AFTER the MEETING- with Total Health
This past October, Total Health Oncology was proud to once again present the Annual West Oncology Virtual Meeting for Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) and Nurses. Our team hosted 177 virtual attendees at this focused online event with expert faculty presenting on a range of timely topics uniquely suited to the oncology nursing and APP audience.
MEETING CONTENT NOW AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE!
You can see the full playlist from the West Oncology Virtual Meeting for Advanced Practice Providers on our YouTube channel here.
SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
AI in Oncology: What Happens Between Appointments
Speaker: Angeline Giammona, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Ember
Drawing on her experience caring for her mother with glioblastoma, Angeline Giammona explores how artificial intelligence (AI) may support patients and caregivers between oncology appointments. She distinguishes clinical, research, operational, and patient-facing AI, emphasizing opportunities to improve health literacy, prepare questions for clinicians, and reduce overall caregiver burden. Using Ember as an example, she discusses how AI companions can provide accessible, disease-specific information while directing medical decisions back to the care team. For oncology nurses and APPs, some of the key considerations with this emerging technology include information accuracy, patient privacy, bias, transparency, and helping patients use AI responsibly without replacing a clinician’s guidance.
Watch the presentation here.
GI Cancer Updates: From RAS to CRC
Speaker: Axel Grothey, MD; Director, GI Cancer Research; Chair, Molecular Tumor Board
West Cancer Center and Research Institute
In his presentation, Dr Axel Grothey reviewed advances in gastrointestinal oncology, highlighting the emergence of RAS-targeted therapies for pancreatic cancer and biomarker-driven treatment strategies for colorectal cancer. In the phase 3 RASolute 302 trial, Dr Grothey noted that daraxonrasib improved median overall survival compared with chemotherapy (13.2 vs 6.7 months) in previously treated metastatic pancreatic cancer. He also examined the use of immunotherapy for MSI-high colorectal cancer, including promising neoadjuvant results, and the challenges of targeting KRAS-mutant disease. For oncology nurses and APPs, some of the key considerations for GI cancers include molecular testing, individualized treatment selection, and monitoring for rash, stomatitis, and other toxicities when using emerging therapies.
Watch the presentation here.
CAR T vs. Bispecific Antibodies
Speaker: Brittney Baer, BSN, RN, TCTCN; CAR T/Immune Effector Cell RN Patient Care Coordinator, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
In her presentation, Brittney Baer compared CAR T-cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, explaining their mechanisms, approved indications, and practical considerations for treatment selection. She reviewed the CAR T-cell manufacturing and infusion process and how bispecific antibodies engage immune cells to target cancer. She notes that both approaches require careful monitoring for cytokine release syndrome, immune effector cell–associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), infections, and other events such as hypogammaglobulinemia. She also discussed prolonged immune suppression and rare inflammatory complications that may occur following CAR T-cell therapy. Through lymphoma case studies, she also demonstrates how disease characteristics, prior treatment, comorbidities, and toxicity risks inform individualized treatment decisions and nursing care.
Watch the presentation here.
AML in 2026
Speaker: Dipen Khanapara, MD; Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, University of Mississippi Medical Center
In his presentation, Dr Dipen Khanapara reviewed advances in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), emphasizing molecular risk stratification, treatment fitness, and transplant eligibility. He examined emerging evidence from the PARADIGM trial comparing azacitidine plus venetoclax with intensive chemotherapy in selected fit patients, alongside research on individualized venetoclax dosing. His presentation also addresses targeted therapies for FLT3-, IDH-, and KMT2A- or NPM1-mutated AML. For oncology nurses and APPs, some of the key considerations in AML include managing cytopenias, infections, drug interactions, and differentiation syndrome; coordinating measurable residual disease assessments; and facilitating timely transplant referrals. Treatment feasibility and access also remain central to individualized care.
Watch the presentation here.
APPs in Interventional Radiology and New Procedures Update
Speaker: Evan Swift, PA-C; Interventional Radiology Physician Assistant, West Cancer Center & Research Institute, Memphis, Tennessee
In his presentation, Evan Swift explored the expanding role of advanced practice providers (APPs) in interventional radiology, including patient consultations, procedural assessments, image-guided biopsies, vascular access, and postprocedural follow-up. He highlights how APPs improve workflow efficiency, coordinate pathology review, and ensure appropriate imaging and procedural planning. The presentation also introduces emerging embolization techniques for chronic knee osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis, discussing patient selection, procedural approaches, and potential complications. For oncology nurses and APPs, some of the key takeaways include managing anticoagulation considerations, educating patients, monitoring recovery, and coordinating follow-up for drains, catheters, and other interventional procedures.
Watch the presentation: here.
Lymphoma Updates: Advances in DLBCL Treatment
Speaker: Gillian Reed, DNP, FNP-BC, OCN
In her presentation, Gillian Reed reviewed the evolving treatment landscape for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), emphasizing implications for advanced practice providers. She discussed frontline advances, including improved progression-free survival with polatuzumab-R-CHP compared with R-CHOP in the POLARIX trial, and emerging combinations evaluated in frontMIND. She notes that CAR T-cell therapy has moved into second-line treatment for eligible patients with primary refractory or early-relapsing disease, while bispecific antibodies offer additional options. She also explores circulating tumor DNA–based measurable residual disease testing as a promising prognostic tool that does not yet replace PET imaging. Some of the the key APP responsibilities in this setting include recognizing treatment toxicities, coordinating supportive care, and guiding patients through increasingly individualized treatment decisions.
Watch the presentation here.
Beyond Productivity: The Value of the APP Workforce
Speaker: Jason Astrin, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA, FAPO; Evolent
In his presentation, Jason Astrin examines why traditional productivity measures, such as work relative value units (wRVUs), patient visits, and billing, fail to capture the full contribution of advanced practice providers (APPs) in oncology. He introduces a broader framework encompassing patient access, clinical outcomes, physician capacity, financial impact, and care continuity. Emphasizing team-based workforce design, Astrin explains how optimizing the roles of nurses, APPs, and oncologists can improve efficiency without creating new bottlenecks. He also explores Medicare reimbursement considerations and proposes a balanced APP value scorecard that aligns performance measures with clinical responsibilities, organizational goals, and patient-centered care.
Watch the presentation here.
Sexual Therapy and Prostate Cancer
Speaker: Jennifer Valli, PhD
In her presenation, Dr Jennifer Valli explored the physical, psychological, and relationship challenges affecting sexual health after prostate cancer treatment. She emphasizes shifting from performance-based expectations centered on erections and penetration, toward pleasure, intimacy, and connection. Practical strategies she outlines include pelvic floor physical therapy for urinary leakage, individualized multimodal penile rehabilitation, and realistic counseling about recovery timelines. Dr Valli also discusses changes in sexual desire, mindfulness, partner communication, and adapting sexual activities to changing abilities. For oncology nurses and APPs, the presentation highlights the importance of proactively addressing sexual concerns, normalizing treatment-related changes, and referring patients and partners to qualified sexual health specialists.
Watch the presentation here.
Airway 101: Caring for the Patient's Airway in Head and Neck Cancer
Speaker: Kathy King, NP; West Cancer Center & Research Institute, Head and Neck Cancer Department
In her presentation, Kathy King reviewed upper airway anatomy and common complications affecting patients with head and neck cancer, using clinical examples to illustrate the impact of events like nasal obstruction, bleeding, infections, and tumor-related airway compromise. She emphasizes recognizing symptoms that warrant prompt evaluation, particularly in immunocompromised patients or those with progressive tumor burden. Her presentation also addresses dysphagia and aspiration assessment, including fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). She concludes with practical guidance on tracheostomy equipment, total laryngectomy anatomy, stoma care, humidification, and speech rehabilitation options. For oncology nurses and APPs, she notes that understanding these distinctions is essential for safe airway assessment, patient education, and multidisciplinary care coordination.
Watch the presentation here.
Genetics 101: What Every Oncology APP Should Know
Speaker: Kristen Hayes, DNP, FNP-C, GCRA; High Risk Nurse Practitioner, West Cancer Center, Germantown, Tennessee
In her presentation, Kristen Hayes provided a practical overview of hereditary cancer genetics, emphasizing the distinction between germline and somatic testing and the importance of recognizing hereditary cancer risk factors. She reviews major cancer predisposition syndromes, family history assessment, and appropriate use of multigene testing panels. Particular attention is given to interpreting pathogenic variants, negative results, and variants of uncertain significance (VUS), which should not be used to independently guide clinical management. Through patient cases, she demonstrates how genetic findings inform treatment, surveillance, risk reduction, and cascade testing of relatives. For oncology APPs, the presentation reinforces the importance of appropriate counseling and translating genetic results into individualized care.
Watch the presentation here.
Solid Tumor Pharmacy Updates: New Drug Approvals and Clinical Pearls
Speaker: Lindsay Mundy, PharmD, BCOP, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
In her presentation, Lindsay Mundy reviewed recent FDA approvals for solid tumors, highlighting emerging treatment options for breast, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers. Featured therapies in her presentation included novel estrogen receptor degraders, targeted kinase inhibitors, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, a RAS inhibitor, and subcutaneous pembrolizumab. She examined pivotal trial findings, mechanisms of action, dosing considerations, and treatment-related toxicities. For oncology APPs, the presentation emphasizes practical aspects in prescribing and supportive care strategies, including biomarker testing, drug interaction screening, QTc monitoring, diarrhea management, and prevention of stomatitis and rash. The updates provide actionable guidance for safely incorporating newly approved therapies into clinical practice.
Watch the presentation here.
Hematologic Pharmacy Updates: New Drug Approvals and Clinical Pearls
Speaker: Sarah Profitt, PharmD, MMHC, BCOP; Clinical Pharmacy Specialist – Adult Malignant Hematology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
In her presentation, Sarah Profitt reviewed five recently FDA-approved hematology therapies: ziftomenib for NPM1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia, sonrotoclax for mantle cell lymphoma, pivekimab sunirine for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm, iberdomide for multiple myeloma, and rusfertide for polycythemia vera. She explains their mechanisms of action, indications, dosing, drug interactions, and evolving roles in treatment. For oncology nurses and APPs, key considerations include recognizing differentiation syndrome, preventing tumor lysis syndrome, monitoring hepatotoxicity and cytopenias, managing thromboembolic risk, and educating patients about oral therapies and self-administered injections. Practical supportive care strategies also emphasize safe treatment initiation and ongoing monitoring.
Watch the presentation here.