Hear how precision medicine stewards can streamline testing processes to improve efficiency and improve the patient experience.
As cancer programs seek new ways to improve coordination of molecular testing, hear how precision medicine stewards can streamline testing processes to improve efficiency and improve the patient experience. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Melissa Cruz-Tanner, LPN, OPN-CG, and manager of Patient Navigation Services and the newly created Molecular Processing Department at Astera Cancer Care in New Jersey about their journey from development to approval of a new molecular processor role to support precision medicine testing.
"The period of wait time [for test results] causes so much trauma to the patient—the anxiety of not knowing. With us implementing the molecular team in our practice, it allowed us to have a realistic timeline on when we could tell the patients their results would be in. It also allowed us more diversity in test selection [i.e., the ability to select specific vendors or test types based on precise timelines for processing], thus cutting the time and access to treatment and improving the overall patient experience.” – Melissa Cruz-Tanner, LPN, OPN-CG
This vodcast was developed in connection with the ACCC education program Precision Medicine Stewardship and was made possible with support by AstraZeneca and Blueprint Medicines.
Guest:
Melissa Cruz-Tanner, LPN, OPN-CG
Manager of Patient Navigation and Molecular Processing
Astera Cancer Care
East Brunswick, NJ
Resources:
The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s)/faculty member(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of their employer(s) or the Association of Cancer Care Centers.
July 8, 2026
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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.
