Cancer Programs News: October 2

Table of Contents

In this issue:

AJCC Hosts Annual Meeting in Chicago
Beyond ASK Initiative Supports Smoking Cessation in Cancer Care
CSSP Presents Neuroendocrine Surgery Webinar
NCDB Releases 2023 PUF
CoC Honors Louisiana State Chair Dr. John Lyons
CoC Announces 2025 CLP Outstanding Performance Award Winners
Complete the Annual CLP Survey by October 31
Dr. Selwyn Vickers to Deliver CoC Oncology Lecture at Clinical Congress 2025
ACS Cancer Programs Salutes Outgoing Committee Members and Leaders
Learn about the 2026 National QI Project
New Peer Clinical Trials Program Supports Hispanic and Latino Communities
CoC Recognizes Accredited Sites
NAPBC Recognizes Accredited Sites
Mark Your Calendar

Cancer Programs

ACS Cancer Programs Salutes Outgoing Committee Members and Leaders

We extend our gratitude to the outgoing committee members and leaders for their unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions, which have been instrumental in shaping the success of ACS Cancer Programs.

Click to expand and view names.

Commission on Cancer

Members representing the American College of Surgeons Fellowship:

Sangeetha Prabhakaran, MBBS, FACS
Michael C. Gynn, MD, FACS

Members representing member organizations:

David C. Leopold, MD, DABFM, DABOIM: Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health
Ana M. Lopez, MD, MPH, FACP: American College of Physicians
Elin R. Sigurdson, MD FACS: American Radium Society
Sara Pai, MD FACS: Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer
Cheryl Sheridan, RHIT, CTR: National Cancer Registrars Association
Steven D. Wexner, MD, FACS: National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer
Robert K. Brookland, MD, FACR, FACRO: American Joint Committee on Cancer
David S. Foley, MD FACS: American Academy of Pediatrics
Linda Williams Martin, MD, FACS: Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Myrick C. Shinall Jr., MD, PhD, FACS: American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Kathleen Cronin, PhD, MPH: National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program

National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers

Committee leaders

Lee Gravatt Wilke, MD, FACS: Quality Improvement Committee Chair
Lora D. Barke, DO: Quality Improvement Committee Vice Chair
Tara Schapmire, PhD, MSSW, OSW-C, FNAP, FAOSW: Advocacy and Outreach Committee Vice Chair

Members representing member organizations

Lee Gravatt Wilke, MD, FACS: Society of Surgical Oncology
Jean Rosiak, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, CBCN: Oncology Nursing Society
Tara Schapmire, PhD, MSSW, OSW-C, FNAP, FAOSW: Association of Oncology Social Work
Liza M. Quintana, MD: College of American Pathologists
Ashley Kerr: Association of Cancer Executives
Lora D. Barke: American College of Radiology Commission on Breast Imaging

National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer

Committee leaders:

Steven D. Wexner, MD, FACS: Executive Committee Chair
David Wecker Dietz, MD, FACS: Executive Committee Vice Chair
Tracy Lynn Hull, MD, FACS: Accreditation Committee Chair
Ron Landmann, MD, FACS, FASCRS: Education Committee Vice Chair
Amalia Stefanou, MD, FACS: Quality Improvement Committee Vice Chair
Muneera Rehana Kapadia, MD, FACS: Quality Improvement Committee Chair

Members representing the American College of Surgeons Fellowship:

Arden M. Morris, MD, FACS
Fergal Fleming, MD, FACS
Muneera Rehana Kapadia, MD, FACS
Samantha Hendren, MD, MPH, FACS

Members representing member organizations:

Elizabeth Collens Wick, MD, FACS: American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
Courtney Moreno, MD: American College of Radiology
Marc J. Gollub, MD, FACR: American College of Radiology
Virginia L.O. Shaffer, MD, FACS: Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons
Yi-Qian You, MD, FACS, MHSc: American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
David Kim, MD, FACR, FSAR: American College of Radiology
Tracy L. Hull, MD, FACS: Society of Surgery for the Alimentary Tract
Vassiliki L. Tsikitis, MD, FACS: Society of Surgery for the Alimentary Tract
Mukesh Harisinghani, MD: American College of Radiology
Katherine Carsky, MD: ACS Resident and Associate Society
Katharine Caldwell, MD: ACS Resident and Associate Society
Amber Moyer, MD: ACS Resident and Associate Society

Cancer Surgery Standards Program

Committee leaders:

Nicole Lopez, MD, FACS: Surgical Information Transformation Committee Vice Chair
William Burns, MD, FACS: Surgical Information Transformation Committee Chair
Toan Nguyen, MD, FACS: Standards Development Committee Vice Chair
Flavio G. Rocha, MD FACS: Standards Development Committee Chair

Members:

Daniel Nelson, DO, FACS
Lauren McLendon Postlewait, MD, FACS
Elliot Asare, MD, FACS
Makesha Vernee Miggins, MD, FACS
Shruti Zaveri, MD
Puneet Singh, MD, FACS
Joseph J. Skitzki, MD, FACS
James Brooks Harris, MD, FACS
Terry (Paul) Nickerson, MA, FACS
Anthony W. Kim, MD, FACS
Peter D. Peng, MD, FACS
Christina Lynn Roland, MD, FACS
John A. Abraham, MD, FACS
Elizabeth Gardner Grubbs, MD, FACS
Marybeth Farquhar, PhD, MSN, RN

American Joint Committee on Cancer

Committee leaders:

Robert K. Brookland, MD, FACR, FACRO: Program Chair/Executive Committee Vice Chair
Jeffrey Gershenwald, MD, FACS: Program Vice Chair/Executive Committee Chair

Members:

Wui-Jin Koh, MD: National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Arden M. Morris, MD, FACS: American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons
Jodi Maranchie, MD, FACS—American Urological Association
Vonetta Williams, PhD, MPH, CTR: National Cancer Registrars Association
Lee Hartner, MD: American College of Physicians
Terry A. Day, MD: American Head and Neck Society

Learn about 2026 National QI Project

Join us for an information webinar November 14, at 11:00 am CT, to learn more about the 2026 Cancer Programs national quality improvement (QI) project, Timely Administration post Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor. This QI project is the first of its kind, developed around the National Cancer Database Quality Measure BLCT1.

The webinar will provide details on the planned QI project. Email cancerqi@facs.org with questions you would like speakers to address during the webinar.

American Joint Committee on Cancer

AJCC Hosts Annual Meeting in Chicago

Members of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) met in Chicago September 11–12, for the organization’s annual meeting. Chair Robert K. Brookland, MD, FACRO, FACR, reviewed the state of the AJCC, and ACS Cancer Programs Medical Director Ronald J. Weigel, MD, PhD, MBA, FACS, provided an update on Cancer Programs work and the ACS strategic plan.

Members received updates on partner organizations, committee and workgroup activities, and AJCC information technology initiatives. Attendees joined incoming AJCC Chair Jeffrey E. Gershenwald, MD, FACS, in honoring outgoing Chair Dr. Brookland, who has served in the position since 2019.

Cancer Research Program

Beyond ASK Initiative Supports Smoking Cessation in Cancer Care

In the September issue of the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, authors discuss Beyond ASK, the ACS national quality improvement initiative that was developed and launched in 2023. Beyond ASK supports programs with their cessation efforts for patients who report being smokers.

Cancer Surgery Standards Program

CSSP Presents Neuroendocrine Surgery Webinar

The Cancer Surgery Standards Program will host “Technical Standards for Neuroendocrine Cancer Surgery” at 5:00 pm CT on Monday, October 27. Presenters will review evidence-based operative standards for the performance of neuroendocrine surgery as outlined in the Operative Standards for Cancer Surgery, Volume 3, and will cover duodenal neuroendocrine tumors, pancreatectomy, regional lymphadenectomy, and metastatic small bowel neuroendocrine tumors. The panel discussion will focus on clinical management of neuroendocrine cancer through case study review.

This webinar will be applicable to general surgeons, surgical oncologists, and trainees with an interest in neuroendocrine cancer surgery. All surgeons who attend the webinar are eligible to receive Continuing Medical Education credits. Register today.

For more information, contact CSSP@facs.org.

Commission on Cancer

NCDB Release 2023 PUF

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) National Cancer Database (NCDB) released the 2023 Participant User File (PUF). Investigators at CoC-accredited programs may access 2023 data. Users can consult the data dictionary for a complete list of fields and corresponding definitions and the NCDB PUF webpage for additional supporting resources.

Email ncdb_puf@facs.org for more information or questions.

CoC Honors Louisiana State Chair Dr. John Lyons

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) has named Louisiana CoC State Chair John M. Lyons, lll, MD, FSSO, FACS, as the recipient of the 2025 State Chair Outstanding Performance Award. Dr. Lyons received the award for exhibiting outstanding leadership and innovation, as well as making significant contributions to the improvement of cancer care in his state. He has served as the CoC Louisiana State Chair since 2020.

State Chairs are responsible for supporting CoC-accredited cancer programs in their states, communicating with the Cancer Liaison Physicians serving in those programs, and collaborating with partners such as their ACS chapter, American Cancer Society, and state Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition.

2025 CLPs Are Honored with Outstanding Performance Award

The Commission on Cancer (CoC) Cancer Liaison Program hosts the annual Cancer Liaison Physician (CLP) award program to recognize outstanding performance by CLPs in their role as the physician quality leaders of their accredited cancer programs. This year, 10 CLPs have been chosen to receive this award.

The CoC congratulates the award winners and thanks them for their leadership and dedication to improving the quality of care for cancer patients. The 2026 nomination period will open in the spring.

Complete the Annual CLP Survey by October 31

Cancer Liaison Physicians (CLP) are encouraged to complete the annual CLP survey by Friday, October 31. The Commission on Cancer (CoC) uses the results of the survey to evaluate educational and information resources and develop new materials to help CLPs meet the responsibilities of their role at their CoC-accredited programs. Contact mleeb@facs.org with questions about the survey.

Education

Dr. Selwyn Vickers Will Deliver CoC Oncology Lecture at Clinical Congress 2025

Join us at the ACS Clinical Congress, October 4–7, in Chicago, Illinois, to hear Selwyn M. Vickers, MD, FACS, lecture on The Promising Future of Cancer Therapeutics and Care.

Dr. Vickers is president and chief executive officer of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) and director of the MSK Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is a world-renowned surgeon, pancreatic cancer researcher, and pioneer in health disparities research.

The lecture will take place Tuesday, October 7, at 12:45 pm CT. More information on cancer-focused topics at Clinical Congress 2025 is available on the ACS Cancer Programs website.

From the Field

New Program Offers Cancer Support for Hispanic and Latino Communities

The Cancer Support Community launched the Peer Clinical Trials Support Program for Hispanic and Latino Communities, an initiative that addresses the unique barriers Hispanic and Latino(a) individuals often face when participating in clinical trials.

Through this program, participants connect with trained peer mentors who share similar life experiences. Peer mentors provide encouragement, education, and culturally responsive support, empowering participants to make informed decisions about clinical trial participation and their cancer care.

Congratulations

CoC Recognizes Accredited Sites

The ACS CoC recognizes the following cancer sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning CoC reaccreditation:

CHI St. Luke's Health-Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center
Houston, TX

Gundersen Lutheran Health System
La Crosse, WI

Ogden Regional Medical Center
Ogden, UT

St. Bernard's Medical Center
Jonesboro, AR

St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital
Jackson, MS

Tift Regional Medical Center
Tifton, GA

Upstate University Hospital
Syracuse, NY

NAPBC Recognizes Accredited Sites

The ACS NAPBC recognizes the following breast sites for demonstrating their commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered cancer care to patients and the community by recently earning NAPBC reaccreditation:

HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress (KPH Consolidation, Inc.)
Cypress, TX

Martin Health System Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center
Stuart, FL

Methodist Breast Care Center
Omaha, NE

WellStar Breast Health Continuum of Care
Marietta, GA