The 2011 AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting convened October 16-18, in Washington, D.C. The theme of the meeting was, “The Power of Partnerships.” Meeting sessions focused on collaborations with industry and the FDA to advance development of new cancer therapies, partnerships within cancer center networks to expand access to promising new treatments, partnerships with patient advocacy organizations and delivery and payment systems for quality cancer care.
This event was jointly sponsored by Vanderbilt School of Medicine and AACI and was attended by more than 250 cancer care and research professionals.
Featured talks included a presentation entitled, “The Quest for Quality and Cost Effectiveness in Cancer Care”. Dr. John Peabody identified important metrics and collaborations that are necessary for assessing a cancer center’s readiness to deliver high quality, coordinated care in the post health care reform world.
With many AACI centers establishing formal networks or partnerships with community oncology providers, a session on cancer center networks explored the benefits and barriers of such relationships for the cancer centers, their community partners, and the patients they serve. Drs. Nancy E. Davidson, Mary Beckerle and Cheryl L. Willman were panelists.
Other meeting highlights included a panel discussion on partnerships with advocates featuring speakers from AACI sustaining members LiveSTRONG, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and C-Change, an update from the NCI Office of Cancer Centers, and a talk on the business of genomics.
In addition, new AACI President Dr. William S. Dalton outlined his presidential initiative for 2011-2013. Dr. Dalton envisions expanding AACI’s website to enhance partnerships among patients, AACI members, industry and other cancer research stakeholders.
AACI presented the 2011 AACI Distinguished Scientist Award to Dr. Bert Vogelstein. U.S. Representatives Steve Israel and C.W. Bill Young each received AACI’s 2011 Distinguished Public Service Award, and Dr. Siddhartha Mukherjee, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning, “The Emperor of All Maladies”, was recognized with the AACI Excellence in Cancer Communications Award.
AACI also acknowledged organizations that provided unrestricted educational grants and organizations providing program and activity support. The annual meeting, an approved Continuing Medical Education Event, received educational grants from Amgen, Astellas, Elekta, Exilexis, Genentech, Genomic Health and Varian Medical Systems.
AACI received program and activity support over the past year from Amgen, Astellas, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Forte Research Systems, Lilly USA, Novartis and Velos.