Homepage - 14th Annual Texas AYA Oncology Conference

April 18-19, 2024

We are excited to be back in person for the 14th Annual Texas AYA Oncology Conference. This year’s conference is brought to you by MD Anderson Cancer Center.

We have a new approach this year. The conference will be two days. Day 1 will be virtual only (with an option to meet up at MD Anderson Cancer Center to watch as a group) and Day 2 will be in-person only, with no virtual option available.

If you can only attend Day 1 – it is free!

If you plan on attending in-person for either day, it will be $75 total for all registered participants.

Earn up to 10.5 CEU/CME’s for both days – with up to 4.5 ethics!

Earn up to 6 CEU/CME’s – up to 3 ethics for those only able to attend Thursday virtually.

All in-person sessions and activities will take place at MD Anderson Cancer Prevention Center – 1155 Pressler St, Houston, TX 77030.

You will be redirected to a Zoom Events Page to register.

The conference will start on Thursday, April 18th.

Here is a sneak peak at what we have planned so far. Please note, the agenda is subject to change..

Session Time	Topic	Speaker(s)
Thursday Sessions will be live on Zoom Events – Earn up to 6 CEU/CME’s – up to 3 ethics for Thursday’s sessions!
Thursday Apr 18 8:00am – 9:30am	Breakfast and check in (in person ONLY)
Thursday Apr 18 9:30am – 11:00am	Session 1: Oncofertility Considerations: Current State of the ART	Joyce Reinecke, JD and Laurie McKenzie, MD
Thursday Apr 18 11:00am – 12:00pm	Lunch
Thursday Apr 18 12:00pm – 1:30pm	Session 2: Use and Misuse of Opioids in Cancer Survivors (Survivorship Grand Rounds presentation)	Melissa Beauchemin, PhD, MSN, BSN, BA, CPNP-PC, CPON and Judith Paice, PhD, RN
Thursday Apr 18 1:30pm – 1:45pm	Break
Thursday Apr 18 1:45pm – 3:15pm	Session 3: Voices of AYAs with Advanced Cancer	Jennifer Mack, MD and Lori Wiener, PhD, DCSW
Thursday Apr 18 3:15pm – 3:30pm	Break
Thursday Apr 18 3:30pm – 5:00pm	Session 4: Financial Toxicity	Anne Kirchhoff, PhD, MPH, Wendy Griffith, MSSW, LCSW, OSW-C, Heather DeRousse, LCSW
Thursday Apr 18 TBD	Social Event (for in-person attendees only) Exact format will be determined based on input from registrants!
The following sessions are In-Person Only – Earn up to 10.5 CEU/CME’s for both days – with up to 4.5 ethics!
Friday Apr 19 8:00am – 9:00am	Breakfast and check in
Friday Apr 19 9:00am – 9:15am	Welcome
Friday Apr 19 9:15am – 10:00am	Writing workshop (optional)
Friday Apr 19 10:15am – 11:00am	Workshop 1: Oncofertility
Friday Apr 19 11:00am – 11:15am	Break/Snacks
Friday Apr 19 11:15am – 12:00pm	Workshop 2: Opioid use and misuse
Friday Apr 19 12:15pm – 1:00pm	Workshop 3: Voices of AYAs with advanced cancer
Friday Apr 19 1:00pm – 2:30pm	Lunch
Friday Apr 19 2:30pm – 4:00pm	Workshop 4: Large group discussion (opportunities for collaboration, summarize outcomes from other discussion groups, etc.)
Friday Apr 19 4:15pm – 4:30pm	Closing

You will be redirected to a Zoom Events Page to register.

CONTINUING EDUCATION STATEMENTS

Earn up to 10.5 CEU/CME’s for both days – with up to 4.5 ethics!

Earn up to 6 CEU/CME’s – up to 3 ethics for those only able to attend Thursday virtually.

Physicians

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM.

Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.50 credit(s) of education in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.

Nurses

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this live activity will award 4.50 Nursing Contact Hour(s).

Social Workers

The University of Texas MD Anderson (CEU Provider #4607) is an approved continuing education provider for Social Workers through the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners. This activity has been approved for continuing education units.

Day 1 Virtual Only: Free

Day 2 – In-Person + Virtual (All Access): $75

Earn up to 10.5 CEU/CME’s for both days – with up to 4.5 ethics!

Earn up to 6 CEU/CME’s – up to 3 ethics for those only able to attend Thursday virtually.

You will be redirected to a Zoom Events Page to register.

This year’s conference will be at the MD Anderson Cancer Prevention Center.

The address is 1155 Pressler St, Houston, TX 77030.

Houston Marriott Medical Center/Museum District
6580 Fannin St
Houston, TX 77030

Start Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2024
End Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024

$179/night plus applicable taxes

Last Day to Book: Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Group Code: ADOADOR

We invite abstract submissions on a range of topics in adolescent and young adult cancer care ranging from prevention to early detection and treatment to survivorship and supportive care. All abstract submissions related to care, research, and quality improvement of AYA cancer will be considered for poster presentation. Authors of accepted abstracts will be expected to present in person at the 10^th annual TAYA Conference during the poster session on February 18, 2023.

Abstract submission extension to Jan 27th. Submit your abstract via email to: jose.esquilin@hcahealthcare.com

Click here to download Abstract Template

Submission instructions:

An author may submit more than one abstract
If your abstract is accepted for presentation, the presenting author must register for the conference by the registration deadline
Abstracts submitted and accepted for the 2023 TAYA conference may be presented at another meeting
Work in progress may be submitted.
Abstract submission extension to Jan 27th.
Include a descriptive abstract title.
Include all authors that contributed to the abstract.
Underline the name of the presenter(s).
Indicate with an asterisk (*) the name of the corresponding author.
Include all authors’ affiliations. Author affiliations should include institution name, city, state and country.
Abstract should be no longer than 250 words
Abstracts must use 12-point Times New Roman font.
It is recommended that the content of the abstract be divided into appropriate section (i.e., background, methods, results, conclusion etc.)
Abbreviations are allowed if they are described in full at the first mention.
Do not insert charts or images into the abstract.
Do not include references.
Provide the name and email address for the presenter(s) and the corresponding author.
Submit your abstract via email to: jose.esquilin@hcahealthcare.com

Poster details:

Posters must be 24 X 63 to fit on vertical x-banners. Vertical x-banners will be provided. Please use the attached PowerPoint poster template to prepare your poster. This template is the exact size that your poster needs to be. You may change the layout of sections, fonts, colors, and add your institution’s logo, but your poster must conform to this size.
Posters must have grommets that are 1⁄2 an inch in from edges on all four corners of the poster.
The top of the poster should feature the title of the project/program and all authors
The content of the poster should be divided into appropriate sections (i.e., background/introduction, methods, results, conclusions, significance/impact, etc.).
Include illustrations if possible – figures, tables, color photographs, charts etc.
The material should be well labeled and legible from a distance of 2 yards.
All posters must note which grant and core usage the research was supported by if applicable
All presenters are responsible for printing and bringing their poster to the conference and putting it up in their assigned location

Joyce Reinecke, JD

Executive Director Alliance for Fertility Preservation

Before joining the AFP as its Executive Director, Joyce was a Cancer & Fertility Adviser for the LIVESTRONG Foundation. Prior to that, she served as the Vice President of Programs for Fertile Hope. Throughout her tenure at Fertile Hope, she worked to expand patient and provider awareness of fertility preservation and of advances in the burgeoning field of oncofertility. She was instrumental in developing groundbreaking programs and services including innovative patient materials, a provider education program and Fertile Hope’s Centers of Excellence program. Joyce is the co-author of 100 Questions & Answers About Cancer and Fertility as well as several articles on cancer & fertility. Joyce has also given countless presentations to varied audiences across the country, and collaborated with leading professional and patient organizations to promote dialogue and policy change. Joyce is a long-term survivor of leiomyosarcoma who opted for embryo freezing and surrogacy to create her family. Her personal oncofertility journey informs her professional focus and her commitment as a patient advocate. Prior to her work at Fertile Hope, Joyce was a trademark attorney in Seattle, WA. Joyce obtained a law degree from Fordham University School of Law, and a B.A. from Occidental College. Joyce currently lives in Lafayette, CA with her husband, John, and their twin daughters, Alexandra and Olivia.

Laurie McKenzie, MD

Oncofertility Associate Professor University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Department of Gynecologic Oncology

Dr. Laurie J. McKenzie is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and holds a joint appointment in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Baylor College of Medicine.Her clinical practice at MD Anderson Cancer Center encompasses fertility counseling and preservation prior to cancer treatment as well as family-building services for men and women whose reproductive potential may have been impacted by cancer treatment.

Melissa Beauchemin, PhD, MSN, BSN, BA, CPNP-PC, CPON

Assistant Professor of Nursing Columbia University

Melissa Beauchemin is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Columbia University, and the Scientific Co-Lead for Cancer Care Delivery Research in the Columbia University Minority-Underserved NCI Community Oncology Research Program. As a nurse scientist and pediatric oncology nurse practitioner with over 15 years of clinical experience, her program of research focuses on identifying and developing strategies to enhance delivery of high-quality, equitable cancer care for children, adolescents and young adults.

Judith Paice, PhD, RN

Director of the Cancer Pain Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology and Research Professor of Medicine Northwestern University; Feinberg School of Medicine

Judith Paice, PhD, RN is the Director of the Cancer Pain Program in the Division of Hematology-Oncology and a Research Professor of Medicine, Northwestern University; Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also a member of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Paice is presently a member of the NIH HEAL Initiative Multidisciplinary Working Group and has served as President of the American Pain Society and Secretary of the International Association for the Study of Pain. Currently a panel member of the NCCN Adult Cancer Pain Clinical Practice Guideline, much of Dr Paice’s clinical work has been in the relief of pain associated with cancer. She has traveled widely within six continents to educate health care professionals regarding cancer pain relief and palliative care. Dr. Paice serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Pain and Journal of Pain and Symptom Management and is the author of more than 170 scientific manuscripts. She was one of the original consultants in the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC) and has continued serving as a faculty member in this program. In 2018, Dr. Paice was named one of the 30 Visionaries in the field by the Academy of Hospice and Palliative Care

Jennifer W. Mack, MD, MPH

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School Associate Chief, Division of Population Sciences, Division of Population Sciences, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Faculty Vice President for the Office for Faculty Development, Professionalism, and Inclusion, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Dr. Mack received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School 1998. She subsequently completed her residency in Pediatrics and her fellowship in Pediatric Hematology Oncology at Boston Children's Hospital and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA. In 2005, Dr. Mack received a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Lori Wiener, PhD, DCSW

Senior Associate Scientist National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research and National Institutes of Health

Dr. Lori Wiener is co-director of the Behavioral Science Core and Head of the Psychosocial Support and Research Program at the pediatric oncology branch of the National Cancer Institute. As both a clinician and behavioral scientist, Dr. Wiener has developed a robust clinical and research program that has focused on critical clinical issues such as parental coping, lone parenting, transnational parenting, sibling and sibling donor experiences, graph versus host disease, and end-of-life planning. Dr. Wiener has also dedicated a substantial part of her career to applying knowledge from her clinical experience and psychosocial studies to create innovative resources such as books, workbooks, therapeutic games and an advance care planning guide for children, adolescents, and young adults. Each of these resources are distributed worldwide and widely utilized in pediatric centers.

Anne Kirchhoff, PhD, MPH

Associate Professor of Pediatrics University of Utah School of Medicine and a Huntsman Cancer Institute

Anne C. Kirchhoff, PhD, MPH is a tenured Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine and a Huntsman Cancer Institute Investigator in the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Research Program. As a health services researcher, her program primarily concerns evaluating patient outcomes related to healthcare access and cancer late effects, and developing interventions for childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors, with a focus on addressing the social and financial consequences of cancer. Dr. Kirchhoff leads a range of studies from interventions at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Primary Children’s Hospital to statewide analyses of survivor outcomes using the Utah Population Database. Her research interests also include using large, population-based surveys to examine socioeconomic outcomes of cancer survivors. Dr. Kirchhoff has a strong history of funding as a Principal Investigator from both institutional grant support and external funding via the NIH and foundations, including an NCI R01 to develop and test insurance educational materials for adolescents and young adults with cancer. Since 2007, she has collaborated with and led several studies with the national Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS). Most recently, she is a Co-Investigator of an American Cancer Society grant to test an insurance navigation program with survivors recruited from this cohort. Dr. Kirchhoff completed her doctoral degree in the Department of Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health, where she was funded by the National Cancer Institute’s R25 Education and Career Development Program. She also received her MPH in Health Education and Behavioral Science from the School of Public Health at Saint Louis University.

Wendy Griffith, MSSW, LCSW, OSW-C

Program Director MD Anderson Cancer Center

Wendy Griffith has worked with children and young adults in Texas for over a decade, starting with her undergraduate and graduate internships where she first found her love for oncology. Griffith joined MD Anderson in 2008 as a social worker in the Head and Neck Clinic where she had the opportunity to provide counseling and resource linkages to patients of all ages, but especially to young adults. She co-manages the Young Adult Advisory Council, which works with patients and employees to improve the experience of care for young adults at MD Anderson by collaborating in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, programs and services that impact young adults. She also created and facilitates the Young Adult Support Group for young adult patients (ages 18 to 39) and their caregivers. Her role in the AYA Oncology Program is to ensure our services are well-known throughout MD Anderson and to be a liaison to neighboring institutions, community organizations, and philanthropic partners.

Heather DeRousse, LCSW

Vocational Counselor MD Anderson Cancer Center

Heather is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked with pediatric and young adult cancer patients for 20+ years. After working as a social worker in multiple areas across MD Anderson, Heather transitioned to the AYA team in 2023 to focus specifically on vocational counseling. As a vocational counselor, she assists adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with college and career exploration, often utilizing career and interest assessments to help them plan meaningful career paths tailored to their specific interests and talents. When working with college students, Heather helps with identify resources for financial aid scholarships and explores possible educational accommodations. She also frequently works with patients and survivors who are navigating the workplace setting by providing guidance on leave of absence and workplace accommodations. When she isn’t in clinic or with patients, she is co-leading the Adolescent and Young Adult Advisory Council, the AYA caregiver support group, or participating in a variety of committees and workgroups.