Dear PAMN Community,
As we continue to grow as an organization, we want to remain at the forefront of key issues across the cancer landscape. To that end, PAMN has developed six affinity groups. We are looking for volunteer participants to drive these efforts.
Community Outreach and Engagement (COE)
Committee Leader: Matthew Huesser
Reducing the burden of cancer extends beyond research labs and offices. The National Cancer Institute has placed a major emphasis on cancer centers engaging with their community to understand the cancer burden in each catchment area.
This affinity group looks to create synergies between PAMN professionals and COE leaders across the nation. The goal of this group is to work with COE professionals to develop effective strategies to communicate ways to reduce cancer burdens and disseminate evidence-based interventions and policies.
Proposed Composition
- PAMN members with experience in COE operations
- COE leaders (partnering with ASPO)
- Patient advocates and community organizations
Digital Strategies (DS)
Committee Leader: Javier DeJesus
Oncology care in the United States is changing rapidly. Both the patient’s and provider’s experience will be completely different a decade from now, driven, in large part, by the increased implementation of digital health technology both inside and outside of the treatment center.
This affinity group will assist in helping PAMN members enhance their digital media experiences through innovative practices. The goal of this group is to understand the cancer digital landscape and share best practices.
Proposed Composition
- PAMN members with experience in digital strategies
Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
Committee Leader: Kim Polacek
The National Cancer Institute has undertaken the process to establish DEI approaches and practices across the cancer continuum. This affinity group looks to enhance diversity and equity in cancer care, delivery, and communication efforts at all levels toward greater inclusion. The goal of this group is to work with DEI professionals to develop effective strategies to communicate ways to create diverse, inclusive environments across cancer centers and disseminate best practices.
Proposed Composition
- PAMN members with experience in COE operations
- DEI leaders (partnering with academia and national organizations)
- DEI advocates and community organizations
Press Room Operations & Internal Communications (PROIC)
Committee Leader: Jane Kollmer
Press room operations can be overwhelming. Having a network of experienced individuals to rely on helps ease undue pressures that may exist. Additionally, internal communications can be difficult to develop and navigate across a cancer center. The right message, the right channel, and the right audience are key to successful operations.
This affinity group looks to provide PAMN members who are looking for guidance within public affairs, media relations, and internal communications. The goal of this group is to provide a network of individuals to develop and strengthen relationships and provide mentorship to junior members.
Proposed Composition
- PAMN members with experience in press room/internal communication operations
Pediatric/Young Adult (PEDYA)
Committee Leader: Elizabeth Whittington
Recognizing a need for pediatric and/or adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivorship research, Congress passed The Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act in May 2018. The STAR Act was developed in collaboration with many childhood cancer organizations and is a comprehensive, bipartisan childhood cancer bill designed to advance pediatric and AYA cancer research and treatments, improve cancer surveillance, and enhance resources for survivors and their families. In addition to supporting improvements in cancer registry infrastructure and biospecimen research, the STAR Act authorizes the National Cancer Institute to improve the care and quality of life of patients by supporting the research solicited through this initiative.
This affinity group looks to create awareness around the field. The goal of this group is to develop effective strategies to communicate ways to create awareness around pediatric and AYA cancers.
Proposed Composition
- PAMN members working in or with pediatric cancer centers
- PAMN members working in centers that treat young adult cancers
Physician Relations Group (PRG)
Committee Leader: Barbara Buesse & Ashley Snowden
Referral relationships with medical providers are of paramount importance for any cancer center. The role of the physician relations professional continues to evolve as we broaden our tactics.
This established affinity group meets every month to share best practices, dive into hot topics, and discuss the provider community they serve. The goal of this group is to identify and share business development strategies that elevate our cancer center relationships.
Proposed Composition
- PAMN members who lead a physician relations team or department
- PAMN members with experience in business development and provider referral relationships
- PAMN members who are on a physician relations team where oncology is a primary program
- PAMN members who lead or create physician-directed marketing materials
Contact Dr. Matthew Huesser (Matthew.huesser@jefferson.edu), Barbara Buesse (barbara.buesse@wustl.edu), or Ashley Snowden (Ashley.Snowden@RoswellPark.org) if you are interested in joining one of these important committees or have any further questions.
Affinity group appointments will be made on Friday, February 11, 2022 to allow for the groups to hit the ground running prior to our annual PAMN meeting!