CANCER BUZZ

In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Lauren Hughes, RN, director of infusion services at Highlands Oncology about her program's receipt of a 2025 ACCC Innovator Award. Highlands Oncology's innovation, Improving Care Between Clinic Visits: A Sustainable Model for Remote Patient Monitoring, ensures continuous support and symptom management for patients between clinic visits. An early contributor to real-world evidence on the impact of remote patient monitoring, Hughes will discuss how Highlands Oncology significantly reduced emergency department visits and hospitalizations while increasing treatment adherence and patient engagement.

Lauren Hughes, RN Director of Infusion Services

Highlands Oncology

Fayetteville, Arkansas

"[Patients] like the ease and simplicity of being able to pick up [their] phone, go to an app, and send a quick message...We've heard time and time again [from patients that even though] it's an app...it still feels personal. They feel like they're being checked on and cared for when they're on site...and after hours."

- Lauren Hughes

This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2025 ACCC Innovator Award winners. For a deeper dive into this topic and other content that will help your team reimagine how care is delivered at your cancer program or practice, register today for the ACCC 42nd National Oncology Conference, October 15-17 in Denver, Colorado.

Resources:

Technology-Enabled Assessments Support Remote Care of Oncology Patients and Improve the Care Team Experience

Remote Patient Monitoring: The New Frontier in Telemedicine Opportunities

Ochsner Chemotherapy Care Companion: Improving Outcomes through Digital Medicine

ePROs: Lighting the Way to Improved Outcomes Efficiency and Patient Experience

On October 29-30, 2024, the ACCC Community Oncology Research Institute (ACORI) hosted the Community Oncology Inclusive Clinical Trial Design Summit in Arlington, VA. The event brought together stakeholders including academic and community cancer center practitioners and researchers, advocacy organizations, government agencies, and industry partners to discuss strategies to increase patient access to clinical trials in the community setting. Five priority areas were identified that characterize actionable strategies to promote fair and accessible clinical trial design that is representative of all patients with cancer: strengthening the clinical trial workforce, optimizing trial design, engaging communities outside of clinical trial interactions, decentralizing clinical trials, and leveraging artificial intelligence/digital health tools for increased access and efficiency.

ACCC is committed to providing support in these priority areas to increase representative participation and opportunities in clinical trials for oncology patients across the US. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, Kimberly Demirhan, MBA, BSN, RN, assistant director of education programs at ACCC, discusses the 5 priority areas identified at the ACORI Summit and ways to transform how we think about access to trials, especially leveraging AI and digital tools to do so.

"We looked at optimizing trial design to reflect real world patient populations ... assessing eligibility criteria to make it more reflective of the patient populations that we see out in the community."

"[We suggest] simplifying protocols so we're not accidentally eliminating patients [due to] benign factors, and then really engaging our community providers early on in the design process."

"It's a really important time to be addressing [AI] and looking at the opportunities we have to transform the way we think about clinical trials, how we think about the delivery and access to them." – Kimberly Demirhan

Kimberly Demirhan, MBA, BSN, RN

Assistant Director, Education Programs

Association of Cancer Care Centers

Resources:

2024 ACORI Summit

Just ASK: Increasing Diversity in Cancer Clinical Research

Bringing Cancer Research to the Community: Strategic Approaches to Representative Oncology Clinical Trial Design

Navigating disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract cancer (BTC) is essential for improving patient outcomes, ensuring equitable care, and optimizing the patient experience. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) remains committed to increasing awareness and disseminating the latest strategies for BTC management. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ explores these issues with Paige Griffith, CRNP, lead oncology nurse practitioner at Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, who highlights the vital role of multidisciplinary teams in reducing care fragmentation and streamlining care delivery. CANCER BUZZ also speaks with Chaundra Bishop, a patient with biliary tract cancer, who shares her personal experience confronting systemic barriers—particularly delays and obstacles during the diagnostic process—and offers insights into how addressing such disparities can improve the patient journey for others.

"Everyone plays a role, even from early-stage disease all the way to advanced disease, and having someone help navigate patients through that very complex system is important." – Paige Griffith, CRNP

"From the patient perspective, I think it's always important to ask for what you need, or ask questions if you don't understand something. Don't, as they say, suffer in silence." – Chaundra Bishop

Paige Griffith, CRNP

Lead Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Baltimore, MD

Chaundra Bishop

Patient With Biliary Tract Cancer

Resources:

Bile Duct Cancer - MD Anderson Cancer Center - https://bit.ly/42YPRdT

Cholangiocarcinoma - NCI - https://bit.ly/44oV4N2

Synopsis: One of the most significant social determinants of health is housing, which can lead to prolonged hospital stays and an endless cycle of episodic care. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to highlighting programs that address this disparity to improve medical outcomes and restore stability to patients' lives. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Deirdre Sekulic, associate director of social work at Montefiore Health System to discuss ways that HARP prioritizes patient outcomes to improve continuity of care.

"We really wanted to focus on coordinating health and housing and putting in a support system to manage those patients better, get them linked to primary care so they would have better health outcomes and also to improve the flow of people into the emergency room and into the hospital" – Deirdre Sekulic

"Housing is complex, never be afraid to ask people about their housing situation… ask them that in a very dignified manner, but to make sure to ask the question." – Deirdre Sekulic

Deirdre Sekulic, LCSW

Associate Director of Social Work

Montefiore Health System

Resources:

· An Innovative Program Addresses Housing Insecurity - Oncology Issues - https://bit.ly/3EJ2Pmr

· Montefiore's HARP Celebrates 15 Years - https://bit.ly/4iE0TcX

· Montefiore Health System - https://bit.ly/3Gw5nVA

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel therapeutic agents designed to target specific tumor markers with potent anticancer drugs. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on ADC treatment management. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Nancy Mallett, a patient advocate, to discuss the patient's perspective and experience receiving treatment for gynecologic cancers, particularly with ADCs such as mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx.

"[Providers] giving me the information and allowing us to decide together, instead of just telling me, makes me feel more cared about and that I'm not just a number, I'm a person. They care about what I think, and look at my life and what it can do for me." – Nancy Mallett

Nancy Mallett

Patient Advocate

Resources:

FDA Approval Summary: Mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx for FRα-positive, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer - https://bit.ly/4is00nD

Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO): Gynecologic Cancer Resources for Patients and Their Families - https://bit.ly/4jpYaoP

ASCO: Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Gynecologic Cancer - https://bit.ly/42GP5k8

Society of Gynecologic Oncology Journal Club: The ABCs of ADCs (Antibody drug Conjugates) - https://bit.ly/42U2962

Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Gynecologic Cancers - https://bit.ly/4cLYECZ

Funder Statement

This program is supported by AbbVie.

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face poorer cancer outcomes and experiences compared with younger and older patients, and they historically have been lost between pediatric and adult models of oncology care. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing up-to-date guidance on treating AYA patients with cancer to improve their outcomes. In this episode of CANCER BUZZ, a team from the University of North Carolina (UNC) AYA Oncology Program shares how it's meeting the unique needs of this patient population by providing developmentally appropriate cancer care through a multidisciplinary approach, including clinical trial access and interactive infusion space; sharing resources where AYAs need additional support; and developing education about fertility and the short- and long-term impacts of cancer.

"We talk about things like sleep, mental health, diet, exercise, knowing all of those aspects of life have been impacted by cancer and its treatment, and in order to have the best quality of life and best outcomes, we need to pay attention to all of those aspects of an AYA survivors' life." – Andrew Smitherman, MD, MS

"We know that AYAs are one of the most underinsured or uninsured populations in the United States, and so that means often they are at least initially facing these diagnoses without any insurance at all to help defray the costs." – Jacob Stein, MD, MPH

"My approach [for talking about long term effects] is that patients want to be able to have the opportunity to receive information." – Alison Manikowski, PsyD

Read the full article here.

Guests

Andrew Smitherman, MD, MSc

AYA Medical Director

Pediatric Oncologist

UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC

Jacob Stein, MD, MPH AYA Oncology Liaison

Medical Oncologist

UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC

Alison Manikowski, PsyDAYA Program Pediatric Psychologist

UNC Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program

Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer CenterChapel Hill, NC

Resources:

• UNC AYA Cancer Program
• ACCC AYA Resources

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) disproportionately impacts underserved and minority populations, compounded by systemic barriers in care. These populations face increased risk factors yet often experience delayed diagnoses and limited access to specialists, leading to later-stage detection. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a GI oncology nurse navigator at UAB O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer, and Henry Rendon, a patient diagnosed with HCC in June 2023. Together, they share insights on the vital role of multidisciplinary teams and how nurse navigators can mitigate access barriers by improving patient outreach, facilitating access to care, and guiding patients through the complexities of the health care system.

"Karen, my nurse navigator, knew everything I was going through. She made sure everything was coordinated and ran smoothly. She communicated clearly and thoroughly every time. I never had to second-guess what was happening. She made sure I was prepared, not just once, but every step of the way." - Henry Rendon, patient guest with HCC

"At our institution, we have a clinic where the patient can see a medical oncologist, a liver medical physician, an interventional radiology specialist, a pharmacist… the whole gamut. If they need social work, we'll pull in social work. If they need palliative care, we'll pull in palliative care. And that's in one visit. For folks with transportation issues or those who live far away, it's truly the best way to get care." - Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG

Karen S. Waldrop, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG

GI Oncology Nurse Navigator

UAB O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer

Birmingham, Alabama

Henry Rendon

Patient Guest, diagnosed with HCC

Helena, Alabama

Additional Resources:

Multidisciplinary HCC Care Effective Practices in Care Coordination - https://bit.ly/4lHTpbN

HCC Education and Protocols to Advance Treatment through Integrated Collaboration - https://bit.ly/42GpatW

Understanding practices and gaps in multidisciplinary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) care within the community oncology setting - https://bit.ly/3XT4k84

Building Multidisciplinary Care Capacity for People Impacted by Hepatocellular Carcinoma - https://bit.ly/44rgFUS

Raising awareness about disparities in cancers impacting women, screening among Indigenous populations, and barriers to accessing care is essential. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicating to providing up-to-date information on approaches to improving women's health screening, education, and prevention in Indigenous subpopulations. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Tricia Numan, MD, assistant professor of pathology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center about geographical challenges to accessing care and strategies for culturally tailored approaches for indigenous women.

"[There] are some major things that have happened in not so recent past to native populations, and I think it's really important for health care providers to take that recent history into account when they're caring for native patients." – Tricia Numan, MD

"If you want to culturally tailor your health care I think that it's very important, because it's not a one size fits all."

Tricia Numan, MD

Gynecologic Pathologist

Assistant Professor of Pathology

Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine

Department of Indigenous Cancer Health

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Buffalo, New York

Resources:

Roswell Park Department of Indigenous Cancer Health

Oncology Issues Roswell Park Article

Personalized therapeutic approaches for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), guided by shared decision-making, can improve outcomes by aligning treatment with a patient's unique clinical profile, preferences and goals. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on CLL management and treatment strategies. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Christopher Nelson, ACNP, MBA, certified oncology nurse practitioner at Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology, to explore the importance of shared decision-making and patient communication in CLL. Additionally, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Meghan McGrath, MSN, RN, AGACNP, clinical trial nurse navigator at The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), who discusses ways to incorporate clinical trials in the shared decision-making process and LLS services that are available to support patients and providers.

"You do what the patient feels is best, you know, you look at what their values are and what's important to them, and then you try to find a therapy that fits those." – Christopher Nelson, ACNP

"I think it's really important to try and make every patient aware of the fact that a clinical trial could be right for them at any stage in the game." – Meghan McGrath, MSN, RN, AGACNP

Christopher Nelson, ACNP

Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Avera Medical Group Oncology & Hematology

Aberdeen, SD

Meghan McGrath, MSN, RN, AGACNP

Clinical Trial Nurse Navigator

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)

Resources:

· ACCC Treatment for Double-Exposed CLL - https://bit.ly/4iSmfV1

· ACCC CLL Resources - https://bit.ly/3E4QqZK

· LLS Clinical Trial Support Center - https://bit.ly/42sqGQk

· ACCC CLL Video Series - https://bit.ly/4la4li5

With the ongoing workforce challenges in oncology, health systems must develop strategies to support their pipeline of health care employees. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is committed to providing resources and support on managing this challenge and strengthen strategic partnerships. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Laura Matthews, MBA, MPH, FACHE, vice president and administrator at Inova Schar Cancer, to discuss the strategies to address these workforce needs through local partnerships and early career recruitment. Ms. Matthews highlights opportunities to collaborate with high school programs, undergraduate students, and community colleges to create opportunities for students to gain experience and introduce health career options.

"Don't let geography limit you in terms of being creative about the different educational partners you may want to work with." – Laura Matthews

"For anyone who is looking to replicate some of these programs: bring your creativity, bring your innovation. Many of these, if not all of these, were ideas that came from leaders and team members who saw an opportunity to better grow our workforce." – Laura Matthews

Laura Matthews, MBA, MPH, FACHE

Vice President and Administrator

Inova Schar Cancer

Inova Health System

Falls Church, VA

Resources:

Pipeline Partners

Inova Schar Cancer