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As we open our first issue of 2026, we do so at a moment of profound transition in health care, one marked by innovation, uncertainty, and an urgent call to care for patients more holistically, more equitably, and more sustainably. Across oncology, clinicians are being asked to do more with less, to navigate shifting reimbursement landscapes, workforce strain, and rising patient complexity, all while preserving the humanity at the center of our work. This issue is grounded in that reality, which is cause for optimism.
The articles featured here share a common thread: They are written by clinicians and leaders who have spent years building, testing, and refining models of care that meet patients where they are—earlier, more thoughtfully, and with intention. Together, they illustrate how data, technology, and interdisciplinary design can be leveraged not to replace clinical judgment, but to extend its reach. The articles discuss issues from early detection to symptom management, psychosocial support, and goal-concordant care.
Staff at WellSpan Cancer Institute demonstrate how predictive analytics and AI can be harnessed to support early palliative care identification in both outpatient and home-based settings. As a clinician and editor, I found this work particularly compelling because it reinforces a truth many of us know intuitively: Early palliative care is not about prognosis, it is about presence. By integrating technology into real-world workflows, this model shows how we can reduce suffering, address mental health and symptom burden sooner, and ensure patients and families receive the right support at the right time, regardless of care setting.
Similarly, the Ambulatory Care Excellence model at Fox Chase Cancer Center offers a powerful example of how operational excellence can translate directly into better patient and clinician experiences. Through standardized roles, protected care coordination time, and data-driven staffing that is aligned with demand, this work reminds us that efficiency and compassion are not competing values. In fact, when systems are designed well, they create space for what matters most: timely access, clearer communication, and sustainable practice for the oncology workforce.
The geriatric oncology program at Penn Medicine Princeton Health further expands this vision, redefining what it means to deliver age-inclusive cancer care in a community setting. By embedding geriatric assessments, behavior modification nudges, population health dashboards, and palliative and social work services into routine oncology care, this program moves beyond guideline adherence to truly personalized, goal-concordant care. Its success underscores that innovation in oncology is not limited to academic centers, and that honoring function, independence, mental health, and dignity is as critical as treating disease.
Across these articles, we see a shared commitment to scalable, sustainable models that improve access and outcomes, even as reimbursement pressures and coverage uncertainty loom large. For patients with insurance and those without, for clinicians in academic centers and community programs alike, the imperative is the same: to design systems that work better, earlier, and more equitably.
As we begin 2026, this journal reflects both realism and resolve. The challenges before us are significant, but so, too, is the collective wisdom of the ACCC community. This community leads with creativity, compassion, and generosity as they share their knowledge. It is my hope that the models shared in these pages not only inform but inspire you, regardless of your role or where you provide oncology care. We can help by reminding each other that when innovation is guided by values, we can build systems of care that help people not only live longer, but live better.
