BsAbs: Moving from Curiosity to Confidence
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Innovation in Action: Breaking Down the 2025 ACCC Impact Report
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Transforming Palliative Care in Oncology
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Streamlining Access to TIL Cell Therapy for Melanoma
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Policy in Practice: Change Hits the Clinic
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Addressing Psychosocial Distress With Psychedelic-Inspired Therapies
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Set Goals in Today’s Health Care Reality
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Plans for 2026: A Dialogue With ACCC’s Executive Director
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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APPs Paving the Way in Leadership
CANCER BUZZ
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...
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Training the Next Generation of Oncology Leaders
CANCER BUZZ
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...
info_outlineAdvanced 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.
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