On August 4, 2020, Messino Cancer Centers (MCC), a partner practice of American Oncology Network, LLC (AON), announced that medical oncologist and the 2011-2014 member of the North Carolina Oncology Association (NCOA) Board of Directors Michael Messino, MD, received North Carolina’s highest award for state service granted by the Office of the Governor. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is an honor granted by the State of North Carolina to individuals who have shown extraordinary service to the state. Senator Terry Van Duyn presented the award to Dr. Messino on July 31, 2020.
Read the press release.

In a recent article from Oncology Issues, authors conducted a systematic literature review and found that two main drivers of care disparities exist for transgender and nonbinary individuals with cancer: rigid binary gender frameworks and gaps in mental health care.

2026 ACCC Innovator Award Winner St. Luke's Cancer Institute noticed a significant administrative burden being placed on providers to review medical necessity validation for complex oncology therapies. To address the resulting rise in peer-to-peer requirements, delays in care, and pre-service denials, the team designed and implemented a new Clinical Documentation Integrity Registered Nurse role.

ACCC launched its Precision Medicine Stewardship Program to highlight institutions that have successfully built the infrastructure, workflows, and leadership models needed to deliver precision medicine at scale. TriHealth Cancer and Blood Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, offers a compelling example of what it takes to move from aspiration to execution.

Although patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma now have more treatment options than ever, their journeys are often complex. As clinicians consider when to introduce newer therapies such as bispecific antibodies, they must account for prior treatments, treatment-related toxicities, and comorbidities that may impact treatment decisions.
