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Advancing best practices and emerging research in AYA cancer care and support
We're Going Virtual in 2021!
The University of Texas MD Anderson AYA Oncology Program is proud to host the 11th annual Texas AYA conference February 22-24, 2021. Despite the impact of covid-19, this year’s planning committee has embraced the opportunity to provide this conference in a new, safe and completely virtual way.
This year’s meeting may feel a little different as the oncology community comes together via screens instead of pushing a door, but the conference’s purpose, content, and quality is exactly the same. In fact, a virtual meeting enables us to reach even more oncology professionals from around the country and globe!
Our conference is broken down into 3 short days, each focused on a theme affecting AYA cancer patients and survivors. Monday, February 22nd will focus on survivorship and life after treatment. Tuesday, February 23rd will be dedicated to under-addressed topics like sexual health, gender identity, financial toxicity and advance care planning. Then, we will wrap up on Wednesday, February 24th with panel discussions that focus on program building, expansion and the benefits and challenges of telemedicine among AYA populations.
Whether you’re focused on research, patient care, or program development, there’s something in this conference for you.
Day 1
Survivorship Opportunities for AYAs, improving life management beyond treatment
Day 2
Sexual health, gender identity, financial toxicity & advance care planning
Day 3
Panel discussions, AYA program development and expansion, telehealth benefits & challenges
About This Annual Meeting
The Texas Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Conference is an annual meeting for healthcare professionals who are committed to enhancing the medical and psychosocial standard of care for young people diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39.
Physicians, social workers, nurses, clinical navigators, psychologists, therapists, advocacy partners and oncology professionals of all disciplines attend this conference to discover emerging research, apply best practices and collaborate with national program leaders in the field of AYA oncology.
The meeting began in 2010 to raise awareness about the many medical and psychosocial issues affecting quality and quantity of life in this unique patient population. It has since expanded outside of San Antonio to become a national conference that includes hosts from Fort Worth (Fort Worth AYA Oncology Coalition), San Antonio and Houston (MD Anderson AYA Program) in its annual rotation.
Agenda
11:00am - 12:00pm
Thriving Beyond AYA Cancer: Examples and Opportunities in Cancer Survivorship
- Saro H. Armenian, D.O., M.P.H., Director, Division of Outcomes, City of Hope
- Review current status of AYA Cancer Survivors, including greatest physiologic and psychosocial needs
- Identify exemplars in cancer survivorship support programs
- Discuss opportunities to further improve AYA survivorship management
12:10pm – 1:00pm
Before and After: Highlighting Advances in Pre and Post-treatment Fertility Care
- Jennifer M Levine, M.D., Associate Professor, Clinical Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine
- Joyce Reinecke, J.D., Executive Director, Alliance For Fertility Preservation
- Review the state of the science of pre-treatment fertility preservation and post-treatment fertility outcomes
- Discuss best practices for integrating fertility planning into pre and post treatment planning
- Identify resources (e.g. insurance coverage, grants) for patients interested in pursuing fertility preservation
12:10pm – 1:00pm
State of the Science in AYA Cancer Survivorship Research: Challenges and Opportunities
- Ashley Wilder Smith, PhD, MPH, Chief of the Outcomes Research Branch, National Cancer Institute
- Review the state of AYA-focused cancer survivorship research (population science, behavioral and healthcare delivery research)
- Discuss trends and progress in AYA incidence and survival
- Discuss key gaps in existing research to address unique experiences of AYAs cancer survivors
- Describe recent and current NIH funding opportunities relevant to AYA cancer survivorship research
1:10pm – 2:00pm
Life After Cancer: The Lived Experience
- Lauren Lux, MSW, LCSW, Adolescent and Young Adult Program Director, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Rachel Becker, LMSW, Senior Director of Programs, Cancer and Careers
- Donna Kelly OT, Sr Occupational Therapist, Rehab Occupational Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Christina Davis, AYA Survivor
- Identify key physical and psychosocial sequelae following a cancer diagnosis in adolescence or young adulthood
- Discuss opportunities to enhance physical, emotional, social, financial, and mental health
- Explore the unique experiences of cancer survivors and how they can inform clinical practice and care provision
1:10pm – 2:00pm
Updates in AYA Tumor Management
- Naveen Pemmaraju, M.D., Associate Professor, Leukemia
- J. Andrew Livingston, M.D., M.S., Assistant Professor, Sarcoma Medical Oncology
- Cathy Eng, M.D., FACP, FASCO, Professor, Hematology and Oncology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center
- Provide an update on trends in prevalence and incidence of common tumor types
- Discuss advances in disease management, including new and novel therapeutic approaches
- Discuss management of acute, late, and long-term toxicities
2:10pm – 3:00pm
Act Your Age: Developing and Validating Assessment Tools Focused on the AYA Population
- John M. Salsman, PhD, Associate Professor, Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest School of Medicine
- Allison Barz Leahy, MD, MSCE, Pediatric Oncologist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Discuss the importance of validation of instrumentation specifically with and for the AYA population
- Identify new and existing measures for physical, psychosocial, and activity in AYA Oncology
- Explore opportunities for advancement in validated instrumentation to address key gaps in the existing psychometric portfolio for AYA oncology and survivorship
2:10pm – 3:00pm
The ABCs of AYA Cancer Genetics: Key Roles in Diagnosis, Treatment and Outcomes
- Terri McVeigh, Consultant Clinical Geneticist, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Identify new and emerging genetic implications for diagnosis, treatment selection and outcomes for the AYA population
- Discuss the role of genetic counseling for AYAs making decisions around screening, surveillance and treatment
- Explore the implications of genetic testing in the pre-vivor space and evidence-based recommendations for individuals with genetic predisposition to tumor development
2:10pm – 3:00pm
Health in Motion: Role of Physical Activity in Survivorship
- Susan Gilchrist, M.D., M.S., Professor, Clinical Cancer Prevention, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Whittney Thoman, M.S., Program Manager, Integrative Health Services, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Discuss advances in research related to physical activity during and post-treatment
- Explore the impact of physical activity on all aspects of wellbeing
- Provide approachable suggestions for increasing physical activity at various levels
11:00am - 12:00pm
Shining a Light on the Minority within a Minority: The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Outcomes in AYAs with Cancer
- Theresa Keegan, Ph.D., M.S., Associate Professor, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Identify key social determinants of health (SDOH) that influence cancer diagnosis and health outcomes in AYAs
- Discuss unique manifestations of SDOH in the AYA Population
- Discuss disparities of care within the AYA oncology population
- Identify key areas for research, clinical practice and policy advancement
12:10pm - 1:00pm
Advanced Care Planning with AYAs: Possibility and Peril
- Barbara Jones, PhD, MSW, Professor & Associate Dean of Health Affairs, University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work
- Jen Currin-McCulloch, PhD, LMSW, Assistant Professor, School of Social Work, Colorado State University
- Discuss the importance of advanced care planning for the AYA population
- Review current rates of ACP completion in the AYA population
- Explore strategies for increasing ACP completion among AYAs
- Discuss the role of ACP decision making based on adolescent and young adult cohorts and implications for who contributes to decision making
- Explore the implications of ACP for clinical and psychosocial outcomes, particularly at the end of life
12:10pm - 1:00pm
The Physical and Psychosocial Implications of Sexual Health: Advances and Opportunities
- Anne Katz, PhD, RN, FAAN, Sexuality Counselor and Clinical Nurse Specialist, CancerCare Manitoba
- Alexandra Guevara, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist, Rehab/Physical Therapy, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Discuss key sexual health challenges facing AYA survivors
- Review best practices for addressing sexual health for all AYA populations
- Identify evidence-based interventions for addressing sexual health during and following treatment
- Discuss psychosocial interventions to support optimal sexual health and relationships for AYAs during and following cancer
1:10pm - 2:00pm
Breaking the Bank: Implications of Treatment-Related Financial Toxicity for AYAs with Cancer
- Grace Smith, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Juliana Serrano, AYA Survivor
- Identify the prevalence and implications of financial toxicity for AYAs with cancer
- Discuss existing and emerging tools to identify financial toxicity
- Explore the impact of financial toxicity on overall health and well-being from a patient perspective
- Identify resources and evidence-based approaches to reducing financial toxicity during and following cancer therapy
1:10pm - 2:00pm
He, She, They: Emphasizing Inclusivity in Gender and Sexual Identity Within AYA Cancer Care
- Kristen L. Eckstrand, MD, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Western Psychiatric Hospital of UPMC
- Discuss the role and importance of gender and sexual identity inclusivity in AYA programming and research
- Identify approaches to ensure inclusivity in programming, research, and marketing materials
- Explore the experience of inclusion (or absence of) for an AYA with cancer and how it influenced treatment experience and outcomes
11:00am - 12:30pm
An Interprofessional Approach to AYA Program Development
- Multi-disciplinary Panel Includes:
- Michael Roth, MD, Associate Professor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Lauren E Adams, LCSW, Social Work Counselor, Social Work, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Wendy Griffith, LCSW, Program Manager, Pedi-Adolescent & Young Adult, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Janae Harris, RN, Pt Navigator, Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Discuss key interprofessional roles that foster a holistic approach to AYA Cancer Care
- Identify unique roles and responsibilities in a comprehensive AYA clinic
- Explore what those roles and responsibilities look like in other AYA clinic models
- Discuss the integration of the AYA service into the larger comprehensive oncology team
12:45pm - 1:45pm
The Evolving Role of Telehealth in AYA Cancer Care
- Multi-disciplinary Panel Includes:
- Angela Yarbrough, APRN, Advanced Prac Registered Nurse, Pediatrics - Patient Care, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Sandra Medina-George M.Ed, Sr Counselor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Wendy Griffith, LCSW, Program Manager, Pedi-Adolescent & Young Adult, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Adriana Fazzano, AYA Survivor
- Discuss the impact and future role of evolving technology to deliver care in a mobile or electronic capacity
- Identify trends in engagement and adherence among AYAs engaged in telehealth
- Explore the experience of an AYA engaged in telehealth with an emphasis on benefits and challenges of this modality
Speakers
Lauren Adams, LCSW CCTP
Social Work Counselor, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Lauren Adams is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) who has over six years of clinical experience working with adolescents and young adults and their families. As the social work counselor in the AYA clinic, Lauren provides counseling to patients and caregivers at no cost to help address areas such as adjusting to a new diagnosis, anxiety, depression, grief and trauma, navigating healthy relationships, body image, sexuality and intimacy, and adjusting to life after cancer. She can also provide education on advanced care planning and help patients and families connect with community resources to increase support.
Saro H. Armenian, D.O., M.P.H.
Professor, Departments of Pediatrics and Population Sciences, City of Hope
Dr. Saro Armenian is the Norman & Sadie Lee Foundation Professor in Pediatrics and is the Co-Leader of the Cancer Control and Population Sciences Program at the City of Hope (COH) Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is the Director of the Division of Outcomes Research in the Department of Population Sciences and is the Director of the Center for Survivorship and Outcomes within the Hematologic Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation Institute at COH. In this capacity, he oversees the longitudinal follow-up of one of the largest cohorts of long-term survivors of pediatric and adult hematologic malignancies in the United States. His research focuses on understanding the pathophysiology and risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, and stroke in survivors of childhood and adult-onset cancers. Taken together, these complications are a leading cause of mortality in survivors of cancer and pose one of the greatest challenges to clinicians taking care of these patients. Dr. Armenian has a number of ongoing studies evaluating novel strategies for early screening and prevention of cancer treatment-related complications, funded by the National Institutes of Health, V-Foundation, American Cancer Society, and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Rachel Becker, LMSW
Senior Director of Programs, Cancer and Careers
As Senior Director of Programs, Rachel’s responsibilities include oversight of Cancer and Careers’ program team, and she regularly presents on topics related to cancer and work at community-based events and cancer conferences around the country. Before joining Cancer and Careers, Rachel was Head of Client Services at CarePlanners (cofounded by Dr. Nancy Snyderman), where she designed and implemented a technology-based infrastructure for delivering and monitoring support services. Prior to that, she completed a fellowship in psycho oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Rachel holds a BA from Rutgers University and graduated summa cum laude with an MSW from NYU.
Jen Currin-McCulloch, PhD, LMSW
Assistant Professor, Colorado State University School of Social Work
Jen Currin-McCulloch, PhD, LMSW is an oncology and palliative care social work clinician and researcher. After completing her PhD, Jen has focused her research on exploring the function of and meaning of among young adults with advanced cancer. She also studies interprofessional collaboration in palliative care teams and ways to foster dialogues about existential quality of life at the end-of-life.
Kristen Eckstrand, MD, PhD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Eckstrand is a board-certified child & adolescent psychiatrist and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Western Psychiatric Hospital of UPMC. Dr. Eckstrand holds an M.D. and Ph.D. in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University, and is internationally recognized for their leadership supporting the health of LGBTQ communities. Dr. Eckstrand has published four textbooks and numerous peer-reviewed papers on the mental and physical health needs of LGBTQ communities, including the training of healthcare professionals to provide affirming and responsible care to LGBTQ individuals. Dr. Eckstrand’s clinical work and neuroimaging research focuses on the neuropsychiatric underpinnings of trauma and resilience in adolescents, with an emphasis on minority communities and vulnerable populations.
Cathy Eng, MD, FACP, FASCO
David H. Johnson Endowed Chair of Surgical and Medical Oncology Professor of Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Co-Director, Gastrointestinal Oncology, Co-leader, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program and Director, Young Adults Cancers Program, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Cathy Eng has dedicated her career to clinical research, focusing on the development of phase I-III clinical trials using novel therapeutics for biomarker discovery and enhanced drug utilization in colorectal, appendiceal and anal cancer patients. Nationally, she serves on the ASCO Communications Committee, the ASCO Scientific Program Committee, ECOG GI Committee, Vice-Chair for the SWOG GI Committee, and the NCI GI Steering Committee.
Susan C. Gilchrist, MD
Professor, Clinical Cancer Prevention & Cardiology, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Susan Gilchrist, MD serves as a cardiologist and Director of the Healthy Heart Program at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This is the first cardiovascular prevention program in the U.S. focused exclusively on improving fitness and mitigating existing cardiovascular risk factors in patients treated for cancer. Her research program focuses on epidemiological studies relating cardiorespiratory fitness to cancer outcomes and clinical studies to assess the optimal intensity, duration, and timing of exercise training during and after cancer treatment.
Wendy Griffith, LCSW, OSW-C
AYA Program Manager, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Wendy Griffith is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over 12 years of oncology experience utilizing both clinical and program management skills. She joined MD Anderson in 2008 as a clinical social worker in the Head and Neck Clinic, transitioned to a non-clinical senior social work position with project management focus in 2014, and then accepted the role of AYA Program Manager in 2016 when the MD Anderson AYA Program launched. She facilitates the MD Anderson Young Adult Support Group, Young Adult Advisory Council, and several other young adult committees, workgroups, and initiatives.
Alexandra Guevara, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Alexandra earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Texas Women's University in Houston, TX and her Bachelor's of Science in Biochemistry from The University of Texas in Austin. Alexandra works as a general oncologic physical therapist with a special interest in oncologic pelvic floor. She enjoys working with male and female patients who experience a range of pelvic floor dysfunctions after cancer related treatments with a particular interest in improving patients' quality of life.
Janae Harris, BSN, RN, CPHON
Patient Navigator, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Janae Harris is a certified pediatric hematology/oncology (CPHON) nurse who has extensive oncology nursing experience and a deep passion for the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population. As the AYA Patient Navigator Janae’s primary goal is to connect patients with all aspects of the AYA Program and help them navigate through the MD Anderson system at large. She also serves a major role in coordinating fertility preservation.
Barbara Jones, PhD, MSW
Professor and Associate Dean for Health Affairs; Chair, Department of Health Social Work, UT Austin
Dr. Barbara Jones is University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Josleen and Frances Lockhart Professor of Direct Social Work Practice and Associate Dean for Health Affairs at the UT Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work. At Dell Medical School, she is Chair of the Department of Health Social Work, Associate Director of Social Sciences and Community Based Research in the LIVESTRONG Cancer Institutes, and Distinguished professor of oncology, population health, and psychiatry and behavioral sciences. She is a Founding Steering Committee Member of the UT Austin Center for Health Interprofessional Practice and Education. Dr. Jones is a Distinguished Scholar/Fellow of the National Academies of Practice and past Vice-Chair of the Social Work Academy. She is the Past President of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Work and a founding Board member of the Social Work in Hospice and Palliative Care Network. She serves on the National Advisory Board of the Cambia Health Foundation Sojourns Scholars Leadership Program and on the Pediatric Palliative Care Research Network. Dr. Jones’ research focuses on palliative care, pediatric and AYA oncology and social work leadership in healthcare.
Anne Katz, PhD, RN, FAAN
Sexuality Counselor and Clinical Nurse Specialist, CancerCare Manitoba
Dr Katz is a recognized expert in cancer and sexuality. She is the author of 14 books on the topics of cancer and sexuality and cancer survivorship. She is an avid blogger for ASCO Connections.
Theresa Keegan, PhD, MS
Associate Professor, University of California Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Dr. Theresa Keegan, PhD, MS, is an Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, co-leads the Population Sciences and Health Disparities program at the University of California (UC) Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center and is an experienced cancer epidemiologist with a focus on outcomes research, health disparities and cancer survivorship. She is a multiple PI for the UC Davis California Cancer Registry contract and has worked extensively with population-based cancer registry data, both alone and linked to other administrative and clinical databases, to understand patterns of cancer treatment and outcomes. A focus of her research is in adolescent and young adult oncology where her research has documented sociodemographic disparities in stage at diagnosis, treatment, access to specialized cancer center care, late effects and survival.
Donna Kelly, OTR/L, MEd, CLT
Senior Occupational Therapist, Clinical Point Person, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Donna Kelly has worked in rehab oncology for the last 11 years, first at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and currently at MD Anderson. She oversees the pediatric/AYA rehab team at MD Anderson. Le;;y recently completed a primary authorship in Cancer and Occupational Therapy with chapter focus on Occupational Therapy’s role in AYA cancer treatment.
Allison Barz Leahy, MD, MSCE
Pediatric Oncologist, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Allison Barz Leahy, MD, MSCE’s work is focused on the use of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures for symptom monitoring in pediatric cancer patients and for this effort she draws on her significant experience in the use of PROs for symptom monitoring in the adult oncology population. Dr. Barz Leahy completed her Pediatrics Residency and Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology as well as an additional fellowship in Pediatric Cancer Immunotherapy and Bone Marrow Transplant at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, simultaneously earning a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her clinical focus is relapsed and refractory leukemia, with a focus in chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy.
Jennifer Levine, MD, MSW
Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine
Jennifer Levine, MD, MSW is a pediatric oncologist specializing in leukemia, lymphoma and the care of long term survivors of pediatric, adolescent and young adult cancer. She has an interest in fertility preservation, both clinically and a researcher.
Andy Livingston, MD, MS
Co-Director, MD Anderson AYA Program; Assistant Professor Sarcoma Medical Oncology and Pediatrics, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Livingston is a clinician and researcher in Sarcoma Medical Oncology and holds a joint appointment in Pediatric Oncology. He has a particular interest in the care of teens and young adults with cancer and is Co-director of the MD Anderson Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology program. His clinical and translational research is focused on developing new treatment strategies for patients with osteosarcoma and other bone sarcomas.
Lauren Lux, LCSW
AYA Program Director, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lauren Lux, LCSW, directs the AYA Oncology Program at UNC. Her work as Program Director focuses on patient care, research, programming, provider education, quality improvement, and advocacy. Along with her fabulous partners, she leads efforts to improve care for AYAs around the state of North Carolina and is involved in the advancement of the AYA oncology field in the United States. She has worked as a clinical social worker in the field of oncology throughout her career and her clinical practice and program work is inspired and informed by the incredible young people she meets every day.
Terri McVeigh, MB BAO BCh, PG Cert, PG Dip, MSc, PhD, MRCS
Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
Dr McVeigh undertook undergraduate medical training, postgraduate core surgical training and Higher Specialist Training in Clinical Genetics in Ireland, with clinical and research fellowships in Yale University, New Haven, USA, and in QIMR Berghofer, Brisbane Australia before moving permanently to the UK to take up a post as a Consultant Clinical Geneticist in the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 2018. She was awarded a PhD by the National University of Ireland, Galway, for her work investigating the translational applications of genomic profiling for risk estimation, prognostication and treatment of breast cancer. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Genetics (RCPath UK), Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Science, and a Masters in Clinical Education. She has a subspecialty interest in inherited Predisposition to cancer in Children, Adolescents and Adults, and in application of genomic testing to direct cancer treatment.
Sandra Medina-George, MS, LPA, LPC
Senior Counselor, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Sandra Medina-George is a graduate from the University of St. Thomas where she received a Bachelor of Arts, and from Texas Woman’s University where she received her Master of Science. She is a Licensed Psychological Associate and a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has over 30 years of experience working in Pediatrics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. Since 2007, she has worked as a vocational counselor in the Career and Vocational Psychology Program at MD Anderson. She provides a variety of services to high school and college-aged students to help them continue with their academic and career aspirations. She is also the co-chair for The Young Adult Advisory Council since its inception in 2009.
Naveen Pemmaraju, MD
Associate Professor, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Pemmaraju received his medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock. He completed his internal medicine training in the Osler Medical Program at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland. He then completed a hematology and oncology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Leukemia. His work focuses on improving outcomes and developing novel therapies for patients with AML, CML, MPN, and BPDCN. He led a multicenter team in a Phase I/II study for patients with BPDCN that ultimately resulted in FDA approval for the first targeted agent available for this rare leukemia. He has contributed to more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and presented his work at both national and international conferences.
Michael Roth, MD
Associate Professor, Pediatrics - Patient Care, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Michael Roth, MD is a pediatric oncologist who specializes in the care of children, adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer. He is the Director of the Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program and co-Director of the AYA Program at MD Anderson. In addition, Roth is the Chair of the AYA Oncology Discipline Committee within the Children’s Oncology Group.
John M. Salsman, PhD
Director of Clinical Research in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology; Co-Leader, Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest School of Medicine
John M. Salsman, PhD is the Director of Clinical Research in Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology and the Co-Leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at the Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is a health psychologist by training, and his work focuses on maximizing the health-related quality of life of AYAs with cancer both during and after treatment. Salsman does this primarily through three ways: improving measurement of patient-centered outcomes in order to “give patients a voice,” identifying factors that promote resilience and thriving, and implementing behavioral interventions to foster psychological wellbeing. He has been continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health since 2006 and served as a principal investigator on National Cancer Institute-funded work since 2011.
Grace Smith, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Smith is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Health Services Research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her clinical focus is on treating patients with gastrointestinal cancers. Her research focuses on quality and outcomes of cancer care and the impact of cancer treatment on financial toxicity in patients and survivors.
Ashley Wilder Smith, PhD, MPH
Chief, Outcomes Research Branch, National Cancer Institute
Dr. Ashley Wilder Smith oversees staff and initiatives in the Outcomes Research Branch, one of three Branches in the Healthcare Delivery Research Program at the NCI. Her program of research focuses on understanding and improving patient reported health outcomes and quality care for cancer patients, survivors and families. Dr. Smith also manages an NCI/NIH grant portfolio related to identifying and addressing gaps in cancer care and outcomes across the cancer continuum, with particular emphasis on adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients and survivors. Dr. Smith serves the NCI as a co-chair of the Trans-NCI Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Working Group focused on advancing science and improving outcomes for AYAs with cancer.
Whittney Thoman, MS
Program Manager, Integrative Health Services, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ms. Thoman provides operational management and guidance for the Healthy Living Clinics and Healthy Heart program within the Cancer Prevention Center. She leads the clinical team providing IH services for prevention and survivorship patients as well as directs projects and clinical operations initiatives. Ms. Thoman received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Psychology from West Virginia Wesleyan College (2008) and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Marshall University (2010). She is a certified American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Clinical Exercise Physiologist, ACSM Cancer Exercise Trainer and ACSM Exercise is Medicine (Level 3) credential.
Angela Yarbrough, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CPHON
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Angela Yarbrough has been providing care to pediatric and young adult patients for over 20 years. She spent the first 12 years of her career as a registered nurse and certified family nurse practitioner at hospitals and universities in Mississippi and has been at MD Anderson Cancer Center for the past 11 years. Her practice focus is childhood cancer survivorship and adolescent and young adult oncology. She completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in 2019 and is proud to serve as the Children’s Oncology Group Disease Committee Nurse for outcomes and survivorship.
Continuing Education
All sessions will be recorded and made available to attendees following the conference. However, CME/CE credit can only be provided to real-time attendees.
ACCREDITATION/CREDIT DESIGNATION – NURSING
The University Of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Is accredited with distinction as a provider of Nursing Continuing Professional Development by The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this course will award 9 Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD) credit.
ACCREDITATION/CREDIT DESIGNATION
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 8.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ETHICS
The Tuesday presentations have been designated by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for a total of 2.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.
The Tuesday presentations have been designated by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for a total of 2.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ in medical ethics and/or professional responsibility.
ABIM/ABP MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to:
- 8.25 Medical Knowledge MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program; and
- 8.25 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program.
It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM or ABP MOC credit. Participant completion data will be shared with and transmitted to the ACCME on the participant’s behalf. In order to receive MOC points, you must pass the post-test with a score of 70% or higher.
SOCIAL WORKERS
This live activity has been approved for a maximum of 9.5 Social Work CEUs. Social workers should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the live activity.
This live activity has been approved for a maximum of 9.5 Social Work CEUs. Social workers should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the live activity.