Conference Highlights

Although Sunday only allowed for a half-day of events, its bounty of sessions provided a grand finale to the conference. General sessions focused on hot topics such as cancer legal issues, sexuality and cancer, and cancer nutrition. Four breakout sessions gave attendees opportunities to learn more about new developments in hematologic cancers, primary prevention, improving collaboration among disciplines, and understanding neuroendocrine and colorectal cancers.

With a full schedule of engaging activities awaiting them on Saturday, navigators in attendance greeted the day early, abuzz over breakfast. Sessions covering navigation acuity, precision medicine, palliative care, and access to clinical trials for adolescents and young adults provided abundant learning opportunities. Enhancing the day’s events were Sponsored Knowledge Exchange Sessions and time to peruse the wide array of offerings in the Exhibit Hall.

Anticipation for the AONN+ Midyear 2019 Conference in the Golden State was so great that some attendees couldn’t wait for it to begin. Fortunately, they didn’t have to, with 2 morning preconference sessions kicking off a compelling slate of events throughout the weekend. Focusing on grant writing and financial navigation, these intensive sessions served as informative precursors to the day’s remaining events. Over lunch, a spirited welcome to beautiful San Diego from AONN+ leadership added to the excitement, getting navigators from all around the country enthused for 3 days of education, networking, and, of course, the gorgeous views of the waves along the shoreline.

Although the conference was winding down, Sunday was host to more events of interest for attendees. A session on genetics and genomics served as a primer for navigators, while breakout sessions gave attendees the opportunity to get hands-on experience with integrative therapies, including art therapy, aromatherapy, pet therapy, and healing touch. Popular and engaging, these sessions were a fun way to bring the weekend’s events to a close before bidding a fond farewell—until the Midyear Conference in May!

A sunny Dallas day greeted attendees Saturday as they gathered for the conference’s keynote address by former Second Lady of the United States Jill Biden, EdD. Praising navigators and sharing her personal experiences with cancer, as well as insights as Co-Founder of the Biden Cancer Initiative, Dr Biden garnered a standing ovation from the packed house. A full day of informative sessions, along with the interactive Leadership Live Town Hall, culminated in a dazzling evening at the Denim & Diamonds Awards Event.

In anticipation of the full slate of events in store, attendees awakened early for a morning stretch and smoothies before diving into compelling sessions and engaging encounters with industry sponsors. Highlights included insightful presentations on immunotherapy, the NAVmetrics^TM study, CAR T-cell therapy, and the American Cancer Society Patient Navigator Tracks.

The AONN+ Ninth Annual Navigation & Survivorship Conference kicked off without a hitch as close to 1000 attendees rode into Dallas to learn, network, and enjoy all the event’s offerings.

Attendees of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators (AONN+) Midyear Conference enjoyed a fun- and information-filled 3 days in Boston, MA. The conference, which took place on May 4-6, brought together hundreds of oncology navigators from all over the country.