ONCOLOGY 101

A Hematology and Oncology Primer for Advanced Practice Providers

May 15th - 17th 2025 (Virtual)

Oncology 101: A Hematology and Oncology Primer for Advanced Practice Providers - Spring 2025

An onboarding program that helps establish a baseline knowledge of hematology and oncology

The demand for cancer care is expected to grow 40% over the next six years and ASCO is projecting a shortage of more than 2,200 oncologists by 2025. To meet the cancer care needs of patients, advanced practice providers (APPs), whose education and training is focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and primary care medical management, have increasingly been sought to fill the shortage. However, many APPs have little background or training in oncology. As a result, oncology practices need to provide new staff with an onboarding program that helps to establish a working baseline level of knowledge of hematology and oncology.

To help APPs and other clinicians prepare for a new career in the specialty of oncology, Horizon CME in partnership with APAO has developed “Oncology 101: A Hematology and Oncology Primer for Advanced Practice Providers”. In this two-and-a-half-day program, clinicians will gain a basic understanding of cancer therapies, benign and malignant hematologic disorders, solid malignancies, supportive care strategies, oncologic emergencies, genetics and molecular testing, and more. Participation in this program will provide APPs with the foundational knowledge they need to provide support and care to cancer patients as part of the multidisciplinary oncology care team.

This program is appropriate for new APPs, nurses, and pharmacists in oncology, clinicians seeking a review, or clinicians considering a career in oncology.

Conference Planning Committee

Beth Faiman, PhD, MSN, APN-BC, AOCN, BMTCN, FAAN

Nurse Practitioner Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology Cleveland Clinic Cleveland, OH

Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA

Val R. Adams, PharmD, FCCP, FHOPA, BCOP

Associate Professor, Oncology Specialist University of Kentucky Lexington, KY

Jonathan Catrona MS, RPA-C

Advanced Practice Clinical Education Specialist Chair, OneOncology OneCouncil APP Committee New York Cancer and Blood Specialists New York, NY

Registration Details

Early Bird Registration

$ 100
00
  •  
DEADLINE: FEB 15

Advanced Registration

$ 125
00
  •  
DEADLINE: APR 15

General Registration

$ 150
00
  •  
DEADLINE: MAY 15

Student/Fellows*

$ 25
00
  •  
DEADLINE: MAY 16
REGISTER TODAY!

In Partnership With:

*Students - Fellows

Student is defined as currently enrolled in an advanced learning institution and/or studying in order to enter a particular profession.

If you would like to attend as a Student, please contact info@horizoncme.com for further information.

**Industry Employee - $400+

**Defined as anyone employed by a drug, device, or diagnostic company. The primary goal of the conference is to educate practicing clinicians on the latest advances and strategies in the care of cancer patients. Because space is limited and to ensure sufficient seats are available for clinicians, Industry Employees may register as an attendee only if you have a clinical title (NP, PharmD, MD, PA, etc). 

Faculty Speakers

Laura J. Zitella is a Hematology Nurse Practitioner in the Hematology, Blood, Marrow Transplant, and Cellular Therapy (HBC) Program at UCSF Health and is an Associate Clinical
Professor in the Department of Physiological Nursing at the University of California San Francisco. She earned her Master of Science from the University of Illinois in Chicago. Laura holds certifications as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse.

With more than 25 years of experience in oncology practice, Ms. Zitella is recognized as a national nurse practitioner leader. Her clinical expertise includes patients with hematologic malignancies receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, investigational agents, hematopoietic cell transplantation, cellular therapy, and supportive care. 

She is a prominent educator who has delivered hundreds of educational presentations to national and international audiences and authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, web courses, videos, and book chapters. She is a member of the Advanced Practitioner Society of Hematology and Oncology (APSHO), the Advanced Practice Provider Oncology Summit Planning Committee, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), the California Association of Nurse Practitioners (CANP), the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), the Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO), and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC).

Dr. Robinson currently is an attending physician in Palliative Medicine at Baptist Memorial Hospital and Associate Medical Director of Hospice in Memphis Tennessee. He is an adjunct faculty member within the Palliative Medicine division for The University of Tennessee College of Medicine mentoring fellows, residents, and medical students. He serves on the Board of Directors committee for the DePriest Center, a non-for profit christian organization providing comprehensive and compassionate care in the treatment of mental health, substance use and co-occurring conditions for individuals, families, and communities.  He attended Middle Tennessee State University where he received a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and Biology as well as Masters of Science in Chemistry. He received his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harrogate Tennessee and completed his internal medicine residency at MountainView Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces New Mexico. Following residency he completed his fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Some of his interests include palliative hepatology, complex symptom management in advanced disease states, developing curriculum reform for palliative and hospice trainees, and learning ways to best address challenging bioethical scenarios, communication barriers, and managing complex grief at end of life. In his free time he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and son, traveling,  enjoying music, and searching for delicious restaurants.  

Jennie Goble is a Physician Assistant in the Division of Hematology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. She is a instructor at the College of Medicine and has a Masters degree in Physician Assistant Studies. Jennie has been a Physician Assistant in Hematology for almost 10 years and has practiced in both inpatient and hospital outpatient settings. She is Silver Quality certified and frequently participates in projects, education, and mentoring of new providers. Jennie’s clinical interests include acute leukemia and high-grade lymphoma. Jennie’s passions are high-quality patient care, NPPA education, and quality improvement.

Maria (Rosie) Guerrero is an Advanced Practice Provider in the department of Lymphoma & Myeloma at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas. She received her Associates degree in Nursing in 1998 from Lee College in Baytown, Texas. Maria received her
bachelor’s degree in Nursing 2001 from University of Texas medical branch in Galveston, Texas. She attained her Masters in Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. Maria completed a Post -Graduate fellow ship program in oncology Nursing with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Health Science Center in 2006. In 2014, she received her Doctorate in Nursing practice from the University of Texas Health Science in Houston. Maria is currently enrolled at Texas Women’s University in the bridging program DNP to PhD.

Sandra Cuellar is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy. Dr. Cuellar has been active in the field of Hematology/Oncology for 17 years. She is the Coordinator and Clinical Associate Professor for Oncology Therapeutics. Dr. Cuellar received her Bachelors of Liberal Arts from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, followed by her Pharm.D. degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy. She also completed a pharmacy practice residency at the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. Following her residency, she completed a specialty oncology residency at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. 

She is currently the Clinical Pharmacist at the Out-Patient Cancer Center, Director of the Oncology Specialty Residency Program, and the Vice-Chair of IRB at UIC. Dr. Cuellar is an editor at large for the Journal of Hematology Oncology Pharmacy and is involved in research, consulting, and publications in the field of Hematology/Oncology. She has given multiple national and international presentations on cardio-oncology, supportive care, and oncology therapeutics. In addition, Dr. Cuellar serves as an ASHP Oncology Surveyor and continues to serve on multiple committees for the Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Association. 

Lauren Imboden is a Physician Assistant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology at Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health. She graduated from the Wake Forest Medical School Physician Assistant program in 2010. She joined the Hematology and Oncology Section in 2010 focusing on chronic malignant hematologic disorders. In 2016, she transitioned to adult non-malignant hematology where she splits her clinical time between the Comprehensive Cancer Center caring for general hematology disorder patients and the Hemophilia Treatment Center caring for patients with bleeding and clotting disorders. She is a native North Carolinian, born in the Foothills of NC and residing since 2006 in Winston-Salem, NC with her spouse and two children. 

Ellen Marin is a Physician Assistant on the inpatient BMT and Malignant Hematology service at Emory Healthcare’s Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, GA. She is an active member of the education committee at Winship and runs the monthly journal club for both the inpatient advanced practice providers and the APP fellowship. Prior to becoming a PA, Ellen was a division 1 collegiate swimmer while completing her bachelor’s degree in biology at Florida Gulf Coast University. She went on the obtain her master’s degree in physician assistant studies at the University of South Florida. Ellen has been published in textbooks and major journals. She also co-authored the standard of practice guidelines for Emory’s use of Bi Specific T Cell Engagers. Ellen is an active presenter and educator on a multitude of topics across malignant hematology and always hoping to bring a new perspective to the learning experience. 

Dr. Marianne Davies is a graduate of Yale University School of Nursing (MSN-Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist and Post-Masters-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) and MGH Institute of Health Professions (DNP & Certificate of Teaching and Learning). Cr Davies’ clinical practice is in Thoracic Medical Oncology. Her focus is on caring for patients receiving novel therapeutics, including immunotherapy, targeted therapies, experimental therapeutics, and the management of associated toxicities. She is an Associate Professor of Nursing at the Yale School of Nursing, teaching in the Master’s program and coordinator of the Oncology Nurse Practitioner Concentration.  She is a member of the Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO), Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), International Thoracic Oncology Nursing Forum (ITONF), Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), Association of Community Care Centers Institute for Clinical Immuno-Oncology (ICLIO), Sigma Theta Tau and the American Nursing Association.  She serves on the Immunotherapy Guideline Development Boards of the Society of Immunotherapy of Cancer and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.  She has published and presented extensively on the topics of lung cancer, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and symptom management. She was recently inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN-2020).

Jamie Carroll is a nurse practice with a Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner certification, currently working for Mayo Clinic in Breast Cancer since July 2015. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, graduating in 2012. Her clinical interests are in quality improvement within the breast cancer teams as well as improving survivorship for breast cancer patients. Jamie enjoys education of students, nurses and fellow colleagues across the nation. She has earned the status of Assistant Professor through Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

Kathleen Boyle is a physician assistant (PA) at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s (DFCI)
Gastrointestinal Cancer Center based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Boyle holds a Bachelor of
Science in biology and a Bachelor of Science in environmental studies from Fordham University.
She holds a Master of Science in medical studies from Yale University School of Medicine. She
holds a Doctor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Massachusetts College of
Pharmacy and Health Sciences University.

Prior to joining DFCI, she was an Emergency Department PA at Yale-New Haven Hospital’s St.
Raphael’s Campus Emergency Department and a Thoracic Oncology Service PA at New York-
Presbyterian Hospital Columbia Medical Center. At DFCI she has held roles in the inpatient
medical oncology unit, the thoracic medical and surgical oncology divisions, and the
gastrointestinal medical oncology division. Ms. Boyle has spoken professionally at local and
national conferences and has taught the MGH Institute for Health Professions PA program
module on lung cancer and lung nodules annually since 2018. She was awarded the DFCI
Distinguished Physician Assistant award in 2020 and is a nominated member of the Brigham and
Women’s Hospital Peer Support Program since 2020.

Jessica Walchonski is a board-certified and licensed Physician Assistant specializing in Gynecologic Oncology. She received her undergraduate degree from Temple University and her Masters in Medical Sciences from Salus University.  She believes in the importance of a comprehensive and personalized approach to women with gynecologic cancers. She is especially interested in palliative care, hereditary cancer syndromes, and gynecologic cancer survivorship. In her free time she likes crafting and hanging out with her dog, Jamison.

Grace Baek is a board-certified clinical oncology pharmacist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
(formerly Seattle Cancer Care Alliance). She specializes in lymphoma, multiple myeloma,
renal/melanoma/genitourinary malignancies, and sarcoma in the ambulatory setting. She
completed pharmacy school at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, PGY1 training
at Michigan Medicine, and PGY2 training at the University of Washington Medical Center and
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

Jennifer Murphy graduated from the UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy where she received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree where she won the ASHP National Clinical Skills Competition and SNPhA National Clinical Skills Competition. After graduation, she completed an Acute Care PGY1 Residency at UC San Diego Health System and a PGY2 Residency in Oncology at UC Davis Health.

As a Board Certified Oncology Pharmacist, her primary area of practice is the UCDH Cancer Center Investigational Drug Service. In this role, she is actively involved in oncology clinical trial protocol development and quality improvement projects as well as various institutional committees. Additionally, she supports the Inpatient Hematology/Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplant, and the Gynecologic Oncology services. Dr. Murphy developed the Pharmacy Residency Mentorship Committee in 2014 and co-chairs the Committee. Dr. Murphy has served as an adjunct faculty and guest lecturer at California Northstate University, College of Pharmacy and currently holds a volunteer faculty position as an Assistant Professor at UCSF School of Pharmacy.

Meredith is the current APP Clinical Director of the Blood Disorders Center at the University of Colorado Hospital, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology at the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Associate Director of Professional Excellence within the Division of Hematology. Since becoming the APP Clinical Director, she has worked closely with the APP team and other leadership within the Division and UCH to expand the role of APPs to encourage promotion and involvement in QI and research projects beyond clinical work. Meredith is also the proud mom of four amazing and fearless ladies and spends her free time hiking and running. 

Palliative Care Director Presbyterian Healthcare Services Albuquerque, NM

Laura S. Wood RN, MSN, OCN is an oncology nurse with over 35 years of experience in the care of patients with renal and genitourinary cancers and oncology clinical trial coordination. She was the Renal Cancer Clinical Research Coordinator in the GU Oncology Program at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio, retiring in late 2021. Laura continues her involvement in the Cleveland Clinic Immunotherapy Education Committee, and the immune-related Adverse Event Tumor Board.

Laura completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. She is active in the local and national Oncology Nursing Society, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer. She is on the Board of Directors of the Kidney Cancer Association and the chair of the KCA Clinical Advisory Board. A national and international lecturer on topics related to oncology nursing, Laura has authored many book chapters and journal articles on therapeutic approaches and nursing care in the management of cancer. Laura was the recipient of the 2012 Oncology Nursing Society Clinical Lectureship Award.

Michael Lai is a Teaching Associate with the University of Washington and Advanced Provider in department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. By training, he holds an Master of Science in Nursing from Seattle University, Master of Science in Justice Policy from the University of Pennsylvania, and Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Brown University. He has spent time as a Research Associate with the Urban Institute in Washington DC, and Research Assistant in the Joan Ruderman Laboratory at Harvard Medical School.

Learning Objectives

Deatils to come

Intended Learners

This activity is intended for oncology nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, nurse navigators, medical assistants, and other healthcare providers involved in the care of cancer patients.

COVID-19 & Health Safety

Conference is virtual. Attend fully online.