In-Person Access Only
Please read:All programs remain free. Registrations will require a credit card as a cancellation hold. A fee of $50 will only be incurred in the event of a no-show or cancellation within 5 days without written confirmation to the Total Health Program Team. Industry representatives—defined as any individual who is employed by, contracted with, owns, or represents a drug, device, diagnostic, or other healthcare-related commercial entity, regardless of clinical credentials or licensure—are not permitted to attend Total Health events as general attendees. Members of industry must contact exhibits@totalhealthoncology.com
The inaugural Empower Patient + Provider GI Conference will come to life as an in-person program in Washington, DC, on Saturday, October 3, 2026. This meeting is meant to be a resource for patients living with and after gastrointestinal cancer to find answers, support, and empowerment during any phase of their cancer journey
Conference Agenda
Saturday, October 3, 2026
8:00 AM
Coffee and Exhibits
8:25 AM
Program Chair Welcome
Mike Pishvaian, MD, PhD | Johns Hopkins University
8:30 AM
Circulating Tumor DNA (ctDNA): What is it, What does it tell us, and How is it presently informing treatment?
Timothy Cannon, MD | Inova Cancer Center
9:10 AM
Breakfast and Exhibits
9:25 AM
Breakfast and Learn
10:10 AM
Clinical Conversations in the GI Cancers (Prospective 'Town Hall' Topics)
Role of Multidisciplinary Care
Keith Unger, MD | MedStar Health
Managing Toxicities
Survivorship
Tracy Weber, PA-C | Inova Cancer Center
Genomic Testing
Mike Pishvaian, MD, PhD | Johns Hopkins University
Palliative Care and End of Life Multidisciplinary Care
Sara Field, LICSW, OSW-C | MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
11:40 AM
Lunch and Exhibits
11:55 AM
Lunch and Learn
12:40 PM
Genetic/Molecular Testing and Targeted Therapies in GI Cancer (e.g., dMMR testing rectal cancer; daraxonrasib in pancreatic cancer)
Nilo Azad, MD | Johns Hopkins University
1:20 PM
Break and Stretch
1:35 PM
Keynote Speaker: Young Onset Survivorship/Motivational Survivor
Vanessa Ghigliotty, BA, CPN | INOA University
2:05 PM
ADJOURN
Agenda Subject To Change. All times are EST.
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Review recent advances in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers
Discuss emerging therapies, including targeted treatments, immunotherapy, and novel combination strategies, and understand how they are integrated into care
Understand common treatment-related side effects and supportive care strategies that help improve quality of life during and after therapy