SSO Education Series—From Gaps to Gains: Building Clinical Trials to Advance Cancer Equity in Low-Resource Settings
Release Date: 04/15/2026
Resident and Medical Student Committee: Journeys in Breast Surgical Oncology
SurgOnc Today®
On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Tari King and Dr. Austin Williams join Dr. Kara Button to discuss their paths into breast surgical oncology, from early training and pivotal mentorship moments to the decisions that shaped their careers. We explore how each navigated the transition from training to practice, how their definitions of success have evolved over time, and what has guided the roles they’ve chosen to take on, or step away from. They also reflect on the realities of day-to-day practice, how they structure their clinical and academic work, and what surprises them most about...
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Resident and Medical Student Committee: Journeys in Complex General Surgical Oncology
SurgOnc Today®
On this episode of SurgOnc Today, we introduce Journeys in Surgical Oncology - a new podcast series from the SSO Resident and Medical Student Task Force exploring the diversity of careers within surgical oncology. Designed with trainees in mind, this session is moderated by Dr. Ian Garbarine, who is joined by Drs. Margo Shoup, Keith Lillemoe, and Anna Dare. Together, they discuss the wide range of career opportunities and practice types available in cancer surgery - from academic medicine to community cancer care to global surgery - and share reflections on mentorship, leadership, overcoming...
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Securing Funding for Pilot Clinical Trials
SurgOnc Today®
In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Christina Angeles, surgical oncologist and Chair of the SSO Research Committee, sits down with two experienced surgical investigators, Dr. Andrew Lowy and Dr. Craig Slingluff, to discuss one of the most challenging steps in advancing surgical research: securing funding for pilot clinical trials. Drawing from their real-world experience designing and running surgical trials, our guests share practical strategies for identifying funding sources, building a competitive application, and navigating setbacks along the way. Whether you are a junior faculty member...
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Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) Therapies in Melanoma, How’s It Going and What Is Next?
SurgOnc Today®
On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Amanda Kirane and Dr. Allison Betof discuss the clinical application of TIL therapy for melanoma patients, including the comprehensive care and teamwork required. They also discuss lessons learned and newer clinical trials optimizing the therapy.
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SSO Education Series: Introduction to Value-Based Care in Surgical Oncology
SurgOnc Today®
In this episode of SurgOnc Today, we explore the evolving role of value-based care in surgical oncology. Drs. Casey Allen, Matthew Katz, and Cristina O’Donoghue join the discussion to define what “value” truly means in cancer care, examine the evidence behind programs such as ERAS and prehabilitation, and review emerging frameworks used to assess value in oncology. The conversation also addresses stakeholder collaboration and the critical intersection between value-based care and health equity. This episode offers practical insights for surgical oncologists seeking to deliver...
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SSO Education Series—From Trials to Practice: Key Breast Cancer Insights from SSO 2026
SurgOnc Today®
In this episode of SurgOnc Today, Drs. Kelly Hewitt and Austin Williams review key breast cancer presentations from the 2026 Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting. They discuss real-world implementation of SOUND and INSEMA, evolving approaches to axillary management in the neoadjuvant setting, and emerging data on omission of axillary surgery. Additional highlights include outcomes with partial breast irradiation in the setting of variable endocrine therapy adherence and contemporary management of rare breast malignancies such as angiosarcoma. Together, they explore how these findings...
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Lessons Learned Series: Time from Idea to Clinical Trial Initiation - Not a Simple Ongoing Problem
SurgOnc Today®
On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Mihir M. Shah interviews Drs. Shailesh Shrikhande and Syed Ahmad about the barriers that slow clinical trial activation and the steps needed to move innovative ideas into practice more efficiently.
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ASO Article Series: Assessing the Evidence for and Utility of Gene Expression Profiling of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma
SurgOnc Today®
In this new episode of Speaking of SurgOnc, Dr. Rick Greene & Dr. Giorgos Karakousis discuss the article: "Assessing the Evidence for and Utility of Gene Expression Profiling of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma" from the March 2025 issue of the Annals of Surgical Oncology.
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SSO Education Series: Stressors in Your First Attending Job
SurgOnc Today®
After years of training and countless hours in the OR, the transition from fellowship to independent practice is one of the most challenging times in a surgeon’s career. In this podcast episode produced by the Fellows and Young Attendings Committee, Dr. Kathrine Kelly is joined by Dr. Mura Assifi and Dr. Michael Wach to discuss the stressors of starting out as a surgical oncologist. This is an honest conversation about building a surgical practice, managing complications, and the unique challenges we all face in the care of the complex cancer patient.
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Lessons Learned Series: Enhancing Enrollment in Clinical Trials - Perspective from Surgical Oncology Leaders
SurgOnc Today®
On this episode of SurgOnc Today, Dr. Mihir M. Shah speaks with Drs. Shailesh Shrikhande and Syed Ahmad about strategies to improve clinical trial enrollment, expand access, and strengthen participation in surgical oncology research.
info_outlineIn this episode of SurgOnc Today, Drs. Cherif Boutros, Juliet Lumati, Sergio Aguilar, and Olusegun Alatise discuss the unique opportunities and challenges involved in launching and sustaining clinical trials in low-resource settings, with a spotlight on cancer care in Nigeria. Through a conversational format, the speakers will share personal experiences and lessons learned from building trial infrastructure, navigating ethics and regulatory hurdles, and ensuring data quality and patient retention in fragmented health systems.
The session will also highlight strategies for securing funding, fostering local and global collaborations, and designing trials that are both scientifically rigorous and contextually relevant. Listeners will gain practical insights into how clinical research can drive health equity, and how global societies can support the next generation of investigators in low- and middle-income countries.