9:00–10:00 a.m.

Predicting Risk: Current Research and New Therapies for Optimal Management of Colorectal Cancer, Kristen K. Ciombor, MD, MSCI, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Research is always going on in this area of medicine, leading to great progress in recent discoveries of new and improved treatment and screening strategies. Tests have been developed to find genetic changes associated with colorectal cancer and to predict the risk of cancer recurrence. Identifying these genes can help doctors and individuals decide on their treatment options to extend survival and improve quality of life. This session will discuss management strategies for colorectal cancer, including how health disparities negatively impact colorectal cancer screening rates, and describe the exploration of new therapeutic avenues intended to enhance outcomes and improve detection methods.

Learning objectives:

1. Describe how health disparities negatively impact colorectal cancer screening rates.
2. State current screening guidelines and techniques for diagnosing and assessing colorectal cancer.
3. Identify strategies for reducing colorectal cancer risk, including the role and benefit of genetic testing in individuals with inherited risk.
4. Explore new therapeutic avenues intended to enhance outcomes and improve detection methods for colorectal cancer.

10:15–11:00 a.m.

Integrating Telemedicine into Health Care Delivery for the Transplant Population, David Mulligan, MD, FACS, Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center

Telemedicine has continued to grow as a unique way of delivering care to patients, while greatly improving access, reducing cost and positively impacting quality. Dr. Mulligan has been incorporating telehealth in the form of videoconferencing into the transplant setting, thus saving patients the effort of traveling to their follow-up appointments, taking time off work and avoiding potential exposure to other patients while they have a weakened immune system. With a focus on patients that undergo transplantation, Dr. Mulligan will discuss the challenges of integrating telemedicine into health care and its potential impact on improving health care quality, access, equity, and affordability.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify telemedicine initiatives that can benefit health care providers and patients.
2. State the barriers of integrating telemedicine for transplant recipients.
3. Discuss the positive impact of telemedicine on quality, access, equity and affordability for transplant patients.

11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Transplant Care for Solid Organ Transplants, Saeed Mohammad, MD, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

The transition of health care for adolescents with solid organ transplants as they move into adult-centered services has become more significant over recent years as survival has improved. Since the transfer process from pediatric to adult care can be a challenging phase for transplant recipients, their families, and providers, transition planning should begin at an early age and be an integral component of their ongoing care. This session will address the potential challenges and psychosocial factors associated with transitioning from pediatric to adult transplant care.

Learning objectives:

1. Recognize the psychosocial factors that impact the transitioning from pediatric to adult transplant care.
2. Describe the barriers and challenges to the transition from pediatric to adult transplant care.