Association of Community Cancer Centers 2024 Impact Report

(Re)Building the Oncology Workforce

 

In 2024, ACCC celebrated 50 years of serving its member programs and practices. As part of this year-long celebration, ACCC developed an interactive timeline, which highlighted notable achievements throughout the Association’s history, including:

  • Becoming the only national organization to address and promote the collective concerns of the multidisciplinary oncology team.

  • Establishing a set of standards that would provide members with guidance on how to go about setting up an oncology program.

  • Advocating for reimbursement of off-label uses of FDA-approved drugs to improve access for patients with cancer.

  • Developing comprehensive education programs and resources on topics like patient navigation, cancer survivorship, and nutrition in cancer care.

  • Creating the first-ever Patient Assistance and Reimbursement Guide, to make it easier for its member programs to help patients afford their life-saving treatments.

  • Launching the Financial Advocacy Network when it became clear that financial navigation was needed to address issues like transportation and food insecurity.

  • Spearheading education and resources to help members successfully adopt new treatments like immunotherapies, CAR T-cell therapies, multi-cancer early detection, and more.

An Important Name Change

ACCC was originally founded in 1973 as the Association of Community Cancer Centers. Its primary mission: to demonstrate that community cancer programs could deliver state-of-the-art cancer care, including participation in research and clinical trials. During the next 50 years, as the oncology landscape and cancer care delivery transformed, so too did ACCC’s mission. Today, ACCC members represent all care settings—from independent physician practices to NCCN-designated comprehensive cancer centers. To illustrate the breadth and depth of its multidisciplinary membership, ACCC leaders decided a name change was in order. In 2024, to align with its 50th anniversary, ACCC was renamed the Association of Cancer Care Centers.

Reimagine Community Engagement

 

As an organization, ACCC is committed to integrating equity in everything it does—to making equity a part of the Association’s DNA. To embed health equity into the organization’s programs and activities, 2024-2025 ACCC President Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACCC, chose as her President’s Theme: Reimagining Community Engagement and Equity in Cancer.

We cannot change the past, but we can change the future. When I reflect on how ACCC as an organization can effect positive change, I know that community engagement and equity will be key. 
—Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACC

2 Models for Engaging the Community

In Louisiana, Mary Bird Perkins’ Prevention On the Go program partners with community employers to provide convenient cancer screenings and educational resources directly at workplaces, eliminating barriers to early detection. Additionally, Mary Bird Perkins engages with the broader community by offering free cancer screenings through mobile medical units in rural areas with limited health care access. In Michigan, Corewell Health engages the community by using human-centered design to develop cancer prevention and screening programs, partnering with local organizations to address access barriers and promote health equity. Their community health workers, who are often bilingual and part of the communities they serve, play a crucial role in connecting residents with health resources and ensuring culturally relevant education and support. Both models were highlighted in the 2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care report from the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit.

Two Presidents. Two Themes. One Goal.

In this empowering conversation about a shared organizational goal to advance equitable cancer care, ACCC President Dr. Nadine J. Barrett and Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) President Dr. Robert A. Winn discuss the science behind outreach engagement and how you can begin to contribute to the conversation in your community. Released on June 18 in recognition of Juneteenth, this video is available on-demand.

Cancer care institutions have neglected to connect the dots between their clinicians— especially researchers—and the lived experience of the people in the communities they serve.
—Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACC

We [clinicians] must acknowledge the importance of PSA—place, space, and ancestry—and how their intersectionality influences the accessibility and, ultimately, quality of care a patient with cancer receives.

—Robert A. Winn, MD

Community Engagement and Equity: A Focus at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference

In his October 10 opening keynote, “Leveraging Community Expertise: The Integration of Community Health Workers in Clinical Practice from Northern Togo to the South Bronx,” Kevin Fiori, MD, MPH, MSc, FAAP, director of the Community Health Worker Institute at Montefiore Medical Center, shared how investing in community health workers leads to benefits beyond addressing social determinants of health and improving access and health equity, because it also serves as an investment by bringing jobs to the community.

We knew there was community expertise we were not utilizing. We wanted to provide Bronx-based households with employment opportunities.
—Kevin Fiori, MD, MPH, MSc, FAAP

The meeting featured a session track dedicated to the 2024-2025 ACCC President’s Theme, such as Empowering Partnerships: Enhancing Cancer Research Through Patient Advocacy and The HawaiĘ»i Cancer Consortium: An Equitable Clinical Trials Initiative.

Palliative Care in Oncology: Challenges and Opportunities

More than 400 people tuned in live to hear thought leaders discuss unique palliative care considerations for Black, Hispanic, and geriatric patients; how cultural beliefs, values, and preferences influence palliative care; and interventions and best practices to successfully address disparities in palliative care.

We have robust evidence that palliative care improves things that people care about: better communication, better symptom management, better quality of life. In some cases, people may even live longer.
—Kimberly Johnson, MD, MHS
   Duke Health

I think a lot of times we work in silos as opposed to working together. There are some specialists that have not really accepted or adopted the concept or the philosophy of palliative care.

—Ramona Rhodes, MD
   University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

One of the concepts that has recently come to the forefront in our own cancer center has been the idea of the loved one standard. In other words, if it were a family member of yours who was affected by a particular illness, what would you want for them?
—Declan Walsh, MD
   Atrium Health, Levine Cancer Institute

Championing Equitable Access to Care

Christopher Steer, MBBS, FRACP

Theodora Karnakis,
PhD

Enas Maged Moaz,
MD

Enrique Soto Pérez de Celis
MD, PhD

Modupe Elebute-Odunsi,
MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath

Marcia Cruz-Correa,
MD, PhD, AGAF, FASGE

Mef Nilbert, MD, PhD

Olalekan Ajayi,
PharmD, MBA, FACC

Nadine J. Barrett,
PhD, MA, MS, FACCC

ACCC convened its first-ever international panel at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference where cancer care providers representing Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Egypt, Sweden, Nigeria, and Australia came together to share and learn from common challenges and best practices. Moderated by ACCC President Nadine J. Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACCC, the discussion opened with health care challenges each delegate has experienced in their country of origin.

Rebuilding the [health care] workforce is our biggest challenge. We face an aging demographic in our community, creating too many patients with not enough people to look after them.

—Australian delegate Christopher Steer, MBBS, FRACP

Leaning into the theme of community engagement, the international delegates commented on the strategies they have implemented in their practices to engage with diverse communities to deliver education on cancer prevention and treatment.

It’s about understanding your population, and not trying to put processes in place that are foreign to them and will not be accepted. We must understand patients’ religious and cultural backgrounds. You cannot bridge this gap through national policies made by leaders who don’t truly know the community; you have to engage with people in the community in the way they understand.

—Nigerian delegate Modupe Elebute-Odunsi, MBBS, MD, FRCP, FRCPath

Read more about our international delegation in their interviews with ACCCBuzz.



Hear from each international delegate on their own CANCER BUZZ episode, ACCC’s award-winning podcast, ranked #7 on FeedSpot’s Top 60 Cancer Podcasts in 2024.

Championing Equitable Access to Care

Each year, ACCC honors cancer program members that have developed and implemented creative and cost-effective solutions that improve the patient experience and cancer care delivery. This year, 6 cancer programs were selected by a group of their peers to receive a 2024 ACCC Innovator Award. Winning programs presented their innovations on a national stage at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference.


Pictured left to right: ACCC president Nadine Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACCC; Karl Yeager, MD, division chief of Women’s Imaging and Michele Brands, network director of Women’s Imaging at St. Luke’s University Health Network; Stephanie Brown, RN, BSN, nurse navigator and Nina Thomas, MD, director, Thoracic Malignancy Pillar of Center for Lung and Breathing at the University of Colorado – UCHealth, University of Colorado Cancer Center; Russell Langan, MD, FACS, FSSO, associate chief surgical officer, System Integration and Quality and director of Surgical Oncology at RWJBarnabas Health, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center; Michelle Eichelmann, executive director, Oncology Services and Precision Medicine at Mercy, Mercy Oncology Services; Courtney VanHouzen, PharmD, PGY-2 oncology resident at Munson Healthcare, Cowell Family Cancer Center; Sarah Hudson-DiSalle, PharmD, RPh, FACCC, assistant director of Reimbursement Services at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute; and Meagan O’Neill, MS, ACCC executive director.

Smart-Texting High-Risk Patients After Chemotherapy Reduces ED Visits

A machine learning algorithm linked to a smart texting application helps Mercy automate post-chemotherapy communications and alert the care team of severe or worsening symptoms. Led by data scientist Jiajing Chen while navigating her own journey with cancer, this system streamlines communications, improves coordinated care, and reduces downstream emergency care activity.

Implementation of a Bispecific T-Cell Engager Therapy Program at a Community Cancer Center

A 2022 ACCC Innovator Award-winning concept for a rapid diagnostic clinic inspired this innovation. In 2024, this cancer program inspired others by sharing how it implemented bispecific therapy in a community setting and are now delivering this cutting-edge therapy to a largely rural population.

A Sustainable Model for Improved Quality for Pancreatic Cyst Surveillance and Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s AI-driven incidental findings program significantly increased screening and surveillance identification of pancreatic cysts and improved their ability to detect early stages of other cancers.

A One-Stop Breast Clinic Improves Time to Diagnosis and Patient Satisfaction

To help alleviate the stress patients feel around the screening process, this One-Stop Breast Clinic puts patient-centric care at the forefront and gets patients the care they need as soon as possible.

Leveraging the EHR to Automate Biosimilar Selection and Streamline the Prior Authorization Process

This rule-based informatics solution assists care providers in biosimilar therapy selection by taking into account a patient’s insurance and hospital formulary preferences. This e-tool not only decreases the administrative burden of the therapy approval process, but it also increases patient access to biosimilar therapies by nearly 22%.

Creating a Community-Wide Safety Net for Centralized Tracking and Management of Incidental Lung Nodule Findings

UCHealth created enterprise intelligence software that facilitates rapid evaluation of high-risk abnormal lung nodules and a centralized care management function that significantly reduces the time to follow-up with the patient on recommended next steps.

Championing Equitable Access to Care

The ACORI Community Oncology Inclusive Clinical Trial Design Summit

More than 70 participants, including partner organizations, federal agencies, sponsors, and members attended this summit on October 29-30, 2024. The summit covered a range of topics crucial to advancing inclusive clinical trial design. Key sessions included discussions on the role of AI in clinical trial design, aligning inclusion and exclusion criteria with real-world scenarios, and decentralizing clinical trials. Participants also explored the use of advanced practice providers in clinical research, optimizing trial design for diverse patient populations, and enhancing diversity in clinical trials through innovative strategies. The event emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, effective program design, and sustainable funding to improve patient outcomes and advance health equity.

Reducing Disparities in Care

In partnership with the Tigerlily Foundation, ACCC aims to address disparities in breast cancer outcomes, particularly for Black women with triple-negative breast cancer. Using the 4R care sequences, the initiative focuses on improving patient and provider understanding of the challenges in diagnosing and treating this disease. The program will implement patient-provider care sequence plans to enhance adherence to treatment and support management of side effects, targeting both health care teams and underserved patient populations. The program’s feasibility is being tested at 2 ACCC member cancer centers.

Addressing Social Determinants of Health Through Navigation

In 2024, CMS began to reimburse for support services to assist patients with health-related social barriers that interfere with treatment adherence for cancer and other serious illnesses. Health care support staff, such as community health workers and patient navigators, can now be reimbursed for their time supporting patients with serious, high-risk disease that is expected to last at least 3 months and require ongoing monitoring of a treatment plan, including cancer treatment. ACCC developed tools and resources to educate its members about these new codes, including a 4-part webinar series on implementing the codes for patient navigation services and a pre-conference at its 41st National Oncology Conference on building sustainable navigation programs, jointly sponsored by the American Cancer Society and the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators. Meeting attendees received training and a toolkit for making a business case for navigation services.

Strengthening Financial Navigation Services

The Financial Advocacy Services and Guidelines Assessment Tool, a resource designed to help cancer centers improve and grow their financial navigation services, launched at the ACCC 41st National Oncology Conference during the Financial Advocacy Network Pre-Conference. The tool helps cancer programs: 1) assess their organization’s current delivery of financial advocacy services; 2) compare their organization’s current service delivery to ACCC’s Financial Advocacy Services Guidelines; 3) facilitate discussion with internal and external partners to debrief results and prioritize improvements; and 4) access resources to further develop their organization’s financial navigation services. At the pre-conference, Allina Health Cancer Institute shared how it used the tool to establish a patient-centered financial navigation program, focusing on financial distress screening and staff training. The pre-conference concluded with a session on prioritization and quality improvement strategies, including the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders and gathering data to demonstrate program impact.

Improving Lung Cancer Screening in Rural Appalachia

The poverty and lack of healthcare resources that characterize this geographic area have led to sustained, elevated levels of morbidity and mortality for many diseases, including cancer. To improve care to this underserved region and patient population, ACCC launched a Lung Cancer Screening Implementation Change Package, a key deliverable of the Appalachian Community Cancer Alliance, a partnership with ACCC and several state oncology societies representing the Appalachian region. This comprehensive toolkit is designed to guide the planning, implementation, and evaluation of lung cancer screening programs. It includes a detailed checklist of key components, development considerations, and resources to support program success. The package emphasizes patient-centered strategies, effective data collection, and sustainability planning. It also provides guidance on establishing multidisciplinary teams, screening eligibility criteria, shared decision-making protocols, and community outreach efforts to enhance lung cancer prevention and early detection.

Helping to Ensure Equitable Access to Bispecific Antibodies

ACCC’s Project ECHO® Evolving Role of Bispecific Antibodies as Cancer Therapy educates and prepares community oncology programs for the integration of bispecific antibodies. This initiative provides tele-mentoring opportunities with expert faculty, focusing on the unique pharmacology, clinical applications, and operational challenges of bispecific antibodies. It addresses barriers such as managing treatment-related toxicities, transitioning patients between care settings, and ensuring equitable access to these therapies. The project emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and effective communication to optimize patient outcomes and safety.

Dynamic Education

ACCC is recognized as a collaborative and diverse organization that leverages the robust knowledge of its multidisciplinary membership to provide indispensable resources. Below are key educational resources and tools developed in 2024.

Quality Assessment Tool for Ovarian Cancer Care Delivery

This comprehensive guide empowers cancer care teams to systematically evaluate each phase of ovarian cancer management—from initial diagnosis to ongoing support—ensuring alignment with evidence-based practices and patient-centered care standards. By focusing on care coordination, patient education, and quality improvement, this tool enables oncology teams to identify gaps, implement best practices, and ultimately enhance treatment outcomes for ovarian cancer patients.

Dermatologic Toxicity Checklist

Dermatologic toxicities are adverse events involving the skin, hair, or nails associated with antineoplastic treatment. Several drug classes can be responsible for dermatologic toxicity in patients with cancer, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, targeted chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. These toxicities can significantly impact patients physically, emotionally, and socially, often disrupting treatment plans due to discomfort or visible symptoms. Clinical presentations of dermatologic toxicities vary in visibility and symptoms, from acneiform rashes and hand-foot syndrome to rare, serious conditions like Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and treatment-related secondary malignancies. To help manage side effects during cancer treatment, ACCC developed a Dermatologic Toxicity Checklist. This easy-reference tool is designed specifically for providers to quickly assess and address common skin-related toxicities that patients may experience from treatments.

Metastatic Prostate Cancer Handbook

This resource offers a detailed roadmap for managing advanced prostate cancer, including the integration of systemic therapies, radiation, and palliative care. It highlights the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration, covering topics such as patient counseling, symptom control, and the management of treatment side effects. Designed to support personalized care, the handbook aids providers in delivering comprehensive and compassionate treatment for patients with metastatic prostate cancer.

Metastatic Breast Cancer Video Series

This 3-part CE video series offers essential insights into managing hormone receptor positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer, aimed at physicians, nurses, APPs, pharmacists, and other cancer care team members. Covering 1st- to 3rd-line treatments upon disease progression, the series addresses treatment selection, management of adverse events, and ways to enhance patients’ quality of life. By completing this course, participants will gain knowledge on evidence-based treatments, strategies for handling treatment-related toxicities, and practices that support optimal clinical outcomes for this patient group.

Bladder Cancer Workshops

In 2021, ACCC conducted the Bladder Cancer Economic Study, which revealed significant disparities in treatment outcomes for Asian, Hispanic, North American Native, and Black people diagnosed with bladder cancer compared to White people. To address these disparities, ACCC’s Addressing Disparities in Bladder Cancer Care project implemented evidence-based strategies focused on health literacy and shared decision-making. Three cancer centers hosted Visiting Expert Workshops hosted Visiting Expert Workshops where multidisciplinary teams evaluated their care processes, identified areas for improvement, and developed action plans to enhance the quality of bladder cancer care and reduce disparities.

  • The workshop at Providence St. Jude Medical Center focused on enhancing patient education, care coordination, and communication, outlining action plans to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate educational materials and treatment plans for diverse communities.
  • The workshop at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill concentrated on improving care coordination, communication, and access to supportive care resources, identifying strengths and challenges, and developing action plans to enhance patient-centered outcomes and support diverse communities.
  • The workshop at University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center aimed to improve patient care coordination, communication, and education, identifying strengths and challenges, and creating action plans for quality improvement projects to better align care with patient needs and preferences.

Quality Improvement Program for Acute Myeloid Leukemia

This QI project focused on enhancing care coordination and managing adverse treatment events for patients who have received intensive treatment but do not undergo a transplant. The program, led by Dr. Thomas LeBlanc, facilitated peer-to-peer learning across 4 cancer centers, providing resources such as an Effective Practice Guide and expert feedback. Key initiatives included developing checklists to improve communication and care transitions, standardizing documentation, and implementing nursing education tools. The program’s impact was evident in improved patient confidence, streamlined care processes, and enhanced collaboration between community and academic centers, ultimately aiming to improve patient outcomes and quality of care.

Elevating our Advocacy Voice at the Federal Levels

ACCC Director Meagan O’Neill and ACCC Director of Cancer Care Delivery and Health Policy Nicole Tapay attended a November 21 White House event celebrating the advancements in navigation support for patients with cancer that have been made in 2024. As part of the event, the President’s Cancer Panel released a new report, Enhancing Patient Navigation with Technology to Improve Equity in Cancer Care.


On February 28, a day before the ACCC 50th Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit, ACCC members traveled to Capitol Hill for the Association’s first in-person Hill Day in 5 years. Understanding the importance and influence of policy to delivering comprehensive cancer care, ACCC concentrated its advocacy efforts on 4 integral issues identified by its membership and the patients they serve:

  • Oncology patient navigation
  • Oncology drug shortages
  • Financial toxicity
  • The Inflation Reduction Act.

Oncology Patient Navigation

Among The Hill Day contingent were members of the Financial Advocacy Network sub-committee who shared compelling stories that highlighted the effects of financial toxicity, expressed the need for patient navigation, and shared their excitement for the new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System patient navigation codes. In addition to the extensive ACCC patient navigation education discussed above in the CHAMPIONING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO CARE section, ACCC members and staff continued to work with the Biden Moonshot and other stakeholders on related educational and advocacy efforts.

Drug Shortages

Drug Shortages Some important oncology medicines remained in short supply in 2024 and the potential for more shortages remains. In addition, the IV fluid shortage has posed challenges for providers and health care systems and again highlighted weaknesses in the supply chain of health care products. ACCC responded quickly to the IV fluid shortage, hosting a virtual community discussion where cancer care providers came together to share challenges and solutions. ACCC continues to work with a coalition of patient advocacy and provider organizations, led by the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA), to consider proposed policy solutions to drug shortages. ACCC supported draft legislation proposed by the Senate Finance Committee in mid-2024 and stands ready to respond to additional proposals..

Financial Toxicity

ACCC continues to monitor and respond to regulations and legislation relating to financial toxicity faced by patients with cancer, including those that seek to address challenges with prior authorization. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a regulation in 2024 that adds certain safeguards for patients and providers seeking authorization from certain health plans. While proposed federal legislation also seeks to address certain concerns with prior authorization, there is room for improvement, for example, expanding the applicability of protections to prior authorization requests relating to drugs. ACCC will continue to monitor policymaker activity in this area and identify opportunities to advocate for increased patient and provider protections.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

Medicare Part D beneficiaries will see meaningful reductions in their out-of-pocket costs in 2025, when new federal limits of $2,000 per year go into effect, as required by the IRA. ACCC has monitored implementation of these provisions, and other changes under the IRA, and worked with coalitions of patient and provider groups to provide comments when appropriate. Additionally, ACCC has endorsed the Protecting Patient Access to Cancer and Complex Therapies Act (S.2764/H.R.5391). This proposed legislation seeks to mitigate the impact of any reduced Medicare reimbursement under Medicare Part B on the providers and health care practices that administer such therapies—including practices serving patients with cancer. It seeks to ensure that providers administering Medicare Part B therapies are “made whole” if there are changes in reimbursement for certain therapies covered by Medicare Part B. This would ensure that multidisciplinary provider care teams are able to continue to administer these often-complex therapies and provide the high levels of care associated with them.

Developing Resources for Multidisciplinary Teams

Oncology Issues

As one of the only non-clinical, operational journals covering cancer care delivery, in 2024 Oncology Issues provided “how-to” articles for the entire multidisciplinary oncology care team, on a wide range of topics, including:

Be sure to check out the latest issue and explore past editions for valuable perspectives from leaders in oncology and actionable information for improving cancer care delivery and the patient experience.

2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care Report

Among other topics, 2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care Part 1 explored the need for new care models due to rising healthcare costs and a shortage of oncologists, such as collaborative care models that integrate community and academic partnerships to deliver CAR T-cell therapy. It also highlighted strategies to support the oncology workforce, including a technology solution to reduce burnout and improve physician resiliency, a process improvement initiative to improve work culture and provider satisfaction, and innovative staffing models like contingent part time and staffing pools.

2024 Trending Now in Cancer Care Part 2 focused on hot topic issues like the use of artificial and business intelligence in cancer care, the importance of EHR integration for precision medicine, and practical strategies to address prior authorization challenges and drug shortages.

    ACCCBuzz

    ACCCBuzz ACCC’s official blog covered a variety of timely and impactful topics in 2024, focusing on trends, challenges, and innovations in oncology care. Some key areas included:

    • Leadership in cancer care. Blogs focused on the importance of leadership sustainability and engagement, particularly during times of organizational change.
    • Telehealth and care coordination. Blogs highlighted the role of telehealth in oncology, specifically in improving patient access and care coordination.
    • Virtual care models. Blogs discussed how integration of virtual services can help improve patient outcomes and reduce health care disparities.
    • Workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Blogs addressed DEI in the oncology workforce, highlighting a policy summit focused on advancing DEI, emphasizing the value of a diverse workforce in tackling complex health challenges, and showing how a diverse workforce can help improve patient care and ensure equity in clinical trials.
    • Precision medicine. Blogs continued to feature updates on the latest advancements in precision medicine, including the use of biomarkers and tailored therapies to improve cancer treatment.

    CANCER BUZZ

    In 2024, ACCC’s official podcast explored a diverse range of topics pertinent to oncology care. Key areas covered included:

    • A global perspective in oncology. Cancer care professionals from around the globe, practicing in Egypt, Nigeria, Australia, Sweden, and more, shared issues impacting cancer care delivery and the patient experience in their native countries.
    • Advancements in cancer treatment. Episodes delved into emerging therapies such as bispecific antibodies, discussing their potential in treating hematologic and solid tumors and addressing implementation and operational.
    • Patient-centered care. This series emphasized the importance of psychosocial support, for example, exploring the unique challenges faced by patients with head and neck cancer and highlighting sexual dysfunction in patients with cancer.
    • Health equity initiatives. Discussions focused on promoting equitable care through models like the 4R Oncology® Model, which aims to mitigate disparities in precision medicine and improve patient outcomes.

    e-Courses

    e-Courses In 2024, ACCC launched a series of impactful e-courses that addressed critical needs in oncology care, reflecting its commitment to enhancing knowledge and skills in specialized areas. The ACCC Financial Advocacy Network e-course empowers oncology professionals with strategies to help patients navigate the complexities of health care costs, access financial resources, and alleviate financial toxicity associated with cancer treatment. Additionally, the e-course on genetic testing in metastatic prostate cancer provided in-depth education on integrating genetic testing into patient care, improving outcomes through personalized treatment strategies. Finally, the CAR T-cell therapy e-course equipped health care providers with essential knowledge about this groundbreaking immunotherapy, covering best practices in patient identification, referral processes, and care continuity.

    Early Lung QI Workshops

    ACCC initiated a quality improvement project aimed at enhancing care for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer across 3 US cancer centers. This initiative seeks to improve the accuracy and timeliness of biomarker testing—essential for developing personalized treatment plans—while identifying and addressing barriers to optimal care delivery. Through a national survey, the project identified challenges such as low biomarker testing rates and inconsistent use of multidisciplinary tumor boards. In response, targeted improvement projects at each of the 3 cancer centers proposed solutions like implementing pathology-driven reflex biomarker testing and expanding the reach of multidisciplinary tumor boards. By emphasizing a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, the initiative aims to provide coordinated, equitable, and effective care to improve patient outcomes.

    Remote Patient Monitoring Effective Practice Guide

    This guide offers a comprehensive framework to help oncology professionals implement remote patient monitoring programs, enhancing the detection and management of immune-related adverse events. By using technology to collect patient-reported outcomes and vital signs outside traditional settings, remote patient monitoring enables real-time data sharing, allowing timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. The guide provides actionable tips and adaptable steps for all practice settings.

    Immuno-Oncology Care Plan Templates

    These resources provide a structured approach for oncology professionals to communicate key information about treatment, side effects, and survivorship care to patients. Specifically designed for use by physicians, the templates include talking points for discussing immuno-oncology treatment plans, potential side effects, and the importance of follow-up care. These resources aim to support personalized, patient-centered care by offering clear guidelines for managing expectations, educating patients on what to expect during and after treatment, and promoting ongoing monitoring to optimize long-term health outcomes. The templates are part of ACCC’s effort to improve survivorship care and ensure patients receive comprehensive support throughout their cancer journey. Templates are available in both English and Spanish.

    Looking to the Future

    “Start by doing what is necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, this quote is part of Una Hopkin’s email signature line. And these words sum up perfectly how she lives her life—personally and professionally. Director for Research and Evidence-Based Practice at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York City, Una’s unwavering commitment to her patients, colleagues and staff, and community are clear after only minutes in her company. Get to know 2025-2026 ACCC President Una Hopkins, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, FACCC, RN, by clicking on the short video above. And stay tuned for the announcement of her ACCC President’s Theme at the ACCC 51st Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit.

    Also coming in 2025, a comprehensive education program aimed at improving the care of Veterans with cancer by developing collaborative opportunities between community cancer programs and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This initiative is vital as veterans face higher risks for certain cancers due to service-related exposures and often encounter barriers when navigating both VA and non-VA healthcare systems. By guiding community providers on culturally sensitive care delivery, mapping care gaps, and developing targeted educational resources, the program aims to ensure timely, coordinated, and equitable cancer care for this underserved population. This work will not only improve health outcomes but also address systemic challenges in care access for veterans nationwide.

    Engaging with ACCC & Your Colleagues


    The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is a powerful community of more than 46,000 multidisciplinary professionals from 1,700 organizations nationwide.

    Gain the most from your ACCC membership by getting involved! You have a valuable forum to collaborate and learn from your colleagues nationwide, showcase your cancer program or practice’s successes, and foster leadership opportunities.

    Are you an ACCC Member? To see if your program is already a member, refer to our online directory to find your cancer program. If you don’t already have one, create a login to be added to your program’s membership roster or email membership@accc-cancer.org for assistance. Not a member? Learn how you can benefit from ACCC’s unique multidisciplinary perspective by:



    Participating in critical conversations with colleagues.

    Through ACCCeXchange, a vibrant members-only online discussion community, you can connect directly with colleagues nationwide on important topics. Regardless of your role, you can find answers to your questions and share your experiences. Additionally, subgroups dedicated to financial advocacy, oncology research, and radiation oncology are available where you can seek support and guidance for specific challenges in these areas.

    Identifying the education and resources you want to receive.

    ACCC offers educational content tailored to your professional interests. To receive personalized outreach from ACCC, update your areas of concentration, mailing preferences, job title, and credentials in your ACCC website profile. An ACCC profile is required to register for live and virtual events and to participate in discussions on ACCCeXchange.

    Attending live, virtual, and on-demand events.

    Are you seeking opportunities for professional growth and resources for improving processes and quality? ACCC provides valuable guidance, best practices, and accredited educational resources and events. Check out our upcoming calendar of events and e-learning catalog to discover what suits you best, including on-demand webinars and continuing education programs.

    Joining a task force or committee.

    ACCC relies on its most valuable resource—its members—to provide insights on comprehensive cancer care delivery. Many volunteer opportunities are available. If you wish to be considered for volunteer opportunities or would like to be contacted regarding upcoming engagement activities, please email membership@accc-cancer.org and mention “Volunteer Opportunities” in the subject line of your email.

    Nominating a colleague for a prestigious award.

    Do you know someone whose outstanding work in cancer care or research is worthy of recognition? Or have you or a colleague spearheaded a program that is innovating care delivery at your cancer program or practice? Share these accomplishments with a wider audience and submit a nomination for one of ACCC’s Annual Awards.

    Sharing your expertise with a national audience.

    ACCC is proud to offer its members the chance to help create content across multiple platforms. Contact ACCC if you or a colleague are interested in submitting an article to Oncology Issues, authoring a blog for ACCCBuzz, or serving as a guest on CANCER BUZZ or CANCER BUZZ TV.


    ACCC Membership by the Numbers


    Breakdown of ACCC Members by Role


    Breakdown of ACCC Member Programs by Type




    2024-2025 Executive Committee


    President
    Nadine Barrett, PhD, MA, MS, FACCC
    Senior Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Equity in Research
    Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Atrium Health

    Immediate Past President
    Olalekan Ajayi, PharmD, MBA, FACCC
    Chief Operating Officer
    Highlands Oncology Group, PA

    President-Elect
    Una Hopkins, DNP, MSN, BSN, FNP-BC, NE-BC, RN, FACCC
    Director for Research and Evidence Based Practice
    Montefiore Medical Center


    Treasurer
    Douglas Flora, MD, LSSBB, FACCC
    Executive Medical Director, Oncology Services
    St. Elizabeth Healthcare


    Secretary
    Jorge J. Garcia, PharmD, MS, MHA, MBA, FACHE, FACCC
    Assistant Vice President
    Baptist Health South Florida

    2024-2025 Board of Trustees

    Jennifer Bires, MSW, LCSW, OSW-C, FACCC
    Executive Director, Life with Cancer and Patient Experience
    Inova Schar Cancer Institute

    JiaJoyce Conway, DNP, CRNP, AOCNP
    Nurse Practitioner
    Cancer Care Associates of York

    J. Renea Duffin, MPA, FACCC
    Vice President, Cancer Support and Outreach
    Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

    Matthew Manning, MD, FASTRO, FACCC
    Chief of Oncology
    Cone Health Cancer Center

    Laelia Noel

    Lailea Noel, PhD, MSW, FACCC
    Assistant Professor of Oncology & Health Social Work
    Steve Hick’s School of Social Work,
    The University of Texas Dell Medical School


    Kurt Oettel, MD
    Director
    Gundersen Health System Cancer Center

    Lori Schneider, FACCC
    Former Oncology Operations Manager
    Green Bay Oncology

    Leigha Senter-Jamieson, MS, LGC, FACCC
    Licensed Genetic Counselor Professor, Internal Medicine
    The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital

    Afreen Idris , MD, MBBS
    Director, Duke Endo-Oncology Program Associate Director, Cancer Therapy Toxicity Program, Center for Cancer Immunotherapy, Duke Cancer Institute Co-Founder, Citrus Oncology

    Cardinale B. Smith, MD, PhD
    Associate Professor Departments of Medicine (Hematology and Medical Oncology) and Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine
    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    Oncology State Societies

    ACCC has a network of 24 State Chapters, which are also State Affiliates of the American Society of Clinical Oncology State/Regional Affiliate Program. State Society members receive select benefits from ACCC and valuable state-specific resources to help them stay ahead of the shifting healthcare landscape and the challenges that directly impact the high-quality care their patients deserve.

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