April 26, 2025

Community Oncology Alliance Prepares for 2025 Conference

Community Resource Consultants Inc. (CRCI)

Community Resource Consultants Inc. (CRCI) is a Michigan-based organization specializing in trauma rehabilitation medical case management. With over 34 years of experience, CRCI is dedicated to empowering survivors of catastrophic auto accidents to regain control of their lives and achieve both physical and emotional well-being. Their team of Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSWs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) are experts in navigating the complexities of today’s healthcare system, ensuring that survivors receive the necessary services for their recovery and rehabilitation. CRCI’s core values include advocacy, people, knowledge, and dependability, reflecting their commitment to being leading advocates and facilitators of long-term collaborative care.

News Summary

The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) will host the 2025 Community Oncology Conference on April 29-30, focusing on empowerment and advocacy in community oncology. With key discussions on leadership, clinical trials, and the impact of AI in oncology, attendees will gain valuable insights. This year’s theme emphasizes independent community oncology, making it essential for professionals aiming to enhance patient care and practice sustainability amidst evolving healthcare landscapes.

Community Oncology Alliance Gears Up for 2025 Conference Focused on Empowerment and Advocacy

Exciting news for those in the oncology field! The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) is set to host its much-anticipated 2025 Community Oncology Conference on April 29–30. This inspiring event will take place at the beautiful Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel in Florida, promising a mix of knowledge sharing, collaboration, and advocacy aimed towards enhancing community oncology.

Empower and Advocate: A Theme for Change

This year’s theme, “Empower and Advocate: Independent Community Oncology”, truly captures the spirit of the conference. Shiela Plasencia, the COA’s director of practice support, highlights the conference’s focus on leadership, patient-centered advocacy, and ensuring practice sustainability. Attendees can expect a full agenda bursting with dynamic panel discussions that encourage empowerment and choose collaboration as a means to enhance the entire cancer care continuum.

What’s on the Agenda?

Participants can look forward to a variety of breakout sessions that tackle pressing issues in community oncology. One important discussion will dive into the necessity of increasing clinical trial infrastructure and access in community settings, highlighting opportunities for partnerships between independent practices and hospitals. Another intriguing session will focus on using data to effectively engage payers, ensuring that practices can navigate their reimbursement processes more effectively.

As the landscape of healthcare evolves, so do the tools used within it. One of the highlights on the second day will certainly be the session titled “Future Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Oncology”. This enlightening discussion will cover the promising effects of AI in diagnostics, clinical decision-making, and operational workflows. As technology continues to leap forward, understanding its implications becomes increasingly significant for healthcare providers.

The Political Climate’s Impact on Community Oncology

It’s hard to ignore the political aspects affecting healthcare today, and this conference won’t shy away from those discussions. A critical session will unpack the effects stemming from political changes and policies, particularly relating to the Inflation Reduction Act and its implications for Medicare’s authority to negotiate drug prices. This topic is particularly vital as it ties directly into practice reimbursement and patient access, making it a must-attend for professionals focused on sustainability in community oncology.

Leadership and Culture in Community Practices

Leadership is a central theme throughout the conference. One session will feature discussions on leadership and creating a positive culture in community oncology. Topics will range from clinician wellbeing and employee satisfaction, to strategies for boosting physician happiness. Given the challenges faced by healthcare providers, successfully addressing these issues is paramount to fostering a healthy work environment.

Learning from Other Conferences

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) held its 2025 Annual Conference, celebrating significant milestones in the realm of cancer care. With over 1,500 medical professionals in attendance, this well-attended event featured over 200 presentations of high-impact research. One key takeaway was the role of AI in oncology care and addressing the mental health needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. Undoubtedly, these ongoing discussions about supportive care are vital as they help patients navigate their treatment journey.

A Strong Call for Continuous Support

What’s more, reports from the NCCN conference underscored the concerning statistic that only 15% of cancer patients receive counseling about quitting smoking. The benefits of smoking cessation counseling are profound, making it clear that this gap needs to be addressed to support patient health comprehensively. Attendees wrapped up with firm calls for continuous emotional support for patients throughout their treatment, a reminder of the need for a holistic approach to cancer care.

As the COA prepares for its exciting conference on April 29-30, many in the oncology space are eager to learn, collaborate, and empower one another to advance care in the community setting. With a well-rounded agenda, this event promises to be both enlightening and impactful for all those involved.