Finding My Voice in Cancer Advocacy: My First Capitol Hill Day and AMCCBS Experience

What was the most important lesson I took away? Be genuine. When you show up as your authentic self, willing to learn, share, and support others, you make the biggest impact. That’s how we make things better for the patients we serve, and that’s how we grow, together. I am already looking forward to attending next year.

When I first learned about the Association of Cancer Care Centers’ (ACCC) Capitol Hill Day and the 51st Annual Meeting & Cancer Center Business Summit (AMCCBS), it was not something I had actively sought out—it found me. My supervisor, Carol Mahoney, MBA, corporate director, Medical Group, at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute at ChristianaCare, recommended that I attend, believing it would be a valuable and enriching experience. Because I am relatively new to oncology, having transitioned from a different professional background, she felt this would provide important insight into the real-world challenges that patients with cancer face. I trusted her guidance, embraced the opportunity, and am sincerely grateful that I did.

Embracing the Cancer Care Community

I approached Capitol Hill Day and AMCCBS with an open mind and a willingness to learn, ready to absorb as much information as I could. What surprised me most was the genuine warmth and sense of community I encountered. I anticipated feeling like an outsider—and in some ways, I was. However, attendees were quick to introduce themselves, share their experiences, and welcome me into the fold. It did not feel like a typical conference; it felt like a community united by purpose. One particularly impactful moment that stuck with me from Capitol Hill Day was my conversation with Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Delaware). Although our time was limited, her empathy and steadfast commitment to patient-centered care were unmistakable. She shared a moving personal story, having lost her husband to cancer. But even if she had not experienced that tragedy, I truly believe she would still be out here on the front lines, advocating for people. Congresswomen McBride inspired me deeply. In addition, the diverse range of speakers at AMCCBS—including a range of oncology providers and administrators—highlighted the systemic challenges faced by cancer care leaders across the country. The sessions encouraged open dialogue and fostered connections among attendees with shared experiences and goals.

Meaningful Dialogue With Policymakers

In preparation for Capitol Hill Day, I met with my site manager, Denise Greene, to better understand the day-to-day patient challenges in our practice, ChristianaCare Hematology Oncology. It was important to me that I spoke from a place of authenticity. Denise emphasized pressing concerns such as workforce shortages, burdensome prior authorizations, and financial toxicity for patients—topics that I brought into conversations with the Capitol representatives. This preparation grounded me in what matters most to our practice and provided me with examples that I could present to the legislators I met. The conversations that I had with policymakers and their staff were incredibly engaging. I was deeply impressed by their breadth of knowledge and their ability to discuss a wide range of complex issues within a single day. Their energy was inspiring, and it made me want to learn more, get more involved, and be a better advocate—not just for our patients, but for everyone impacted by cancer. Among the many issues we discussed, financial toxicity was the one that resonated most with me. While I have not had to battle cancer, people I love are in the fight right now. One of my closest friends is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, and every conversation with her includes worries about whether insurance will cover treatment or when her next appointment can even be scheduled, due to prior authorizations. The burden of $200 copays while fighting for your life is unacceptable. This is why advocacy efforts like Capitol Hill Day are critical.

Rynita Settle stands inside the US Capitol during Capitol Hill Day at AMCCBS, where she joined fellow advocates and health care leaders to champion patient-centered cancer care and connect with lawmakers.

A Shift in Perspective

There were so many memorable sessions at AMCCBS, but one speaker stood out: keynote speaker Nick Webb. During his session, The Future of Cancer Care Delivery: 2025 and Beyond, he addressed the integration of artificial intelligence into oncology practice and spoke compellingly on practical ways to boost staff engagement and improve organizational culture. His insights on health care organizations needing to focus on quick adoption of technology, manage changes effectively, and keep the human experience on the forefront were ideas that resonated with me, as someone managing both site operations and larger practice responsibilities. It reminded me that change doesn’t always have to be big and flashy; it can be small shifts that make a huge difference.

This experience fundamentally reshaped my perspective on my role in cancer care. Previously, my focus was on creating a difference in my practice, in my own little corner of the world. Now I’m thinking bigger, and I understand that the challenges we face—staffing, patient affordability, policy gaps—are systemic and widespread. They’re shared. And if they’re shared, that means we can share solutions, too.

Encouragement for Future Attendees

For those considering participating in Capitol Hill Day or AMCCBS, I wholeheartedly encourage you to attend. You don’t need to have all the answers or be an expert. What matters most is the willingness to listen, learn, and engage. Take time to understand the mission of ACCC, but more importantly, to understand what it stands for. And come ready to be present and open. This event showed me what’s possible when you have a meeting of the minds and engage with other leaders: the opportunity to effect positive change for all patients with cancer. What was the most important lesson I took away? Be genuine. When you show up as your authentic self, willing to learn, share, and support others, you make the biggest impact. That’s how we make things better for the patients we serve, and that’s how we grow, together. I am already looking forward to attending next year.

Rynita Settle, MHA, is a practice administrator at ChristianaCare Hematology Oncology in Newark, Delaware.