ASCO to Highlight Workforce Diversity Programs at President’s Cancer Panel

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will share information and insights from key programs it offers to help strengthen and diversify the oncology workforce during the President's Cancer Panel meeting September 12-13, 2024.

This is the first time the panel will focus squarely on workforce issues, including cancer clinicians and researchers, to address staff shortages, burnout, low retention rates, lack of diversity and equity, administrative burdens, and the uneven access to oncology professionals across the country. This topic aligns with and supports the National Cancer Plan's goal to Optimize the Workforce.

ASCO CEO Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO, will share the organization's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan as well as key opportunities ASCO has created to improve workforce diversity, including the Diversity Mentoring Program, Medical Student Rotation for Underrepresented Populations, and Oncology Summer Internship.

"ASCO appreciates the panel's commitment to addressing the very real challenges facing the oncology workforce and what those challenges mean for people with cancer," said Dr. Hudis. "Our members know firsthand that the ability to deliver high quality cancer care is dependent on a workforce that is well-supported, healthy, diverse, inclusive, and multidisciplinary. We are committed to doing everything we can to achieve this goal and save more lives from cancer."

Dr. Eric P. Winer, Board Chair of ASCO's Association for Clinical Oncology, will join day two of the meeting to discuss ways to strengthen the cancer research workforce and make trials more accessible to all patients in order to drive progress. Earlier this year, an ASCO task force issued a call to action to advance patient-focused decentralized trials; focusing on ways to enable more people with cancer to participate in clinical trials closer to home. This includes removing administrative barriers to clinicians, such as burdensome processes and forms, that ultimately hinder the ability to give patients access to trials.

"We appreciate the opportunity to discuss these challenges and look forward to hearing from our fellow stakeholders on the best solutions for optimizing and diversifying the cancer research workforce," Dr. Winer said. "Developing and maintaining a robust cancer care and research workforce will require collaboration across the cancer community."

After the meeting, ASCO will contribute to a report for the White House highlighting ways to support the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and other health care professionals critical to the future of cancer care.

The American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (the Society) and the Association for Clinical Oncology (the Association) are committed to the principle that knowledge conquers cancer and represent more than 50,000 oncology professionals who care for people living with cancer. Through research, education, and promotion of high quality, equitable patient care, the Society works to conquer cancer and create a world where cancer is prevented or cured, and every survivor is healthy. The Association works to ensure that all individuals with cancer have access to high quality, equitable care; that the cancer care delivery system supports optimal cancer care; and that our nation supports robust federal funding for research on the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. Learn more about the Society at www.ASCO.org, and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Learn more about the Association at www.ascoassociation.org and follow us on X.