In this episode, Emily Gentry, BSN, RN, HON-ONN-CG, OCN, and Chelsea Passwater, DNP, RN, AGCNS-BC, OCN, discuss the benefits and background of the Cancer Advocacy & Patient Education (CAPE) Portal.

The Cancer Advocacy & Patient Education (CAPE) initiative is a web-based library of best-practice resources designed to support cancer patients and caregivers at every stage of their journey. 

Through a personalized digital platform, healthcare providers can deliver curated, evidence-based resources to address physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being. By educating, engaging, and empowering patients, CAPE aims to reduce distress, enhance patient experiences, and support quality-of-life improvements throughout the cancer journey.

Thank you to our sponsor, Exelixis, for providing funding for this podcast. 

To close out this 3-part series, Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS (Knowledge + Research + Advocacy = Survivorship) Kickers, Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a lung nurse navigator at Northwest Community Hospital, and Claudia Miller, RN, ONC, ONN-CG, a thoracic oncology nurse navigator at Hollings Cancer Center, will explore the CEACAM 5 biomarker, clinical trial recruitment strategies deployed by navigators, and the role that shared decision-making has on patient outcomes throughout their treatment. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Sanofi, for making this biomarker podcast series possible. 

In this second episode, Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS (Knowledge + Research + Advocacy = Survivorship) Kickers, Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a lung nurse navigator at Northwest Community Hospital, and Claudia Miller, RN, ONC, ONN-CG, a thoracic oncology nurse navigator at Hollings Cancer Center, discuss key considerations for patients in biomarkers from a navigator’s perspective and dive deeper into novel biomarkers, including what questions patients should be asking.

Thank you to our sponsor, Sanofi, for making this biomarker podcast series possible.

In this first episode, Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS (Knowledge + Research + Advocacy = Survivorship) Kickers, Jennifer Aversano, MSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, a lung nurse navigator at Northwest Community Hospital, and Claudia Miller, RN, ONC, ONN-CG, a thoracic oncology nurse navigator at Hollings Cancer Center, examine the ever-evolving biomarker landscape and the critical role navigators play in ensuring timely testing, appropriate follow-up, and removal of barriers to care.

Thank you to our sponsor, Sanofi, for making this podcast series possible.

In celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day, our participants will examine the survivorship phase of the cancer continuum including the role of the navigator in survivorship. Two myeloma survivors, Doug Keller and Maddie Hunter will discuss their survivorship journey including how they are giving back, the common struggles cancer survivors face after treatment, and the significance of surveillance in survivorship.

Objectives:

1. Explore what survivorship is and what it means to patients 
2. Describe common challenges cancer survivors face and how a navigator can address them 
3. Understand the importance of screening and surveillance in survivorship  
4. Learn strategies in how best to support survivorship patients 

Faculty:

•  Doug Keller 
  Survivorship coach, myeloma survivor with Healthtree Foundation
  
   Doug is an 11-year multiple myeloma survivor. He went through two stem cell transplants and many other lines of therapy before having CAR-T and finally gaining remission in 2022. While living with myeloma he continued to work full time, travel, and stay physically active. Doug received a lot of support from others during his myeloma journey, and is paying this back by coaching new myeloma patients to help them understand the disease, how to talk to their doctors, and where to get support. He believes that access to information on the disease and having a positive attitude are key parts of successful survivorship.
  
  
• Maddie Hunter
  Survivorship coach, myeloma survivor with Healthtree Foundation 
  
   Maddie has been living with Myeloma since 2001. Her serial remissions have enabled her to raise her son into adulthood, fall in love, build and then retire from her consulting and leadership business, travel the world, welcome 3 grandchildren and lead the Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group. Myeloma has not deterred her from having a full life. She believes it has opened her eyes to possibilities she would not have recognized had she not had this tough diagnosis. Maddie coaches individuals who are seeking to find ways to cope with a Myeloma diagnosis and finds deep pleasure in supporting patients to discover their new “normal”. 

Resources:

• HealthTree
• Oncolink
• International Myeloma Foundation | IMF | Multiple Myeloma Information
• ASCO Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Care Plans

Clinical Trial Committee members Mary Salazar and Lilliana Larsson discuss clinical trials in oncology, the importance of increasing diversity representation,  and the impact it has on the future of oncology medicine.

Objectives:

1. Examine the lack of diversity in clinical trials and the effect is has on oncology care
2. Understand the role of the clinical trial navigator and the impact navigation has on increasing diversity in the clinical trial space
3. Explore navigation strategies to improve health equity in clinical trials 
4. Identify reputable clinical trial resources for navigators to utilize in practice

Faculty:

• Mary Salazar DNP, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, Director of Oncology Patient Experience
  Adult Nurse Practitioner, Medical Oncology with UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center , [email protected]

Liliana Larsson MSN, RN, OCN, CCRP, TTS Oncology Nurse Navigator with MD Anderson, Houston, TX,  [email protected]

Resource: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/

Committee Link: https://aonnonline.org/committees/clinical-trials-committee

Clinical Trial Committee members Mary Salazar and Lilliana Larsson discuss clinical trials in oncology, the importance of increasing diversity representation,  and the impact it has on the future of oncology medicine.

Objectives:

1. Examine the lack of diversity in clinical trials and the effect is has on oncology care
2. Understand the role of the clinical trial navigator and the impact navigation has on increasing diversity in the clinical trial space
3. Explore navigation strategies to improve health equity in clinical trials 
4. Identify reputable clinical trial resources for navigators to utilize in practice

Faculty:

• Mary Salazar DNP, MSN, RN, ANP-BC, Director of Oncology Patient Experience
  Adult Nurse Practitioner, Medical Oncology with UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center , [email protected]
• Liliana Larsson MSN, RN, OCN, CCRP, TTS Oncology Nurse Navigator with MD Anderson, Houston, TX,  [email protected]

Resource: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/

Committee Link: https://aonnonline.org/committees/clinical-trials-committee

BOLD Mentorship participants, Peg Rummel and Amie Booth share their experience, insights, and lessons learned from their time in the AONN+ Bold Mentorship Academy as well as dive into some AONN+ professional development opportunities in 2023.  

Objectives: The listener will be able to

1. Identify the role of mentorship in navigation profession and benefits of mentorship
2. Understand the reciprocal relationship between mentor/mentee
3. Explore professional growth best practices gained from mentorship

Faculty: Peg Rummel (Mentor), Amie Booth (Mentee)

Considering the year end is approaching, AONN + hopes to demonstrate our appreciation for navigators with an emphasis on celebrating the role of the navigator. We hope to encourage and inspire you as you listen to your navigation colleagues share their personal and professional experiences.

Objectives:

Listeners will:

Reflect on why they became a navigator

Learn how patient experiences have molded them

Identify ways navigators may care for themselves while working within the field of oncology

In this session participants, will explore the value of the role of the oncology navigator within the multidisciplinary healthcare setting. Gleaning knowledge from experienced navigators flourishing in their multidisciplinary healthcare settings, listeners will explore best practices and communication tools essential for enhancing their navigation role amongst the oncology healthcare team.