Please note, all times are in Eastern Time (ET)
Thursday, March 17, 2022

9:40 a.m. – 10:35 a.m. 

Welcome Announcements and Pain Management: Methadone and More
Speaker: Jennifer Parsons, RN, FNP

This session will discuss pain management in difficult patients with focus on treating cancer patients with history of SUD, review criteria for SUD, look at Methadone vs. Buprenorphine, and non-opioid means of pain treatment.

10:35 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. 

Break

11:05 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. 

Lunch On Own

12:05 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. 

The Top 10 Palliative Pearls
Speakers: Mary Lynn McPherson, PharmD, MA, MDE, BCPS and Jeff Myers, MPH, PA-C

Participants in this session will learn about best practices for pain and symptom management. Participants will also address common pitfalls, myths, and misconceptions about medication management in palliative care.

1:20 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. 

Loss, Mourning, and Resilience
Speaker: Richard McQuellon, PhD

Discuss the practical implications of the concepts of loss, mourning and resilience as applied in cancer medicine.

2:05 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.

Break

2:35 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.

Mechanisms and Management of Nausea/Vomiting - More than Zofran: A Methodical Approach to Nausea
Speaker: Tommy Morel, MD

In this session, we will review a systematic and methodical approach to the symptom of nausea and evidence based therapies for each source of a very prevalent complaint in patients with serious illness.

3:20 p.m. – 4:05 p.m.

Goals of Care: It's More Than Just Advanced Care Planning 
Speaker: Patricia Miller, PA-C

1. Highlight the importance of going beyond the advance directive and truly discuss goals of care
2. Strategies to align goals and quality of life factors with medical treatment options
3. Discuss how to make the difficult things happen and how to talk about it when you cannot

4:05 p.m. – 5:35 p.m. 

Communication Workshop - Having Difficult Conversations
Moderators/Small Group Leaders: Holly Pilewski, PA-C; Jeff Myers, MPH, PA-C; Rikki Hooper, FNP; Richard McQuellon, PhD; and Patricia Miller, PA-C
Speaker: Buddy Marterre, MD, MDiv  

Using simulation-based medical education, we will practice delivering grim prognoses, responding to emotions empathically using the NURSE mnemonic, silence and wish-worry statements; aligning clinical data with a patient's values and recommending a value-congruent, patient-centered care plan for people with life-threatening cancer diagnoses.

4:05 p.m. – 5:35 p.m.

Networking Session for Providers New to Radiation Oncology
Moderator: Maitry Patel, CCPA

Networking is a great way for people to develop professional relationships and improve career prospects. APAO invites all newly minted and seasoned radiation oncology professionals to build and strengthen existing professional relationships, learn about potential job opportunities, or meet people with whom you can collaborate, discuss development of transferrable skills such as communication, presentation, and time management, learn about the industry, and meet fellow attendees willing to mentor you and assist in your career development. Maitry Patel has been a practicing Radiation Oncology PA since 2014 in various disease site groups and will moderate this session. 

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Friday, March 18, 2022

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Welcome Announcements and Radiation Oncology - Nuts and Bolts/Contouring
Speaker: Ashley Weiner, MD, PhD

An overview of a patient pathway through radiation oncology - from consultation to treatment planning to treatment and follow-up.

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Radiation Late Effects: What the heck are they and what are we doing about them?!
Speaker: Samantha Parmelee, CCPA

In this session we will define what radiation late effects are and differentiate the timeline between acute, sub-acute and late side effects of radiotherapy. We will explore the pathogenesis of radiation injury and identify the most common radiation late effects and general principles of treatment. The focus will be on Osteoradionecrosis, Lymphedema & fibrosis, Radiation proctitis and cystitis. We will discuss the indications and evidence for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Pentoclo as treatment for radiation late effects.

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Break

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

A Fraction of the Time: The Past, Present, and Future of Hypofractionation in Radiation Oncology
Speaker: Kate Martin

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. 

Lunch On Own

1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Lung SBRT: A Standard of Care Some For Patients With NSCLC and Metastases
Speaker: Andrew Hope, MD

In this talk, we will review the current data regarding stereotactic body radiation therapy including indications for use in patients with either primary lung cancer or oligometastatic disease to the lungs. We will review the technical details, safety/toxicity profile, and summarize available evidence and literature supporting this treatment approach.

2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Managing Dyspnea.. From the Ventilator to Home
Speaker: Rikki Hooper, FNP

This session will review the brief description of commonly used ventilator settings, process for compassionate extubation, and management of dyspnea in the community.

3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Break

3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. 

Management of Leptomeningeal Disease  
Speaker: Erika Leese, PA-C

This course will provide an overview of leptomeningeal disease. We will review what leptomeningeal disease is, how it is diagnosed, how it can be treated, how we can improve the overall survival for this patient population, and how APs can play a vital role.

4:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.

Panel Discussion: An Interdisciplinary Team Approach to Palliative Radiation
Moderator: Tiffany Statler, DMSc, PA-C
Panelists: Ashley Weiner, MD, PhD; Betsy Fricklas, PA-C; and Maitry Patel, CCPA

Palliative radiotherapy offers a quick, inexpensive, and effective way of reducing many of the focal symptoms of advanced, incurable cancer, whether these arise from the primary tumor or metastatic deposits. It can improve quality of life while being associated with a limited treatment burden in terms of hospital attendance and side effects. The panelists will use cases to discuss the intricacies of management of palliative patients requiring radiotherapy and/or symptom management.

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Saturday, March 19, 2022

9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

Welcome Announcements and Advocacy 101 for the Community Oncology PA
Speaker: Sarah Murawski, PA-C

This session will define basic advocacy terms and process. It will outline current legislative issues and advocacy efforts that affect the community oncology PA and define ways in which the average full time PA can engage in PA advocacy.

9:50 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.

Making Sense of Molecular Testing
Speaker: Rochelle Reyes, PA-C

Molecular testing offers oncology providers information that may useful to guide treatment recommendations, but interpretation of reports is challenging. In this session we will describe the benefits and limitations of molecular testing including technical and regulatory issues, provide some general principles to aid in the interpretation of molecular reports, and describe the biomarkers that are predictive of response to immunotherapy.

10:40 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. 

Break

10:55 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. 

Survivorship Clinic in a Community Oncology Setting
Speaker: Adriana Olivo, ANP-BC

In this session, attendees will define cancer survivorship, discuss common challenges in developing a survivorship clinic, and review survivorship resources available for provider and patient.

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

Management of Infusion and Transfusion Reactions
Speaker: Bradley Fullbright, PA-C

In this session, attendees will be able to differentiate between anaphylaxis and other infusion reactions and know how to treat them, identify the most common blood transfusion reactions, and know how transfusion complications are treated in the outpatient setting.

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

Lunch On Own

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Panel Discussion: Community Oncology Perspectives on Value Based Cancer Care 
Moderator: Maitry Patel, CCPA
Panelists: Adam Gladwish, MD, M.Sc, B.Eng; Breea Buckley, PA-C; and Rosalie Holland, PA-C

Throughout the United States, community oncology practices remain the bore of treatment in patients with cancer. 85% or more of patients receive cancer care in the community close to home. Although they exist throughout the country, HCI-designated cancer centers do not reach all patients in all communities. This panel will ask thoughtful questions on critical issues community-based practices face in succeeding in value-based cancer care. The panelists have extensive experience in implementing value-based care.

3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

New Drugs in Oncology
Speaker: Jasmine Patel, PharmD

This session will focus on new drug updates for hematologic and oncologic malignancies and recent approvals through 2022. Agents will be reviewed for clinical data, safety/toxicity, and supportive care management.

4:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. 

Closing Remarks

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