CANCER BUZZ
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.
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Closing the Gap Between Innovation and Implementation: Strategic Partnerships in Oncology
05/05/2026
Closing the Gap Between Innovation and Implementation: Strategic Partnerships in Oncology
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:
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Becoming a Smart Consumer of AI as an Oncology Leader
05/04/2026
Becoming a Smart Consumer of AI as an Oncology Leader
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:
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BsAbs: Moving from Curiosity to Confidence
04/21/2026
BsAbs: Moving from Curiosity to Confidence
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:
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Innovation in Action: Breaking Down the 2025 ACCC Impact Report
04/07/2026
Innovation in Action: Breaking Down the 2025 ACCC Impact Report
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:
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Transforming Palliative Care in Oncology
03/18/2026
Transforming Palliative Care in Oncology
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 and . Resources
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Streamlining Access to TIL Cell Therapy for Melanoma
03/03/2026
Streamlining Access to TIL Cell Therapy for Melanoma
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
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Policy in Practice: Change Hits the Clinic
02/17/2026
Policy in Practice: Change Hits the Clinic
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:
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Addressing Psychosocial Distress With Psychedelic-Inspired Therapies
02/05/2026
Addressing Psychosocial Distress With Psychedelic-Inspired Therapies
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: Scan to learn more about the REKINDLE study:
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Set Goals in Today’s Health Care Reality
01/29/2026
Set Goals in Today’s Health Care Reality
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:
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Plans for 2026: A Dialogue With ACCC’s Executive Director
01/28/2026
Plans for 2026: A Dialogue With ACCC’s Executive Director
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 and . Resources
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APPs Paving the Way in Leadership
01/20/2026
APPs Paving the Way in Leadership
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:
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Training the Next Generation of Oncology Leaders
12/16/2025
Training the Next Generation of Oncology Leaders
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:
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Introducing Oncology Unscripted
12/10/2025
Introducing Oncology Unscripted
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
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CAR T-Cell Therapy Insights from the Field
12/09/2025
CAR T-Cell Therapy Insights from the Field
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:
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Claudin 18.2 Reshaping Gastric Cancer Treatment
12/04/2025
Claudin 18.2 Reshaping Gastric Cancer Treatment
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
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Navigating R/R FL: A Patient Centered Approach
11/20/2025
Navigating R/R FL: A Patient Centered Approach
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
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1st Guest 6 Years Later
11/18/2025
1st Guest 6 Years Later
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:
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Championing Lung Cancer Clinical Trials in the VA
11/12/2025
Championing Lung Cancer Clinical Trials in the VA
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 · ·
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Exploring FGFR2b in Gastric and GEJ Cancer
11/06/2025
Exploring FGFR2b in Gastric and GEJ Cancer
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
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Unlocking ESR1 Mutations in Breast Cancer
10/30/2025
Unlocking ESR1 Mutations in Breast Cancer
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:
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Retired Nurses Supporting the Workforce
10/21/2025
Retired Nurses Supporting the Workforce
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 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: This podcast is part of a special series featuring ACCC members committed to the 2025-2026 ACCC President’s Theme: .
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LIVE from NOC: Women Leaders in Oncology
10/17/2025
LIVE from NOC: Women Leaders in Oncology
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
10/17/2025
LIVE from NOC: Hot Topics
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
10/17/2025
LIVE from NOC:Serving a Growing Patient Population
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:
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LIVE from NOC: Psychosocial Care, Alcohol, Marijuana and more
10/16/2025
LIVE from NOC: Psychosocial Care, Alcohol, Marijuana and more
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:
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LIVE from NOC: Exec Dir on Unleashing Innovation
10/15/2025
LIVE from NOC: Exec Dir on Unleashing Innovation
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:
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2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 2
10/14/2025
2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 2
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 , 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:
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2025 Trending Now in Cancer Care: Part 1
10/09/2025
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 , 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: · · ·
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A Patient-Centered Approach to CDK4/6 Inhibitors
10/08/2025
A Patient-Centered Approach to CDK4/6 Inhibitors
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 · · ·
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Bridging the AYA Survivorship Gap
10/02/2025
Bridging the AYA Survivorship Gap
It is essential for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) to have a foundation of care prior to discharge after their cancer , 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: Indiana Oncology Society: Wisconsin Association of Hematology and Oncology:
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