2026 Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding Performance Winners

Anne-Corinne Beaver, MD, FACS
UNC Health Appalachian
Boone, North Carolina

“Cancer Liaison Physicians (CLPs) are champions for patients. We use our role to evaluate strengths of our program as well as areas of improvement. We are able to use data-driven metrics to inspire our team to achieve the highest level of care possible for our communities. We are passionate about quality, compassion, and vision. It is a privilege for CLPs to serve in this role.”

Robert S. Crupi, MD

NewYork-Presbyterian Queens
Flushing, New York

“The CLP plays an important role in promoting a culture of continuous performance improvement, multidisciplinary collaboration, and integrated care to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

Megan E. Miller, MD, FACS

University Hospitals
Cleveland, Ohio

“In my role as our CLP, I have the unique opportunity to support quality initiatives that improve adherence to evidence-based standards and find new ways to elevate patient care. Our Commission on Cancer (CoC) Standard 7.3 project last year focused on oncology triage nurse follow-up calls to patients after calling in for treatment-related symptoms, with a goal to better utilize our ambulatory care clinic and avoid after-hours emergency department visits. While we were successful, there was an even greater benefit to patients in satisfaction with their treatment team and feeling that their concerns were being addressed. An unexpected outcome was improved nurse satisfaction as well! Helping patients and providers alike is something I really enjoy in my CLP role.”

Serena Murphy, MD, FACS

Brooke Army Medical Center
San Antonio, Texas

“As a CLP, the greatest impact on patient care comes from supporting a multidisciplinary team that works together to provide timely, evidence-based cancer care. Within a military treatment facility, the CLP collaborates with clinical and administrative leaders to review CoC quality metrics, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes that strengthen the cancer program. By working closely with surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, primary care providers, nurses, and support staff, the CLP helps ensure patients receive coordinated care that meets national standards while addressing the unique needs of military beneficiaries. This role is especially important for patients transitioning between military and civilian healthcare systems due to deployments, permanent changes of station, or retirement; the CLP works with the team to help maintain continuity of care from diagnosis to treatment and survivorship.”

Ibrahim Nassour, MD, MSCS, FSSO, FACS
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

“In my opinion, the CLP has the greatest impact on patient care by ensuring that every patient benefits from high-quality, evidence-based, multidisciplinary cancer care. The CLP uses data from the National Cancer Database and other quality metrics to identify opportunities for improvement, engages physicians and hospital leadership to implement changes, and helps ensure compliance with CoC standards. By fostering collaboration across surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, nursing, and supportive services, the CLP helps improve timely diagnosis, treatment coordination, adherence to guidelines, and ultimately patient outcomes.”

Samir Rahman, DO
HCA Florida Citrus Hospital
Inverness, Florida

“The work of the CLP ensures that our institution is meeting evidence-based standard of care. This ensures that our institutions have the best possible cancer-related treatment outcomes."

Stephanie Smith-Marrone, MD
NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester
Bronxville, New York

“The CLP's role is to monitor the quality of the cancer program, foster teamwork, and promote education about the COC standards and quality improvement.”

Marvaretta Stevenson, MD
Duke Raleigh Cancer Center
Raleigh, North Carolina

“The CLP helps ensure the cancer center's healthcare providers and supportive staff are providing the best care possible for our patients and striving to improve where we can every year.”

Justin Williams, DO
Rockcastle Regional Hospital
Mount Vernon, Kentucky

“The work of the CLP improves the quality of care provided by the cancer center using standards that lead to better performance.”