7:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast — Exhibits Open

8:00 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks, Lisa Runco, Executive Director of Cardiology and Digestive Diseases and Kidney, Nebraska Medicine, and Sarah Chart, Senior Director, OptumHealth Education

8:30 a.m.

Wake Up and Smell the QAPI! Alan Langnas, DO

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) require quality-improvement programs in transplantation. Each individual transplant program at Nebraska Medicine defines its own quality measurements and seeks to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. Dr. Langnas will describe Nebraska Medicine’s solid organ transplant quality meeting.

Learning Objectives:

1. List three measurements that would be on a transplant quality dashboard.
2. Summarize what happens if a quality measure drops below the acceptable level.
3. State who participates in the solid organ transplant quality meeting.

9:15 a.m.

Recent Developments in Kidney Allocation, Clifford D. Miles, MD

Dr. Miles will explain changes made in December 2014 to the system that allocates deceased donor kidneys to candidates on the waiting list. In addition, as the new system has been in operation for a year and a half, data regarding transplant and waitlist activity will be presented, comparing time periods before and after the changes were implemented. Finally, he will present an overview of the concerns surrounding simultaneous allocation of kidneys with livers. This issue is being debated at the national policy level.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe changes made to the Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) Kidney Allocation System.
2. Compare data regarding waitlist and transplant activity before and after the allocation system changes.
3. Outline the concept of a formalized allocation system for simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation.

10:00 a.m.

Break — Exhibits Open

10:30 a.m.

Lung Transplantation: The Transition from Medical to Surgical Management of Advanced Lung Diseases, Aleem Siddique, MD, and Heather Strah, MD

With a new lung transplant program in Nebraska, Drs. Siddique and Strah will discuss the identification of potential lung transplant patients, the evaluation process, how the lung allocation score affects patient wait times, and posttransplant outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify suitable patients for lung transplant referral.
2. Describe the pretransplant evaluation.
3. Summarize the transplant process.
4. Discuss expected outcomes for lung transplant recipients.

11:15 a.m.

Current Strategies in Treating Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis, Luciano Vargas, MD

New therapeutic treatment options are now available for patients suffering from severe pancreatitis. Dr. Vargas will explain the complexity of diagnosing pancreatitis, review what treatment options are available, and describe when an autologous islet cell transplant is indicated and how it is performed.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the evaluation and causes of chronic pancreatitis.
2. Summarize the treatment options for patients with chronic pancreatitis.
3. Discuss the benefits associated with an autologous islet cell transplant.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch (provided)— Exhibits Open

1:00 p.m.

Transformation of Intestinal Failure Management: A Comprehensive Experience for Patients and Families, David F. Mercer, MD, PhD, FRCS(S)

Nebraska Medicine is home to both an intestinal transplant and intestinal rehabilitation program. Dr. Mercer will describe medical and surgical therapies that have shown positive outcomes for children and adults living with intestinal failure.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe current cutting-edge techniques, both medical and surgical, in the management of children and adults with intestinal failure.
2. Explain the novel approaches to the comprehensive care of children with intestinal failure and their families.
3. Summarize how these novel approaches might lead to improved outcomes and lower care-associated costs.

2:00 p.m.

Heart Transplantation: The Transition from Medical to Surgical Management for Congestive Heart Failure, Ronald Zolty, MD, PhD

Advancements and alternatives in the field have expanded treatment options for congestive heart failure patients. Dr. Zolty will discuss the heart transplantation process and posttransplant outcomes, as well as alternatives to transplantation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Outline the available treatment options for congestive heart failure patients, including transplantation, and their optimal applications.
2. State the outcomes that are achievable through various heart failure treatment options.
3. Summarize the future of heart transplantation advancements.

2:45 p.m.

Break — Exhibits Open

3:00 p.m.

New Therapies in the Treatment of Hepatitis C, Timothy McCashland, MD

For liver transplant recipients, the hepatitis C virus remains a concern. Dr. McCashland will discuss new drug therapies and research in the effective treatment of the virus.

Learning Objectives:

1. State the outcomes for patients with hepatitis C.
2. Discuss the available treatment options for patients with hepatitis C.
3. Define treatment options for posttransplant patients.

3:45 p.m.

Pancreas Transplantation: Modern Issues, Alexander Maskin, MD, FACS

Recent updates have been made in the treatment and surgical options for patients with diabetes mellitus. Dr. Maskin will review the selection criteria, graft survival rates and treatment options for these patients. His insight will provide new and modern ways to look at pancreas transplantation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain surgical techniques and issues involving pancreas transplant.
2. List the outcomes of pancreas transplant.
3. Discuss the issues with pancreas allocation.
4. Summarize the future of pancreas transplantation innovations.

4:30 p.m.

Adjourn

7:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast — Exhibits Open

8:00 a.m.

Welcome and Opening Remarks, Theresa Franco, MSN, RN, Vice President, Cancer Center Clinical Operations, Nebraska Medicine, and Sarah Chart, Senior Director, OptumHealth Education

8:45 a.m.

Building a Better T-Cell: Harnessing the Power of the Immune System to Combat Cancer, Matthew A. Lunning, DO

Researchers have longed to harness the power of a patient’s own immune system to combat his/her disease, but after a variety of promising starts, success has remained elusive. Dr. Lunning will discuss one approach currently being studied using T-cells harvested from the patient, genetically engineered to produce special receptors on their surface — called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), grown in a laboratory, and then re-infused into the patient. He will identify patients appropriate to receive this type of therapy and describe the challenges in managing treatment-related toxicities.

Learning Objectives:

1. State the phases of the process for undergoing CAR T-cell therapy.
2. Identify at least one patient population that may benefit from CAR T-cell therapy.
3. Describe the potential complications for CAR T-cell therapy and interventions to manage these complications.

9:30 a.m.

Financial Toxicity: Cancer’s Growing Side Effect, Michael Romano, MBA, MSN, BS, RN

Along with fatigue, nausea and pain, oncologists are hearing complaints daily of the life-altering, debilitating financial impact of cancer care. Out-of-pocket expenses related to treatment can influence both quality of life and the quality of care. “Financial toxicity” is the term given to the fiscal side effect of disease and treatment. Mr. Romano will share insights into the extent of this toxicity. He will discuss some of the sources of the overwhelming out-of-pocket expenses faced by patients and their families as they go through treatment, as well as some of the resources health care systems need to have in place to assist patients as they navigate both the physical and financial impact of cancer.

Learning Objectives:

1. State at least two reasons cancer-related expenses are rising.
2. Identify sources of out-of-pocket expenses experienced by patients being treated for cancer.

10:00 a.m.

Break — Exhibits Open

10:15 a.m.

Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation (SCT): Overcoming Limitations of Donor Availability, Vijaya Bhatt, MD

Lack of a suitable matched donor and/or the time needed to find a donor are often the major obstacles to successful treatment with allogeneic SCT. Half-matched related (haploidentical) SCT can be an effective treatment alternative. Dr. Bhatt will review the process of haploidentical transplantation, as well as the benefits and risks involved. He will also discuss methods to address and avoid treatment-related complications leading to optimal patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify appropriate candidates for haploidentical SCT.
2. Describe the conditioning regimen for a haploidentical SCT.
3. List possible complications associated with haploidentical SCT and explain how those potential complications can be minimized.

11:00 a.m.

Technological Advances in the OR: Robotic Surgery in Oncology, Chad A. LaGrange, MD; James Padussis, MD; and Kerry Rodabaugh, MD
Moderator: Theresa Franco, MSN, RN

The field of robotic surgery has developed rapidly. This form of minimally invasive surgery has many advantages in surgical oncology and has become the standard of treatment for many cancers. This panel of three surgeons will discuss the use of robotic surgery in gynecological oncology, prostate cancer, and gastrointestinal tumors.

Learning Objectives:

1. List at least two advantages of robotic surgery for patients.
2. Describe two scenarios wherein use of robotic surgery decreased the severity of postoperative morbidity.
3. Relate the process for patient selection when determining appropriate candidates for robotic surgery.

12:00 p.m.

Lunch (provided) — Exhibits Open

1:00 p.m.

Current Management of Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach, Amber Carter, MS, LCGC; Pavankumar Tandra, MBBS; Debra Spence, RN; Sarah P. Thayer, MD, PhD; Andrew Wahl, MD; and Cheryl Williams, MD
Moderator: Ann Yager, BSRT (R)(T), Oncology Services Director, Nebraska Medicine

Expert treatment of early breast cancer is critical to optimal outcomes. A multidisciplinary team approach is the most effective way to address the important decisions surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. This session will highlight the benefits of a breast cancer team for comprehensive care. Members of such a team will discuss the issues they address with every new breast cancer patient. The role of genetic testing and counseling, surgical and reconstructive options, and adjuvant systemic treatment will be highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe which patients will benefit most from a multidisciplinary breast cancer team evaluation.
2. List key members of an effective multidisciplinary breast cancer team.
3. Relate the participation of a breast cancer specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer to better patient outcomes.
4. Discuss the role of the genetic counselor to support improved patient satisfaction and treatment outcomes in breast cancer.

2:30 p.m.

Break — Exhibits Open

2:45 p.m.

New Directions in Oncology Clinical Trials: Creating the Future in Treatment, Apar Kishor Ganti, MD, and Christopher J. Kratochvil, MD

Scientific advances are now beginning to challenge and change our view of tumors, including the discovery that it may be just as important to know the genetic makeup of a tumor as it is to know its origin when considering treatment approaches. Our expanding understanding of cancer genetics has led to the development of several targeted therapies. Clinical trial design must continue to evolve to take advantage of this ever-growing body of knowledge. Basket trials are one way in which developing science is being integrated into clinical research. As with any other approach to translational medicine, the success of this strategy depends on the rigor of clinical trial design and recruitment. Drs. Ganti and Kratochvil will discuss the collaboration needed to create and support these new trial designs and advance oncology research and knowledge.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe at least one key difference between recruiting a patient to a basket trial versus a more traditional clinical trial.
2. Recite one example of the coordination required to create a basket trial.
3. List two actions taken by a clinical research department to enhance collaboration and promote oncology research.

3:30 p.m.

Going Beyond the Medicine: A Panel Discussion on Providing Patient Support, Mark H. Fleisher, MD; Nicole Fox, RD, LMNT, CSO; Theresa Franco, MSN, RN; Rebecca Jones, MSPAS, PA-C; and Robyn Zeplin, PT, BS, MPT
Moderator: Sue Wardian Hartung, MSN, RN, OCN, Case Management Nurse, Patient/Family Education for Cancer Care Services, Nebraska Medicine

The cancer experience only begins at diagnosis. Once diagnosed, the disease and its treatment  impact the patient and his/her entire family. This impact is physical, emotional and social. Patients come seeking medical care, but their needs will often extend beyond. Comprehensive cancer programs need to include comprehensive patient and family support. This panel, comprised of diverse expertise, will discuss select patient and family support needs and how to recognize those needs; what barriers can prevent patients from accessing support services; and how patients and their families can benefit from support services.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe two examples of services patients undergoing cancer treatment may need outside of direct medical care.
2. List two benefits patients and families may realize by accessing select support services.
3. Identify one barrier that prevents patients from utilizing select support services while dealing with cancer and cancer treatment.

4:30 p.m.

Adjourn