Physician Clinical Leadership Initiative

About PCLI

A Forum for Cancer Center Leaders

In response to the rapid changes in health care delivery and the expectation to "do more with less" at clinical practices at AACI cancer centers, AACI created a forum for physician clinical leaders. The forum aims to provide a resource for creating best practices to assist cancer center physician clinical leaders in addressing challenges like clinical services reimbursement, integrating electronic medical records with other cancer center IT services, assimilating clinical research and clinical programs to increase trial accrual, and developing performance metrics.

PCLI members convene each year as part of the AACI/CCAF Annual Meeting.

 

Steering Committee

The PCLI Steering Committee is a resource for creating best practices as well as for comparing approaches to common problems facing clinical services leaders.

Chair

Paula Fracasso, MD, PhD, FACP
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer

View All Steering Committee Members

2026 PCLI Webinars

PCLI Webinar | Improving Clinical Trial Accruals Through Data, Collaboration, and Targeted Interventions
Tuesday, March 24, 1:00 pm ET
Drawing on the work of a multidisciplinary task force at Emory University, this webinar will explore a data-driven approach to understanding and addressing barriers to clinical trial enrollment. Speakers will share findings from their "Just Ask" initiative, including insights from a center-wide white paper and a comprehensive effort to collect and analyze clinical trial accrual data across the institution. Speakers will also discuss the logistics and the lessons learned from patients that received consents and decided not to enroll on a clinical trial. This webinar is Part 1 of a two-part series, setting the foundation for a follow-up session in 2027 to assess the impact of these interventions, share lessons learned, and discuss ongoing challenges and successes.
Moderator: Ajay K. Nooka, MD MPH, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University
Panelists: Theresa Wicklin Gillespie, PhD, MA, FAAN, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and Amy M. Overby, BSs, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center

2025 Webinars

In December 2025, AACI launched a collaboration with Medlive, a trusted leader in expert-led digital medical education. 

PCLI Webinar | Partners in Progress: Engaging Patient Advocates in Research and Clinical Trials
Thursday, December 18, 12:00 pm ET
Patient advocates (also known as patient partners) can meaningfully shape cancer research by bringing lived experience, diverse perspectives, and community insight to the table. A panel of trained patient partners will share practical strategies for involvement in grant applications and clinical trial development, while a principal investigator will highlight the value of these collaborations in advancing successful research. Together, they will discuss best practices, lessons learned, and actionable steps for researchers and institutions seeking to strengthen partnerships and improve outcomes for patients.
Moderator: Lee Wilke, MD, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center
Presenters: Mary Pat Berry, BA, MA, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center; Jane Perlmutter, PhD, MBA, Gemini Group; and Patty Spears, BS, FASCO, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Slides (Mary Pat Berry, BA, MA) | Slides (Jane Perlmutter, PhD, MBA) | Slides (Patty Spears, BS, FASCO | Recording 

PCLI Webinar | Resilient Paths: Navigating Research Careers in Uncertain Times
Tuesday, September 23, 12:00 pm ET
In today’s evolving research landscape, cancer investigators—especially those early in their careers—face mounting pressure as funding becomes increasingly competitive and uncertain. Join us for an honest and inspiring conversation that acknowledges challenges while offering hopeful, forward-thinking solutions to help physician-scientists thrive.
Moderator: Bhavana Bhatnagar, DO, WVU Cancer Institute
Presenters: Randall Kimple, MD, PhD, FASTRO, MBA, University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center; Lily Gutnik, MD, MPH, FACS, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Arsen Osipov, MD, FACP, Cedars-Sinai Cancer
Recording

PCLI Webinar | Healing Waves: How Hawai'i is Turning the Tide on Cancer Inequities
Wednesday, April 9, 3:00 pm ET
This insightful webinar will explore the unique cancer disparities faced by Native Hawai'ian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) communities. Experts will discuss how historical and cultural factors shape health care delivery today, with a focus on the disproportionate burden of cervical, breast, and liver cancers – more prevalent in Pacific Islanders than any other ethnic group worldwide. 
Moderator: Stephanie Lim, MD, MBA, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Presenters: Neal A. Palafox, MD, MPH, and Kevin Cassel, DrPH, MPH, University of Hawai'i Cancer Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Slides (Stephanie Lim, MD, MBA) | Slides (Neal A. Palafox, MD, MPH) |
Slides (Kevin Cassel, DrPH, MPH) | Recording

PCLI Webinar | From Outreach to Action: Embedding Community Perspectives in Cancer Research
Thursday, March 20, 3:00 pm ET
The webinar focused on the importance of integrating Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) aspects into research and how physician leaders can play a vital role in supporting their cancer centers’ COE efforts. Experts shared insights on the impact of COE integration, opportunities for physician involvement, and strategies to enhance institutional coordination. The session also provided perspectives from the office of clinical research, patient advocacy, and physician leaders who work with their COE offices effectively. 
Moderator: Nicole Simone, MD, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson
Presenters: Amy E. Leader, DrPH, MPH, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson; Jin Sun Bitar, MD, Cedars-Sinai Cancer; and Silvia Byer, PhD, The University of Kansas Cancer Center PIVOT Program
Recording


Protected Time Survey

In 2019, AACI issued a survey to learn more about how protected time is provided for faculty physicians with clinical responsibilities who participate in both clinical research and academic activities at AACI cancer centers. The survey data were published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network in February 2021.

Read the Survey Data

Impact of Immediate Release of Clinical Information Rules on Health Care Delivery to Patients With Cancer

In May 2021, the PCLI Steering Committee designed a survey to study the impact on oncology providers and cancer clinical practice of the 21st Century Cures Act Immediate Release of Clinical Information (IRCI) on healthcare delivery to cancer patients. A report on the committee’s findings was published in JCO Oncology Practice in February 2023.

Read the Report

Cancer Center Service Line Survey

In 2024, the PCLI Steering Committee developed the Cancer Service Line (CSL) survey to describe the leadership, organizational structure, financial models, and functions of CSLs across AACI member cancer centers. The survey data were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology Oncology Practice in September 2025. 

Read the Report