Connection is sustaining me during this time of uncertainty. It feels like every meeting I attend has the caveat—depending on changes forthcoming— underscoring the unpredictability of our current environment. Like many of you, I’ve grappled with how to find meaning, be creative, be inspired, all with less resources. What sustains me is the remarkable connection with the extraordinary convergence of professionals across our oncology ecosystem—payers, providers, administrators, researchers, and frontline clinical staff—all united by a singular purpose: to improve the lives of people facing cancer. I am hopeful that you might gain a similar spark of inspiration from the pages of this journal through the innovation and resilience of others.
As a social worker in oncology, I’ve long believed that the most powerful innovations are not only technical, but deeply human. This belief was echoed in a powerful message shared by our recent keynote speaker at the 2025 ACCC Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), Nicholas Webb. In his book Happy Work, Webb reminds us that organizations thrive when they prioritize meaning, belonging, and joy. In cancer care— where our work often takes us to the edges of life and suffering, Webb’s message is a much-needed call to re-center humanity in the way we lead, care, and collaborate.
Dr. Janet Abrahm’s article further reinforces this theme, offering a deeply personal and professional reflection on the importance of caring for the caregiver—reminding us that resilience in oncology begins with compassion for those who provide care.
In this issue, we spotlight the ongoing evolution of oncology care through deeply human stories, emerging trends, and crosssector collaboration. Stories like Sammy Ulloa’s journey on page 63, that teach us that beyond the physical toll of osteosarcoma, the emotional and systemic challenges—like navigating insurance at 19 or mourning the loss of one’s identity—demand a model of care that prioritizes empathy, mental health, and patient empowerment just as much as clinical treatment. Other articles explore the spiritual and cultural dimensions of palliative care, lessons in leadership from two women shaping the future of oncology, and highlights from the 2025 ACCC Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit—including insights on the use of technology to improve the quality of care, make care more efficient, cost-effective, and patient-centered, and support the oncology workforce.
As part of our new Global eXchange series, which features perspectives from outside the United States, we feature a spotlight on the Baheya Foundation’s pioneering approach to breast cancer care in Egypt. These insights reflect the energy and ingenuity driving cancer programs today—focused not just on treating disease, but on elevating the experience of care for patients, families, and providers alike.
In Webb’s words, “Happy work is not soft. It is the hard work of leadership.” As you read this issue and engage with your colleagues in your community and within the ACCC online community, I invite you to consider: What does happy work look like in your world? How are we cultivating environments where care teams— and the patients they serve—can thrive?
Let us continue to lead with both brilliance and heart. Our patients deserve nothing less.
At the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting, the Louisiana Oncology Society received the ASCO Jeffrey C Ward Affiliate Advocacy Award for advancing critical advocacy priorities that have translated into meaningful legislative victories. The Iowa Oncology Society and Washington State Medical Oncology Society were also recognized for their advocacy efforts in 2025 at the meeting, receiving second place awards.
