivinson Memorial Hospital and co-chair of the Summit about the event’s key findings, which can guide cancer programs in building a framework for optimized CAR T-cell therapy care coordination.

“The goal really was how do we get those patients [receiving CAR T-cell therapy] back here and get them back into some kind of normalcy in their life sooner? A lot of that is building relationships and having trust with those providers in the academic centers that are performing the CAR T, so that they know that we can provide safe care at home.” –Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC

“Keeping care close to home is near to my heart, living in a rural area. That was one takeaway... how do we collaborate better to make this happen for our patients and care teams? –Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC

Amy D. Smith, FNP-BC

Director, Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center

Ivinson Memorial Hospital

Laramie, WY

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Tips for Early Patient Identification for CAR T-Cell Therapy and Care Continuity with Community Providers and made possible with support by Kite Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and Legend Biotech, and through partnerships with Cancer Support Community, the Association of American Cancer Institutes, and the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology.

Resources:

ACCC CAR T-Cell Therapy Focus Group Highlights
Tips for Early Patient Identification for CAR T-Cell Therapy and Care Continuity with Community Providers
Community CAR T-Cell Patient Identification Framework – CANCER BUZZ [Mini Podcast] Ep 138
If They Recur, You Should Refer—A Community Oncologist Patient ID Roundtable Summary – from Oncology Issues Vol. 38, No. 6

The 4R Oncology® Model facilitates enhanced patient engagement and timely care provision by streamlining delivery of complex interdependent care. Implementation of the 4R Oncology® model in breast and lung cancer clinics has improved patients’ involvement in organizing their care, enabled the development of high-functioning multidisciplinary care teams, and helped to optimize the timing and coordination of sequence of care. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Raymond Liu, MD, director of research of Hematology-Oncology in Kaiser Permanente Northern California, director of cancer survivorship in Kaiser Permanente San Francisco, and assistant clinical professor at UCSF, who shares how successful implementation of the 4R Oncology® model empowers patients and clinicians and coheres care teams.

“When people could see that plan, and they could bring that home with them, and they saw that it was all guideline-based and mapped through in a very, very detailed way, they were empowered to answer their questions, especially for their loved ones, and to really reflect on what was said [in the doctor-patient consultation] at home.” –Raymond Liu, MD

“Care is so complex now; our innovations are really, really going fast but we have not been able to deliver the care in a way that’s understandable sometimes, and so by putting it in a single care plan, the patients really engage with it, and we found that the call volumes came down.” –Raymond Liu, MD

Raymond Liu, MD

Director of Research of Hematology-Oncology

Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Oakland, CA

Director of Cancer Survivorship

Kaiser Permanente San Franciso

San Francisco, CA

Assistant Clinical Professor

University of California San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC program Care Action Plans for People with Cancer. ACCC, in partnership with the Center for Business Models in Healthcare, is making 4R Care Sequences® available at no cost to ACCC members. 4R Oncology® is the intellectual property of CBM-HC (Executive Frameworks, Ltd.), but is not a commercial product or service. 4R Care Sequence® templates were developed based on studies sponsored by Genentech, Inc.

Resources:

4R Oncology®

JCO Article Fostering High-Functioning Team

JCO Impact of 4R Oncology® Model

While advancements in oral medicine are improving the treatment landscape for head and neck cancer, routine dental care and preventative oral cancer screenings can help identify head and neck cancers early. In this episode, Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH, chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology, and Dentistry at Baptist Health South Florida’s Miami Cancer Institute, emphasizes the proactive role dentists can play in early identification of cancer—as well as the need for equitable access to dental care—and explores how a cross-disciplinary cancer care team and patient education work in tandem to better manage complications from head and neck treatment.

“It is widely known that any patient with a diagnosis of head and neck cancer who is scheduled to receive treatment with chemo and radiation therapy should see a dentist prior to starting cancer therapy. We should make sure that access is available for this patient.” —Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH

Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH

Chief of Oral Medicine, Oral Oncology, and Dentistry

Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida

Miami, FL

This episode was made in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care in partnership with Head and Neck Cancer Alliance and the American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and with support provided by EMD Serono.

Resources:  

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care

Head and Neck Patient and Caregiver Resources

Making the Case for Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Navigators

Advancements in clinical data and research have shown the immunotherapeutic potential of bispecific antibodies as treatment for hematologic cancers and solid tumors. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, pharmacy clinical specialist for bone marrow transplant and Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP, medical oncology clinical pharmacy specialist who discuss the challenges of care coordination and therapy and share operational best practices for the delivery of bispecific antibodies in the community setting.

“I think we’re finding these drugs to be highly effective and having high response rates and also very durable response rates in very refractory patients.”—Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, BCOP

“I know that in community practice it can be really difficult, but there is a network of institutions out there that have taken on administering these BiTE therapies and have a lot of experience that can be very helpful for those in community practice.” —Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP

Aaron Cumpston, PharmD, BCOP

Pharmacy Clinical Specialist – Hematologic Malignancy, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy

WVU Medicine

WVU Cancer Institute - Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center

Morgantown, WV

Christine Barrett, PharmD, BCOP

Medical Oncology Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

WVU Medicine

WVU Cancer Institute - Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center

Morgantown, WV

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Sharing Operational Insights for the Delivery of Bispecific Antibodies in Solid Tumor and is supported by Amgen.

Resources:

Expanding Access to Cellular and Bispecific Therapies – Considerations and Recommendations by ACCC and SITC

Sharing Operational Insights for the Delivery of Bispecific Antibodies in Solid Tumor

Best Practices in Expanding Access to Bispecific Antibodies and Adverse Event Management

As the need for access to guideline-concordant biomarker testing for underserved populations continues to grow, hear what care teams need to know about coverage for Medicaid beneficiaries and the legislative outlook for 2024. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW, director of State and Local Campaigns for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ASC CAN), who shares policy perspectives and the latest on state legislation to expand coverage for biomarker testing for Medicaid beneficiaries.

“There are a lot of challenges around implementation—getting the legislation passed is just the first step…It is also important for providers to be aware of the new rules that affect many plans and their states so they are able to order testing that may not have been covered or rejected previously.” –Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW

Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW

Director, State and Local Campaigns, Access to Care

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Washington, D.C.

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Improving Access to Biomarker Testing in Medicaid Populations and is made possible with support by Foundation Medicine and Exact Sciences.

Resources:

The Cost of Biomarker Testing: Moving from Support-Based to Sustainable Solutions

Comprehensive Cancer Care: The Role of Biomarker Testing

Biomarker Testing for Medicaid Beneficiaries (Podcast)

Access to Biomarker Testing - American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

The Road to Comprehensive Biomarker Testing for All – ACCC Buzz Blog

Improving Access to Biomarker Testing in Medicaid Populations

Precision Medicine in Rural and Underserved Areas – ACCC Buzz Blog

Patient Perceptions of Biomarker Testing – Oncology Issues

Cancer Diagnostics - Biomarkers

Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities

The ACCC Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (ORMs) help all members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team navigate the annual changes in oncology reimbursement and regulations— while improving their knowledge on effective strategies for success in an everchanging oncology landscape. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jordan Karwedsky, financial counselor, Green Bay Oncology, about her session at the ORMs last fall, where she discussed best practices cancer care teams can adopt as they prepare for the open enrollment season.

“If you have a patient who is uninsured or underinsured, make a note that is a reminder for you so come November when open enrollment begins, you can reach out to them and help them optimize their insurance. In the meantime, if they need treatment, then work with the drug companies to save them as much money on their treatment.”

“Highlights from recent ORMs include how to work with your legislature, either at the state or federal level, to advocate for laws that will help patients.”

Jordan Karwedsky

Financial Counselor  

Green Bay Oncology 

In one of the upcoming ORMs this spring, Karwedsky will share strategies for patient navigation in the digital age. For more information, please visit the ACCC website.

Resources:

· Preparing for Open Enrollment

· ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

· ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp

· ACCC Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide

· Patient Navigation: Taking Stock of the Past and Looking to the Future

While social determinants of health can impact access to care and treatment options for many patients with cancer, when combined with the complexities of acute myeloid leukemia, these factors become critical to treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Linda Hayward, patient financial advocate at the University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health, about the challenges of treatment and strategies to address disparities in access and care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

“When patients are financially underserved [this] plays a major factor in a patient getting treatment…if we [financial advocates] were not here to help our patients, many would forgo treatments.” –Linda Hayward, Patient Financial Advocate

“Patient financial advocates can help patients navigate different resources……if we [financial advocates] were not here to help our patients, many would forgo treatments.” –Linda Hayward, Patient Financial Advocate

Guest:

Linda Hayward

Patient Financial Advocate

University of Maryland, Kaufman Cancer Center at Upper Chesapeake Health

Bel Air, Maryland

This episode was developed as a part of the ACCC education program Addressing Disparities in Access to Care for Acute Myeloid Leukemia, designed to explores the current challenges in care coordination and therapy options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia and highlights strategies and best practices to improve outcomes for these patients. This episode was made possible with support by AbbVie.

Additional Reading/Sources

· Strategies to Addressing Disparities in Patients with AML [Video Podcast]

· Improving Care Delivery for Transplant-Ineligible Patients with AML

· ACCC Financial Advocacy Service Guidelines

· AML Care Coordination in the Community Setting [Video Podcast]

· Critical Conversation Strategies for Patients with AML [Video Podcast]

· Shared Decision-making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

· Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with AML

· Talking about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Cancer Support Community)

· Shared Decision-making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team (ACCC)

Maintenance therapy for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who are ineligible for transplant, can be critical to treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Thomas LeBlanc, MD, hematologic oncologist, associate professor of Medicine, and associate professor in Population Health Sciences at Duke Cancer Institute, about the importance of keeping patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first remission as long as possible through maintenance therapy.

“You have to be aware of the benefits of maintenance therapy…and for patients who are being considered for transplant but who do not end up getting a transplant, it should really be the default option that those patients receive a maintenance therapy.” –Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD

Guest:

Thomas W. LeBlanc, MD

Hematologic Oncologist,

Associate Professor of Medicine,

Associate Professor in Population Health Sciences

Duke Cancer Network, Duke Cancer Institute

Durham, North Carolina

This is the fourth and final episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This episode was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb.

Additional Reading/Sources

Improving Care Delivery for Transplant-Ineligible Patients with AML

AML Care Coordination in the Community Setting [Video Podcast]

Critical Conversation Strategies for Patients with AML [Video Podcast]

Strategies to Addressing Disparities in Patients with AML [Video Podcast]

Shared Decision-making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with AML

Talking about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Cancer Support Community)

Shared Decision-making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team (ACCC)

On March 1, 2024, ACCC elected a new president and board of trustees for the 2024 -2025 term. CANCER BUZZ interviews outgoing President, Lekan Ajayi, and incoming President, Nadine Barrett, about their respective ACCC President’s Themes, the programs and resources ACCC developed in the past year, the state of the oncology workforce, ACCC’s role in improving health equity, the Association’s 50th Anniversary, and more.

Guest:

Lekan Ajayi

Immediate Past President, Association of Cancer Care Centers

Chief Operating Officer

Highlands Oncology Group, Fayetteville, Arkansas

“[Last year] ACCC set out to rebuild and upskill the workforce to deliver the next generation oncology care...it’s been enlightening, and there's been so much learning that’s been made available…I think through the power of sharing, we can all be better together.”

“The oncology workforce. currently is at a point of inflection really. I think what we know now is that we need to invest to be better…what we've been able to do is create a popular awareness amongst leaders in the industry of the need to invest in the workforce and also to give them tools to be able to do exactly that.”

Nadine Barrett

President, Association of Cancer Care Centers

Professor of Social Science and Health Policy

Senior Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Equity Research

Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement

Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest School of Medicine

“Health equity is part of the core of ACCC, to want to advance equity, to want to think about what health equity and cancer looks like…ACCC is very much committed to recognizing that it takes a national and global community to create the change.”

Resources:

Reimagining Community Engagement and Health Equity in Cancer

Re(Building) the Oncology Workforce to Deliver Next Generation Care

The Importance of Developing Health Equity Initiatives

Social Drivers of Health: The Role or Representation in the Health Care Workforce

A Look at the Emerging Role of Health Equity Institutes

Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ features an update from the White House on the Biden Cancer Moonshot program.

Speaker:

Dr. Catharine Young

Assistant Director of Cancer Moonshot Engagement Policy and International Engagement

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Resources:

Cancer Moonshot

ACCC Post: Moonshot

Highlights from the President’s Cancer Panel: Building on a Strong Legacy

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Dr. Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, member of the Reimbursement and Economics Subcommittee of ACCC’s Governmental Affairs Committee, about this week’s Hill Day, when members of ACCC met with Capitol Hill offices to advocate on behalf of patients. Guest:

Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, RPh, PharmD

Assistant Director of Infusion Reimbursement

The James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, Ohio

Issues Discussed on Capitol Hill this week: Oncology Patient Navigation Financial Toxicity for Patients with Cancer Oncology Drug Shortage Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Resources: ACCC Legislative Action Center ACCC Committees: Get Involved

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Krista Nelson, ACCC past president, about the new Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services and resources for cancer centers to implement these services.

Guest:

Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW

Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services and Compassion,

Providence Health & Services

Resources:

Comprehensive Care Services

Institute for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Announcement

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Dr. Mandi Pratt-Chapman about new patient navigation payments.

Guest:

Mandi Pratt-Chapman, MD

Associate Center Director for Community Outreach, Engagement, and Equity

Associate Professor of Medicine

Associate Professor of Prevention and Community Health

George Washington Cancer Center

Resources:

Patient Navigation

FAN Guidelines

Assessment Tool (Gap Tool)

Live this week from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), CANCER BUZZ interviews Wendi Waugh, ACCC financial navigation committee member, about resources for financial advocacy.

Guest:

Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR

Administrative Director, SOMC Cancer Services & Ambulatory Infusion,

Southern Ohio Medical Center

Resources:

ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

Financial Advocacy Guidelines

Financial Advocacy Toolkit

Recent advancements in treatment and a multimodal approach to care are improving outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, however access to therapies and unique patient challenges due to disease symptoms, difficulty eating, difficulty communicating, and other psychosocial factors can reduce patient quality of life.

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG, registered dietician and head and neck program navigator at Sharp Memorial Hospital and Brittney Watts, RN, head and neck patient care coordinator at Yale New Haven Hospital, about the importance of head and neck nurse navigation and how a dedicated navigator can help address these unique patient needs and improve care for patients with head and neck cancer.

“I think looking at it through the eyes of the physicians, the health insurance, the organization [cancer program], and looking at what are the patient outcomes, success rates, delays in care, survivorship...I think those are important metrics to monitor and we [as head and neck patient navigators] can let a program know whether the patient’s needs are being met.” –Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG

“Having a specific nurse coordinator for the head and neck community is vital to the patient’s journey within the entire process. This is the point person for the patient, for the providers, and you are the connection for the patient to the healthcare facility.” –Brittney Watts, RN

Guests

Angelea Bruce, RD, CSO, OPN-CG

Registered Dietician, Head & Neck Program Navigator

Sharp Memorial Hospital

San Diego, California

Brittney Watts, RN

Head & Neck Cancer Patient Care Coordinator

Yale New Haven Hospital

New Haven, Connecticut

This episode, developed in connection with the ACCC education program Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head and Neck Cancer Care, was made possible with support by EMD Serono.

Additional Reading/Sources

Multidisciplinary Approaches to Head & Neck Cancer Care
Head and Neck Patient and Caregiver Resources

Founded in 2019, this inclusive lab is comprised of 42 members ranging from undergraduates to faculty from 12 different countries, most of whom self-identify as women and/or individuals who are under-represented in medicine. This virtual lab meets monthly to discuss projects, grants, and future collaborations. Joint research efforts focus on professional development of the health care workforce; cancer health disparities; diversity equity, and inclusion in medical education; and social justice in medicine, with a focus on cancer clinical outcomes and survivorship experiences of underserved populations. From 2020 to 2023, the Florez Lab secured nearly 1.5 million in combined research funding to support the development of translational research to mitigate and provide resources to address disparities in oncology and medical education. In this podcast, Narjust Florez, MD, teases her session at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit and why it’s important to attend this session in person.

Guest:

Narjust Florez, MD

Thoracic medical oncologist

Associate Director, Cancer Care Equity Program

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School

“[At AMCCBS] I provide realistic strategies and actions that anyone can take to diversify the workforce, not only in oncology, but in medicine as a whole…I focus on what I have done with very little staff that has remained in place and helped create a more inclusive and diverse workplace.”

Hear Dr. Florez speak live at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit.

Resources:

Championing an Institutional Culture of Well-being in a Post-Pandemic Oncology Workforce — [PODCAST]
Workforce Diversity: African Americans in Health Care
A Look at the Emerging Role of Health Equity Institutes
Spotlight on the Sutter Health Institute for Advancing Health Equity
A Q&A with Dr. Maria Hernandez, President and COO, Impact4Health
Achieving Health Equity in Oncology with Precision Medicine Stewards
Health for All: Addressing Health Equity Among American Indians + Alaska Natives
Trans-Inclusive Cancer Care: Why It’s an Important Part of Health Equity

Hereditary breast cancer is a significant concern, with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations accounting for many inherited breast cancer cases. However, a 2018 survey by ACCC revealed the underutilization of BRCA testing, showcasing a significant gap in care. In this podcast, Joy Larsen Haidle, Genetic Counselor at North Memorial Health Cancer Center in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, and Lillie Shockney, University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, delve into the topic of BRCA mutation testing within breast cancer care, highlighting care gaps and opportunities for improvement that were identified in the 2023 ACCC BRCA Testing Reassessment Survey.

“There are treatments that are specific for women who carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene that have metastatic disease. So, by not testing them, they are not receiving the benefit of specific drugs that have been developed, that only work, for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation carriers who have advanced disease.”

Lillie Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON- ONN-CG

“In the past 4 years in particular, the ability for patients to reach out and see a genetic counselor via telehealth has rapidly improved access for providers across the country.”

Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, LCGC

Joy Larsen Haidle, MS, LCGC

Genetic Counselor

North Memorial Health Cancer Center

Robbinsdale, MN

Lillie D Shockney, RN., BS., MAS, HON- ONN-CG

University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer, Professor of Surgery

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Baltimore, MD

Resources:

2021 ACCC Presentation on Genetic Counseling Rates at ASCO

ACCC 2018 Survey Summary Report

AdvocateHealth is leading the way in rebuilding its 150,000+ workforce post-pandemic. Recognizing wellness as an institutional imperative and creating a new C-suite role—Enterprise Vice President, Well-Being for All Teammates—underscores this commitment. In this podcast, Mila Felder, MD, FACEP, teases her keynote at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit, why it’s important to attend this session in person, and what she’s looking forward to most at the meeting.

Guest:

Mila Felder, MD, FACEP

Enterprise Vice President, Well-Being for All Teammates

Advocate Aurora Health

“…talking about burnout and stress related to working in health care is important as a preventative tool. We do a lot of work to prevent illness in our patients…clinicians and health care workers are not very good at identifying their own individual needs and serving those needs.”

Hear Mila speak live at the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit.

Resources:

Cancer Care Team Mental Health: Normalizing Helpers Seeking Help — [PODCAST]

Improving the Culture of Your Cancer Center, One Idea at a Time

A Psychological First Aid Program in the COVID-19 Era

Caring for the Caregiver

Community-Based Psychological First Aid for Oncology Professionals

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive disease whose management is complex and requires open communication amongst a multidisciplinary care team. It has a high rate of relapse, with up to 40 percent of patients relapsing within the first two years after primary treatment. Management of a patient with DLBCL begins with prognostic evaluation of the disease and assessing the potential adverse effects of treatments. It should be followed by evaluations of physical, physiological, cognitive, and socio-economic status of the patient. When considering treatment options, the patient should be engaged to share their expectations and goals related to disease control and quality of life.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Robin Atkins, RN, OCN, symptom triage nurse, Virginia Oncology Associates in Norfolk, Virginia. Listen as we discuss effective practices to support patients with diffuse large b-cell lymphoma throughout the care continuum.

“It’s important to listen for meaning when talking with patients and caregivers who are undergoing cancer treatments for diffuse large b-cell lymphoma and incorporating that into the care plan.”

“Need to validate the patient perspective.”

“Shared decision-making is a two-way conversation.”

Robin Atkins, RN, OCN

Symptom Triage Nurse

Virginia Oncology Associates

Norfolk, Virginia

Resources:

Cancer Support Community

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

This project is supported by AbbVie/Genmab and Genentech.

As the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy continues to expand as an effective treatment for hematologic malignancies, understanding how to identify eligible patients early and implementation of an effective framework for identification can improve care coordination and better prepare community cancer programs for widespread use of CAR T-cell therapy. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with David L. Porter, MD, director of Cell Therapy and Transplant at Penn Medicine, about the challenges community oncologists face and the key role they can play in identifying and recommending eligible patients for CAR T-cell therapy.

“The single most important thing for a patient out in the community at a place that doesn’t have familiarity or immediate access to CAR T-cells is to refer them somewhere that does and refer them soon and timely.” – David L. Porter, MD

Guest:

David L. Porter, MD

Director, Cell Therapy and Transplant

Jodi Fisher Horowitz Professor in Leukemia Care Excellence

Penn Medicine- University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS)

Philadelphia, PA

This episode has been developed in connection with the ACCC education program Tips for Early Patient Identification for CAR T-Cell Therapy and Creating “Stickiness” with Community Providers for Optimal Care Coordination. This episode was made possible with support by Kite Pharma.

Additional Reading/Sources

ACCC Oncology Issues Article

If They RECUR, You Should Refer: A Community Oncologist Patient ID Roundtable Summary

Essentials for Identifying Patients – Bringing CAR T-cell Therapy to Community Oncology

Optimizing Care Coordination – Bringing CAR T-cell Therapy to Community Oncology

The aging US population is predicted to drive an increase in cancer incidence of almost 50% by 2050. At the same time, some cancer programs face capacity and resource constraints—which will continue to increase as demand for cancer services rises. Many cancer programs are also facing significant challenges with patient access. This podcast explores 4 pillars for creating a differentiated patient experience: access, navigation, digital health, and health equity. The end goal for both cancer programs and patients is to shorten the time span between diagnosis and treatment.

Guest:

Jessica Turgon

Partner

ECG Management Consultants

“What we’ve seen coming out of COVID-19 is a growing consumerism in cancer care. Patients want their information quickly—even more rapidly than healthcare teams can turn it around. And patients want this information in a way that they can easily access it.”

Look for the full article, “Pioneering a Cancer Program of the Future,” in the Volume 38, Number 6, Oncology Issues. While you wait, check out the most current digital edition now.

Resources:

The Hospital of the Future

Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients

Ochsner Chemotherapy Care Companion: Improving Outcomes through Digital Medicine

Digital Solutions Connect Resources to Patients at the Right Time

Health technology performance and integration of electronic health record (EHR) systems—the creation of interfaces between EHRs and reference labs performing biomarker testing— have become critical factors in conducting efficient and equitable biomarker testing at cancer programs nationwide. At ACCC’s 40th Annual National Oncology Conference, an exclusive EHR Working Summit was held to understand barriers to integrating biomarker testing into EHR systems and explore effective practices/workaround solutions to facilitate timely and comprehensive biomarker testing. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC, precision oncology lead and genetic counselor at TriHealth Cancer and Blood Institute, who also serves on ACCC’s EHR Integration program Advisory Committee, about key takeaways and insights from the Working Summit. “Some of the key barriers include limited staffing on information systems and technical teams—that’s the number one ingredient—[also] funding is an important element, having enough FTEs [full-time employees] to create a team, having knowledgeable data engineers and project coordinators…and trying to include some level of clinical input for any new integration implementation team is really important, and those are not always available…” – Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC

Guest:

Karen Huelsman, MS, LGC Precision Oncology Lead, Genetic Counselor TriHealth Cancer and Blood Institute Cincinnati, Ohio

This episode was developed in connection with the ACCC education program EHR Integration: Effective Practices to Facilitate Timely and Comprehensive Biomarker Testing. This educational program is made possible with support by AstraZeneca and Genentech.

Additional Reading/Sources

EHR Integration: Effective Practices to Facilitate Timely and Comprehensive Biomarker Testing

EHR Integration Landscape Analysis

In 2020, this community-based cancer program started laying the foundation for a disease-site specific oncology patient navigation program that would grow exponentially over the next 2 years. In addition to a rapidly growing patient caseload, nurse navigator responsibilities grew extensively, largely due to increasing physician and system support of the program and role. To date, this 3-person oncology nurse navigator team has received over 2100 referrals from more than 259 providers.

Guest:

Stephanie Bonfilio, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG

Oncology Navigation Manager

St. Elizabeth Cancer Care

“Patient experience is such a huge part of what we do in cancer care. We survey our patients who are actively being navigated to see if the care we are providing is of value to them…over 94% of our patients said that having a nurse navigator on their care team increased their overall experience.”

Read more in “Developing a Disease-Site Specific Oncology Patient Navigation Program” in Volume 38, Number 5, Oncology Issues.

Resources:

· Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients

· Increasing Clinical Trial Accrual Through the Implementation of a Clinical Trials Navigator

· The Oncology Pharmacy Navigator

· Developing an Acuity Tool to Optimize Nurse Navigation Caseloads

Since 2014, the widespread use of germline and somatic testing in gynecologic oncology has dramatically increased. The use of genetic testing can support actionable changes which may influence treatment decisions. Test results can inform risk for other malignancies and prompt preventive screenings for at-risk relatives. Despite an increasing awareness of the benefits of genetic testing, many patients are not receiving consistent or equitable testing.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Melissa Frey, MD, MS, Assistant Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and Director, Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program, Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, New York, and Leigha Senter, MS, CGC, Professor, Clinical Internal Medicine, Associate Director, Division of Human Genetics, and Licensed Genetic Counselor, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Listen as we discuss germline and somatic testing for patients with ovarian cancer.

“Ovarian cancer is probably one of the most exciting examples of the way genetics and genomics can inform treatment, and also improve patient care, and patient outcomes.”

Melissa Frey, MD, MS

“While we are putting a lot of effort into making sure patients get the testing they need, we also need to have a support web in place for their family members too. And that is actually a service to our patients.”

Leigha Senter, MS, CGC

Melissa Frey, MD, MS

Assistant Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology

Director, Genetics and Personalized Cancer Prevention Program

Weill Cornell Medicine

New York, New York

Leigha Senter, MS, CGC

Professor, Clinical Internal Medicine

Associate Director, Division of Human Genetics

Licensed Genetic Counselor

The Ohio State University

Columbus, Ohio

Resources:

Cancer Support Community

This project is supported by AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline. 

Coordination of care for patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those who are ineligible for transplant, can impact access to specialist care, clinical trials, and cancer programs with advanced capabilities to treat patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Geoffrey Uy, MD, professor of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Leukemia at Washington University’s School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and Khoan Tuong Vu, MD, hematologist oncologist at Texas Oncology, who share strategies and best practices for co-managing care for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

“The impact of care coordination can be tremendous. A large proportion of our patients come from several hours away. Through care coordination and through things like telehealth, we can deliver high quality care to patients in their [own] community.” – Geoffrey L. Uy, MD

“Successful care coordination is a seamless transition of care where we work together as a cohesive team, even across different cancer centers, with a consistent message and consistent treatment plan.” – Khoan Tuong Vu, MD

Guest: Geoffrey L. Uy, MD

Professor of Medicine, Bone Marrow Transplantation & Leukemia\

Division of Oncology

Washington University School of Medicine

St. Louis, MO

Khoan Tuong Vu, MD

Hematologist Oncologist

Texas Oncology

Dallas, TX

This is the third episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This episode was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb.

Additional Reading/Sources

· Critical Conversation Strategies for Patients with AML- Video Podcast Ep 37

· Strategies to Addressing Disparities in Patients with AML – Video Podcast Ep 35

· Shared Decision-making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

· Talking about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Cancer Support Community)

· Shared Decision-making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team (ACCC)

Live this week from the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, CANCER BUZZ interviews Doug Flora, MD about AI in Precision Oncology, the first- ever peer-reviewed journal on the topic. The journal shares meaningful information on the evolution of these tools, especially for clinicians and decision makers to help make a case for artificial intelligence.

Guest:

Doug Flora, MD

Editor-in-Chief, AI in Precision Oncology

Resources:

AI in Precision Oncology

ACCC Cancer Diagnostics

The oncology community is facing staffing shortages across disciplines and specialties, as well as pressure from organizations and individuals for clinicians to practice at the top of their license and nonclinical staff to work at their highest skill set; that’s where technology can help. Live this week from the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ interviews Karline Paul, Associate Operating Officer at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, about the ways technology can support—not replace—the oncology workforce.

Guest:

Karline Peal, MBA

Associate Operating Officer

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Resources:

Trending Now in Cancer Care

Technology Solutions to Mitigate Workforce Shortages

Tech Solutions Ahead!

Data Analytics + Business Intelligence = Operations Insights

Technology That is Transforming Cancer Care

The science of oncology is rapidly evolving, as cancer programs and practices around the US continue to make cutting-edge discoveries in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In addition, there is an increased spotlight on the effects social drivers of health have on cancer care delivery, as health equity initiatives continue to permeate the oncology landscape.

Building on these successes, NCI released the National Cancer Plan on April 3, 2023. The plan outlines goals designed to support the objectives of Cancer Moonshot. In support of this effort, the President’s Cancer Panel held its first National Cancer Plan Stakeholder meeting September 7, 2023.

ACCC was invited to share the association’s key priorities for impacting cancer care in the US. ACCC president Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA, and chief operating officer at Highlands Oncology Group, PA, discusses the meeting and these initiatives.

Guest:

Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA

President, ACCC

Chief Operating Officer,

Highlands Oncology Group, PA

Fayetteville, AR

Resources:

President’s Cancer Panel
National Cancer Plan

Live this week from the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ interviews Debbie Rimmele, Nurse Retention Specialist at the Loyola University Medical Center, about recruiting strategies and her session at the NOC: Looking Under the Hood of the Employment Process.

Once candidates are in the hiring queue, there are many internal processes that need to go smoothly to offer potential employees the best experience. These steps in the employment process are critical to making a positive first impression. Many candidates are shopping places so to retain a competitive edge, learn how to put your best foot forward to show off your workplace culture.

Guest:

Debbie Rimmele, BSN, RN, OCN, CPC

Nurse Retention Specialist

Loyola University Medical Center

Resources:

Turning Off Turnover

A Perfect Fit: Mentoring Experienced RNs to Meet Oncology Clinic Demand

Onboarding Experienced Non-Oncology Nurses to Address Staffing Shortages: Development of a Transitional Oncology Training Academy

Making the Business Case for New Staff

Live this week from the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference (NOC), CANCER BUZZ interviews Steve Kennedy, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Tennessee Oncology, about his session: Leadership Engagement and Sustainment During Challenging Times.

The Tennessee Oncology Leadership Academy launched in July 2020 with the purpose of building a culture of collaborative and agile leaders. Since its launch, the academy has enrolled 157 team members, with 88 leaders graduating from the program. The practice has seen a 96% retention rate of these graduates, and 13 graduates have been promoted to new positions. Currently, 69 high-potential team members and/or leaders are enrolled in the academy. Built around a cohort structure and a blended instructional format, the academy offers 4 pathways based on readiness that guide participants through 3 leadership domains: self, other, and organization. The key to the academy’s success is the transition of its instructors into coaches for those who graduate from the program.

Guest:

Steve Kennedy

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Tennessee Oncology

Resources:

Strengthening Your Oncology Workforce: How to Approach Leadership and Team Building

Healthy Leadership Strategies: Take a Time Out to Walk

How to Lead Effective Meetings

Effective Leadership Strategies: Defining + Helping Others with Their Purpose

Combatting Healthcare Workforce Issues with Proven Leadership Skills

Tips for Building a Resilient Oncology Team

Billing and Coding Fundamentals for Leaders in Oncology

Live this week from the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, CANCER BUZZ interviews Dr. Michael Gieske about best practices to increase lung cancer screenings and ACCC’s Rural Appalachian Lung Screening Initiative.

ACCC launched the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance (the Alliance) in partnership with several state oncology societies representing the Appalachian region. The focus is on improving patient and operational cancer outcomes by identifying effective evidence-based practices that can be replicated throughout the region. One of the major initiatives under the Alliance is to increase lung cancer screenings in Appalachia where the cancer mortality rate is 10 percent higher than the national rate.

Guest:

Dr. Michael Gieske

St. Elizabeth

Edgewood, KY

CANCER BUZZ previews the sessions, people and topics of this week’s ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference. We interview Kathy Oubre, MS, CEO of the Pontchartrain Canter Center, about helping patients overcome access barriers to biomarker testing.

Guest:

Kathy W. Oubre, MS

Chief Executive Officer

Pontchartrain Cancer Center

Hammond, Louisiana

Resources:

Access to Biomarker Testing - American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

The Road to Comprehensive Biomarker Testing for All – ACCC Buzz Blog

Precision Medicine in Rural and Underserved Areas – ACCC Buzz Blog

Patient Perceptions of Biomarker Testing – Oncology Issues

Cancer Diagnostics - Biomarkers

Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities

CANCER BUZZ previews the sessions, people and topics of this week’s ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference. We interview Dr. Margaret Liang, about ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Network (FAN), and the Financial Advocacy Services guidelines.

Guest:

Margaret Liang, MD, MSHPM

Associate Director, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship

Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center

Los Angeles, CA

Resources:

ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

ACCC Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines

Financial Advocacy Playbook

Financial Advocacy Boot Camp

Financial Advocacy Toolkit

Bladder cancer cases continue to rise regardless of treatment advances. In addition, disparities in bladder cancer persist, especially with respect to race. There is a documented connection between patient demographics and the impact on health outcomes. ACCC launched the Addressing Disparities in Bladder Cancer Care project to help cancer centers apply evidence-based health literacy and shared decision-making principles and strategies to reduce disparities in bladder cancer care.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Mary W. Dunn, MSN, RN, OCN, NP-C, Adult Nurse Practitioner of Urology and Medical Oncology at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Samuel L. Washington III, MD, MAS, Assistant Professor of Urology at the University of California in San Francisco, California. Listen as we discuss best practices in health literacy, shared decision-making for bladder cancer care, disparities experienced by female patients, and educational resources being developed through the Addressing Disparities in Bladder Cancer Care initiative.

“Phase 1 analysis of the Bladder Cancer Care Initiative found major gaps in guideline concordant care of all bladder cancer patients, particularly populations that are already facing disparities.”

Samuel L. Washington III

“I think when you're dealing with something that is as delicate and difficult and potentially traumatic as a cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment, ensuring that the patient knows that their voice matters in the treatment decision making process is huge, and incorporating their goals of care…”

Mary W. Dunn

“When it comes to effective health literacy practices, the first step is really understanding the difference between literacy (how comfortable people are at reading and their reading level) and health literacy, which is almost a separate language of medical jargon and terms. These terms do not correlate or aren’t a 1 to 1 equivalent comparison.”

Samuel L. Washington III

Mary W. Dunn, MSN, RN, OCN, NP-C

Adult Nurse Practitioner, Urology and Medical Oncology

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Chapel Hill, NC

Samuel L. Washington III, MD, MAS

Assistant Professor of Urology

University of California

San Francisco, CA

Resources:

CancerCare’s shared decision making tool - “What Matters to Me”

Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network’s (BCAN) - Treatment Matrix

Cancer Support Community

ACCC Health Literacy and Clear Communication eCourse

AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit

This project is supported by EMD Serono and Pfizer.

It is important for the cancer team to be able to recognize what a small cell might look like— such as central location of the tumor, bulky adenopathy generally. Sometimes patients present with unexplained weight loss and/or hemoptysis because of the central location of the tumor. It is important to be able to pick up on risk factors and understand the importance from symptoms to diagnosis and diagnosis to treatment. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Adam Fox, MD, Pulmonologist, Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. Listen as Dr Fox discusses the importance of recognizing and diagnosing small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

“In most patients, while small cell only accounts for 10% to 15% of all lung cancers, almost all patients with small cell lung cancer have a smoking history…”

“Fundamentals for anyone with lung cancer is to pick that biopsy site that is going to provide the diagnosis, at least some stage information, and any tissue needed for extra stains (to confirm the diagnosis), or mostly the case for non-small cell lung cancer, biomarker testing for making treatment decisions.”

Adam Fox, MD

Pulmonologist

Medical University of South Carolina

Charleston, SC

ACCC’s SCLC program is supported by AstraZeneca and G1 Therapeutics.

Resources:

Cancer Support Community

Go2 for Lung Cancer

LUNGEVITY

Lung Cancer Research Foundation

This cancer program used a business intelligence-enabled dashboard to collect and analyze data on emergency department (ED) visits, admits, and discharges. These data were then used to improve patient triage and evaluation through development of an Express Symptom Management program. After targeted in-service training and education to clinical teams and patients on utilization of the new program, only 2% of patients needed to be seen in the ED, with the rest receiving symptom management by phone, participating in a virtual clinic visit, and/or coming into the infusion suite for in-person assessment and treatment. Improvement efforts around patient self-management and triage to the Express Symptom Management program also included development of a pre- and post-initial infusion visit via Epic MyChart.

Guest:

Dana Salcedo, MSN, APRN, NP-C

Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Express Symptom Management & Outpatient Infusion

Orlando Health Cancer Institute

Orlando, Florida

“Ultimately our role was to prevent ED admissions, but also to help reduce stress, manage common side effects, and to let patients know they had a resource available to them at a moment’s notice.”

This podcast is part of a special series with the 2023 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, Oct. 4-6, in Austin Texas.

Resources:

Deploying Technology Across an Interdisciplinary Team to Improve Oral Oncolytic Compliance

Expediting Cancer Treatment Through a Rapid Access APP-Led Diagnostic Clinic

An APP-Physician Model Improves Risk Stratification and Palliative Care

Reducing ED Visits and Hospital Admissions after Chemotherapy with Predictive Modeling of Risk Factors

Utilizing Technology to Identify Patient Co-Morbidities and Reduce Hospital and ED Admissions

Right Place, Right Provider, Right Time: Implementing Our 24-Hour Cancer Clinic

As geography and regional differences can play a major role in disparities in cancer care, learn how cancer programs can collaborate with local community outreach organizations to improve access to care and support underserved populations. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Farrukh T. Awan, MD, MS, professor of Internal Medicine and director of Lymphoid Malignancies at the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, about their approach to addressing regional barriers to improve care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

“Time to get to appointments, the driving distance, the traffic issues, the cost of travel, housing/lodging, food—I think those are some of the biggest challenges we see in our patients, especially in our part of the country, where distances are huge and traffic can be an issue in major cities…” – Farrukh Awan, MD, MS

Guest: Farrukh T. Awan, MD, MS

Professor of Internal Medicine

Director of Lymphoid Malignancies Program

Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Dallas, TX

This podcast was created in connection with the education program A Regional Approach to Advancing Care for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. This episode was made possible with support by AstraZeneca, Janssen Oncology, and Pharmacyclics.

Additional Reading/Sources

· Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Resources

· Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care (accc-cancer.org)

· Quality Improvement Case Studies

· CLL: Models of Effective Care Delivery

· Podcast EP 104: Addressing Regional Challenges to Equitable Care for Patients with CLL

· Podcast EP 105: Best Practices in Caring for Patients with CLL in a Post-COVID Era

· Podcast EP 57: COVID-19 Challenges: Managing Patients with CLL

· Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) (cancer.org)

· Addressing Racial Disparities in CLL Care - Patient Empowerment Network (powerfulpatients.org)

· CLL Resources - CLL Society

Isolation is a common concern among caregivers. Studies show that 40% to 70% of family caregivers experience clinical symptoms of depression. The lack of social interaction and stimulation from individuals other than their care recipient, especially when cognitive impairment is present, can be an undeniable trigger for loneliness. Addressing isolation is critical and any way that caregivers can connect with peers, professional support, and friend/colleague support networks is a priority.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Allison Applebaum, PhD, Psychologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY. Listen as Dr. Applebaum discusses combatting the feeling of isolation among caregivers.

“…Inevitably all caregivers will experience isolation.”

“Many caregivers have it together, they’re on top of everything. They are organized, they are experts at this, but they are falling apart inside. You aren’t going to know if you don’t ask.”

Allison Applebaum, PhD

Psychologist

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY

Resources:

American Cancer Society

Cancer Support Community

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

National Alliance for Caregiving

This project is supported by EMD Serono.

Adding a clinical trials navigator to this practice team required a business case that demonstrated return on investment. After a successful onboarding, this navigator is now the point person to help identify patients appropriate for clinical trials and to help busy clinicians with enrollment criteria and trial selection.

Guest:

Carrie Friedman, BSN, RN, OCN

Clinical Trials Navigator

Virginia Cancer Specialists, PC

“The number of physicians across all our sites that are referring patients for clinical trials has increased…we easily take over 100 referrals a month. Looking forward, we may even need a second navigator who can replicate my role.”

This podcast is part of an ongoing series from ACCC’s peer-related journal, Oncology Issues. For a deeper dive into this content, read Friedman’s article, Increasing Clinical Trial Accrual Through Implementation of a Clinical Trials Navigator. ACCC members can access the complete Volume 38, Number 4 issue online.

Resources:

Just ASK! How One Healthcare System is Operationalizing This Implicit Bias Program to Ensure Equitable Access to Clinical Trials

The ASCO-ACCC Joint Initiative to Increase Diversity in Clinical Trials

Virtual Navigation to Clinical Trials

New Legislation Expands Access to Clinical Trials

Older Adults with Cancer & Clinical Trials

Lipson Cancer Institute adapted the University of Washington’s Collaborative Care model to embed counseling services into oncology and palliative care across 6 clinic locations. This model allows patients with cancer to receive counseling for depression, anxiety, and other psycho-social concerns while in active treatment and survivorship, eliminating many barriers to care. Counseling is provided in-person or virtually, ensuring that critical support and mental health care are accessible to all, including patients in rural areas and those who are homebound.

Guest:

Earon Lehning, LMSW, Collaborative Care Therapist

Rochester Regional Health – Lipson Cancer Institute

Rochester, New York

“When our social work team meets with patients…and identifies a mood concern, they are able to put someone on my schedule within the next 2 days for an intake, compared to [services] in the community where it might take months to connect with a mental health provider.”

This podcast is part of a special series with the 2023 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, Oct. 4-6, in Austin Texas.

Resources:

Collaborative Care: A Solution for Increasing Access to Psychosocial Care in Cancer Programs and Practices

Oncology Leaders Issue Urgent Call for Mental Health Support Improvements

[Podcast] Cancer Care Team Mental Health: Normalizing Helpers Seeking Help

Delivery of Psychosocial Cancer Centers Care in Oncology Summit

AMCCBS Psychosocial Summit Pre-Read

[Blog] Psychosocial Care in Oncology: Advocating for Policy Changes that Improve the Culture of Care

[Blog] Psychosocial Care in Oncology: The Impact of Social Determinants of Health

Supportive Oncology in Lung Cancer: Program Development for Patients and Care Partners

Providing Psycho-Education to Combat Fatigue

Every day caregivers face emotional, physical, and logistical challenges caring for their loved ones. But what about the toll on the caregivers themselves? Ensuring empowered caregivers involves educating and informing them, engaging them in planning and decision-making, and reassuring them that their role is manageable and worthwhile. Any steps providers can take to combat the invisibility of caregivers is important. This can range from simply acknowledging the caregiver's presence in medical appointments to routing them to caregiver-specific support and services.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Allison Applebaum, PhD, Psychologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY. Listen as Dr. Applebaum discusses practical tips providers can use to support caregiver empowerment.

“I think it is quite important for ALL members of the health care team to be able to identify signs and symptoms of distress in caregivers and should know what resources are available in their unique cancer center so they can refer these caregivers or make a suggestion that they speak to a social worker.”

“The number 1 tip, is to acknowledge the caregiver’s presence.”

Allison Applebaum, PhD

Psychologist

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY

Resources:

American Cancer Society

Cancer Support Community

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

National Alliance for Caregiving

This project is supported by EMD Serono.

While next-generation sequencing is recommended by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network for biomarker testing for all patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), uptake among community oncology programs and practices is suboptimal. To standardize comprehensive biomarker testing in patients with NSCLC, Oncology Hematology Care, Inc., developed and implemented a 1-year quality improvement (QI) project that included custom data reports and monitoring dashboards to ensure practice-wide adoption and sustainability across multiple clinic sites. After increasing biomarker testing rates from 68% to 92.7%, this QI project is now being scaled across the country through the US Oncology Network, McKesson as a best-practice initiative.

Guest:

Molly Mendenhall, RN, BSN

Director of Quality and Compliance

Oncology Hematology Care, Inc. (OHC)

Cincinnati, Ohio

“[On average] biomarking testing for patients with cancer is less than 50%. But with a shift towards personalized medicine, if we can implement and standardize this testing across the nation, we could provide targeted therapies, which have been shown to improve overall survival and quality of life.”

This podcast is part of a special series with the 2023 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, Oct. 4-6, in Austin Texas.

Resources:

[Video] Optimizing Advanced NSCLC Biomarker Testing, Treatment, and Management Virtual Summit

Biomarker Testing in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

NSCLC Biomarker Testing Roadmap Infographic

[Video] Optimizing Biomarker Testing through Precision Medicine Stewardship

A Financial Advocate’s Guide to Biomarker Testing

Paying for Biomarker Testing

[Podcast] Financial Barriers to Biomarker Testing

[Podcast] Biomarker Testing Advocacy

The rapid evolution of cancer care delivery toward multi-agent regimens, oral and/or combination therapies, and at-home treatment administration has made cancer caregiving extremely complex. The Caregiver Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering provides support to people who are having difficulty coping with the demands of being a caregiver. The purpose of this clinic is to help individuals maximize their ability to provide care to loved ones while attending to their own self-care, needs, and other important responsibilities. Caregivers can receive individual, group, couples, and family therapy sessions, as well as medication management as needed.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Allison Applebaum, PhD, Psychologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY. Listen as Dr. Applebaum discusses the programs and practices in place at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to support caregivers.

“We talk a lot about sitting with uncertainty. So many caregivers struggle with the fact that they can’t plan… they can’t plan for a vacation in six months, they actually can’t plan for the next day sometimes and that is exhausting and quite difficult for caregivers over the long term.”

“For many (caregivers) they feel there is so much support around patients, but so very little support for them, and they feel left out (and alone).”

Allison Applebaum, PhD

Psychologist

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY

Resources:

American Cancer Society

Cancer Support Community

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

National Alliance for Caregiving

This project is supported by EMD Serono.

Between 4% to 15% of patients with cancer who are treated with a class of medications called immune checkpoint inhibitors experience immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and insulin-deficient diabetes. Delayed access, diagnosis, and management of irAEs are often causes of preventable hospital admissions in cancer patients.

At Duke Cancer Institute, the implementation of electronic-consults for patients experiencing endocrine irAEs improved patient access and reduced healthcare utilization. Time to appointment and hospitalizations were reduced from 61 days to 39 days and from 11% to 2%, respectively. To propel integration and scalability, the next step is to ensure adequate reimbursement from payers for these types of e-consults.

Guest:

Afreen Shariff, MD, MBBS

Director, Duke Endo Oncology Program

Associate Director, Cancer Therapy Toxicity Program, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy

Duke Cancer Institute

Durham, North Carolina

“I’ve been a strong advocate to fix the effort and reimbursement mismatch because these are very different from traditional e-consultative services…the acuity of patients is different. The level of expertise that is needed to triage and give recommendations to patients is different…the reimbursement we get through third party-payers is what I call the ‘coffee and bagel’ consult because it really doesn’t do justice to the kind of service we provide.”

This podcast is part of a special series with the 2023 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, Oct. 4-6, in Austin Texas.

Resources:

Managing irAEs into Post-Treatment Survivorship

Working with Rheumatologists to Manage irAEs

Adverse Event Management in the Community-Based Immuno-Oncology Clinic

Virtual Toxicity Team Cleveland Clinic

Perspective on Managing Immune-related Adverse Events

Working with Rheumatologists to Manage irAEs

Many patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) have a high symptom burden, poor prognosis, and adherence challenges due to treatment-related adverse events, stigmatization, and emotional distress. Multidisciplinary care coordination and timely diagnosis are critical to achieve positive health outcomes for this patient population. Nurses play an important role in the direct care of patients. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Robin Atkins, RN, Symptom Management Triage Nurse, Virginia Oncology Associates in Gloucester, VA. Listen as we discuss nursing’s role in the care of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

“What the patient experience means to them is what the nurse should be listening for, just hearing a list of side effects, hearing a list of concerns, doesn’t really translate into patient-centered care because the nurse becomes very task oriented. Rather, we need to interpret that for the patient in a way that they understand what the interventions mean to them.”

Robin Atkins, RN

Symptom Management Triage Nurse

Virginia Oncology Associates

Gloucester, VA

Resources:

Cancer Support Community

Go2 for Lung Cancer

LUNGEVITY

Lung Cancer Research Foundation

For several years, this healthcare system struggled to find a sustainable program to perform outreach to patients with outstanding orders for lung, breast, and colon cancer screenings. A financial analysis of associated expenses, reimbursement, payer mixture, and downstream revenue of these screening efforts demonstrated positive net return on investment, allowing for expansion and implementation of the Population Health Support Services team to perform this task. In 2022, 12 outreach specialists scheduled visits that accounted for 38% of completed lung cancer screenings and 15% of completed breast cancer screenings for this healthcare system.

Guest:

Michael Gieske, MD

Medical Director, Lung Cancer Screening

St. Elizabeth Cancer Center

“We’ve demonstrated through a financial analysis of our screening programs that colon, breast, and lung cancer screening definitively have a net positive revenue. There’s a return on investment for every lung cancer screen we do, for every mammogram we order, for every colon cancer screening we do. The more [screening] you do, the more volume is generated, and the better business case you make for supporting a screening program.”

This podcast is part of a special series with the 2023 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, Oct. 4-6, in Austin Texas.

Resources:

ACCC Spotlights Critical Lung Cancer Screening Needs in Appalachia

Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance: Who We Are and What We Can Accomplish

PCP Insights Needed to Improve Cancer Screening in Rural Appalachia

Oncology Capture of ED Patients with Incidental Radiologic Findings

Leveraging a 3D Lung Nodule Educational Tool to Reduce Patient Distress

The Role of Population Health Navigators

Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients

Caregivers experience higher levels of financial, emotional, and physical health difficulties than non-caregivers and are more likely to suffer from depressive symptoms and mental health problems. The Caregivers Clinic at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is the first of its kind and provides comprehensive psychosocial care to family members and friends of patients who experience significant distress and burden because of their caregiving role. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Allison Applebaum, PhD, Psychologist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, NY. Listen as Dr. Applebaum discusses the development and dissemination of psychosocial interventions for cancer caregivers, as well as understanding the impact of caregiver psychosocial wellbeing, prognostic awareness, and communication skills on advanced care planning.

“So many caregivers feel like they weren’t given a choice to become a caregiver, and often feel disempowered in their caregiving journeys. Through discussions on attitude taking, we can help caregivers connect to the ways in which they can choose to respond to the limitations and losses they face.”

Allison Applebaum, PhD

Psychologist

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

New York City, NY

Resources:

American Cancer Society

Cancer Support Community

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

National Alliance for Caregiving

This project is supported by EMD Serono.

Learn how the creation of the first advanced practice radiation therapist (APRT) role in the United States established a new model of inpatient care, elevating the radiation therapy skill set and allowing for intervention at key points along the radiation oncology care pathway. Outcomes include improved quality, efficiency, and time and cost savings toward value-based care. Working in tandem with a rotation of radiation oncologists, the APRT aims to save physician time—and reduce physician burnout—by task-shifting and assuming lower-level responsibilities that support the care of resource intensive patient populations.

Samantha Skubish, MS, RT(R)(T)

Chief Technical Director, Department of Radiation Oncology

Mount Sinai Health System

“It’s exciting to think about the opportunities that an advanced practice level of radiation therapy offers to the profession. It gives us the chance to work at the top of our license and even think and start to look at a scope expansion. For the rest of the care team that means improving quality outcomes, improving patient outcomes, and creating a better model for continuity of care.”

This podcast is part of a special series with the 2023 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 40th National Oncology Conference, Oct. 4-6, in Austin Texas.

Resources:

3D Virtual Reality: Changing the Standard of Care for Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Navigating the Unique Financial Challenges of Radiation Oncology

Developing and Implementing a Radiation Oncology App to Improve the Patient Experience

Improving Care of Advanced Cancer Patients with a Dedicated Palliative Radiotherapy Team

A Prospective Peer Review Model for Radiation Therapy

As care teams seek new ways to engage and support patients with rare cancers, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jim Palma, executive director of TargetCancer Foundation, a patient-founded nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting patients living with, and researchers focused on, rare cancers. In this episode, hear about the fully remote TRACK (Target Rare Cancer Knowledge) clinical trial and its unique approach to providing access to biomarker testing for patients in community care settings by leveraging technology.

“It [access to biomarker testing] really is one of the biggest challenges that patients with rare cancer face, as well as access to interpretation of results in a way that leads them to the right treatment. So, what we’ve done is developed a [fully remote] clinical trial that offers testing to patients at no cost and eases their ability to enroll in the trial through remote consenting.” – Jim Palma, Executive Director

This is the third episode in a podcast series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Emerging Biomarkers: Innovative Therapies for NTRK Gene Fusion Testing and was made possible with support by Bayer.

Jim Palma,

Executive Director

TargetCancer Foundation

Cambridge, MA

Additional Reading/Sources:

· Emerging Biomarkers: A Spotlight on NTRK Gene Fusion Testing (accc-cancer.org)

· NTRKers Patient Community & Support (ntrkers.org)

· NTRK Gene Fusion Infographic (ntrkers.org)

· NTRK fusion-positive cancers and TRK inhibitor therapy

Building awareness of rare cancers, such as NTRK gene fusion-positive cancers, is critical to improving access to biomarker testing and new treatment options for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Susan Spinosa, president and patient founder of NTRKers, an organization created to support patients with NTRK fusion-positive cancer, about her care journey and the importance of testing for NTRK gene fusions.

“What we want to have for every patient who is diagnosed with NTRK is accessibility...We need to test for it…it’s a rare biomarker but in my mind, it should not be rare—the more testing we do the more routine it will become—and my hope is that 5 or 10 years from now, biomarker testing is routine and NTRK is not rare...” – Susan Spinosa, President of NTRKers

This is the second episode in a podcast series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Emerging Biomarkers: Innovative Therapies for NTRK Gene Fusion Testing and was made possible with support by Bayer.

Susan Spinosa

President and Patient Founder

NTRKers

Additional Reading/Sources:

· Emerging Biomarkers: A Spotlight on NTRK Gene Fusion Testing (accc-cancer.org)

· NTRKers Patient Community & Support (ntrkers.org)

· NTRK Gene Fusion Infographic (ntrkers.org)

· NTRK fusion-positive cancers and TRK inhibitor therapy

Personalizing care goals to account for a patient’s values, preferences, or circumstances can make a significant difference in share decision-making and treatment planning. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Melissa Kah Poh Loh, MBBCh, BAO, assistant professor of Geriatric Hematology and Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Wilmot Cancer Institute about strategies to optimize critical conversations with patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

“For older adults with acute myeloid leukemia, the treatment landscape has changed in the last few years…and their [patients’] preferences and goals really make a difference in what we ultimately choose together with patients and family members…incorporating this as part of the conversation is very important.” – Melissa Kah Poh Loh, MBBCh, BAO

Melissa Kah Poh Loh, MBBCh, BAO

Assistant Professor of Geriatric Hematology and Oncology

University of Rochester Medical Center, Wilmot Cancer Institute

Rochester, NY

This is the second episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. This episode was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb.

Additional Reading/Sources

Strategies to Addressing Disparities in Patients with AML

· Shared Decision-making in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

· Talking about Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Cancer Support Community)

· Shared Decision-making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team (ACCC)

Significant declines in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with small cell lung cancer have increased challenges that impact patient care. Many patients with small cell lung cancer have a high symptom burden, poor prognosis, adherence challenges due to treatment-related adverse events, stigmatization, and emotional distress. The team at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute is testing supportive care options with the goal of meeting the needs of all their patients.

CANCER BUZZ spoke to Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN, Registered Dietitian, Susan Yaguda, RN, Manager, Integrative Oncology, and Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP, Chief, Thoracic Medical Oncology at Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC. Listen as we discuss supportive care initiatives such as music therapy through a multidisciplinary care team lens when caring for patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

“Started an initiative to identify what some of those missing components may be, what do people most want. We tried to ensure we were aligning our goals with their (patient) goals. And we learned there were many needs, through patients and care providers that may not have been addressed previously.”

Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP

“In this initiative we really looked for community partners that were well-vetted. Patients had already had strong relationships with some of the lung cancer programs here in town, and so we tried to really partner with them. We got their input about what they think patients needed, (and) what was missing from our offerings that patients could benefit from.”

Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN

Kathryn F. Mileham, MD, FACP

Chief, Thoracic Medical Oncology

Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health

Charlotte, NC

Michele Szafranski, MS, RD, CSO, LDN

Registered Dietitian

Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health

Charlotte, NC

Susan Yaguda, RN

Manager, Integrative Oncology

Levine Cancer Institute, Atrium Health

Charlotte, NC

Resources:

Cancer Support Community

Go2 for Lung Cancer

LUNGEVITY

Lung Cancer Research Foundation

Mary B. Battaglia has been practicing clinical hypnosis for 10 years, working with clients to address many different issues like anxiety and stress. She’s supported people with different medical issues, including brain, breast, lung, prostate, and skin cancers. Additionally, Battaglia was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2021 and has used medical hypnosis to as a complimentary therapy.

By guiding people through hypnosis, Battaglia helps them let go of thoughts by entering the subconscious where their memories and imagination are. Learn how an individual can hold on to traumas, pain, or emotions from their past, as well as how these emotions can all be released via medical hypnosis, therefore, helping in the healing process.

Guest:

Mary B. Battaglia

Certified Clinical Hypnosis and Sound Practitioner, Speaker, and Author

Resources:

· Medical Hypnosis: Where Cancer & Hypnotherapy Meet

· Mind, Body, and Spirit: How Robust Integrative and Complementary Services Can Bring an Entire Cancer Program Together

· A Pandemic’s Silver Lining: Building a Collaborative Integrative Therapy Program

· Integrating Yoga Therapy into Oncology Care

· Safe Essential Oil Practice in Cancer Centers

· This Lyrical Life: Music Therapy in Oncology

This podcast is part of a special series with ACCC's Oncology Issues journal. For a deeper dive into this content, read Battaglia’s article.

While there are many factors why patients with acute myeloid leukemia are ineligible for allogeneic stem cell transplant, such as age, financial hurdles, or other comorbidities, these factors are often compounded by social determinants of health, which can act as a significant barrier to consolidation therapy and long-term remission for these patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Keri Maher, DO, Director of the Acute Leukemia Program, and assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center about strategies to address these disparities and optimize care and treatment options for patients with acute myeloid leukemia who do not receive a transplant.

“We know that patients who are ineligible for transplant may be so because of social determinants in and of themselves…[It is important to understand that] there are three categories of barriers that patients face when accessing care. I like to think of them as patient-based barriers, institutional-based barriers, and social-based barriers.” – Keri Maher, DO

Guest:

Keri R. Maher, DO MS

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Director, Acute Leukemia Program

Massey Cancer Center

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA

This is the first episode of a four-part series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Achieving and Maintaining Better Outcomes for Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and was made possible with support by Bristol Myers-Squibb.

Additional Reading/Sources

· Healthcare Disparities Among African Americans Are Pervasive in the Treatment of AML. Blood. (2022)

· Minority Health Disparities in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Metropolitan, Single-Center Retrospective Analysis. Blood. (2021)

· The American Association for Cancer Research - Cancer Disparities Progress Report

· Structural racism is a mediator of disparities in acute myeloid leukemia outcomes. Blood. (2022)

· Disparities in mortality among acute myeloid leukemia-related hospitalizations. Cancer Med. (2023)

Working under the hypothesis that a subset of de novo oligometastatic breast cancer patients who are treated with a combination of systemic therapy, surgery, and radiation or ablation of metastatic sites will have long-term distant metastasis free and overall survival, this multi-cohort, prospective, nationwide registry study will enroll newly diagnosed oligometastatic (operationally defined by local tumor boards as disease where all metastatic lesions can be ablated) HER2+ breast cancer patients. Using an online portal, physicians can download a consent form, register patients, receive a multimodality treatment pathway that can potentially cure a subset of these patient, and enter information regarding what treatment the patient received, follow up, and outcomes information. The portal also gives patients access to input quality of life and patient reported outcome measures.

Guest:

Mariya Rozenblit, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Yale School of Medicine

“Registry trials are helpful because they represent real-world data…So, for example, our trial is an online registry trial. All the information is collected online, so no one has to travel. And there’s no criteria for participation except that you must have this specific type of breast cancer...We’re hoping that by offering this clinical trial online, we can have a much more diverse patient population participating. We are hoping to get community practices from all over the country because there are less barriers to participation.”

Resources:

The CHLOE Study

ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI)

ASCO-ACCC Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Research Site Self-Assessment

Just ASK™ Training Program

Just ASK™ Training Facilitation Guide

Clinical Terms Glossary

[PODCAST] Ep 84: Increasing Clinical Trial Access for Blood Cancers

[VIDEO] ACORI Call to Action Summit: Activating Equity in Community Oncology Research

[EXECUTIVE SUMMARY] ACORI Call to Action Summit: Activating Equity in Community Oncology Research

Virtual Navigation to Clinical Trials

As biomarker testing can play a critical role in the diagnosis of rare cancers, such as NTRK gene fusion-positive cancers, hear what care teams need to know about identifying patients who may be eligible for this testing. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Eric Konnick, MD, MS, associate professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and associate director of Genetics and Solid Tumor Laboratory at the University of Washington Medical Center Fred Hutch Cancer Center about the importance of testing for NTRK gene fusions.

“It’s really important to test our patients for these [NTRK gene fusions] because there are very effective treatments now that can have dramatic effects on the outcome of these patients’ disease course, so identifying patients that can be eligible for therapy is critical…” - Eric Konnick, MD, MS

This is the first episode in a four-part podcast series developed in connection with the ACCC education program Emerging Biomarkers: Innovative Therapies for NTRK Gene Fusion Testing and was made possible with support by Bayer.

Dr. Eric Konnick, MD, MS

Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

Associate Director of Genetics and Solid Tumor Laboratory

Director of Genetics Preanalytical Services

Fred Hutch Cancer Center, University of Washington Medical Center

Seattle, WA

Additional Reading/Sources:

· Emerging Biomarkers: A Spotlight on NTRK Gene Fusion Testing (accc-cancer.org)

· NTRKers Patient Community & Support (ntrkers.org)

· NTRK Gene Fusion Infographic (ntrkers.org)

· NTRK fusion-positive cancers and TRK inhibitor therapy

Members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team—and cancer program leadership—recognize the importance of taking care of one’s own mental health to be able to provide the best possible care to patients. Yet, many care team members are hesitant to share sensitive information and/or ask for support. Breaking down the social stigma that is often still associated with seeking mental health services is key to making cancer care clinicians and staff feel a “sense of safety” and that they will not be penalized for accessing mental health services. Normalizing the conversation around mental health is critical to developing this sense of safety and culture of caring.

Guests:

Christine Cha, MD

Radiation Oncologist

System Medical Director Cancer Service Line

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Joseph Cancer Center

Tricia Wooden, MD

System Medical Director, Provider and Caregiver Wellness

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Joseph Cancer Center

“First of all, we have to acknowledge that oncologists are human—just like their patients...Everyone benefits from good mental health. And just like physical health, you have to take care of your mental health…Speaking as someone who has experienced depression and burnout out in an earlier part of my career, it is really important to understand that you are not alone and that there are resources that are aimed to help you.”

“Helping clinicians understand where their power is and helping them to feel better has wide-reaching implications on the care of our patients and the way they [clinicians] show up and function in our care teams…It is really difficult, as a non-clinician, to work for a clinician who is experiencing mental health issues and burnout. To some degree, we need to address the well-being of our clinicians first as we start to help to improve the whole health of the care team.”

Read more in ACCC’s Call to Action: Delivery of Psychosocial Care in Oncology Summit. Thank you to BeiGene, USA for supporting this important work.

Resources:

A Psychological First Aid Program in the COVID-19 Era

Community-Based Psychological First Aid for Oncology Professionals

Improving the Culture of Your Cancer Center, One Idea at a Time

Can You Hear Me Now?

Caring for the Caregiver

Removing the Blame from Burnout

Remote patient monitoring is a type of telehealth that allows patients to share data about their health with their care team in between clinic visits, including symptoms and vitals. Symptom tracking and monitoring technologies allow better management of treatment side effects, in turn allowing longer administration of treatments and improved clinical outcomes. While advantages to remote patient monitoring are well-known and documented in the literature, translation into clinical practice must account for patient preferences, equity considerations, financial sustainability, and patient/provider education needs.

In 2022, ACCC conducted a survey to measure patient, caregiver, and provider perceptions and adoption of messaging tools, electronic questionnaires, and connected devices used to track and monitor symptoms during cancer treatment. This podcast shares key survey findings.

Guest:

David Penberthy, MD, MBA

Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology

Penn State Health, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Immediate Past President

Association of Community Cancer Centers

“Through the pandemic, healthcare has been contending with workforce shortages, and so everybody is concerned about how we do more with less. Using digital tools can actually help facilitate patient engagement with the healthcare team—hopefully keeping people out of the hospital and intervening earlier so we can achieve more of what we’re trying to achieve of maintaining health as opposed to just reacting to illness.”

Read more here.

Resources:

Remote Patient Monitoring: The New Frontier in Telemedicine Opportunities

Changing the Tune for CAR T-Cell Therapy: A Music City Experience in Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote Patient Monitoring and Health Equity

Telehealth Success Stories: Remote Symptom Monitoring Using Patient Reported Outcomes

Chemotherapy Care Companion: An Oncology Remote Patient Monitoring Program

Remote Home Monitoring of Patients with Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This project is supported by AstraZeneca.

As myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) carry a heavy symptom burden which can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life, hear how multidisciplinary care and psycho-social support can help alleviate this burden for patients. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Sarah Everette, LCSW and oncology social worker at Baptist Health Louisville in Kentucky about how these types of support and coordination can optimize care for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms.

“If we get patients into physical therapy or occupational therapy early in their treatment, it helps with outcomes; it helps them [patients] not decondition so easily, especially for elderly populations. However, not only addressing their physical symptoms, but also their mental and emotional health [is important] too, because we know that we are not just caring for one aspect of the person but the whole person.” -Sarah Everette, LCSW

Sarah Everette, LCSW

Oncology Social Worker

Baptist Health Louisville

Louisville, KY

Resources:

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (cancersupportcommunity.org)

The Psychosocial and Financial Aspects of Treating Myelofibrosis (accc.org)

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

The goal of treatment for most patients with myelofibrosis is to relieve symptoms. A provider will use a formula to assign a risk category (indicating aggressiveness) for the disease. Myelofibrosis categorized as low risk may not require treatment. Instead, a provider would monitor a patient’s health through regular checkup to watch for signs of disease progression. For those patients with intermediate- or high-risk, treatment most often focuses on managing symptoms. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Aaron Gerds, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology & Medical Oncology, Deputy Director for Clinical Research at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute, and Medical Director at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Clinical Research Office in Cleveland, OH. Hear Dr. Gerds discuss standard of care treatment options and new therapies for treating patients with myelofibrosis.

“I think the biggest thing when taking care of patients with myelofibrosis is to know what is driving the disease in the patient in front of you. What are the mutations and chromosomes driving disease as well as symptoms and presentation of disease.”

“There is a big focus on quality of life for myelofibrosis, but none of these things that patients feel are solely from disease…”

Aaron Gerds, MD, MS

Associate Professor of Medicine in Hematology & Medical Oncology

Deputy Director for Clinical Research

Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute

Medical Director, Clinical Research Office

Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Cleveland, OH

Resources:

· Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

· MPN Research Foundation

This project is supported by AbbVie. 

Each year, ACCC is active at the state and federal level, advocating on behalf of its members to ensure that the rules and regulations in place do not in any way impede the delivery of high-quality cancer care. In 2023, ACCC members identified four core areas of focus among a larger set of issues and concerns that the organization will support: 1) Protect Adequate and Stable Reimbursement for Oncology Providers; 2) Reduce Delays in Care Due to Utilization Management; 3) Preserve Provider and Patient Choice in Cancer Treatment; and 4) Improve Access to and Coverage of Supportive Oncology Services.

Guest:

Barbara Schmidtman, PhD

Vice President of Operations, Corewell Health West

Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee, Association of Community Cancer Centers

“Continued access to telehealth coverage is an important topic that we need to continue to bring up over the next several years...as we look at the shortage of medical oncologists and other specially-trained providers and…the rural communities that do not always have access to highly-specialized or sub-specialized clinicians, the use of telehealth is incredibly impactful for providing care to those rural communities.”

Read more in “ACCC Announces its 2023 Advocacy Agenda” in ACCCBuzz.

Resources:

Advocacy in Action: Putting Guardrails Around Step Therapy

Compliance: Jumping Through the Hoops of Prior Authorizations and Denials to Deliver Comprehensive Cancer Care

How to Prepare for the Prior Authorization Blizzard

Study Highlights Need for Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Reform

Pharmacy Benefit Managers: How Advocacy Led to Action [PODCAST] Ep 85

State by State: Advocacy Advances PBM Reform, Part 1

State by State: Advocacy Advances PBM Reform, Part 2

The average survival rate for patients with myelofibrosis is six years. But this varies based on potential treatments. There are no drugs that can modify the outcome for myelofibrosis, and the only treatment that leads to cure is an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). However, because of the high rates of morbidity and mortality, this treatment must be carefully considered based on the patient. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Gabriela S. Hobbs. MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Clinical Director of Leukemia, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Listen as Dr. Hobbs discusses symptom scoring, risk stratification, and effective practices in building a strong myelofibrosis program.

“…If a patient is higher risk, they should be referred to transplant; also patients who are high risk are more likely to have low blood counts, low platelets, and low red blood cells that may also influence how these patients are treated.” – Gabriela S. Hobbs. MD

This project is supported by AbbVie and GSK.

Gabriela S. Hobbs. MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Harvard Medical School

Clinical Director of Leukemia

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, MA

Resources:

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

MPN Research Foundation

While significant advances have been made overall in the treatment of multiple myeloma, the management of transplant-ineligible patients remains challenging. Patients with multiple myeloma are not cured with conventional therapy. Treatment does, however, alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and prolong survival. The current standard of care for multiple myeloma patients includes an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody in either first- or second-line treatment of myeloma. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Cindy Varga, MD, Hematologist at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, NC. Listen as Dr. Varga discusses the positives and negatives with subcutaneous versus intravenous drugs in treating patients with multiple myeloma.

“There are benefits to the patient (for subcutaneous administration), it is very fast, as quick as 5-minutes. So. there is convenience there and less side effects.”

“Having patients be able to access these amazing drugs (both IV and subcutaneous) in their local infusion center, definitely helps with their up-front treatment plan. These patients are going into remissions, feeling better, and their quality of life is better on these drugs because they are so effective…”

Cindy Varga, MD, Hematologist at Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute

Cindy Varga, MD

Hematologist

Levine Cancer Institute at Atrium Health

Charlotte, NC

Resources:

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
American Cancer Society
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation

This project is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson  ACCC is collaborating with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society on this project.

Recognizing the need for better care coordination and prompted by the experience of a patient partner, WellSpan Health embarked on a multispecialty effort to reimagine how incidental nodules are managed through the lens of the Quadruple Aim: improving the patient and provider experience, lowering per capita cost of care, and optimizing the health of populations. The new care delivery model identifies, implements, and expedites patient lung nodule care in real time and provides consistent follow-up along the continuum of care. The result: patient outcomes are optimized by early intervention of undiagnosed lung cancer. This care delivery model for incidental lung nodule findings can serve as a springboard for other incidental findings and help detect other early carcinomas.

Guest:

Nikhilesh Korgaonkar, MD, MBA, FACS

Thoracic Surgeon

Chief Medical Officer

Wellspan Health Cancer Institute

“One thing I will say is that I cannot understate the importance of marking sure all the stakeholders are on board with a program like this. We have stakeholders in radiology, in primary care, in pulmonology, and, of course, in administration. And this program is the result of making sure everyone was on the same page with the goals and the desired outcomes of this program. And that really set this program for success.”

Read more in “Reimagining Healthcare for Incidental Lung Nodules” in Volume 38, Number 2, Oncology Issues.

Resources:

· Oncology Capture of ED Patients with Incidental Radiologic Findings

· Addressing ED Incidental Imaging Findings Through Navigation

· A Small, Island Community Hospital Removes Barriers to Lung Cancer Screening and Detection

· Engaging Patients & Assisting Primary Care Physicians in Lung Cancer Screening

· The Rapid Access Chest and Lung Assessment Program

· Development & Evolution of an Incidental Lung Lesion Program

As clinicians continue to seek new ways to provide the best patient care for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, a group of rare hematological cancers which can be challenging to treat, hear how recent guideline and treatment updates by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) can optimize care for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Andrew Kuykendall, MD, assistant member of the Department of Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. about the impact of these new guidelines.

“Every single patient is very different in the symptoms they present with, the duration of the disease, and what their goals are in receiving therapy. Ultimately, that often means that we don’t have a one-size-fits-all treatment strategy…Instead, we have a variety of treatment options that can provide different benefits for patients and when you have that, it merely comes down to what makes sense for the patient, what makes sense for the disease, what makes sense for the patient’s family, and what you feel as a physician is the most appropriate for the patient.” – Andrew Kuykendall, MD

This is the fourth video podcast in a four-episode series on myeloproliferative neoplasms in connection with the education program Advancing Care for Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs). This episode is supported by Incyte.

Guests: Andrew Kuykendall, MD,

Assistant Member, Department of Malignant Hematology

Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, FL

Resources:

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (cancersupportcommunity.org)

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

As soaring testing costs, coverage challenges, and heavy administrative overhead continue to impact access to guideline-concordant screening and biomarker testing, hear what multidisciplinary care teams need to know about mitigating the financial burden of cancer diagnostics. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Jan Nowak, MD, PhD and clinical chief of Molecular Pathology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Alti Rahman, MHA, MBA, CSSBB and practice administrator at Oncology Consultants, and Jordan Karwedsky, financial counselor at St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Center Green Bay Oncology, on how to reduce financial hurdles and increase access to cancer diagnostics.

“Understanding how coverage decisions and policies are made will help identify gaps in those policies, which can then be addressed…understanding this process can also enable productive appeals to payment denials when they occur.” – Jan Nowak, MD, PhD

“The cancer screening process is a community-based approach; it is something that doesn’t just belong to the healthcare provider or health system realm–it is an approach taken to educate various communities on the importance of screening.” – Alti Rahman, MHA, MBA, CSSBB

This video podcast was produced in connection with the education program Cancer Diagnostics: Transforming Complex to Clear, with support by Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, Lilly, AstraZeneca, and Amgen.

Guests:

Clinician: Jan Nowak, MD, PhD

Clinical Chief, Molecular Pathology,

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Buffalo, NY

Administrator: Alti Rahman, MHA, MBA, CSSBB

Practice Administrator

Oncology Consultants

Houston, TX

Financial Counselor: Jordan Karwedsky,

Financial Counselor

St. Vincent Hospital Cancer Center, Green Bay Oncology

Green Bay, WI

Resources:

ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

ACCC Updates Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines

Financial Advocacy Playbook

Financial Advocacy Toolkit

LIVE from NOC: Advocates Weigh-In on Financial Advocacy Guidelines Update — [MINI PODCAST]

LIVE from NOC: Financial Advocacy Guidelines — [MINI PODCAST]

As cancer programs seek new ways to improve coordination of molecular testing, hear how precision medicine stewards can streamline testing processes to improve efficiency and improve the patient experience. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Melissa Cruz-Tanner, LPN, OPN-CG, and manager of Patient Navigation Services and the newly created Molecular Processing Department at Astera Cancer Care in New Jersey about their journey from development to approval of a new molecular processor role to support precision medicine testing.

“The period of wait time [for test results] causes so much trauma to the patient—the anxiety of not knowing. With us implementing the molecular team in our practice, it allowed us to have a realistic timeline on when we could tell the patients their results would be in. It also allowed us more diversity in test selection [i.e., the ability to select specific vendors or test types based on precise timelines for processing], thus cutting the time and access to treatment and improving the overall patient experience.” – Melissa Cruz-Tanner, LPN, OPN-CG

This vodcast was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Precision Medicine Stewardship and was made possible with support by AstraZeneca and Blueprint Medicines.

Guest:

Melissa Cruz-Tanner, LPN, OPN-CG

Manager of Patient Navigation and Molecular Processing

Astera Cancer Care

East Brunswick, NJ

Additional Reading/Sources

· Precision Medicine Stewardship (accc.org)

· Precision Medicine Trends: Stewardship is on the Rise

· Precision Medicine Stewards: The Next Step in Personalized Medicine

· Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators

As myeloproliferative neoplasms carry a significant symptom burden and oftentimes can require lifelong care coordination and close monitoring, hear how a strong multidisciplinary approach can impact shared decision-making and patient engagement. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with speaks with Andrew Kuykendall, MD, assistant member of the Department of Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla. and Katherine Mast, BSN, RN at Moffit Cancer Center about the impact of multidisciplinary coordination on patient care and outcomes for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms.

“When we talk about shared-decision making, I think we can talk about it in the sense of sharing that decision-making with the patient, and also sharing it with the entire [multidisciplinary] team. We like to create that engagement where we [the multidisciplinary team] are all there together—to recount what is going on, refocus what our goals of therapy are, discuss what the different options are, and then put it in the patient’s hands to say ‘of these options, what do you think makes the most sense for what your goals are?’” – Andrew Kuykendall, MD

“Where we can make some of the biggest impact is having people on our team who really understand what it’s like to have an MPN because we see this group of patients constantly. Having one person that they can come to is wonderful, but having multiple people that are on their team that they know are there to help and answer questions can be really profoundly impactful, especially if they have a rare disease and their local hematologist/oncologist may not know as much about it.” – Katherine Mast, BSN, RN

This is the third video podcast in a four-episode series on myeloproliferative neoplasms in connection with the education program “Advancing Care for Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs).” This episode is supported by Incyte.

Guests:

Andrew Kuykendall, MD,

Assistant Member, Department of Malignant Hematology

Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, FL

Katherine Mast, BSN, RN

Registered Nurse

Moffitt Cancer Center

Tampa, FL

Resources:

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (cancersupportcommunity.org)

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Guidelines: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Multiple myeloma refers to blood cancer found within the plasma cells of bone marrow. It is a rare cancer, affecting less than one percent of the U.S. population. Currently, there is no cure for multiple myeloma, but there are treatment options that can help people live longer, healthier lives. Stem cell transplant is a standard of care for eligible patients. However, over half of patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma are not eligible for transplant due to age or other major health problems, such as heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease. And studies have shown people who are ineligible for transplant have a lower survival rate.

Listen as Dr. Yee provides treatment planning options available to patients who are ineligible for transplant.

“Overtime these patients can experience significant improvements in quality of life…they can go back to their normal routine.”

“Ultimately, there needs to be a shared decision between the patient and the care team in terms of what their goals and priorities are.”

– Andrew Yee, MD

Andrew Yee, MD

Clinical Director

Center for Multiple Myeloma at Massachusetts General Hospital

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA

This podcast was generously supported by Janssen Oncology. This podcast was developed through a collaboration between The Association of Community Cancer Centers and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Resources:

ACCC’s Multiple Myeloma Web Page

HealthTree Foundation

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

National Cancer Institute

Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) are considered highly susceptible to bacteria and viruses due to immunocompromisation. Now, in the post-COVID era, we are facing multiple viruses at the same time (i.e., Influenza, RSV, and COVID). It is as important as ever for patients with CLL to continue receiving vaccinations, as well as following safety and preventive measures such as wearing masks and social distancing. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, FCFP, DABFP, MSEd, Co-Founder, Executive Vice President, and Chief Medical Officer at the CLL Society in Chula Vista, CA. Hear the most up-to-date best practices, including shared decision-making, regarding treating patients with CLL in this post-COVID era.

“The pandemic forced into the spotlight the reality that all CLL patients, regardless of their treatment status, even those who have not been treated, are immunocompromised. Patients had to make shifts in their lifestyle.”

“I think it is important that CLL patients realize that the pandemic is not over for the immunocompromised. And the virus that causes Covid infections, is not going away.”

– Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, FCFP, DABFP, MSEd

Brian Koffman, MDCM, DCFP, FCFP, DABFP, MSEd

Co-Founder, Executive Vice President, and Chief Medical Officer

CLL Society

Chula Vista, CA

Resources:

Patients with CLL have a lower risk of death from COVID-19 in the Omicron era (nih.gov)

CLL Society

Cancer Support Community

ClinicalTrials.gov

As community care teams work to provide equitable care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), understanding disparities as well as state and region-specific barriers that impact care is critical. CANCER BUZZ speaks with Adam Kittai, MD, hematologist, and assistant professor at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute about ongoing research efforts to examine these disparities and ensuring equitable access to care for patients with CLL.

“In order to make a dent in cancer health equity, you need to have multi-level approach, including assessing what the problem is, implementing research that is small but additive, and focusing on the areas of the most unmet need. If we start to focus on the barriers that our patients experience, one patient at a time, we should be able to make a difference–if you focus on each patient in front of you and work on solving those barriers and [determining] reasons why they may not be getting equitable care as opposed to their cohorts.” – Adam Kittai, MD, hematologist, and assistant professor at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center- The James

This podcast was created in connection with the education program A Regional Approach to Advancing Care for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients. This episode is supported by AstraZeneca, Janssen Oncology, and Pharmacyclics.

Guest:

Adam Kittai, MD

Hematologist and Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology

The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center- The James

Resources:

Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care (accc-cancer.org)

Quality Improvement Case Studies

CLL: Models of Effective Care Delivery

Podcast EP 57: COVID-19 Challenges: Managing Patients with CLL

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) (cancer.org)

Addressing Racial Disparities in CLL Care - Patient Empowerment Network (powerfulpatients.org)

CLL Resources - CLL Society

Andre Harvin teases his keynote at the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit, where he will talk about innovative solutions to streamline pharmacy operations that have saved his healthcare system millions of dollars. One of those innovative solutions—robotic pharmacists.

Guest:

Andre Harvin, PharmD, MS, MBA, Executive Director of Pharmacy, Oncology Services, Cone Health Cancer Center

“We know that there are a lot of frustrations with biosimilars…depending on the payer, it may limit which biosimilar you can actually utilize with the patient…which one you’ll get the best reimbursement for, how much it will cost…There’s so much that you have to take into account, and we want to show people how you can do that more seamlessly by leveraging technology.”

Hear Andre speak live at the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit.

Resources:

Leveraging Pharmacy Informatics to Standardize Pharmacists Review of Oral Oncolytics for Hospitalized Patients

Transitioning Select Chemotherapeutics to the Outpatient Setting Improves Care and Reduces Costs

Reducing Revenue Loss and Patient Financial Toxicity with a Pharmacy-Managed Pre-Certification and Denials Management Program

Biosimilars Implementation Roadmap

The Oncology Pharmacy Navigator: A New Best Practice Model for Managing Medications

Implementation of Drug Vial Optimization to Reduce Drug Waste

Kevin Davies, author of Editing Humanity: The CRISPR Revolution and the New Era of Genome Editing, teases his keynote at the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit, where he will talk about the history of genome technology and its potential to change precision medicine. The first FDA approval for a CRISPR therapy is imminent. But can this game-changing technology deliver safe and affordable precision medicine for patients?

Guest:

Kevin Davies, PhD, Executive Editor of The CRISPR Journal and GEN Biotechnology and author of Editing Humanity: The CRISPR Revolution and the New Era of Genome Editing, Breakthrough: The Race for the Breast Cancer Gene, and Cracking the Genome; co-author of DNA: The Story of the Genetic Revolution.

“Rather than just adding a healthy gene to a bunch of cells in a patient and hoping that the gene can correct the disease in question, we now have tools, including CRISPR, to go in and actually surgically fix or repair the broken sequence in the DNA we have inherited…we are literally performing precision chemistry on the double helix.”

Hear Kevin speak live at the ACCC 49th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit.

Resources:

CRISPR-Directed Gene Editing in a Community Cancer Center
AI's Role in Advancing Cancer Prevention Detection Diagnosis Treatment and Precision Medicine
Precision Medicine Stewards: A Case Study from Sanford Health
Manipulating Data to Make Precision Medicine Magic
Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities
Development of a Model Precision Cancer Therapies Program in a Community Setting
ACCESS: The First Step Toward Analyzing Precision Medicine Data

As myeloproliferative neoplasms are a group of progressive blood cancers that can develop quickly into more serious hematological diseases, hear what community practices need to know about treating these patients quickly and the impact that timeliness of care can have on patient outcomes. In this episode, CANCERBUZZ speaks with Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, United Energy Resources Inc. professor of Medicine and hematologist oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, about when to begin therapeutic care for MPNs and the urgency of treatment.

“We learned from experience over the last ten to twenty years that early intervention—when things are not too bad—will actually help us achieve the goals of therapy. We will have a chance to significantly decrease the size of the spleen or improve the quality of life if we do not wait for patient to be terribly sick. So, early intervention in terms of identifying the problem, objectivizing it, [and recognizing] that the symptoms are there, [indicate that we] should start the therapy now—why wait?”–Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD

This is the second video podcast in a four-episode series on myeloproliferative neoplasms in connection with the education program “Advancing Care for Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs).” This episode is supported by Incyte.

Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD

Professor of Medicine, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine

Hematologist Oncologist

MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas

Houston, TX

Resources:

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (cancersupportcommunity.org)
MPN10: Track the Severity of your MF- or ET-related symptoms
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs): 7 questions, answered (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

The patient navigation world has a new kid on the block. Just when we thought we knew everything there was to know about navigators, the role has been reinvented by a concept so intuitive, it is difficult to believe that these navigators are not standard practice in oncology. Meet population health navigators—individuals dedicated to supporting a specific underserved population, including rural, Black, and Latinx populations, through culturally and linguistically competent navigation services for patients with cancer, their families, and their caregivers. These navigators share a cultural connection and language with their patients and are non-clinical professionals—legal specialists, social workers, advocacy experts—who bring valuable, real-world skills and experiences to patients’ cancer journey and help break down barriers more effectively by understanding the nuances of a patient’s culture, language, and identity.

Guest:

Emily CopusManager, Navigation Program

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

“It’s so important to have somebody who looks like you when you walk into a room, especially when you are talking about something so vulnerable as a cancer diagnosis and all the challenges that come along with it. It just allows you to connect with someone on a different level.”

Read more in “Population Health Navigators: An Innovative Approach for Supporting Underserved Patients” in Volume 38, Number One, Oncology Issues.

Resources:

The Community Health Worker: A Cancer Program’s Role in Population Health Efforts
A Digital Population Tracking System Helps Improve Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Services
Implementation of a Health Disparities & Equity Program at the Duke Cancer Institute
Genetic Cancer Screening and Testing in a Medically Underserved Community
Bridging the Gap: Early Detection of Cancer for the Medically Underserved

Because most cases of SCLC are diagnosed at advanced stages, it is rarely curable by the time of diagnosis. However, for some patients, treatment can improve quality of life. Multidisciplinary care coordination is especially important with aggressive cases of SCLC, as there may be several unique challenges to be addressed. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, MD, Medical Oncologist, Ryan Schroeder, MD, Pulmonologist, and Justin Wu, MD, Radiation Oncologist, from AdventHealth’s Cancer Institute Waterman, Tavares, FL. Hear what impact a multidisciplinary team approach can have on patient experience and health outcomes.

“The Lung Nodule Clinic is a way for us to also promote community outreach to say, not only should you get screened, and educate the public about being screened, but can help you if there is an applicable finding.”

– J. Ryan Schroeder, MD

Ahmed Al-Hazzouri, MD

Medical Oncologist

AdventHealth’s Cancer Institute Waterman

Tavares, FL

Ryan Schroeder, MD

Pulmonologist

AdventHealth’s Cancer Institute Waterman

Tavares, FL

Justin Wu, MD

Radiation Oncologist

AdventHealth’s Cancer Institute Waterman

Tavares, FL

Resources:

Cancer Support Community

ClinicalTrials.gov

Go2 for Lung Cancer

LUNGEVITY

Lung Cancer Research Foundation

Treatment for patients with CLL has undergone a dramatic transformation with the approval of oral oncolytics. Oral oncolytic treatment for CLL offers many benefits such as convenience and effectiveness. However, with the introduction of oral oncolytic treatments, cancer care teams face new challenges (e.g., medication adherence, prescription interactions, toxicity management, financial burdens, among others). CANCER BUZZ spoke to Amy Goodrich, CRNP, Nurse Practitioner at John Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Baltimore, MD. Hear about a nurse’s role in care planning, engaging patients in education, and shared decision making for treatment goals and planning.

“We’ve been short oncologists for a long time, nurse practitioners and other advanced practitioners fill that gap… But our oncology nurses are such an important part of the care of these patients with just being the day-to-day touchpoints for these folks and really knowing how to engage with patients and really flesh out what is going on with them...” – Amy Goodrich, CRNP

Amy Goodrich, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner

Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center

Baltimore, MD

Resources:

Blog: Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Practice

Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Practice

Successful Integration of Oral Oncolytics-Podcast EP 96

The Role of Pharmacy to Help Manage Patients with Cancer on Oral Oncolytics

To celebrate its 100th episode, CANCER BUZZ talks to ACCC Board Member and Treasurer Dr. Nadine Barrett about her journey with the Association—from submitting an article to ACCC’s peer-reviewed journal, to receiving a 2017 ACCC Innovator Award, to development of the ASCO-ACCC Just ASK™ implicit bias training. Dr. Barret shares how ACCC is helping improve diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in our cancer programs and in patient care.

Guest:

Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS

Director, Office of Health Equity and Disparities, Duke Cancer Institute

Director, Duke Community Connections Core, Duke CTSA

ACCC Treasurer

“ACCC is well positioned to move us forward in advancing equity. ACCC provides the resources, the support, the infrastructure to help cancer centers—community cancer centers, but also comprehensive cancer centers…equity is at the forefront of what we do as an organization…ACCC can reach populations and communities that have not been engaged historically.”

Resources:

Just Ask™ facilitation guide

ASCO-ACCC EDI Research Site Self-Assessment

Implementation of a Health Disparities & Equity Program at the Duke Cancer Institute

Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance: Improving Cancer Care in Rural Appalachia

3, 2, 1, Go! Practical Solutions for Addressing Cancer Care Disparities

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), while rare, are blood cancers that carry a significant symptom burden and can develop aggressively. Hear why community practices need to monitor symptoms carefully and about a new tool that can help assess symptoms more accurately and help care teams form treatment plans. In this episode, CANCERBUZZ speaks with Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD, United Energy Resources Inc. professor of Medicine and hematologist oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas and Julie Huynh-Lu, PA-C and physician assistant in the Department of Leukemia at MD Anderson Cancer Center, about MPNs and the integration of the MPN10 questionnaire into the electronic health record (EHR).

“As we recognize that quality of life is one of the major factors that we are to correct, we need to have an objective way of measuring how bad the quality of life is. We now have a full-fledged questionnaire, the MPN-10, which has ten questions that identify the ten most common problems that patients with myelofibrosis suffer from– which is very useful information for us to see what we are facing when we see the patients, [identify] the time to treat, and whether the treatment is helping.” –Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD

This is the first video podcast in a four-episode series on MPNs in connection with the education program “Advancing Care for Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs).”

Srdan Verstovsek, MD, PhD

Professor of Medicine, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine

Hematologist Oncologist

MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas

Houston, TX

Julie Huynh-Lu, PA-C

Physician Assistant, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine

MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas

Houston, TX

Resources:

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (cancersupportcommunity.org)

MPN10: Track the Severity of your MF- or ET-related symptoms

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs): 7 questions, answered (MD Anderson Cancer Center)

As interest continues to build around multi-cancer early detection, hear what care teams need to know about the technology and the legislative outlook for coverage for this revolutionary testing. CANCER BUZZ speaks with Anna Howard, principal of Policy Development, Access to and Quality of Care at American Cancer Society – Cancer Action Network, and Jeff Allen, president and CEO of Friends of Cancer Research, about the public health aspects of multi-cancer early detection and current policy/advocacy issues related to this new technology.

Guests:

Anna Howard,

Principal of Policy Development, Access to and Quality of Care

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Jeff Allen,

President and CEO

Friends of Cancer Research

Resources:

ACCC Multi-Cancer Early Detection – Changes on the Horizon
MCED 101: Webinar
Coverage and Legislation - Prevent Cancer Foundation
Rep. Sewell’s Legislation to Ensure Access to Groundbreaking Cancer Detection
Watch Now: A Path for Early Detection - Friends of Cancer Research

Many patients with SCLC face a high symptom burden, poor prognosis, and adherence challenges due to treatment-related adverse events, stigmatization, and emotional distress. Multidisciplinary care coordination and timely diagnosis are critical in the health outcomes of patients with SCLC. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Gustavo Cumbo-Nacheli, MD, Interventional Pulmonologist and Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine Physician at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, MI. Hear how care coordination through a multidisciplinary team can improve patient experience and health outcomes.

Gustavo Cumbo-Nacheli, MD

Interventional Pulmonologist

Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine Physician

Spectrum Health

Grand Rapids, MI

Resources:

Cancer Support Community
ClinicalTrials.gov
Go2 for Lung Cancer
LUNGEVITY
Lung Cancer Research Foundation

Patients with cancer who live in rural areas face many barriers to care, which can limit both their access and adherence to care, including traveling long distances, lack of insurance coverage, and a multitude of other social and emotional determinants. Hear how to leverage the skills of a multidisciplinary team to support patients in overcoming these barriers. CANCER BUZZ speaks with Emily Smith, MD and clinical associate professor of Pathology and Dermatology at the University of Michigan on how she addresses determinants of health in her practice and best practice recommendations for high quality care.

“There are so many factors weighing on their decision to seek care and where they are going to seek care. It can be quite complex and it takes time to sort out; we can screen all we want but sometimes it takes time beyond a screening tool to really sort out what a barrier might be and this is where conversations with [our] physicians, nursing staff, or navigators can really help to get to the bottom of each patient’s individual story and what specific needs they might have. It’s a conversation, there is no direct algorithm that we can use– every patient’s scenario is going to be unique.” –Emily Smith, MD

This video podcast has been created in connection with the education program “Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Effective Practices in Multidisciplinary Care.”

Emily Smith, MD

Clinical Associate Professor, Pathology and Dermatology

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

Resources:

Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Effective Practices in Multidisciplinary Care

Talking About Squamous Cell Skin Cancer – Cancer Support Community

Talking About Basal Cell Skin Cancer – Cancer Support Community

Caring for Someone with Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer – Frankly Speaking About Cancer

Skin Cancer Education & Research Foundation

Understanding how to navigate difficult conversations with patients facing advanced-stage cancer is an important part of shared decision making and ensuring patients feel engaged with their treatment plan. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Sunandana Chandra, MD, MS, and associate professor of Hematology and Oncology at Northwestern University in Chicago, Ill., on her approach to engaging patients in shared decision making and dispelling myths about palliative/supportive care, as well as Rachel Saks, MSS, LSW, OSW-C and senior director of Education for Cancer Support Community on tips and resources they have developed to help patients have conversations with their care team members.

Sunandana Chandra, MD, MS

Associate Professor, Hematology and Oncology

Northwestern University

Chicago, IL

Rachel Saks, MSS, LSW, OSW-C

Senior Director, Education

Cancer Support Community

Philadelphia, PA

Resources:

Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Effective Practices in Multidisciplinary Care

Talking About Squamous Cell Skin Cancer – Cancer Support Community

Talking About Basal Cell Skin Cancer – Cancer Support Community

Caring for Someone with Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer – Frankly Speaking About Cancer

Skin Cancer Education & Research Foundation

Many patients with SCLC have a high symptom burden, poor prognosis, adherence challenges due to treatment-related adverse events, stigmatization, and emotional distress. Clinical trials are taking place across the country for patients with all stages of small cell lung cancer. CANCER BUZZ spoke to David Waterhouse, MD, MPH, Medical Oncologist and Hematologist at the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center, Milford Regional Medical Center in Milford, MA. Hear how to engage patients in clinical trials and address barriers.

“Eighty-five percent (85%) of cancer care is being done in the community, not at academic centers such as ours. And so, you have to be able to meet the patient where they are. I don’t think we do a very good job of that right now, as an oncologic community.”

David Waterhouse, MD, MPH

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist

Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center

Milford Regional Medical Center

Milford, MA

Resources:

Cancer Support Community

ClinicalTrials.gov

Go2 for Lung Cancer

LUNGEVITY

Lung Cancer Research Foundation

In the last of a three-part series on “changing the culture of oncology,” Dr. Juneja says it was the realization that he was explaining the same concepts over and over to patients that led him to look to social media as an education platform—a way to share information broadly, help keep people up to date on new advances, and address medical misinformation.

Guest:

Sanjay Juneja, MD

Chief of Oncology Service

Baton Rouge Medical Center

Baton Rouge, LA

Board Member of the Louisiana Oncology Society

“We live in a time where people just want to know more…they want to be involved in their care, in what to expect, in understanding not just the disease but also the treatment.”

Resources:

Implementing and Evaluating an Online Educational Resource for Veterans with Cancer

Social Media in Hematology/Oncology

ACCC Metastatic Breast Cancer Resource Library

Older Adults with Cancer Resource Library

Tailoring Education for the Cancer Patient

While advancements in cancer diagnostics and genomics continue to accelerate, the need to centralize and improve coordination around biomarker testing is more important than ever. Hear how precision medicine stewards are helping to bridge the gaps and challenges associated with cancer diagnostics and biomarker testing. In this episode, CANCERBUZZ speaks with Crystal Enstad, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, SD, about the role of precision medicine stewards and Sanford’s experience with implementing this unique role in the multidisciplinary cancer care team.

“We really needed to educate patients, educate our staff, create streamlined processes, and ensure that we were getting testing at the right time and getting those results back to the patients to make sure we were impacting patient services and patient care when it was crucial– at the time of progression and at the time when they are meeting the physician to go over what options they have next.” –Crystal Enstad, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN

Crystal Enstad, MBA, BSN, RN, OCN

Oncology Nurse Navigator Genomics

Sanford Health

Sioux Falls, SD

Resources:

Precision Medicine Stewardship (accc-cancer.org)

Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators

In the second of a three-part series on “changing the culture of oncology,” Dr. Sanjay Juneja shares three technologies he’s excited about and why—technology that detects circulating tumor DNA to reveal if cancer is present, technology that facilitates real-time testing of a specific treatment on a patient’s tumor cells before initiation of the anti-cancer regimen, and more.

Guest:

Sanjay Juneja, MD

Chief of Oncology Service

Baton Rouge Medical Center

Baton Rouge, LA

Board Member of the Louisiana Oncology Society

“Always lean on what you know. And we know the immune system has protected all of us. If you are listening to this, you have beat cancer. And your immune system did it for you.”

Resources:

2022-2023 President’s Theme: Leveraging Technology to Transform Cancer Care Delivery and the Patient Experience

Data Analytics + Business Intelligence = Operations Insights

ACCC Forum Focuses on Technology Solutions to Mitigate Workforce Shortages

Cardinal Health: The Value of Clinical AI in Community Oncology

This first of a three-part series on “changing the culture of oncology,” offers a brief look at how treatment has evolved with precision medicine, targeted therapies, and the activation of our own immune systems to destroy cancerous cells. Dr. Sanjay Juneja also explores how—with many cancers now being treated like a chronic disease—it may be time to cancel the term “a cure for cancer.”

Guest:

Sanjay Juneja, MD

Chief of Oncology Service

Baton Rouge Medical Center

Baton Rouge, LA

Board Member of the Louisiana Oncology Society

Remote patient monitoring involves transmission of health data, such as vital signs, from the patient’s home to healthcare providers via a wearable device, mobile app, and/or home hub. Studies have shown promising results for this technology, including improvements in health equity and reductions in hospitalizations. This quality improvement project evaluated the Current Health platform to remotely monitor Black and Latinx patients with cancer.

Guest:

Ksenia Gorbenko, PhD

Assistant Professor

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York, N.Y.

Resources:

Remote Home Monitoring of Patients with Cancer During the COVID 19 Pandemic

Chemotherapy Care Companion: An Oncology Remote Patient Monitoring Program

Remote Patient Monitoring of Patients on CAR T-Cell Therapy — [PODCAST] EP 95

Telehealth Success Stories: Remote Symptom Monitoring Using Patient Reported Outcomes

Oral cancer therapies for breast cancer offer many benefits such as convenience and effectiveness, but also can add financial burden. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Aimee Hoch, LSW, MSW, Oncology Financial Navigator at Grandview Health in Sellersville, PA. Hear as our expert discusses how and when to screen patients, and then connect them to available resources to better support patients’ financial needs. This is the final episode of a four-part series.

“We like to focus on the cost of medication first, then zero in on the whole picture, such as what are the other out of pocket costs or copays.” –Aimee Hoch, LSW, MSW

Aimee Hoch, LSW, MSW

Oncology Financial Navigator

Grandview Health

Sellersville, PA

Resources:

Addressing Challenges in Oral Therapies for HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer

Evolving Standards of Care for Advanced HER2+ Breast Cancer

Financial Advocacy Playbook

Metastatic Breast Cancer Project

Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide Overview

Resource Library for HR+, HER- Breast Cancer

Live from the ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference, CANCER BUZZ interviews Erika DeBoer, the Chief Nursing Officer at Sanford Health, about the system’s data-driven approach to manage clinical workforce scheduling and staffing needs. Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the country, is leveraging technology and exploring new care delivery models to solve workforce challenges, enhance nurse satisfaction, and improve patient quality outcomes. Learn more about how this health system is gleaning new insights into clinical workforce needs to optimize future staffing and scheduling decisions.

Minute 1:08

“Our traditional ways of doing things really weren’t as effective as they could be. So, using data and analytics, as well as automating workflows, we’ve been able to optimize different ways of using our workforce, so they can focus their time and energy on taking care of patients.”

Guest:

Erica DeBoer, RN, MA, CCRN-K, CNL

Chief Nursing Officer

Sanford Health

Resources:

Health Information Technology

Leveraging Pharmacy Informatics to Standardize Pharmacists’ Review of Oral Oncolytics for Hospitalized Patients

ACCC Forum Focuses on Technology Solutions to Mitigate Workforce Shortages

Digital Solutions Connect Resources to Patients at the Right Time

Optimizing Your EHR: Real-World Experiences with Electronic Health Records

Live from the ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference, Lailea Noel, PhD, MSW, joins the CANCER BUZZ podcast to discuss the topic of her workshop today: building sustainable coalitions to support the cancer care community. During our conversation, Dr. Noel breaks down how to build trust and earn the respect of under-represented patient populations in the community, including Black, Latinx, Asian, and other people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, older Americans, and those who live in rural areas.

Guest:
Lailea Noel, PhD, MSW
Assistant Professor of Oncology & Health Social Work
ACCC 2022-2023 Board Member
Steve Hicks School of Social Work
The University of Texas Dell Medical School
LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes
Austin, TX

Resources:

Health Equity

ACORI Call to Action Summit: Activating Equity in Community Oncology Research

ACORI Clinical Research Terms Glossary

3, 2, 1, Go! Practical Solutions for Addressing Cancer Care Disparities

Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance: Improving Cancer Care in Rural Appalachia

A Virtual Summit to Define the Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery: Executive Summary

Digital Patient Assistance Guide—Ep 11 [VIDEO PODCAST]

Billie J. Baldwin, MA, MSW, LCSW-C, joins CANCER BUZZ to talk about the development of Medstar’s Regional Staff Support Program. This program, which was created to address burnout and improve retention rates, provides staff with an opportunity to participate in monthly employee celebrations, encourages peer-to-peer recognition, and enhances communication among associates. Since its implementation, providers and associates have given positive feedback about this program and regularly attend and participate in events.

“The most popular program is our Employee Celebration. It’s held monthly and there’s always a theme. One of the most popular things we do is tapping into people’s childhood…It’s just a fun 15-minute break.” – Billie J. Baldwin, MA, MSW, LCSW-C

Guest:

Billie J. Baldwin, MA, MSW, LCSW-C

Manager Oncology Support Services Program

Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Cancer Institute

Resources:

Oncology Team Resiliency

Mini Z Burnout Survey Results: Assessing Stress Levels Among The Multidisciplinary Cancer Team

Mindfulness Meditation Series

[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 74: The Business Case for Hiring Oncology Social Workers

As the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network engages key stakeholders to update its Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines using a collaborative, consensus-based process, gaining buy-in across the oncology community at-large (e.g., the multidisciplinary care team, administrators, payers, and other organizations) is necessary to ensuring positive financial health for all patients with cancer no matter where they are receiving treatment.

Guest:

Wendy Waugh
Administrative Director of Cancer Services & Ambulatory Infusion
Southern Ohio Medical Center, SOMC Cancer Center

Please note that the Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines will be made available fall 2022.

Resources

ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

ACCC Updates Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines

Financial Advocacy Playbook

Financial Advocacy Toolkit

Advocating for Financial Health — [VODCAST] Ep 12

In 2018, ACCC developed the Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines to support cancer programs and practices by proactively addressing patients’ financial concerns along the cancer care continuum, so patients can access high-quality care for a better quality of life. As the healthcare landscape continues to change and the role of oncology financial advocates evolves, the network sought to create new guidelines in 2022 for cancer programs and practices, using a collaborative, consensus-based process.

Guest

Lori Schneider
Operations Manager
Green Bay Oncology

Please note that the Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines will be made available fall 2022.

Resources

ACCC Financial Advocacy Network
ACCC Updates Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines
Financial Advocacy Playbook
Financial Advocacy Toolkit
Advocating for Financial Health — [VODCAST] Ep 12

The successful integration of oral oncolytics into practice depends on collaboration of the multidisciplinary cancer care team to guide patients through treatment with optimal medical, financial, and psychosocial support. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Mazyar Shadman, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Clinical Research at Fred Hutch in Seattle, WA. Hear as our expert describes process improvement strategies to successfully integrate oral oncolytics into practice, and highlights how patient goals can be included in treatment planning.

Mazyar Shadman, MD, MPH

Associate Professor – Clinical Research Division - Fred Hutch

Associate Professor - Medical Oncology Division- University of Washington

Attending Physician – Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Seattle, WA

Resources:

Blog: Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Practice
Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Practice
The Role of Pharmacy to Help Manage Patients with Cancer on Oral Oncolytics

As oral anticancer medications become a common treatment option, patient adherence to medication is essential to ensuring positive clinical outcomes. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Director, Center for Breast Cancer at the Yale Cancer Center, New Haven, CT, and Sandra Cuellar, PharmD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL. Hear as our experts examine challenges with oral anti-cancer therapies and provide methods to better support patients. This is the third episode of a four-part series.

Maryam Lustberg, MD, MPH

Director of the Center for Breast Cancer

Yale Cancer Center

New Haven, CT

Sandra Cuellar, Pharm.D., BCOP, FHOPA, FASHP

Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice

University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy

Chicago, IL

Resources:

Addressing Challenges in Oral Therapies for HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer
Resource Library for HR+, HER- Breast Cancer
Evolving Standards of Care for Advanced HER2+ Breast Cancer
Metastatic Breast Cancer Project

While remote monitoring platforms have been used effectively throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the burden on patients and healthcare facilities around the country, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tenn., has been using the technology in a different capacity—with its patients on CAR T-cell therapy. To avoid a lengthy inpatient stay, these patients are seen daily in Vanderbilt’s outpatient clinic and then monitored virtually 24/7 at home or—for those who must travel to receive treatment—at their temporary lodging. The remote technology alerts cancer program staff of any significant changes in clinical status that would initiate a hospital admission.

Guest:

Brittney M. Baer, BSN, RN
Patient Care Coordinator
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Resources:

Bringing CAR T-cell Therapy to Community Oncology Overview

CAR T-cell Practice Profile – Fox Chase Cancer Center

CAR T-cell Practice Profile – Billings Clinic Cancer Center

Gap Analysis: Bringing CAR T-cell Therapy to Community Oncology

IO Insight: Telemedicine and Cancer Care

Increased use of oral therapies means more freedom for patients with cancer, but also can lead to increased risks. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Tammy Smith, Family Nurse Practitioner for INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA, and Dr. Pearman Parker, Assistant Professor for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR. Hear how to educate patients and their caregivers about the risks and benefits to oral therapies for breast cancer. This is the second episode in a three-part series on breast cancer.

Tammy R. Smith, FNP

Family Nurse Practitioner

INOVA Fairfax Hospital

Falls Church, VA

Pearman Parker, PhD, MPH, RN, PMH-BC

Assistant Professor

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, AR

Resources:

Addressing Challenges in Oral Therapies for HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer
Resource Library for HR+, HER- Breast Cancer
Evolving Standards of Care for Advanced HER2+ Breast Cancer
Metastatic Breast Cancer Project

Validated screening tools for malnutrition help to improve a patient’s quality of life. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Christina Bowen, Chief Well-being Officer for Vidant Health in Greenville, NC, Dr. Egidio Del Fabbro, Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Palliative Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA and Kelay Trentham, registered dietician, nutritionist, and administrative fellow for the MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, WA. Hear about how to implement validated screening tools into your cancer program. This is the third episode in a three-part series on malnutrition in cancer care.

Christina Bowen, MD

Chief Well-being Officer

Vidant Health

Greenville, NC

Egidio Del Fabbro, MD

Professor of Internal Medicine

Director of Palliative Medicine

Medical College of Georgia

Augusta, GA

Kelay Trentham, MS, RDN, CSO, FAND

Senior Operations Specialist

MultiCare Health System

Tacoma, WA

Resources:

Making the Business Case for Hiring a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
"Prescribing" Exercise and Nutrition in Cancer Care
Supporting Cancer Survivors in Making Healthful Lifestyle Changes
That's My Farmer: A Research-Based Nutrition & Wellness Program
Telehealth: Connecting Patients with Nutrition Services
A Quality Improvement Nutrition Program
Nutrition: The 7th Vital Sign

Cancer and its treatment impact patients in many ways, beginning before a diagnosis and lasting long through survivorship. One, often overlooked, side effect of cancer—whether it be from surgical, medical, or radiation treatment—relates to patients’ sexual health. Hear how one Iowa-based program is addressing the sexual health gap in cancer care by supporting oncology professionals in having these conversations and referring patients to allied professionals as needed.

Guest:

Erin Sullivan-Wagner
A survivor of cancer, life coach for cancer survivors, and co-founder
All of Me

Resources:

All of Me: Bridging the Sexual Health Communication Gap in Cancer Care
Fertility Preservation for Women with Cancer
Pursuing Quality Cancer Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients
Cancer Care Considerations for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients
Improving Fertility Preservation Discussions for Adolescent and Young Adult Male Oncology Patients

Many cases of malnutrition are underdiagnosed and undertreated. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Dr. Christina Bowen, Chief Well-being Officer for Vidant Health in Greenville, NC, Dr. Egidio Del Fabbro, Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Palliative Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, GA and Kelay Trentham, registered dietician, nutritionist, and administrative fellow for the MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, WA. Hear about malnutrition detection processes and the use of validated screening tools. This is the second episode in a three-part series on malnutrition in cancer care.

Christina Bowen, MD

Chief Well-being Officer

Vidant Health

Greenville, NC

Egidio Del Fabbro, MD

Professor of Internal Medicine

Director of Palliative Medicine

Medical College of Georgia

Augusta, GA

Kelay Trentham, MS, RDN, CSO, FAND

Senior Operations Specialist

MultiCare Health System

Tacoma, WA

Resources:

Making the Business Case for Hiring a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
"Prescribing" Exercise and Nutrition in Cancer Care
Supporting Cancer Survivors in Making Healthful Lifestyle Changes
That's My Farmer: A Research-Based Nutrition & Wellness Program
Telehealth: Connecting Patients with Nutrition Services
A Quality Improvement Nutrition Program
Nutrition: The 7th Vital Sign

For more than a decade, the United States healthcare system has been warned of an impending oncologist shortage that is projected to occur as the population continues to age and the demand for cancer services increases. As integral members of the cancer care team, advanced practice providers (APPS) play a pivotal role in the rapidly evolving oncology ecosystem, bolstering access to quality care. Allowing APPs (e.g., nurse practitioners and physician assistants) the privilege to sign anti-cancer treatment orders not only improves access to high-quality cancer care, it can also free up physician time to see more new patients and streamline clinic workflow.

Guest:

Archana Ajmera, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP
Advance Practice Provider Supervisor
University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center

Resources:

A Virtual Summit to Define the Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery: Executive Summary
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 63: Advanced Practitioners’ Role in Research
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 65: Integrating Advanced Practitioners into Research
An APP-Physician Model Improves Risk Stratification and Palliative Care
Expediting Cancer Treatment Through a Rapid Access APP-Led Diagnostic Clinic
Filling the Gap: APP Utilization to Meet Care Needs in Oncology

In the summer of 2020, staff at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute in Columbus, Ohio, realized that many patients experiencing symptoms for cancer and those who needed further evaluation to reach a diagnosis were now actively avoiding the hospital given the COVID-19 pandemic. The underlying concern: the global pandemic might result in more patients presenting with late-stage disease that could have been diagnosed earlier. To fill this care gap, The James Cancer Hospital opened a new set of front doors to its facility—The James Cancer Diagnostic Center—where patients can be evaluated, diagnosed, and treated all under one roof.

Guest:

Raquel Reinbolt, MD
Medical Director
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute

Resources:

Rapid Access Diagnostic Clinic Expedites Cancer Treatment
2022 ACCC Innovator Award Details
ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference
ACCC Forms Alliance to Improve Cancer Care Continuum
Genetic Counseling in Cancer Care
Bridging the Gap: Early Detection of cancer for the Medically Underserved

This podcast is part of a special series on the 2022 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this content, visit ACCC’s Innovator Award website.

It’s common for cancer programs and practices to struggle with timely treatment education, consent gathering, and adherence tracking, especially when an oral oncolytic is prescribed. These challenges are due in part to older solutions that are no longer benefiting all patients equally. To better address these concerns, Baptist Health South Florida, Miami Cancer Institute in Florida turned to technology solutions that were already being used by the health system and that were well understood by their healthcare teams and patients. By using these technologies and implementing existing staffing resources, Miami Cancer Institute staff are providing high-quality cancer care without having to dip deeper into its operating budget.

Guest:

Morgan Nestingen, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, OCN, ONN-CG
Director of Nursing Services, Patient Intake and Navigation
Baptist Health South Florida, Miami Cancer Institute

Resources:

Improving Oral Oncolytic Compliance with Technology
2022 ACCC Innovator Award Details
ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference
Care Coordination: The Role of Pharmacy to Help Manage Patients with Cancer on Oral Oncolytics
Leveraging Pharmacy Informatics to Standardize Pharmacists’ Review of Oral Oncolytics for Hospitalized Patients
Defining the Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners
Improve Oral Oncolytic Workflow and Reduce Treatment Delays with a Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Agreement

This podcast is part of a special series on the 2022 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this content, visit ACCC’s Innovator Award website.

Ochsner Health, Ochsner Cancer Institute in Louisiana implemented a program—Chemotherapy Care Companion—to identify and meet oncology patients’ needs in real time. By remotely monitoring those on intravenous or oral anti-cancer treatment, providers can discover and address the issues patients may experience during and after treatment appointments, including fluctuations in vitals. Since implementation, Chemotherapy Care Companion has decreased patients’ healthcare costs by preventing emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations and improved their overall satisfaction.

Guest:

Erin Pierce, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner
Ochsner Health, Ochsner Cancer Institute

Resources:

Chemotherapy Care Companion: An Oncology Remote Patient Monitoring Program
2022 ACCC Innovator Award Details
ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference
Telehealth Success Stories: Remote Symptom Monitoring Using Patient Reported Outcomes
Remote Home Monitoring of Patients with Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This podcast is part of a special series on the 2022 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this content, visit ACCC’s Innovator Award website.

Weight loss and malnutrition can be caused by the effects of cancer, such as malabsorption, or adverse effects from cancer therapies. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Kelay Trentham, registered dietitian, nutritionist, and administrative fellow for the MultiCare Health System in Tacoma, Washington, and Christie Mangir, patient advocate and breast cancer survivor. Hear how malnutrition affects people with cancer in different ways, even impacting cancer treatment plans. This is the first episode in a three-part series on malnutrition in cancer care.

Kelay Trentham, MS, RDN, CSO, FAND

Senior Operations Specialist

MultiCare Health System

Tacoma, WA

Christie Campo Mangir, MS

Assistant Director, Education Programs

Association of Community Cancer Centers

San Francisco, CA

Resources:

Making the Business Case for Hiring a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
"Prescribing" Exercise and Nutrition in Cancer Care
Supporting Cancer Survivors in Making Healthful Lifestyle Changes
That's My Farmer: A Research-Based Nutrition & Wellness Program
Telehealth: Connecting Patients with Nutrition Services
A Quality Improvement Nutrition Program
Nutrition: The 7th Vital Sign

For cancer programs and practices, silos between specialties make it challenging to address the comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease) many patients with cancer experience. In the same healthcare system, a patient’s primary care provider (PCP) may not know what their cancer care team knows and vice versa. Hear how an embedded PCP at ChristianaCare's Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute—a 2022 ACCC Innovator Award winner—allows a patient’s oncology care team and PCP to be informed and collaborate on treatment plans when necessary.

Guest:

Debra Delaney MSN, FNP-BC
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
ChristianaCare Health System, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute

“I always enjoyed primary care…. It adds an extra layer for support for my oncology patients because they know that they can reach out to me with any question that they may have, and I get great satisfaction from caring for them.”

Resources:

A Collaborative Primary and Cancer Care Model
Patients with Cancer, Comorbidities, and No Primary Care Provider
2022 ACCC Innovator Award Details
ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference
Comprehensive Cancer Care Services
PCP Insights Needed to Improve Cancer Screening in Rural Appalachia

This podcast is part of a special series on the 2022 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this content, visit ACCC’s Innovator Award website.

With the emergence of oral cancer therapies, it is a very exciting time in cancer care. But these treatments can come with adverse events. Dr. Pavani Chalasani from the University of Arizona Cancer Center shares how she educates patients on what to expect from oral cancer therapies and her focus on one of the most underestimated symptoms for patients.

Pavani Chalasani, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Medicine

University of Arizona Cancer Center

Tucson, AZ

Related Content:

Addressing Challenges in Oral Therapies for HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer
Targeted Drug Therapy | Breast Cancer Treatment (American Cancer Society)
Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer | Breast Cancer Treatment (American Cancer Society)
2018 Hematology/Oncology Pharmacist Association Best Practices for the Management of Oral Oncolytic Therapy: Pharmacy Practice Standard
Challenges of Caregivers of Cancer Patients who are on Oral Oncolytic Therapy
Patient and Plan Characteristics Affecting Abandonment of Oral Oncolytic Prescriptions

This is the first video podcast in a series from the “Addressing Challenges in Oral Therapies for HR+, HER2- Breast Cancer” education program.

Funding and support provided by Lilly Oncology. VV-OTHR-US-DEL-0876 © Lilly USA, LLC 2022. All rights reserved.

©2022. Association of Community Cancer Centers. All rights reserved. No part of this production may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission.

While patients with cancer face many physical and psychological challenges associated with their disease and/or treatment, their social, emotional, and legal needs can lead to ongoing health disparities and reduced quality of life if left unaddressed. Hear how a unique medical-legal partnership at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System expands the clinical team to include lawyers who address the legal issues that affect patients’ health and well-being. Learn how this 2022 ACCC Innovator Award winner redefined “comprehensive care” for patients and enabled the program’s team lead to embrace her passion to consistently find joy in her day-to-day role.

Guests:

Allison L. Held, JD
Associate General Counsel & Director, Medical-Legal Partnership at VCU Health System
Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, VCU Massey Cancer Center

Resources:

VCU’s Medical-Legal Partnership Meets Oncology Patients’ Needs
2022 ACCC Innovator Award Details
ACCC 39th National Oncology Conference
Comprehensive Cancer Care Services
The Role of Community Partners in Serving AYA Patients
ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

This podcast is part of a special series on the 2022 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this content, visit ACCC’s Innovator Award website.

While telehealth has expanded the delivery of healthcare services, many populations--including older adults with cancer--lack the know-how to use technology to their advantage during their cancer journey. Lower levels of digital literacy impede patients from accessing timely information, feeling empowered to ask questions, and seeking the best treatment for their diagnosis. To support patients to become DIGITALLY EMPOWERED, learn about a free program from the Patient Empowerment Network that teaches older adults with cancer valuable technology skills to engage digitally in their care.

Guest:

Andrea Conners

Executive Director

Patient Empowerment Network

Resources:

Digital Bridges: Optimizing Telehealth for Older Adults with Cancer
Patient Empowerment Network
DIGITALLY EMPOWERED
Virtual Assessment of Physical Function in Adults With Cancer: Practical Tips
Using Telemedicine to Assess Psychological Health
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 07: Genetic Testing & Telehealth

This podcast is part of the ACCC education program, Digital Bridges. This project is supported by Merck.

The demand for medical cannabis education from both providers and patients is increasing dramatically as the stigma on its use decreases. The Cannabis and Cancer Research and Education Clinic (CanCaRE) was developed to meet this growing need--providing education on safe and effective cannabis use, dosing recommendations, and symptom management strategies. Hear how using novel agents like medical cannabis to improve their patients' quality of life is part of their overall mission to provide comprehensive cancer care services.

Guests: 

Sarah Jax, APRN, CNP

Oncology/Hematology Advanced Practitioner

HealthPartners Cancer Research Center at HealthPartners Frauenshuh Cancer Center

St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Resources:

"Holy Smokes: Developing a cannabis clinic for patients with cancer"
HealthPartners Frauenshuh Cancer Center
Minnesota Medical Cannabis Program
“Medical Marijuana (Cannabinoid-Derived Products) for Cancer Patients”
Cannabis and Cancer Research and Education Clinic Intake Questionnaire
Virtual Integrative Services — [MINI PODCAST] Ep 77
“Development of a Virtual Integrative Oncology Center“

This podcast is part of a special series with ACCC's Oncology Issues journal. For a deeper dive into this content, please read, “Holy Smokes,” from V37 N4.

Allen Beck and Rivka Shakow Beck were newlyweds when Allen was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome. Allen and Rivka were thrust into a stressful, unfamiliar situation while trying to figure out how to manage mounting medical bills and prepare for Allen’s bone marrow transplant.

Enter financial advocate, Angie Santiago. Angie discovered grants to help pay for the premiums, tapped into hospital funds to cover the bills, mapped out coverage across state lines, and more. Tune in to hear their unique experiences as patient, caregiver, and financial advocate.

Guests:

Angie Santiago, CRCS

Manager, Oncology Financial Advocacy
Thomas Jefferson University Health System, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

Advisory Committee Chair, ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

Allen Beck

Patient

Rivka Shakow Beck

Caregiver

Resources:

ACCC Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide
Financial Advocacy Boot Camp
Financial Advocacy Playbook and Toolkit
Fighting Financial Toxicity
Making the Business Care for Hiring a Financial Navigator
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 11: Digital Patient Assistance Guide
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 06: Financial Advocacy Playbook
Tips for Helping Relieve Patients of Financial Burden

The Federal Trade Commission unanimously launched a formal inquiry into the business practices of the prescription drug middleman industry—known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—in early June 2022 due to the overwhelming response of more than 24,000 public comments during their request for information.

Listen to ACCC's Matt Devino and Dr. Rahul Seth discuss why every voice is critical in grassroots advocacy efforts on both the federal and state level, and how cancer professionals who moonlight as patient advocates can help improve access to care and reduce financial toxicity for people living with cancer.

Speakers

Matt Devino, MPH
Director, Cancer Care Delivery & Health Policy
Association of Community Cancer Centers

Rahul Seth, DO
Assistant Professor of Medicine
State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Related Resources

State by State: Advocacy Advances PBM Reform, Part 1
State by State: Advocacy Advances PBM Reform, Part 2
FTC Requests Public Comments on the Impact of Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ Practices
FTC Launches Inquiry Into Prescription Drug Middlemen Industry
Oncology State Societies Advocacy Engagement Pilot
ACCC Legislative Action Center

Clinical trials are the best instrument to advance treatment for blood cancers, but numerous challenges exist around trial identification, enrollment, and participation. We’ll hear perspectives from a community provider and patient advocacy organization on immediate--and forward-thinking--solutions to help this population better access clinical trials, including a tool from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help patients identify cancer clinical trials that may be a fit.

Guests:

Ethan Binder, MD

Hematologist and Oncologist
Presbyterian Rust Medical Center

Rio Rancho, NM

Leah Szumita, MS, RN

Director, Clinical Trial Support Center
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Rye Brook, NY

Resources:

ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute
ACORI Call to Action Summit: Activating Equity in Community Oncology Research
ASCO-ACCC Joint Research Statement
Clinical Trial Support Center (CTSC)
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Research & Clinical Trial Resources at ACCC
Ep 60: Advancing Clinical Trial Equity

This podcast is the first in a series from the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI).

Hear how Vanderbilt University Medical Center created a model for integrating advanced practitioners into a radiation oncology satellite clinic to provide long-term follow-up care and survivorship services. This pilot program exceeded expectations—not only in patient satisfaction and quality of care—but generated revenue for their institution by allowing physicians more time for patient consults and treatment planning.

Guest:

Ellen R. Miller, MSN, FNP-BC

Radiation Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, TN

Resources:

Filling the Gap: APP Utilization to Meet Care Needs in Oncology
Ep 60: Advancing Clinical Trial Equity
Ep 63: Advanced Practitioners’ Role in Research
Ep 65: The Evolution of the Advanced Practitioner
[Ep 68: Supportive Care in Radiation Oncology
Summit Explores Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery

Dr. Stephen Quake, President of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network, spoke to CANCER BUZZ about the application of liquid biopsies across multiple cancer stages and their potential to improve patient outcomes, minimize financial toxicity, and create health equity through greater testing access and lower cost. He identified trends that are shaping the future of cancer research, including the amazing developments in new cancer screens for diseases where they don't currently exist. Hear about the hydroxymethylation measurement techniques pioneered by his lab, which is the exact science now being used by many investigational multi-cancer early detection (MCED) assays to screen for cancers which don’t have guideline-approved tests, like pancreatic and ovarian cancer. Guest:

Stephen Quake, PhD

Professor of Bioengineering and Applied Physics, Stanford University

Co-President, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network

Resources:

Stanford Quake Lab
Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Network
New Chan Zuckerberg Biohub awards foster research collaborations
Transforming Complex to Clear: Precision Medicine Resources
[Blog] Barriers to Liquid Biopsy
[Podcast] What You Need to Know about Liquid Biopsy
Improving the Timeliness of Biomarker Testing by Using Liquid Biopsy When Tissue Samples are Insufficient for Testing
[Podcast] Financial Barriers to Biomarker Testing
Biomarker Testing: Cost and Coverage
Bluestar Genomics | Liquid Biopsy Cancer Detection

Meeting the needs of cancer program staff to ultimately improve patient outcomes is at the heart of the presidential themes of ACCC’s current and immediate past presidents. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Krista Nelson, who advocated for the professional well-being of cancer program staff and Dr. David Penberthy, who aims to leverage technology to transform cancer care delivery and the patient experience. Hear how both tenures focus on what’s most important in the cancer care community—supporting patients, clinicians, and staff.

Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW

ACCC 2021-2022 President

Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion

Providence Cancer Institute

Portland, OR

David R. Penberthy, MD, MBA

ACCC 2022-23 President

Medical Director, Radiation Oncology, Bon Secours, Southside Regional Medical Center

Petersburg, VA

Resources:

Krista Nelson’s President’s Theme 2021-22, "Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward.”
Dr. David R. Penberthy's President’s Theme 2022-23, “Leveraging Technology to Transform Cancer Care Delivery and the Patient Experience.”
Making the Case for New Staff demonstrate the justification for hiring oncology supportive care staff.
Mindfulness Meditations help members of the cancer care team better manage stress and improve their overall well-being.
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 74: The Business Case for Hiring Oncology Social Workers
[Video] Dr. David R. Penberthy on Looking Ahead
New Association of Community Cancer Centers president looks to technology-driven solutions, article from Healio.com
[ACCCBuzz Blog] Recap: ACCC’s 48th Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit Part 1 and Part 2

While not yet mainstream in the community setting, measurable residual disease (MRD) testing has the potential to become more fully integrated into clinical practice as one of the reliable markers of treatment response for patients with multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Our guests—Drs. Rafael Fonseca and Tara Graff—discuss the benefits of MRD testing for these specific patient populations, the importance of training the multidisciplinary care team, and the promise of MRD testing to improve patient outcomes as its adoption continues to grow.

Guests:

Rafael Fonseca, MD

Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Scottsdale, Arizona

Tara Graff, DO

Medical Oncologist, Mission Cancer and Blood

Des Moines, Iowa

This podcast is produced as part of the ACCC MRD Testing Implementation Roadmaps education project and is funded by Adaptive Biotechnologies.

Resources:

MRD Testing Implementation Roadmaps
MRD Testing Implementation Roadmap for B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
MRD Testing Resource Library
Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care
Biomarkers in Hematologic Malignancies: A Focus on CLL and Multiple Myeloma
Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care

Because cancer treatment is rapidly evolving and complex, state-level advocacy is critical to help legislators understand the nuances of oncology. From issues like pharmacy benefit managers to white bagging and copay accumulators, the cancer care team knows firsthand the impact of policy decisions on the lived experiences of patients, including access to care, financial toxicity, and quality of life. Hear how state oncology societies have the power to mobilize larger groups of providers across the state to make their voices heard on behalf of their patients—and how you can get involved.

Guest:

Benjamin M. Parsons, DO 
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist 
Gundersen Health Care System, La Crosse Clinic;

President, Wisconsin Association of Hematology and Oncology (WAHO)

WAHO is a Chapter Member of the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) through the Oncology State Societies at ACCC.

Resources:

How White Bagging Impacts Patient Care
Wisconsin Advocacy Ushers in PBM Oversight
Wisconsin Association of Hematology and Oncology: Advocacy Engagement Pilot
Oncology State Societies at ACCC: Find Your Local Chapter!
ACCC Advocacy Letters and Statements

At times, being a caregiver can be an isolating experience—and especially for men who may struggle to ask for help. CANCER BUZZ spoke to Mike McGarry—who following his wife’s cancer diagnosis—was introduced to Jack’s Caregiver Coalition, a non-profit dedicated to supporting men throughout the caregiver journey.

This supportive community meets monthly to engage in unique activities like ice sculpting and axe throwing and share their caregiver experiences. This creates a safe space for men to talk openly about their struggles, offer counsel to one another, and celebrate successes. Mike shares how Jack’s Caregiver Coalition became a valuable resource that supported him as he navigated the unfamiliar role of caregiver.

Guest:

Mike McGarry

Caregiver to wife, Tracy

Jack’s Caregiver Coalition 2020 Volunteer of the Year, Jack-to-Jack Coach, and Blog Manager

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Resources:

Jack’s Caregiver Coalition
Effectively Engaging Caregivers to Support Your Older Adult Patients with Cancer
Creating a Caregiver Toolkit: 24 Tips for Caregivers
Patient Navigation: Creating a Toolkit for Caregivers
Caring for the Caregiver

This podcast is part of a special series with ACCC's Oncology Issues journal. For a deeper dive into this content, please read, “Supporting Caregivers Through Their Cancer Journey,” from V37 N2.

When the pandemic brought in-person patient services to a halt, the Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center developed a virtual platform to provide patients more widespread access to integrative oncology modalities.

Hear how a virtual integrative format can enable cancer programs to adapt touch modalities to self-interventions, leverage opportunities for research, and overcome social and economic barriers, while impacting a greater number of patients at lower costs.

Guest:

Alissa Huston, MD

Co-Medical Director, Pluta Integrative Oncology & Wellness Center

Assistant Professor of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester

Resources:

Oncology Issues journal
Views: A Pandemic's Silver Lining: Building a Collaborative Integrative Therapy Program
Rapid Practice Change During COVID-19 Leads to Enduring Innovations and Expansion of Integrative Oncology Services
Telehealth in Action
Adoption and Expansion of Telehealth Solutions
CANCER BUZZ Podcast: Telehealth After COVID-19
[WEBINAR] Using Telemedicine to Assess Psychosocial Health
[WEBINAR] Virtual Assessment of Physical Function in Adults with Cancer: Practical Tips

ACCC 48th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit

The Advisory Board Company

ACCC 48th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit

Livestrong Cancer Institute at the University of Texas at Austin

ACCC 48th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit

ACCC position on the Cancer Moonshot Relaunch

ACCCBuzz Blog: Cancer Moonshot Reignites

ACCC 48th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit

AccessHope™️

In January 2022, ACCC launched a digital version of its Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide, which allows oncology staff to quickly search for manufacturer-based financial assistance programs for specific medications as well as reimbursement resources to support coding and billing. Hear directly from a pharmacist and an oncology operations manager who were involved in the design and implementation of this digital resource. They’ll share how this interactive tool can help financial advocacy and pharmacy staff find the resources they need in less time so patients can access—and better afford—their cancer treatments when they need them. Guests:

Dean Gruber, RPh

Vice President of Industry Relations, altScripts Specialty Pharmacy

Member-at-Large, Wisconsin Association of Hematology and Oncology

Lori Schneider

Oncology Operations Manager, Green Bay Oncology

Advisory Committee Chair, ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

Related Resources:

ACCC Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide
Fighting Financial Toxicity
Financial Toxicity: A Conversation with Yousuf Zafar, MD, MHS, and Dan Sherman, MA, LPC
Financial Navigation Flowchart
Making the Business Care for Hiring a Financial Navigator
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 06: Financial Advocacy Playbook
[PODCAST] Ep 13: Financial Health Literacy
Biosimilars Discussion Guide
Mobile App Eases Patient Cost-of-Care Conversations
Tips for Helping Relieve Patients of Financial Burden

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Precision medicine is increasingly critical to selecting the right treatment for patients with cancer, but pathology reporting can be lengthy, complex, and confusing—especially in this fast-paced molecular era.

According to Dr. Timothy C. Allen, one key to moving precision medicine forward lies in simplifying and standardizing pathology reports so patients can be better informed, understand their prognosis, and own the progress of their therapies. Hear how ACCC has conducted several analyses, surveys, and focus groups to pinpoint challenges as well as opportunities to improve pathology reports for both patients and providers.

Guest:

Timothy Craig Allen, MD, JD, FCAP

Professor and Chair, Department of Pathology
The University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, MI

Related Content:

Precision Medicine: Integration of Pathology with the Cancer Care Team
[White Paper] Considerations for Pathology Reporting
[White Paper] Patient-Centered Care: Reporting and Communicating Pathology and Ancillary Test Results
Landscape of Pathology: Assess Your Program
Pathology Survey Key Findings
Precision Medicine: Transforming Complex to Clear
CANCER BUZZ TV: Ep 09: Precision Medicine Disparities

Cellular immunotherapy researchers have long been focused on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). These naturally occurring anti-cancer cells fight—from inside the tumor—against malignant cells. TIL Cell Therapy is currently being evaluated in clinical trials and encouraging study results have been presented and published.

In this episode, hear from two experts in cancer immunotherapy on the exciting potential of TIL Cell Therapy in melanoma and beyond, where cellular immunotherapy fits into the expanding range of cancer immunotherapies, and what community providers need to know.

Guests:

Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
Medical Director, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Cancer Service Line
Medical Director, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Cancer Survivorship Program
Co-Director, Medical Research, Advocate AuroraHealth
Park Ridge, IL

Mark Faries, MD
Co-director, Melanoma Program and Head of Surgical Oncology
The Angeles Clinic & Research Institute
Los Angeles, CA

Related Content:

ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute
What is Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte TIL Therapy?
Cell Therapy with TILs: Training and Taming T Cells to Fight Cancer
Clinical Trials Using Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte Therapy
Cancer immunotherapy update: FDA-approved checkpoint inhibitors and companion diagnostics
TIL Therapy Explained by Steven Rosenberg, MD, PhD
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes show ‘dramatic’ results in metastatic melanoma
Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte cell therapy ‘potentially viable’ option for advanced NSCLC

Oncology social workers are integral members of the multidisciplinary cancer care team, but their services are largely unreimbursed by payers, so cancer programs and practices must fund these positions from their bottom line. This, in turn, makes it challenging to hire additional oncology social work staff.

Hear about two new resources coming from ACCC to help demonstrate the value that oncology social workers play. In "Making the Business Case for Hiring an Oncology Social Worker," evidence-based data will show how oncology social workers help improve the quality of care and the patient experience, provide much needed support to other members of the multidisciplinary cancer team, and reduce costs of care. A new benchmarking survey will help uncover data to determine where psycho-oncology care stands for patients with cancer across the country and serve as a jumping-off point for future research.

Guest:

Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
ACCC 2021-2022 President
Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion
Providence Cancer Institute
Portland, OR

Related Resources:

Making the Business Case for New Staff
Comprehensive Cancer Care Survey & Matrix
[PODCAST] Ep 11: Sustaining Whole-Patient Cancer Care
Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward
Oncology Social Work Working Group
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 01: Real-World Lessons from COVID-19
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 59: Collaboration and Innovation in the Time of COVID-19
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 64: A Summer of Disconnect for Cancer Professionals
A Social Worker Leads ACCC, and Her Timing is Perfect

Biomarker testing is an important part of precision medicine; however, many commercial health plans and state Medicaid programs lack adequate coverage, which can have life-threatening consequences for patients with cancer who could benefit from biomarker testing.

Some good news: health insurance coverage advocates have seen “wins” in three states in 2021: California, Illinois, and Louisiana. In this episode, we spoke with two healthcare advocates who explore these recent policy changes as it relates to biomarker testing. Tune in to find out what these legislative changes mean for your program or practice—and discover approaches to advise policymakers in your state on biomarker testing.

Guests:

Hilary Gee Goeckner, MSW

Senior State & Local Campaign Manager, Medicaid

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)

Kristen Santiago, MS

Senior Director of Public Policy Initiatives

LUNGevity Foundation

Related Content:

BiomarkerLIVE Project Overview
[PODCAST] Ep 37: Financial Barriers to Biomarker Testing
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 09: Precision Medicine Disparities
[Abstract #123] Identifying barriers to equitable biomarker testing in underserved patients with NSCLC: A mixed-methods study to inform quality improvement opportunities
[Abstract] A United States study focused on patients' understanding of, attitudes towards, and barriers to the use of biomarker testing for NSCLC
Advanced NSCLC Biomarker Testing (CME/CMLE on-demand course)
Current and Future Trends in NSCLC Biomarker Testing: The American Experience
Biomarkers for Lung Cancer Screening and Detection
Biomarker Testing for Patients with Advanced NSCLC: Real-World Issues and Tough Choices (ASCO Educational Book)
Biomarkers in Lung Cancer (first page preview only)

Advances in the application of precision oncology have resulted in an increased demand for genetic counseling services. While the genetic counselor workforce is on the rise, disparities in access are widespread. Certain barriers to genetic counseling—from geography to business challenges— are impacting who can access, and benefit from, genetic counseling services.

In this episode, Dr. Colleen Campbell, University of Iowa Health Care, explains specific policy changes that can help ensure access across diverse patient groups–while also benefiting those hospitals and genetic counselors who provide these services.

This podcast is sponsored by the Iowa Oncology Society.

Guest:

Colleen Campbell, Ph.D., MS, LGC
Clinical Assistant Professor in Cardiovascular Medicine;

Director, Genetic Counseling Operations, University of Iowa Health Care;

Assistant Director, Iowa Institute for Human Genetics;

Secretary/Treasurer of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)

Related Content:

A Multidisciplinary Consortium to Advance Genetic Counseling in Oncology
The Need for Increased Access to Genetic Counselors
Improving Access to Oncology Genetic Counseling
Eliminating Precision Medicine Disparities Overview
[Video Podcast] Ep 9: Precision Medicine Disparities
Transforming Complex to Clear: New Precision Medicine Tools

In this special podcast episode, we talk with oncology social worker and ACCC President Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, about finding opportunities to practice gratitude each day for colleagues and patients.

Hear how taking the time to pause and connect during your workday can support your psychological health by reconnecting to the passion behind your job, helping you provide care with intention and compassion, and strengthening your well-being and positive social connections.

Guest:

Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW
ACCC 2021-2022 President
Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion
Providence Cancer Institute

Portland, OR

Related Content:

Mindfulness Meditation Series
Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 01: Real-World Lessons from COVID-19
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 28: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19
Trending Now in Cancer Care: Focus on COVID-19’s Impact
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 59: Collaboration and Innovation in the Time of COVID-19
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 64: A Summer of Disconnect for Cancer Professionals
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 67: Coping with Pandemic Grief
A Social Worker Leads ACCC, and Her Timing is Perfect

To support the optimization of care for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), six ACCC Cancer Program Members applied to participate in a process improvement initiative. Hear from Wendi Waugh, Director of Cancer Services, Southern Ohio Medical Center, as she walks us through the design and implementation of their plan, which focused on the need to better understand the causes of potentially preventable emergency department visits among patients with NSCLC who are undergoing active treatment. She'll then share her three tips for cancer programs who may consider a quality improvement approach to reviewing and improving their care processes. Guest: Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR

Administrative Director of Cancer Services & Community Health and Wellness

Southern Ohio Medical Center

Related Content:

Fostering Excellence in Care and Outcomes in Patients with Stage III and IV NSCLC

National NSCLC Quality Care Initiative

NSCLC Resource Library

6 Steps to Improve Care Coordination for Lung Cancer Patients

[PODCAST] Ep 24: Improving Lung Cancer Care

Biomarker Testing Implementation Roadmap for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Key Takeaways in Biomarker Testing, Patient Safety, Care Coordination, and Clinical Research for NSCLC

Advanced NSCLC Biomarker Testing (CME/CMLE on-demand course)

A New Deal for Cancer: Lessons from a 50 Year War, was published on November 16, 2021 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the landmark National Cancer Act. Dr. Randall A. Oyer, ACCC Immediate Past President and co-author of Chapter Two, A View from the Ground: The Changing Landscape of Cancer, addresses the complexity and lack of coordination and cooperation among four major care delivery settings, and how this holds us back from reaching our greatest potential in the war against cancer.

Guest:

Randall A. Oyer, MD

Medical Director, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

Related Content:

A New Deal for Cancer: Lessons from a 50 Year War
ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute
Health Equity Resources
[Blog] ACCC Pursues Health Equity Through ACORI
[Blog] New Legislation Expands Access to Clinical Trials
[Blog] Cancer Survivors Share Their Stories
[Blog] Bill to Improve Access to Genetic Counseling Introduced in House and Senate

A New Deal for Cancer: Lessons from a 50 Year War

While the identification of actionable biomarkers is fueling huge advancements in precision medicine and targeted therapies for the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), access to these tests and associated therapies are not consistent throughout the healthcare system and have the potential to worsen existing health disparities. Hear from two authors of an ACCC/LUNGevity Foundation study that identified key areas of clinician need related to biomarker testing in NSCLC, including increased guideline familiarity, practical applications of guideline-concordant testing, enhancing patient-clinician discussions and education, and access to appropriate clinical trials.

Guests:

Christopher S. Lathan, MD, MS, MPH

Chief Clinical Access and Equity Officer, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute;

Associate Medical Director, Dana-Farber at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center;

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Nikki Martin

Director of Precision Medicine Initiatives

LUNGevity Foundation

Related Content:

Fostering Excellence in Care and Outcomes in Patients with Stage III and IV NSCLC

[PODCAST] Ep 37: Financial Barriers to Biomarker Testing

[Abstract #123] Identifying barriers to equitable biomarker testing in underserved patients with NSCLC: A mixed-methods study to inform quality improvement opportunities

[Abstract] A United States study focused on patients' understanding of, attitudes towards, and barriers to the use of biomarker testing for NSCLC

Molecular Diagnostics in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Advanced NSCLC Biomarker Testing (CME/CMLE on-demand course)

Current and Future Trends in NSCLC Biomarker Testing: The American Experience

Biomarkers for Lung Cancer Screening and Detection

Biomarker Testing for Patients With Advanced NSCLC: Real-World Issues and Tough Choices (ASCO Educational Book)

Biomarkers in Lung Cancer (first page preview only)

Caring for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depends on many factors and can vary as much as the patients themselves. As such, shared decision-making—those collaborative conversations between patient and physician that guide the treatment trajectory—are critical to align goals and help determine what’s best for each patient.

Due to the challenges COVID-19 presents for immune-compromised individuals, clinicians are having more complex discussions with their patients diagnosed with AML—including how to proceed with the COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot.

Guests:

Jonathan Abbas, MD

Director of Acute Leukemia Program

Tennessee Oncology

Ehab Atallah, MD

Professor of Medicine and Section Head of Hematological Malignancies

Medical College of Wisconsin

Catherine Lai, MD, MPH

Director of Leukemia

Georgetown University Medical Center

Related Content

Podcasts:

• What Comes Next for Telehealth?
• [PODCAST] Ep 66: CLL, COVID-19, and Why Patient Registries Matter
• [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 02: Myeloma Care Strategies & COVID-19
• [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 04: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Navigating Uncertainty
• [PODCAST] Ep 57: COVID-19 Challenges: Managing Patients with CLL

Webinars:

• Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education
• The COVID-19 Vaccine for Patients with CLL and Other Cancers
• Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models Six-Part Webinar Series
• Supporting the Patient Journey: A Closer Look at Adult ALL

Publications:

• MRD Testing Implementation Roadmap
• Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Quality Improvement Oncol Issues. 2021;36(2):50-61.
• Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models: Effective Practices to Improve Patient Care & the Patient Experience
• Multidisciplinary Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Care: Models of Quality Improvement [Oncology Issues]

This podcast is produced as part of the “Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education” program.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode, we’ll hear what genetic counselors wish providers would say to their patients. We’ll uncover a few common barriers to genetic counseling and testing for patients with cancer and—from the genetic counselor’s perspective—how providers can help improve the uptake of testing delivered via telehealth to educate, inform, and improve patient care. Genetic counselors—as members of the cancer care team—can help patients better understand their cancer diagnosis, make informed treatment decisions, and navigate the financial costs of testing.

Guest:

Katie Lemas, MS, CGC
Certified Genetic Counselor
Genome Medical

Related Resources

[WEBINAR] Using Telemedicine to Assess Psychosocial Health
[WEBINAR] Virtual Assessment of Physical Function in Adults with Cancer: Practical Tips
Metastatic Breast Cancer Digital Resource Library
Effective Principles & Practices in Patient Support Workbook (Part I)
Effective Principles in Action Publication (Part II)
Multidisciplinary Team Communication: Survey Highlights
The Need for Increased Access to Genetic Counselors
Genetic Counselor Extenders Help Meet Growing Demand for Services
Bill to Improve Access to Genetic Counseling Introduced in House and Senate
Making the Business Case for Hiring a Board-Certified Genetic Counselor
[PODCAST] Ep 53: Telehealth & Genetics During COVID-19

This video podcast is part of the ACCC Multidisciplinary Metastatic Breast Cancer Project.

One serious, unwanted side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is the potential for “substantial” consequences for cancer outcomes due to delayed access to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Hear from the author of a study that detected a substantial decrease (among American seniors) in cancer screenings, visits, therapy, and surgeries. The study concluded that—if left unaddressed—these decreases and delays in identifying new cancers and in treatment delivery would increase cancer morbidity and mortality for years to come.

Guest:

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, FASCO

Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives

Texas Oncology

Related Content:

ASCO Road to Recovery Report: Learning From the COVID-19 Experience to Improve Clinical Research and Cancer Care
ACCC 38th [Virtual] National Oncology Conference
[PODCAST] Ep 47: Telehealth after COVID-19
Telemedicine and Cancer Care: Today’s Learnings for a Post-Pandemic World
[PODCAST] Ep 56: What Comes Next for Telehealth?
[BLOG] Managing COVID+ Oncology Patients at Home During Treatment
[BLOG] Extending Telehealth Beyond the Pandemic
Telehealth Resource Library
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 64: A Summer of Disconnect for Cancer Professionals
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 67: Coping with Pandemic Grief

At Stanford Health Care, an experienced licensed clinical social worker with oncology certification has developed a full-time behavioral health role within the organization’s large radiation oncology department, including leading the self-care segment for the department’s internal podcast.

By creating this staff podcast, Stanford Health Care’s Radiation Oncology Department came up with a way to bring staff together, get to know each other a little better, acknowledge the emotional and psychological toll of caring for cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and support well-being for each other as well as for those they care for.

Guest:

Jenny Kwak, LCSW, OSW-C
Behavioral Health Clinician, Radiation Oncology

Stanford Health Care

Related Content

ACCC President’s Theme: Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward

Writing Medicine: Reflective writing sessions for healthcare workers and their loved ones in the time of Covid-19

Stanford’s Medicine and the Muse Program

[Blog] Why Social Workers Are Essential: A Q&A With ACCC’s New President

[Podcast] Ep. 11 Sustaining Whole Patient Care

[Podcast] Ep. 2 Fostering Cancer Care Team Resiliency & Well-Being

[Video Podcast] Ep. 1 Real World Lessons From COVID-19

From Oncology Issues Journal

Caring for the caregiver

Mind, body, and spirit

Behavior health assessment and intervention for oncology patients

The trauma of cancer: caring for the mind and the body

Guided patient support

Financial advocacy is a complex field of work that requires advocates keep up with the evolving healthcare landscape of payer policies, cancer treatment options, available financial assistance, and more. To support new—and experienced—staff who preform financial advocacy services, the ACCC Financial Advocacy Network created the “Ready, Set, Go! Financial Advocacy Playbook.” In this episode, we discuss the great need this robust resource fills in helping relieve financial toxicity, so patients can focus on their cancer care. Guest:

Rifeta Kajdic
Oncology Program Manager, St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, Boise, Idaho
Advisory Committee Member and Workforce Task Force Member, ACCC Financial Advocacy Network

Related Content:

ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp
Making the Business Case for Hiring a Financial Navigator
Financial Advocacy Toolkit
Financial Advocate Spotlight
ACCC Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide
ACCC 2021 Oncology Reimbursement Meetings
Trending Now in Cancer Care
[On-Demand Webinar] Make the Most of Financial Resources and Improve the Reimbursement Process in Your Cancer Program
[Podcast] Ep 13: Financial Health Literacy
Advocating Amid a Crisis: The Expanding Role of financial Advocates in the Age of COVID-19
Fighting Financial Toxicity
Financial Advocacy Network 2019-2020 Census Survey
[Abstract] Assessing Effectiveness of a Self-Guided Training Program for Oncology Financial Advocates

In this special podcast episode, we talk with oncology social worker and ACCC President Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, about the overwhelming grief of the pandemic and its toll on cancer care professionals.

She reflects on how healthcare professionals are coping with fear and processing grief, and the signs of grief that people should look for in themselves. Krista shares the importance of self-awareness and being vulnerable, and learning how to voice one’s needs during this stressful time to family and friends who are not in healthcare.

Guest:

Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW

ACCC 2021-2022 President

Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion

Providence Cancer Institute

Portland, OR

Related Content:

Mindfulness Meditation Series
Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward
[VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 01: Real-World Lessons from COVID-19
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 28: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19
Trending Now in Cancer Care: Focus on COVID-19’s Impact
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 59: Collaboration and Innovation in the Time of COVID-19
[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 64: A Summer of Disconnect for Cancer Professionals
A Social Worker Leads ACCC, and Her Timing is Perfect

During the summer months of 2021, community transmission rates of COVID-19 have again surged across the U.S. People with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other blood cancers, who are immunocompromised, face added risk from COVID-19 and need more information on vaccine and booster shot efficacy.

In this episode, Gwen Nichols, MD, Chief Medical Officer, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), explains how patients are helping researchers discover these answers through participation in the LLS National Patient Registry and the far-reaching effects their participation will have on improving care for patients with blood cancer.

Guest: Gwen Nichols, MD

Chief Medical Officer

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)

Related Content

Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Resources for Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
[PODCAST] Ep 61: CLL Patient Education in Transitional Times
[PODCAST] Ep 57: COVID-19 Challenges: Managing Patients with CLL
[WEBINAR] Learning from COVID-19: Coping Strategies for CLL Providers & Patients
[WEBINAR] Plain & Simple: Strategies for Improving Health Literacy
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
LLS National Patient Registry
A study from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society shows COVID-19 vaccine is safe but 25% of blood cancer patients do not produce detectable antibodies. Read the full paper published in Cancer Cell here.
COVID-19 vaccine safety among blood cancer patients
COVID-19 vaccine FAQ for patients and caregivers

While most cancer programs in the United States report that they employ advanced practitioners (APs), they are often not utilized to the full scope of their abilities in clinical research. In this episode, Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN, FAAN, shares the evolution of the advanced practitioner role at her institution, where APs have a larger voice in the research process and clinical trial protocols, serve as champions to advocate for patients and research staff, and collaborate with their team to promote best practices in clinical trial delivery. Guest: Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN, FAAN Nurse Practitioner Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, Ohio This is the third mini-podcast in a series, which highlights key takeaways from the spring 2021 ACCC-Harborside Virtual Summit to “Define the Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery.” Related Content: -[MINI-PODCAST] Ep 60: Advancing Clinical Trial Equity -Paving the Way for APPs in Clinical Research [Oncology Issues article] -How Oncology Advanced Practitioners Can Enhance Community Oncology Research [On-demand webinar] -Disparities in Cancer Research: A Precursor to Disparate Cancer Outcomes: Health Equities -Clinical Cancer Advances 2021: ASCO's Report on Progress Against Cancer -The Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard developed a comprehensive guidance document and supplementary toolkit to enhance diversity in clinical trials. -ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute -ASCO-ACCC Initiative to Increase Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Clinical Trials -In Pursuit of Equity: Diversity in Clinical Research Participation [Webinar] -Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color [Webinar]

A physician and administrator champion at Cone Health Cancer Center talk about why it’s more important than ever to make transportation assistance available to patients with cancer and how these services help improve health outcomes and the patient experience. Hear how an awareness of social determinants of health can improve health equity and reduce disparities, and how to make the business case to gain buy-in from hospital and healthcare leadership.

For those looking to implement a similar program, our guests suggest a three-prong approach: develop your playbook, build your infrastructure, and then pilot your program before scaling it up.

Guests:

Skip Hislop, MS, R(T)R

Vice President, Oncology Services

Cone Health Cancer Center

Greensboro, NC

Matthew Manning, MD

Chief of Oncology

Cone Health Cancer Center

Greensboro, NC

Relevant Content:

Implementing a Transportation Hub: A Holistic Approach to a Systemic Problem
Catch a Ride, Save a Life: Transportation Program Reduces No-Shows
The Study of High-Cost Oncology Patients to Improve Care & Curb Costs
Growing a Patient Transportation Program
The Non-Emergency Transportation (NET) Program
ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp
ACCC Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines
[PODCAST] End of Life Disparities
[PODCAST] Cultural Humility and Sensitivity
Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color
BLOG: Closing Care Gaps for LGBTQI+ Cancer Providers
BLOG: Community Outreach to Address Disparities in Cancer Care
Cancer Care Considerations for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients

As pandemic restrictions begin to loosen in many communities across the country, patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) face greater uncertainty in this “new normal” due to their increased risk for contracting COVID-19 and a lower response rate to the vaccine. On this episode, three clinicians discuss their experiences with difficult conversations on the relative risks and benefits around treatment decisions, engaging the entire cancer team in shared decision-making with patients, accessing emerging evidence and data in this rapidly evolving environment, and the potential impact of variant exposure on this unique patient population.

Guests:

John N. Allan, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology

Weill Cornell Medicine

New York, NY

Mark J. Fesler, MD

Director, Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

Division of Hematology and Oncology

Saint Louis University

St. Louis, MO

Susannah P. Friemel, MD

Owner/President

Iowa Cancer Specialists, PC

Davenport, IA

Related Content * [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 02: Myeloma Care Strategies & COVID-19 * Trending Now in Cancer Care Resources * Telehealth at Its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format * Telemedicine and Cancer Care: Today’s Learnings for a Post-Pandemic World * ACCC Telehealth Resources * [PODCAST] Episode 28: Telehealth & Genetics During COVID-19 * [PODCAST] Mini-Podcast: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19

On this CANCER BUZZ podcast, we focus on the mental and emotional toll the pandemic continues to have on cancer care professionals who acknowledge that we’re not on the other side of the pandemic—while much of the public experiences a “summer of joy” due to rising vaccination rates. This week’s guest is Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW, oncology social worker and ACCC President. She explains the concerns of cancer care professionals who continue to deal with the challenges of caring for patients with cancer as a global pandemic continues to wear on their own well-being. Guest: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW ACCC 2021-2022 President Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion Providence Cancer Institute Portland, OR Related Content: • Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward • [VIDEO PODCAST] Ep 01: Real-World Lessons from COVID-19 • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 28: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19 • Trending Now in Cancer Care: Focus on COVID-19’s Impact • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 59: Collaboration and Innovation in the Time of COVID-19 • [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 58: Impact of COVID-19 on Revenue Optimization • A Social Worker Leads ACCC, and Her Timing is Perfect • Mindfulness Meditation Series

In this episode, we'll explore how oncology advanced practitioners (APs) can play a greater role in clinical research and, according to a recent national study, have a strong interest in doing so. Hear how APs can leverage their deep role in the day-to-day cancer care decisions to improve diversity in clinical trials by bringing their experience to trial design and the accrual process. Guest: Christa Braun-Inglis, MS, APRN, FNP-BC, AONP Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Researcher University of Hawaii Cancer Center Honolulu, Hawaii Related Content [MINI-PODCAST] Ep 60: Advancing Clinical Trial Equity Paving the Way for APPs in Clinical Research [Oncology Issues article] How Oncology Advanced Practitioners Can Enhance Community Oncology Research [On-demand webinar] Disparities in Cancer Research: A Precursor to Disparate Cancer Outcomes: Health Equities Clinical Cancer Advances 2021: ASCO's Report on Progress Against Cancer The Multi-Regional Multi-Regional Clinical Trials Center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard developed a comprehensive guidance document and supplementary toolkit to enhance diversity in clinical trials. ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute ASCO-ACCC Initiative to Increase Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Clinical Trials In Pursuit of Equity: Diversity in Clinical Research Participation [Webinar] Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color [Webinar]

To get paid for oncology services rendered, correct coding and billing are essential. For oncology leaders, this means paying attention to the big picture, as well as keeping up with ongoing policy and regulatory changes. In this episode, Teri Bedard covers current Medicare supervisory oversight requirements, why site of service matters, and where to go for “need to know” oncology coding and billing updates.

Guest:

Teri Bedard, BA, RT(R)(T), CPC

Executive Director, Client and Corporate Resources

Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies

Related Content:

The 2022 Proposed PDF and OPPS Rules: Practical Implications and Considerations (Live Webinar: Friday, August 13, 2021)
The 2022 PFS and OPPS Final Rules: What You Need to Know (Live Webinar: Friday, December 10, 2021)
Billing and Coding Fundamentals for Leaders in Oncology [On-Demand Webinar]
Oncology Issues 2021 Compliance Column
Spring 2021 Oncology Reimbursement Meetings (On-Demand Webinars)
CMS MedLearn Matters Fact Sheet: ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, AND HCPCS Code Sets
Medicare Learning Network
AHA Coding Clinic Advisor

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected treatment planning and shared decision-making for individuals with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In this episode, we'll discuss how patient education has become even more critical as the pandemic recedes and restrictions loosen.

Hear specific tactics to help patients better retain and ensure understanding of what is communicated during their education appointments, and effective practices to support patients with CLL through this new world of uncertainty.

Guest:

Marie Sirek, PharmD, BCACP, CPP

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist I Oral Oncology;

Interim Lead – Ambulatory Care Pharmacy

Billings Clinic, Billings, Montana

RELATED CONTENT:

Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Resources for Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Let's Be Clear: Communicating to Improve the Cancer Patient Experience
Improving Patient Communication: Using the Ask Me 3® Tool
Podcast Ep 57: COVID-19 Challenges: Managing Patients with CLL
Webinar: Learning from COVID-19: Coping Strategies for CLL Providers & Patients
Webinar: Plain & Simple: Strategies for Improving Health Literacy
Blog: Social Workers Promote Health Literacy with Ask Me 3

The COVID-19 pandemic propelled rapid uptake of telehealth across healthcare. In this episode, we talk with an experienced cancer center information technology (IT) professional about how the role of the IT professional in quality, patient-centered cancer care delivery and what lies ahead. Guest:

Brian Dunn

Unified Communications Engineer for Tele-Oncology

UVA Health, Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth, Telehealth Operations

Related Content:

Adoption and Expansion of Telehealth Solutions Education Project
Telehealth Resources
[PODCAST] Ep 56: What Comes Next for Telehealth?
[PODCAST] Ep 47: Telehealth after COVID-19
ACCC 47th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit: telehealth sessions
UVA Telemedicine

Increasing diversity and equity in clinical trials will require buy-in and commitment from all stakeholders in the research enterprise. In this episode, Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, talks about the critical role oncology advanced practitioners can play in moving the needle on equity and inclusion in cancer clinical trials.

In spring 2021, ACCC and Harborside hosted a Virtual Summit to Define on the Role Oncology Advanced Practitioners in Equitable Cancer Care Delivery. Each summit session focused one specific domain of care delivery—Care Coordination and Communication; Clinical Trials; and Acknowledging and Mitigating Implicit Bias. Look for more on the Summit findings coming soon to the ACCC website.

Guest:

Colleen Lewis, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP

Director of Clinical Operations, Phase I Program;

Interim Director, Infusion Center Clifton

The Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Related Content:

ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute

ASCO-ACCC Initiative to Increase Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Clinical Trials

Real World Lessons from COVID-19 [Video Podcast]

Ep 52: End of Life Disparities [Podcast]

Ep 51: Cultural Humility and Sensitivity [Podcast]

Ep 49: Building Trust with Marginalized Groups [Mini-Podcast]

In Pursuit of Equity: Diversity in Clinical Research Participation [Webinar]

Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color [Webinar]

Implementation of a Health Disparities & Equity Program at the Duke Cancer Institute,

Paving the Way for APPs in Clinical Research

[Abstract 95] Role of Oncology Advanced Practitioners to Enhance Clinical Research

Research Review: Making Clinical Trials More Inclusive, Diverse, Accessible, and Representative

Phase 1 Clinical Trials in the Elderly: Enrollment Challenges

Bias and stereotyping among research and clinical professionals: perspectives on minority recruitment for oncology clinical trials

As COVID-19 vaccinations increase, mask mandates recede, and pandemic-related restrictions ease, multiple myeloma care teams and patients are moving through transitioning environments—in the clinic, at home, and in their community.

In this episode, insights from specialists in multiple myeloma care point to resources and tools that may help providers and patients move smoothly through this time of transition while maintaining high quality care. Three providers with deep expertise in multiple myeloma share their perspectives on added drivers of patient stress, treatment adherence, in-clinic and virtual visits, vaccination for patients with myeloma, apps for managing medication-related changes, connecting patients with specialists via telehealth, and more.

Guests:

Parameswaran Hari, MD, MRCP, MS

Armand J. Quick/William F. Stapp Professor of Hematology

Chief, Division of Hematology Oncology

Medical College of Wisconsin

Adriana Rossi, MD, MSc

Associate Director, Myeloma Center

Weill Cornell Medicine

Jessica Unzaga, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP

Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator

Miami Cancer Institute, Baptist Health South Florida

Related Resources:

Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education

Webinars:

Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education
The COVID-19 Vaccine for Patients with CLL and Other Cancers
Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models Six-Part Webinar Series

Publications:

Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Quality Improvement Oncol Issues. 2021;36(2):50-61.
Multiple Myeloma Dispensing Models: Effective Practices to Improve Patient Care & the Patient Experience
Multidisciplinary Multiple Myeloma Care: Models of Effective Care Delivery
The Transplant Treatment Path: Optimizing Patient-Centered Care for ASCT in Multiple Myeloma

On this inaugural episode of CANCER BUZZ TV, we sat down with ACCC President Krista Nelson, an oncology social worker at Providence Cancer Institute, where she shared how her personal experiences during the pandemic—and those of her colleagues and patients—deeply impacted her and influenced the development of her 2021-2022 ACCC President’s Theme, ‘Real-World Lessons from COVID-19: Driving Oncology Care Forward.’

Guest:

Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW ACCC 2021-2022 President
Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion
Providence Cancer Institute, Portland, Oregon

Relevant Content:

Practical Solutions to Better Engage Cancer Professionals with Communities of Color
[PODCAST] Collaboration and Innovation in the Time of COVID-19
Trending Now in Cancer Care 2020 Report
[PODCAST] End of Life Disparities
[PODCAST] Cultural Humility and Sensitivity
BLOG: Closing Care Gaps for LGBTQI+ Cancer Providers
BLOG: Community Outreach to Address Disparities in Cancer Care
Cancer Care Considerations for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients
Community-Based Psychological First Aid for Oncology Professionals
Making the Business Case for Hiring Supportive Care Staff
[PODCAST] Why Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Matter

When COVID-19 started to spread across the country, Montefiore Health System in the Bronx, New York, was at the epicenter, with more than 4,000 simultaneously hospitalized patients at one point.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we’ll delve into the dramatic changes in care delivery this medical center underwent during the pandemic, lessons learned along the way that will help pave their way forward, and how the spirit of collaboration and innovation that emerged in 2020 will remain long after the pandemic.

Guest: Una Hopkins, RN, FNP-BC, DNP, Director for Research and Evidence Based Practice, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY

Related Content:

Trending Now in Cancer Care Resources
[PODCAST] Impact of COVID-19 on Revenue Optimization
COVID-19 Resource Center
Health Equity, Research & Clinical Trials, and Telehealth Resources
Telehealth at Its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format
Telemedicine and Cancer Care: Today’s Learnings for a Post-Pandemic World
[PODCAST] Episode 28: Telehealth & Genetics During COVID-19
[PODCAST] Mini-Podcast: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19
Cancer & COVID-19: The Road to Recovery
Shifting Community Outreach Priorities During COVID-19
COVID-19 Financial Advocacy Resources Hub

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode of the CANCER BUZZ podcast, we’ll explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial health of cancer programs and practices across the country, from lower patient volume and screening interventions and decreased revenue streams.

Guest: Douglas B. Flora, MD, LSSBB, Executive Medical Director, Oncology Services, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Independence, Kentucky

Related Content:

Trending Now in Cancer Care Resources
COVID-19 Resource Center
Health Equity, Research & Clinical Trials, and Telehealth Resources
Telehealth at Its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format
Telemedicine and Cancer Care: Today’s Learnings for a Post-Pandemic World
[PODCAST] Episode 28: Telehealth & Genetics During COVID-19
[PODCAST] Mini-Podcast: Staff Resiliency During COVID-19
Cancer & COVID-19: The Road to Recovery
Shifting Community Outreach Priorities During COVID-19
COVID-19 Financial Advocacy Resources Hub

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

This episode of CANCER BUZZ explores challenges related to COVID-19 vaccination in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) and as pandemic restrictions are lifted, considerations for keeping these patients as safe as possible.

Guest: Christopher D'Andrea, PA-C, Physician Assistant, Cleveland Clinic, Taussig Cancer Center

Webinars

Learning from COVID-19: Coping Strategies for CLL Providers & Patients

Thursday, May 20, 2021, 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM EDT

The pandemic has heightened the distress patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are experiencing and taken its toll on providers. We’ll discuss strategies and solutions to these ubiquitous challenges and the path forward for providers and patient care.

CLL Treatment Considerations: COVID-19 and Beyond

Tuesday, May 25, 2021, 3:00 PM to 3:30 PM EDT

The pandemic has deeply affected the treatment patterns for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Hear considerations for treating patients with CLL during the pandemic--including best options and timing for treatment and any changes to the usual treatment regimen.

The COVID-19 Vaccine for Patients with CLL and Other Cancers(recorded 4/20/21) Hear current considerations for COVID-19 vaccines and the respective NCCN guidance for patients with CLL and other cancers.

Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Hematology Disease Education

(recorded 4/27/21)

An expert panel shares insights and updates on lessons learned for managing patients with hematologic cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measurable Residual Disease (MRD) Clinical Updates in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (recorded 12/16/20)

Gain perspectives on the assessment of MRD as part of routine clinical practice for patients with CLL. The presentation will be valuable for understanding the impact of MRD on treatment decisions and practice patterns, which has promise to lead to major improvements in outcomes for CLL patients in the very near future.

ACCC Publications

Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care: Quality Improvement Case Studies. Despite the challenges unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic, three ACCC-member cancer programs participated in quality improvement (QI) workshops and completed subsequent QI projects aimed at improving specific aspects of care for their patients with CLL. Learn about the focus and results of their QI initiatives and

Multidisciplinary Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care. Read an overview of the current CLL treatment landscape and learn how three cancer programs in different care settings have operationalized multidisciplinary care delivery for patients with CLL.

From the American Society of Hematology:

COVID-19 and CLL: Frequently Asked Questions

(Last updated February 2, 2021)

Q&A with input provided by Mazyar Shadman, MD; John Byrd, MD; Michael Hallek, MD; Jennifer Brown, MD, PhD; Peter Hillmen, MBChB, FRCP, FRCPath, PhD; Anthony Mato, MD; and Paolo Ghia, MD, PhD.

This podcast is produced as part of the “Returning to Practice in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Resources for Treating Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia” education program.

Learn more at accc-cancer.org/projects/post-covid-cll/overview.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Long lagging in acceptance from providers, patients, and payers, telehealth has undergone a renaissance in use due tothe COVID-19 pandemic, enabling millions of peopleto receive care remotely for the first time. Patient advocates who had lobbied for the reimbursement of remote care for years saw a drastic reversal of policies, with public and private payers suspending their rules which had previously limited reimbursement for telehealth. Now that the pandemic appears to be ebbing in parts of the country, providers are wondering whether the regulatory and policy changes enacted during 2020 will remain. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we talk about what may change and what’s likely to remain the same regarding reimbursement for telehealth this year and beyond.

Guest: Mei Wa Kwong, JD, Executive Director, Center for Connected Health Policy

Related Content:

What Telehealth May Look Like in 2021
ACCC Telehealth Resources
Adoption and Expansion of Telehealth Solutions
CANCER BUZZ Podcast: Telehealth After COVID-19
On-Demand Webinar: Telehealth Reimbursement Update
CMS: Sweeping Regulatory Changes to Help U.S. Healthcare System Address COVID-19 Patient Surge
USNews: The Coronavirus Pandemic and the Transformation of Telehealth
McKinsey & Company: Telehealth: A quarter-trillion-dollar post-COVID-19 reality?

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Five years ago, the FDA approved the first liquid biopsy test for use in patients with cancer, providing cancer teams and patients a less invasive and more efficient way to detect disease. But liquid biopsies aren’t cheap, and reimbursement for them can be unpredictable and confusing.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about the current clinical applications of liquid biopsies, associated reimbursement issues, and what you can do to implement these tests at your program.

Guests:

J. Nicholas Bodor, MD, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center
Kathryn A. Phillips, PhD, Professor of Health Economics and Health Services Research; Director, Center for Translational and Policy Research on Personalized Medicine (TRANSPERS), University of California San Francisco

Related Content:

BiomarkerLIVE
On-Demand Webinar: Biomarker Testing Cost & Coverage
Private Payer and Medicare Coverage for Circulating Tumor DNA Testing: A Historical Analysis of Coverage Policies from 2015 to 2019, JNCCN
Reimbursement Challenges and Solutions with Molecular Biomarker Testing, JONS
Biomarker Testing for Cancer Patients: Barriers and Solutions Part 5, Lablogatory

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Spiritual care teams can play a significant role in helping patients with cancer manage their fear and find a sense of peace. On this mini-podcast, learn why spiritual care is essential to comprehensive, high-quality cancer care, and discover how the administration of spiritual services has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guest: Rev. Lori A. McKinley, MDiv, BCC, Chaplain; Director of Mission, Mercy Health

Related Content:

Journeying Beyond the Physical: Addressing a Patient’s Spiritual Concerns
Spiritual Care of Cancer Patients, by Rev. Lori A. McKinley, MDiv, BCC
Finding Comfort in Spirituality, National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Spiritual Care for Cancer Patients, Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing
Learning to Die: Real-Life Stories of Ordinary People with Extraordinary Bravery
Mini-Podcast: End-of-Life Health Disparities

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has become a much wider practice, enabling millions to receive care at home. Genetic screening, testing, and counseling are particularly amenable to telehealth, but their future remains to be seen. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we look at how genetic healthcare services have adapted to virtual delivery, and what challenges face its widespread use after the pandemic is over.

Guest: Feyi Olopade Ayodele, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, CancerIQ, Inc.

Related Content:

ACCC 47th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit
ACCC Telehealth Page
Episode 26: Telehealth after COVID-19
Bringing Genetic Testing Closer to Home
7 Ways COVID-19 Is Transforming Telehealth
Taskforce on Telehealth Policy, National Committee for Quality Assurance

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Palliative care isn’t just about the end of life, it’s also about improving the quality of life for patients and caregivers—but challenges exist for minority groups in accessing palliative services. On this mini-podcast, learn about the cultural and logistical barriers to end-of-life health equity and discover strategies that programs can implement to both address palliative care earlier in the care continuum and reduce health disparities.

Guest: Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine; Chief Quality Officer, Cancer Services, Mount Sinai Health System, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology and Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

Related Content:

Mini-Podcast: Cultural Humility & Sensitivity
Mini-Podcast: Building Trust with Marginalized Groups
Webinar: Early Introduction of Palliative Care and Best Practices for End of Life
Improving Care of Advanced Cancer Patients with a Dedicated Palliative Radiotherapy Team, by Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc
Webcast: Building Trust with Patients: Importance of Cultural Competence in Cancer Care Delivery

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

From unethical experimentation to systematic exclusion, racism has played a terrible role in the development of American healthcare. On this mini-podcast, we discuss how the legacy of clinical trials continues to affect today’s research, and share strategies for cancer programs to effectively communicate with underrepresented and marginalized populations.

Guest: Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, Medical Director, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center; Associate Medical Director, DFCI Network

Related Content:

Mini-Podcast: Building Trust with Marginalized Groups
Building Trust with Patients: Importance of Cultural Competence in Cancer Care Delivery (webcast)
Community Outreach to Address Disparities in Cancer Care
Eating the Elephant
Implementation of a Health Disparities & Equity Program at the Duke Cancer Institute, by Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, et al.
Research Review: Making Clinical Trials More Inclusive, Diverse, Accessible, and Representative

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Oral anti-cancer medications are one of the most important recent developments in oncology: less invasive than infusions, able to be taken at home, and offering more independence to patients. But if treatment isn’t coordinated properly, issues with safety and adherence can impact patient outcomes.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn how the entire cancer care team can help in promoting safe oral anti-cancer medication adherence by bridging gaps in patient education, management and monitoring.

Guest: Emily Hajjar, PharmD, MS, BCPS, BCACP, BCGP, Program Director, Population Health Pharmacy Program, Jefferson College of Pharmacy

Related Content:

Evaluating Pharmacy Dispensing Models to Help Improve Cancer Care Delivery
CANCER BUZZ Episode 24: Managing Oral Anti-Cancer Medications
Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Pharmacy Practice
The Oncology Pharmacy Navigator, by Kelly Rice, PharmD
Optimize Oral Chemotherapy Management, Pharmacy Purchasing & Products
Challenges to Oral Chemotherapy Adherence, U.S. Pharmacist
Comparison of rates of adherence to oral chemotherapy medications filled through an internal health-system specialty pharmacy vs external specialty pharmacies, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

In healthcare, Implicit and unconscious bias can manifest in many ways. On this mini-podcast, discover what steps cancer programs can take to build trust with patients from marginalized and underrepresented groups and ensure a more equitable and accessible healthcare environment.

Guest: Nadine Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, Director, Office of Health Equity and Disparities, Duke Cancer Institute; Director, Duke Community Connections Core, Duke CTSA

Related Content:

Community Outreach to Address Disparities in Cancer Care
Eating the Elephant
Implementation of a Health Disparities & Equity Program at the Duke Cancer Institute, by Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, et al.
Research Review: Making Clinical Trials More Inclusive, Diverse, Accessible, and Representative
Unconscious Bias Resources for Health Professionals, Association of American Medical Colleges
Implicit Association Test, Harvard University

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Sexual and gender minority patients with cancer experience health disparities that impact access to screening and treatment—and can have worse outcomes as a result. On this mini-podcast, we explore the barriers and challenges that LGBTQ+ patients with cancer face, and how cancer programs can make their care more inclusive.

Guest: Rosemary Thomas, MPH, CHES, Director of Operations, Penn Medicine Center for Health Equity; Associate Director, Penn Med Program for LGBTQ Health

Related Content:

December 2020 Research Review: Sexual and Gender Minority Representation in Clinical Research
Cancer Care Considerations for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients, by Mandi L. Pratt-Chapman, MA, PhD, and Jennifer Potter, MD
Pursuing Quality Cancer Care for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients
National LGBT Cancer Network
Cancer Care for Transgender and Gender-diverse Populations, American Society of Clinical Oncology

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Long lagging in acceptance from providers, payers, and patients, telehealth has undergone a renaissance in 2020, enabling millions of people to receive healthcare in the safety of their homes when it was too dangerous to venture outside. Now that the genie is out of the bottle, the healthcare industry wants to know: What is the future of telehealth in a post-pandemic world?

In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we discuss how healthcare providers and policymakers can work together to pave the future of telehealth beyond the current public health emergency. Now that the barriers to telehealth have tumbled on an unprecedented scale, it’s doubtful future healthcare delivery will maintain the status quo.

Guest: Frank Micciche, Vice President, Public Policy & External Relations, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

Related Content

NCQA Taskforce on Telehealth Policy
ACCC Telehealth Page
Half of Physicians Now Use Telehealth as COVID-19 Changes Practice Operations (Fierce Healthcare)
The Coronavirus Pandemic and the Transformation of Telehealth (US News)
Telehealth: A Quarter-Trillion-Dollar Post-COVID-19 Reality? (McKinsey)

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Friends, family, and loved ones are essential parts of a patient’s support system, but COVID-19 has altered their access to the care process and to care providers. On this mini-podcast, learn how the role of caregivers has changed during the pandemic, and how the cancer team can provide caregivers with guidance on taking care of patients with cancer.

Guest: Lawrence D. Wagman, MD, Surgical Oncologist, Medical Director, City of Hope National Medical Center

Related Content:

Patient Navigation: Creating a Toolkit for Caregivers
Creating a Caregiver Toolkit: 24 Tips for Caregivers
Maintaining Patient Connections with Online Support Groups
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Conversations with Patients
Support for Caregivers of Cancer Patients, National Cancer Institute
What a Cancer Caregiver Does, American Cancer Society

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every corner of American cancer care—including psychosocial services. On this mini-podcast, we explore how patients are dealing with the "new normal,” and how oncology social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists are working to help them through an unprecedented time.

Guest: Jeffrey Kendall, PsyD, LP, Director of Oncology Support Services, University of Minnesota Medical Center

Related Content:

Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Conversations with Patients
Guided Patient Support: Helping Patients Navigate the Clinical, Psychosocial, and Financial Aspects of Cancer Care, by Jessica Sima, MSN, RN, ACM, et al.
Telehealth at its Best: Transitioning a Comprehensive Psychosocial Program to a Virtual Format, by Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, and Drucilla Brethwaite, MSW, LCSW
Oncology Social Workers’ Role in Patient-Centered Care, by Fran Becker, LCSW, OSW-C
Oncology Social Workers Promote Self-Care in the Workplace

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The redirection of T cells against tumors holds significant promise for the treatment of cancer. Two main approaches for T-cell redirection involve their genetic modification with chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or the use of bispecific antibodies that can bind to two different antigens simultaneously.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about these promising breakthroughs, the challenges facing their widespread use, and what your cancer team needs to know about the future of cancer treatment.

Guest: Firas El Chaer, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia, Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center

Related Content:

Preparing Community Providers for Bispecific Antibodies
How Targeted Therapies Are Affecting the Cancer Care Team: A Conversation with Dr. Firas El Chaer
CAR T-Cell Therapy Gave Me Back My Life
CARs versus BiTEs: A Comparison between T Cell–Redirection Strategies for Cancer Treatment, American Association for Cancer Research
Bispecific Antibodies: Success and Challenges, The ASCO Post

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

As part of Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we take a look at how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lung screenings across the country and how oncology teams are adapting their outreach and education to reach as many people as possible.

Guest: Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, BMTCN, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Oncology Administration; Lung Cancer Screening Navigator, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital

Related Content:

ACCC Cancer Types: Lung Cancer
Project: Fostering Excellence in Care and Outcomes in Patients with Stage III/IV NSCLC
Improving Care Coordination: A Model for Lung Cancer
ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
Webcast: Risk Stratification for Cancer Patients During COVID-19

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

As the number of oral anti-cancer medications continues to grow, so do new challenges in education, care delivery, and patient adherence to treatment. Additionally, dispensing requirements from manufacturers, payers, and regulators continue to change as healthcare transitions to a value-based care environment.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about the role of the interdisciplinary cancer team in managing oral chemotherapy for patients with cancer. Discover how one cancer program has transformed their care model, improving their workflow while keeping the patient at the center of the process.

Guests:

Marnee Lieberman, CPhT, Oncology Liaison, Masonic Cancer Center
Jeff Engle, PharmD, MS, Hematology/Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, Fairview Specialty Pharmacy & Masonic Cancer Center

Related Content:

Evaluating Pharmacy Dispensing Models to Help Improve Cancer Care Delivery
Oral Chemotherapy Education Sheets
The Role of the Oral Oncology Nurse Navigator, by Mark K. Anderson, BSN, RN, OCN, et al.
Oral Oncolytic Welcome Letter, National Community Oncology Dispensing Association, Inc.
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Oral Oncolytics

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we mark the beginning of Lung Cancer Awareness Month by looking at the present landscape for the diagnosis and treatment of one of the most common cancers in the world.

Guest: Deepti Behl, MD, Medical Director, Sutter Institute for Medical Research; Medical Director, Thoracic Oncology, Sutter Medical Center

Related Content:

ACCC Cancer Types: Lung Cancer
Improving Care Coordination: A Model for Lung Cancer
Eating the Elephant
ASTRO Abstract: Learnings from Thoracic Surgeons and Radiation Oncologists from a National Quality Survey
IASCLC Abstract: Variable Definitions of “Unresectable” Stage III NSCLC Among Lung Cancer Specialists
ASCO Abstract: Defining High-Quality NSCLC Care at US Cancer Centers

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Shared decision-making occurs when patients collaborate with their care teams to agree on a health decision that involves multiple treatment options. When patients actively participate in the decision-making process, they are more satisfied with their care and are more likely to follow their treatment plans. However, that process isn’t easy—effective and compassionate communication requires strategic thinking.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about effective tools to understand a patient’s values, preferences, goals, and priorities. Discover strategies to help your patients ask important questions and make tough decisions.

Guests:

Lillie D. Shockney, RN, BS, MAS, HON- ONN-CG, University Distinguished Service Professor of Breast Cancer; Professor of Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Director, Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+)
Cardinale Smith, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine; Chief Quality Officer, Cancer Services, Mount Sinai Health System, Division of Hematology/Medical Oncology and Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine

Related Content:

Shared Decision-Making: Practical Implementation for the Oncology Team
Ask Me 3 Tool
Webinar Series: Approaches to Shared Decision-Making for the Oncology Team
Shared Decision-Making Resources
Shared Decision-Making, National Patient Advocate Foundation

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

When biosimilars were first introduced in the U.S. in 2015, it was expected that they would deliver equally effective treatment to patients as their reference products, at a reduced cost for cancer programs and patients. However, it can be difficult to explain to patients that biosimilars may be their best—and most cost-effective—option.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Miami Cancer Institute shares their unique approach to patient understanding: a biosimilars education course that explains what biosimilars are, how they are used, the testing process they go through, and how their use can affect insurance approvals and out-of-pocket expenses.

Guests:

Ana Chayeb, RN, Nurse Navigator, Miami Cancer Institute
Peggy Bullard, RN, Rapid Treatment Nurse, Miami Cancer Institute
Jorge J. Garcia, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE, Assistant Vice President - System Oncology Pharmacy Services, Non-Oncology Infusion Center Pharmacy Services, Miami Cancer Institute

Related Content:

ACCC Biosimilars Education Center
They’re Here—Cancer Biosimilars Enter U.S. Market
The Year of the Biosimilar
Media Issue Brief: Biosimilars, American Society of Clinical Oncology
"When Will Biosimilars Start Making a Serious Difference in Oncology?,” Managed Healthcare Executive

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Lack of community participation in cancer clinical trials has long been an issue, as has a lack of diversity among participants. On this CANCER BUZZ mini-podcast, learn about the importance of reaching diverse populations with clinical trials where they live and how one clinical trial has prioritized community engagement.

Guest:

Alex Spira, MD, PhD, FACP, Medical Oncologist; Director, VCS Research Institute & Phase I Trial Program, Virginia Cancer Specialists

Related Content:

A Focus on Targeting KRAS G12C in NSCLC
KRAS G12C Inhibition with Sotorasib in Advanced Solid Tumors, New England Journal of Medicine
Featured Clinical Research: Barriers to Clinical Trials Participation
Cancer Center Brings Clinical Trials to Diverse Population
Episode 16: IO Clinical Trials During COVID-19

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The advent of biomarker testing has brought targeted cancer treatment to more patients than ever before. However, these tests require a collaborative effort from a number of specialists—and that means a high price tag. Additionally, private payers have different reimbursement structures that change frequently, resulting in lengthy pre-authorization periods.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we speak to two financial navigators about their roles helping patients and providers understand the options available to patients in need of biomarker testing.

Guests:

Rifeta Kajdic, Program Manager, Oncology Service Line, St. Luke’s Cancer Institute
Arnela Kajdic-Tarantino, BMT Patient Financial Coordinator, St. Luke’s Cancer Institute

Related Content:

BiomarkerLIVE Resource Library
Financial Advocacy Network
A White Paper on the Need for Consistent Terms for Testing in Precision Medicine
CMS’s Proposed Payment Rules for 2021: What You Need to Know
Reimbursement Challenges and Solutions with Molecular Biomarker Testing, Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship
Biomarker Testing for Cancer Patients: Barriers and Solutions Part 5, Lablogatory
Navigating the Cost of Comprehensive Biomarker Testing, LUNGevity

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The gender gap in healthcare leadership is well documented. In the oncology discipline, the divide is even wider—according to a recent survey, less than half of academic medical oncology programs have a woman in a leadership position, and that number decreases further for radiation and surgical oncology programs.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn how the Livestrong Cancer Institutes and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin are reaching out to young women in high school to generate interest in oncology. Through leadership training, meetings with program leaders, and a week-long research project, the Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) lays the groundwork for female mentorship and support at an early age.

Guests:

Kristen E. Wynn, Senior Administrative Program Coordinator, Livestrong Cancer Institutes
Ximena Cruz and Korena Martinez, Summer Healthcare Experience participants

Related Content:

ACCC 37th [Virtual] National Oncology Conference
National Oncology Conference: Featured Speakers
2020 ACCC Innovator Award Winners
Cancer Life reiMagined: The CaLM Model of Whole-Person Cancer Care
Proportion of Women in Oncology Leadership Positions Remains Low, Cancer Therapy Advisor

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

For patients undergoing treatment with cancer immunotherapy, immune-related adverse events most often present on the skin and can be so severe that patients opt to discontinue treatment. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we look at dermatology’s role in the cancer care continuum and how cancer teams can better integrate dermatology into the immunotherapy care process.

Guest:

Joshua Arbesman, MD, Dermatologist, Cleveland Clinic

Related Content:

ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute
Supportive Oncodermatology
Managing IO Toxicities: Three Keys to Success, by Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
Immunotherapy & Mental Health (podcast)
The Immunotherapy Patient Perspective (podcast)

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The coronavirus pandemic has forced adjustments to all aspects of healthcare. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we look at recent adaptations in oncology—and how some of these changes can actually make cancer care stronger moving forward.

Guest: Randall A. Oyer, MD, Medical Director, Oncology Program, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; 2020-2021 ACCC President

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Telemedicine
Webcast: ASCO Survey on COVID-19 in Oncology (ASCO) Registry
Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
Beyond the Pandemic: A Long-Term View of Medical Environments
Curated COVID-19 Resources for Financial Advocacy

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Diagnoses of the six most prevalent cancers have decreased sharply, according to recent reports—indicative of big changes to oncology during the pandemic. On this mini-podcast, we look at the latest data on the effects of COVID-19 on cancer practices and explore how you can adapt to changes in oncology business.

Guest: Jennifer Webster, MS, Vice President of Analytics and Data Solutions, Integra Connect

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Webcast: Risk Stratification for Cancer Patients During COVID-19
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Telemedicine
Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
The “New Normal”: Seven Questions Program Leaders Are Asking About Care Amid COVID-19

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, learn how surgical oncology has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and how programs are adapting to fluctuations in staff availability and patient volume.

Guest: Lawrence Wagman, MD, Surgical Oncologist, City of Hope Medical Center; Regional Medical Director, City of Hope, Inland Empire Program

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Webcast: Risk Stratification for Cancer Patients During COVID-19
Webcast: Optimizing Staffing Strategies Amid COVID-19
Mini-Podcast: Cancer Screening During COVID-19
Bringing Surgical Oncology Services On Board

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

This year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported that of the top ten discarded drugs reimbursed by Medicare Part B in 2018, six were cancer medications, totaling 330 million dollars. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about the ways cancer programs are working to reduce drug waste and curb the rising cost of cancer care.

Guest: Anthony Boyd, PharmD, BCPS, Pharmacy Manager, Oncology, Cleveland Clinic

Related Content:

ACCC Oncology Pharmacy Education Network
Waste Not, Want Not
UNC Combats Rising Drug Prices by Reducing Expensive Waste
The Evolution of Oncology Pharmacy (podcast)
Facilitating Access to Cancer Immunotherapies
Part B Discarded Drug Units Report, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The effect of delayed cancer screenings due to COVID-19 has the potential to put tens of thousands of lives at risk. On this mini-podcast, learn how some cancer programs are finding creative ways to engage patients and adapt screening programs during these difficult times.

Guest: Renea Duffin, MPA, Vice President of Cancer Support and Outreach, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Testing Strategies
Mini-Podcast: Drive-Thru COVID-19 Screening
Genetic Cancer Screening and Testing in a Medically Underserved Community
Crushing Cancer Through Prevention and Early Detection
Taking Lung Cancer Screening on the Road

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

When a person between the ages of 30 and 50 is diagnosed with cancer, they face unique personal challenges—and a care continuum that wasn’t necessarily designed for them. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, author and cancer survivor Laura Holmes Haddad shares how her battle with breast cancer changed her perception of the resources available to younger adults with cancer, and what cancer programs can do to meet their needs.

Guest: Laura Holmes Haddad, author, This Is Cancer: Everything You Need to Know, from the Waiting Room to the Bedroom

Related Content:

Diagnosis in Prime Time
Perspective on the “Modern Cancer Patient”
Enabling Fertility Discussions with Young Adult Male Oncology Patients
Cancer Care Considerations for Sexual and Gender Minority Patients
This is Cancer: Everything You Need to Know, from the Waiting Room to the Bedroom

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

This is Cancer

On this mini-podcast, ACCC President-Elect Krista Nelson shares how Providence Cancer Institute has made staff resiliency and morale a priority during the COVID-19 pandemic, and offers resources you can use at your program.

Guest: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, BCD, Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion, Providence Cancer Institute; 2020-2021 ACCC President-Elect

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Self-Care
CANCER BUZZ Episode 2, “Fostering Cancer Care Team Resiliency & Well-Being”
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Music Therapy
An Oncologist’s Prescription for Managing Fear
Lessons Learned from Cancer Patients

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, learn about Ochsner Cancer Center’s testing strategy for COVID-19 and how you can adapt their guidance when establishing your own testing protocols.

Guest: Zoe Larned, MD, Chair, Hematology/Oncology and Director, Inpatient Hematology/Oncology, Ochsner Health System

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Planning Your COVID-19 Testing Strategy (webcast)
Mini-Podcast: Drive-Thru COVID-19 Screening
Creating a Safe Workplace During COVID-19
COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures (webcast)

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we look at how immunotherapy clinical trials have been affected by the pandemic and what cancer programs can do to safely and effectively administer clinical trials.

Guest:

Joanne Riemer, RN, BSN, Research Oncology Nurse, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD

Related Content:

Immunotherapy Clinical Trials During COVID-19 (ACCCBuzz blog post)
Clinical Trials & COVID-19: Charting New Territory (ACCCBuzz blog post)
Clinical Trials Amid COVID-19 (webcast)
Podcast Episode 6: Clinical Trial Access in Rural Areas
Podcast Episode 10: The Immunotherapy Patient Perspective
ACCC President's Theme 2020-2021: Community Oncology Can Close the Gap in Cancer Research

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we discuss the personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages that cancer programs face, and how one program has taken creative steps to get what they need.

Guest: Lori Tritto, MSN, OCN, NPD-BC, Clinical Operations Director, Todd Cancer Institute

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Creating a Safe Workplace During COVID-19
COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures (webcast)
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 vs. Biocontainment
Using PPE, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Every year, more people die of lung cancer than from breast, prostate, and colon cancers combined—and outcomes are worse for minorities and the socioeconomically disadvantaged. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn how two cancer programs used a unique quality improvement model to improve care for lung cancer patients who are uninsured or on Medicaid.

Guests:

Amy Ellis, Director, Quality and Value Based Care, Northwest Medical Specialties PLLC
Wendi Waugh, BS, RT(R)(T), CMD, CTR, Administrative Director of Cancer Services & Community Health and Wellness, Southern Ohio Medical Center

Related Content:

Care Coordination Model
Improving Care Coordination: A Model for Lung Cancer
Key Statistics for Lung Cancer, American Cancer Society
Improving Care Coordination Project Resources
Environmental Scan: Optimal Care Coordination Model for Lung Cancer Patients on Medicaid

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we learn how Nebraska Medical Center treats patients with cancer in the same institution where the most serious COVID-19 patients receive treatment at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.

Guest: Theresa Franco, Vice President of Cancer Operations, Nebraska Medical Center

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Optimizing Staffing Strategies Amid COVID-19 (webcast)
Managing COVID-Positive Patients in the Clinic (webcast)
Mini-Podcast: Drive-Thru COVID-19 Screening
What Can Be Done?
Rural Cancer Care During a Pandemic

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about the mental health implications of treatment with cancer immunotherapy, and how cancer care providers can better integrate mental health awareness into the IO care continuum.

Guests:

Jessica Vanderlan, PhD, Manager of Siteman Psychology Service, Siteman Cancer Center
Linda Bohannon, RN, BSN, MSM, President, Cancer Support Community

Related Content:

“Elevating Survivorship: Results from Two National Surveys”
“Communication: Key to Addressing Toxicity and Recurrence Risks,” by Mark B. Faries, MD
“Managing IO Toxicities: Three Keys to Success,” by Sigrun Hallmeyer, MD
“Best Practices for Implementing Cancer Immunotherapy in the Community”
“A Cognitive Approach to Cancer Treatment,” by Marlena Ryba, PhD
“Building Bridges, Breaking Down Barriers,” by Elizabeth Archer-Nanda et al.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we learn how cancer programs can quickly and securely establish telemedicine platforms to continue delivering quality care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guest: Joni Candler, Ambulatory Manager of Multi-D Oncology Clinic, IU Health Simon Cancer Center

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Telehealth Billing and Coding—Part I (webcast)
Implementing Telehealth in Response to COVID-19—Part II (webcast)
Implementing Virtual Tumor Boards Amid COVID-19 (webcast)
IO Institute Roundtable Focuses on Telemedicine Solutions

This mini-podcast is supported by educational grants from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., and Pfizer Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we learn how the coronavirus has affected cancer care in New York City, and how one health system has adapted to meet these challenges.

Guest: Luis Isola, MD, Director of Clinical Cancer Programs, Mount Sinai Health System

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 & Rural Cancer Care
Cancer Care in the Time of COVID-19
COVID-19: What Cancer Patients Need to Know
Improving the Lives of Advanced Cancer Patients with a Dedicated Palliative Radiotherapy Team, by Kavita Dharmarajan, MD, MSc

This mini-podcast is supported by an educational grant from Merck & Co.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we look at how rural cancer care teams are managing to provide quality care with limited resources during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guest: Chad Pedersen, MD, Medical Oncologist, Sidney Health Center

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Rural Cancer Care During a Pandemic
Episode 9: The Front Lines of Rural Cancer Care
Episode 6: Clinical Trial Access in Rural Areas
Episode 5: Rural Cancer Care

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, learn how music can help relieve coronavirus-related stress for both patients and cancer program staff.

Guest: Dean Quick, MT-BC, Music Therapist, Levine Cancer Institute

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
Mini-Podcast: COVID-19 Self-Care
Taking Care in a Pandemic
Dr. Joanie Mayer Hope & The Healing Power of Music
An Artful Impact on Cancer Care, by Julie Manning, MS, et al.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, Catherine Liu, MD, shares valuable advice for cancer programs looking to create protocols for drive-thru COVID-19 screening.

Guest: Catherine Liu, MD, Director, Antimicrobial Stewardship and Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy Program; Associate Director, Infection Control, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
“What Is It Like to Practice in Hard Hit Areas?” webinar
Creating a Safe Workplace During COVID-19
“Four Lessons for Hospitals Implementing COVID-19 Drive-Through Testing,” Talia Schmidt, American Hospital Association
“Drive-Through Screening Center for COVID-19: a Safe and Efficient Screening System against Massive Community Outbreak,” Journal of Korean Medical Science

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, we explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected patient access to oral oncolytics, and what cancer teams can do to help their patients.

Guest: Lauren J. Sanders, PharmD, MTM Oncology Clinical Pharmacist, Oral Antineoplastics Program, The University of Arizona Cancer Center

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
COVID-19 & Oral Oncolytics Transcript
Oncology Pharmacy Education Network
Integrating Oral Oncolytics into Pharmacy Practice
“The Emerging Role of Oral Oncolytics,” by Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP
“The Role of the Oral Oncology Nurse Navigator,” by Mary K. Anderson, BSN, RN, OCN, et al.

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Mini-Podcast: Patient Conversations about COVID-19

On our second mini-podcast, Dr. Jeffrey Kendall provides tips to oncology professionals on how to speak compassionately with patients about difficult conversations.

Guest: Jeffrey Kendall, PsyD, Director of Oncology Support Services, University of Minnesota Cancer Care

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
“Cancer Care in the Time of COVID-19"

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this mini-podcast, ACCC President-Elect Krista Nelson shares self-care resources for cancer team members during the COVID-19 outbreak and guides us through a breathing exercise.

Guest: Krista Nelson, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, BCD, Program Manager of Quality & Research, Cancer Support Services & Compassion, Providence Cancer Institute; 2020-2021 ACCC President-Elect

Related Content:

ACCC COVID-19 Resource Center
“Cancer Care in the Time of COVID-19"
Oncology Team Well-Being
CANCER BUZZ Episode 2: Fostering Cancer Care Team Resiliency & Well-Being
“COVID-19: ‘Striking’ Rates of Anxiety, Depression in Healthcare Workers,” Medscape Medical News

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, we discuss the importance of financial health literacy for patients with cancer, how cancer team members can better help patients and caregivers avoid financial toxicity, and how financial navigation delivers value to both patients and cancer programs.

Guests:

Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, PharmD, RPh, Oncology Pharmacy Manager, Medication Assistance Program and Reimbursement Services, The James Cancer Hospital and Wexner Medical Center, Ohio State University Department of Pharmacy
Lori Schneider, Operations Manager, Green Bay Oncology

Related Content:

ACCC Financial Advocacy Network
ACCC Financial Advocacy Boot Camp
ACCC Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines
2019 Trending Now in Cancer Care Survey
“Cost-Related Health Literacy: A Key Component of High-Quality Cancer Care,”JCO Oncology Practice
“Is Health Insurance Literacy Associated With Financial Hardship Among Cancer Survivors? Findings from a National Sample in the United States,”JNCI Cancer Spectrum

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

We discuss the results of the 2019 Trending Now in Cancer Care Survey—what tops the list of challenges, what areas are trending towards growth, and how cancer programs are evolving to meet the demands of 21st-century cancer care delivery.

Guests:

Randall A. Oyer, MD, Medical Director, Oncology Program, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health; ACCC President-Elect, 2019-2020
Ashley Riley, MPH, Consultant, Advisory Board’s Oncology Roundtable

Related Content:

2019 Trending Now in Cancer Care Survey
"ACCC's Landmark Cancer Community Survey Turns 10”
2018 Trending Now in Cancer Care Survey
2017 Trending Now in Cancer Care Survey

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Comprehensive cancer care services are critical to high-quality patient care, but many of these services aren't adequately reimbursed. On this episode of the CANCER BUZZ podcast, learn about ACCC's efforts to make the case for hiring comprehensive care team members, as well as the development of a matrix tool to help programs prepare for alternative payment models.

Guests:

Al B. Benson III, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology; ACCC President, 2010-2011
Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP, Clinical Coordinator of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy; ACCC President, 2019-2020

Related Content:

Comprehensive Care Services, part of the Cancer Program Fundamentals
“Why Comprehensive Cancer Care Services Matter,” CANCER BUZZ Episode 3
Making the Case for New Staff: Insights from the ACCC Institute for the Future of Oncology
Comprehensive Cancer Care Survey
“A Prescription for Sustainable Cancer Care Delivery,” by Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

We sit down with journalist Mary Elizabeth Williams, one of the first patients treated with combination immunotherapy, to discuss her experience as an IO patient and how to bridge communication gaps among patients, doctors, and researchers.

Guest:

Mary Elizabeth Williams, author, A Series of Catastrophes and Miracles: A True Story of Love, Science, and Cancer

Related Content:

Her Best Resort
Why the Stories We Tell Matter
Supporting the Patient Voice in Patient-Centered Care
“Virtual Navigation to Clinical Trials,” by Jennifer C. King, PhD
"Black Patients Miss Out on Promising Cancer Drugs," by Caroline Chen and Riley Wong
"The Importance of Diversity in Clinical Trials (Because Right Now, It's Lacking)," by Chelsea Weidman Burke

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

We talk to a medical oncologist in a rural Montana community about the realities of rural cancer care, the importance of community oncology, and how he navigates common barriers to quality care.

Guest:

Chad Pedersen, MD, Medical Oncologist, Sidney Health Center

Related Content:

"Sidney native wants area to have the best cancer care," by Bill Vander Weele, Sidney Herald
"Sidney Health Center Recruits Full-Time Medical Oncologist," Roundup Web.com
"Rural Cancer Care," CANCER BUZZ Episode 5
"Clinical Trial Access in Rural Areas," CANCER BUZZ Episode 6
DATA USA: Sidney, MT

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn why a trip to the emergency department is different for patients who receive immunotherapy for cancer, what information helps ED clinicians, and what busy emergency departments providers need to know about immune-related adverse events in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors.

Guest:

Sarah Dubbs, MD, Assistant Professor in Emergency Medicine; Assistant Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Relevant Content:

IO Wallet Card, by the ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute
“IO Patients in the Emergency Department,” by Junaid Razzak, MBBS, MD, PhD
“Communication: Key to Addressing Toxicity and Recurrence Risks,” by Mark B. Faries, MD
“Immunotherapy Complications in the Emergency Department,” by Adarsh Srivastava, MD, American Academy of Emergency Medicine
“Management of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Toxicities: A Review and Clinical Guideline for Emergency Physicians,” by Adam T. Hryniewicki et al.
“Pseudoprogression in Patients Treated with Immunotherapy,” by Ryan M. Weight, DO, MS

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn more about the role that oncology pharmacists play in cancer care and how that role is changing in the face of new therapies and the advent of value-based health.

Oncology pharmacy has undergone a rapid transformation in recent years. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn more about the role that oncology pharmacists play in cancer care and how that role is changing in the face of new therapies and the advent of value-based health. Discover how the University of North Carolina Hospital’s Department of Pharmacy developed a closed-loop, pharmacy-managed, pre-certification and denials management program to avoid passing surprise bills to patients and ensure financial stability for the cancer program.

Guests:

Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP, Clinical Coordinator of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arizona Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy; 2019-2020 ACCC President
Suzanne Francart, PharmD, BCPS, Assistant Director of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina Hospitals

Relevant Content:

Oncology Pharmacy Education Network (OPEN)
"Facilitating Access to Cancer Immunotherapies," OPEN Insights
"ACCC Celebrates American Pharmacists Month," by Ali McBride, PharmD, MS, BCOP
“The Oncology Pharmacist’s Role in Immuno-Oncology,” a Q&A with Ali McBride
“Proactive Precertification Pays Off,” by Suzanne Francart, PharmD, BCPS
UNC Hospital, Department of Pharmacy, 2019 ACCC Innovator Award recipient
2019 ACCC Patient Assistance & Reimbursement Guide

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Clinical trials are crucial to cancer research and are often standard of care for patients with cancer, but for patients in rural areas, accessing clinical trials poses significant geographic and financial barriers. On this episode, we learn how Sanford Health harnessed its passion and creativity to work around obstacles and ensure its patients have access to cutting-edge cancer treatments.

Guest:

Lora Black, RN, MPH, OCN, CCRP, Senior Director, Clinical Research, Sanford Research; Clinical Instructor, Sanford School of Medicine at the University of South Dakota; Core Director, Clinical Research Resources and Facilities Core, DaCCoTA CTR

Relevant Content:

“Her Best Resort,” on the ACCCBuzz blog
“A Model Rural Chemotherapy Program,” by Rhonda Roesler, RNC, BSN, MS, et al.
“Collaboration: The Key to Creating Value-Based Cancer Care in Rural Communities,” by Matthew R. Sturm, et al.
“Policy Issue Brief: Rural Cancer Care,” by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
“Health Disparities Affect Millions in Rural US Communities,” by Robin Warshaw, AAMCNews
Sanford Health, 2016 ACCC Innovator Award winner
“Rural Health: Cancer,” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

As a result of the challenges unique to rural cancer care—workforce shortages, travel distances, insurance obstacles, and clinical trial access—patients with cancer living in rural areas are more often diagnosed at later stages, experience higher cancer-related mortality, and have worse survivorship outcomes. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn more about the challenges to care delivery faced by oncology in rural settings, and some of the innovative ways that they are working to better serve this at-risk patient population.

Guest:

Jack Hensold, MD, Medical Oncologist, Bozeman Health Cancer Center; President, Montana State Oncology Society

Related Content:

Availability of Cancer Treatment in Montana: Where are the Gaps? by Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS)
“A Model Rural Chemotherapy Program,” by Rhonda Roesler et al.
“Collaboration: The Key to Creating Value-Based Cancer Care in Rural Communities,” by Matthew R. Sturm and Katherine Liljedahl Ye
“Wheels Up: Bringing Lung Cancer Education and Screening to Rural Patients,” by Derek Raghavan et al.
“Reaching Out: Cancer Program-Community Collaborations for Health Equity”

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

The side effects of immunotherapies for cancer can affect any body system—both during active treatment and long after treatment has ended—and ongoing education is needed for oncologists, patients, primary care providers, and other clinicians caring for patients post-treatment. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn about the transition from immunotherapy into post-treatment survivorship, how it differs from chemotherapy, and why coordination and communication among providers, patients, and caregivers is essential.

Guest:

Regina Jacob, MD, MSCE, Assistant Professor, Section of General Internal Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Related Content:

“Managing Survivorship Care After Immunotherapy,” by Regina Jacob, MD, MSCE
Planning for Survivorship After Checkpoint Inhibitors (webinar)
Real-World Experiences in Immunotherapy Delivery, in the July/August 2017 issue of Oncology Issues
"Moving Beyond Silos: Involving Non-Oncology Specialists in IO," by the ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute
Elevating Survivorship: Results from Two National Surveys, by the ACCC Immuno-Oncology Institute

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Comprehensive cancer care services like survivorship care, outpatient nutrition counseling, and financial navigation are required by accrediting and standard-setting organizations. However, most of these services aren’t covered by insurance. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn how cancer programs are finding ways to justify and implement services that are vital to truly “whole-person” cancer care.

Guests:

Randall A. Oyer, MD, Medical Director of Oncology Program, Penn Medicine-Lancaster General Health; 2019-2010 ACCC President-Elect
Jeffrey Kendall, PsyD, LP, Director of Oncology Support Services, University of Minnesota Cancer Care
Kelay E. Trentham, MS, RDN, CSO, FAND, Oncology Dietitian, MultiCare Regional Cancer Center

Related Content:

Comprehensive Care Services
Growing a Psychosocial Oncology Program within a Cancer Center, by Heidi A. Hamann, PhD, and Jeff Kendall, PsyD
"Dietitian as Navigator: A Winning Combination", by Kelay E. Trentham, MS, RDN, CSO, FAND
"ACCC Members Respond to CoC's Draft Standards," by Randall Oyer, MD
Cancer Nutrition Services: A Practical Guide for Cancer Programs
“Oncology Distress Screening: Integral to Patient-Centered Care,” by Jeffrey Kendall, PsyD
ACCC 2018 Trending Now in Cancer Care Survey highlights

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Healthcare professionals are experiencing burnout at an alarming rate for a number of reasons—among them documentation requirements,difficulties with EHRs, and a chaotic work environment—and cancer care teams are especially vulnerable. On this episode of CANCER BUZZ, learn how organizations like Vidant Health and The Outer Banks Hospital are creating a healthier, more rewarding workplace by making employee wellness a strategic priority.

Guests:

Tom Gallo, MS, MDA, Executive Director, Virginia Cancer Institute, Inc.; ACCC President 2018-2019
Robin Hearne, RN, MS, Director of Cancer Services, The Outer Banks Hospital
Julie Oehlert, DNP, RN, Chief Experience Officer, Vidant Health

Related Content:

Small in Stature, Large in Impact, by ACCC Editorial Staff
Turning Off Turnover, by Tom Gallo, MS, MDA
Removing the Blame from Burnout, by ACCC Editorial Staff
Oncology Team Well-Being
Burnout Prevention & Education, by Monique Dawkins, EDD, MPA, and Jeffrey Kendall, PsyD
ACCC 2018 Trending Now in Cancer Care Survey highlights

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.

Zeroing In on Symptom Management: Improving the Patient Experience and Reducing Costs

The inaugural episode of the ACCC Cancer Buzz podcast focuses on why and how some cancer programs are working to provide 24-hour access to oncology-specific emergent care services. Learn how Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital Campus improved symptom management, minimized treatment plan interruptions, and reduced emergency department visits while offering peace of mind to cancer patients.

For more information, visit https://accc-cancer.org/podcast.

Guests:

· Tina Curtis, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, Executive Director, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Services

· Liz Malosh, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Manager, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center 24-Hour Cancer Clinic

Related Content:

"24-Hour Cancer Clinic Addresses Missing Piece," by Tina Curtis, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, on the ACCCBuzz blog

Supportive Care Just When Patients Need It, by Tina Curtis, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, and Elizabeth Malosh, MSN, RN, NE-BC, in the May/June 2019 issue of Oncology Issues

The 2018 Trending Now in Cancer Care survey

The 2018 ACCC Innovator Award winners

The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Community Cancer Centers.