What if a medical specialty society could drive groundbreaking research, fuel a global movement, and train the next generation of clinical investigators—all while tripling its membership in just five years? In a world of rapidly evolving cancer care, how can associations champion new modalities and build a community around transformative treatment approaches? 

In this episode of Associations Thrive, host Joanna Pineda interviews Jena Stack, Executive Director of the Society of Interventional Oncology (SIO). Jena discusses:

• How interventional oncology is emerging as the fourth pillar of cancer care, alongside surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
• How interventional oncologists use minimally invasive, image-guided techniques to target cancer with fewer side effects and faster recovery.
• How SIO has tripled in membership since 2020, growing from a small niche society to nearly 1,500 members globally.
• SIO's impressive governance model, which prioritizes relationship-building and alignment between the board and staff.
• How SIO is leading its own multi-million dollar clinical trials to address gaps in evidence and influence standards of care. Typically, this role has been reserved for pharma companies or academic institutions.
• The creation of the Clinical Trial Collaborative (CTC), a new research community and certificate program that trains and connects principal investigators.
• SIO’s long-term vision to empower more physicians to lead studies and expand access to minimally invasive cancer treatments.
• The importance of "pausing to retreat" during growth, and how SIO balances ambition with sustainability.

References:

• SIO Website