Navigating R/R FL: A Patient Centered Approach
CANCER BUZZ
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. ...
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1st Guest 6 Years Later
CANCER BUZZ
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,...
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Championing Lung Cancer Clinical Trials in the VA
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Exploring FGFR2b in Gastric and GEJ Cancer
CANCER BUZZ
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,...
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Unlocking ESR1 Mutations in Breast Cancer
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Retired Nurses Supporting the Workforce
CANCER BUZZ
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 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...
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LIVE from NOC: Women Leaders in Oncology
CANCER BUZZ
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:
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LIVE from NOC: Hot Topics
CANCER BUZZ
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:
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LIVE from NOC:Serving a Growing Patient Population
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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LIVE from NOC: Psychosocial Care, Alcohol, Marijuana and more
CANCER BUZZ
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: , 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:
info_outlineUna 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.