Dr. Bhatt

 Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplantation: Overcoming Limitations of Donor Availability  
Vijaya Bhatt, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Oncology and Hematology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Amber Carter

Current Management of Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Amber Carter, MS, LCGC
Certified Genetic Counselor
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. FleisherGoing Beyond the Medicine: A Panel Discussion on Providing Patient Support
Mark H. Fleisher, MD
Professor
Vice Chair for Clinical Services
Department of Psychiatry
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska
Nicole Fox

Going Beyond the Medicine: A Panel Discussion on Providing Patient Support
Nicole Fox, RD, LMNT, CSO
Nutrition Specialty Services Therapist
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Theresa Franco

Going Beyond the Medicine: A Panel Discussion on Providing Patient Support
Theresa Franco, MSN, RN
Vice President, Cancer Center Clinical Operations
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Ganti

New Directions in Oncology Clinical Trials: Creating the Future in Treatment
Apar Kishor Ganti, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Oncology and Hematology
Associate Director of Clinical Research
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Becca Jones

Going Beyond the Medicine: A Panel Discussion on Providing Patient Support
Rebecca Jones, MSPAS, PA-C
Physician Assistant
Supportive Care
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Kratochvil

New Directions in Oncology Clinical Trials: Creating the Future in Treatment
Christopher J. Kratochvil, MD
Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Associate Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research
Chief Medical Officer, UNeHealth
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. LaGrange

Technological Advances in the OR: Robotic Surgery in Oncology
Chad A. LaGrange, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Surgery
Division of Urologic Surgery
Edward and Sally Malashock Chair of Urologic Surgery
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Langnas

Wake Up and Smell the QAPI!
Alan Langnas, DO
Professor, Department of Surgery
Chief, Division of Transplantation
University of Nebraska Medical Center;
Director of Liver Transplantation
Director of Intestinal Transplantation
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Lunning

Building a Better T-Cell: Harnessing the Power of the Immune System to Combat Cancer
Matthew A. Lunning, DO
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Oncology and Hematology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Maskin

Pancreas Transplantation: Modern Issues
Alexander Maskin, MD, FACS
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Division of Transplantation
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. McCashland

New Therapies in the Treatment of Hepatitis C
Timothy McCashland, MD
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology
University of Nebraska Medical Center;
Medical Director of Liver Transplant Program
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Mercer

Transformation of Intestinal Failure Management: A Comprehensive Experience for Patients and Families
David F. Mercer, MD, PhD, FRCS(S)
Professor, Department of Surgery
Division of Transplantation
University of Nebraska  Medical Center;
Director of Intestinal Rehabilitation
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Miles

Recent Developments in Kidney Allocation
Clifford D. Miles, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Nephrology
University of Nebraska Medical Center;
Director, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Padussis

Technologic Advances in the OR: Robotic Surgery in Oncology
James Padussis, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Division of Surgical Oncology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Rodabaugh

Technologic Advances in the OR: Robotic Surgery in Oncology
Kerry Rodabaugh, MD
Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Principle Investigator, Gynecologic Oncology Group
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Mike Romano

Financial Toxicity: Cancer’s Growing Side Effect
Michael Romano, MBA, MSN, BS, RN
Oncology Services Director
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Siddique

Lung Transplantation: The Transition from Medical to Surgical Management of Advanced Lung Diseases
Aleem Siddique, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Debra Spence

Current Management of Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Debra Spence, RN
Case Management Nurse
Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Program
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Strah

Lung Transplantation: The Transition from Medical to Surgical Management of Advanced Lung Diseases
Heather Strah, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Allergy
University of Nebraska Medical Center;
Director of Lung Transplantation
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Tandra

Current Management of Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Pavankumar Tandra, MBBS
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Oncology and Hematology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Vargas

Current Strategies in Treating Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis
Luciano Vargas, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery
Division of Transplantation
Director, Comprehensive Center for Pancreatobiliary Disorders and Auto Islet Cell Transplantation
Director, Neuroendocrine Tumor Program
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Wahl

Current Management of Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Andrew Wahl, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology
Medical Residency Program Director
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Cheryl Williams

Current Management of Breast Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach
Cheryl Williams, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Radiology
Lead Interpreting Physician for Mammography
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Zepelin

Going Beyond the Medicine: A Panel Discussion on Providing Patient Support
Robyn Zeplin, PT, BS, MPT
Lead Outpatient Physical Therapist
Nebraska Medicine
Omaha, Nebraska

Dr. Zolty

Heart Transplantation: The Transition from Medical to Surgical Management for Congestive Heart Failure
Ronald Zolty, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Division of Cardiology
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska

Conference Planning Committee

Deborah Andersen, RN, BSN, CCTC
Manager, Liver and Intestinal Transplant
Nebraska Medicine

Haley Armstrong, BA
Community Relations Coordinator
Nebraska Medicine

Sarah Chart, RN
Senior Director
OptumHealth Education

Theresa Franco, RN, MSN
Vice President, Cancer Center Clinical Operations
Nebraska Medicine

Rebecca Gleason, RN, CCM
Activity Manager
OptumHealth Education

Michelle Grady, MHA
Physician Outreach Liaison, Cancer Services
Nebraska Medicine

Victoria Hunter, RNC, BSN, CCTC
Manager, Kidney/Pancreas Program
Nebraska Medicine

Alan Langnas, DO
Chief, Section of Transplantation, Department of Surgery
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Director of Liver Transplantation
Nebraska Medicine

Stephanie Lewis
Physician Outreach Liaison—DDK & Transplant
Nebraska Medicine

Suzanne Miller, RN, CCTC
Director, Digestive Diseases and Kidney
Nebraska Medicine

Brenda Ram, CMP, CHCP
Coordinator Continuing Medical Education
Center for Continuing Education
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Tracy Rheault
Administrator, Cardiothoracic Surgery and Surgical Oncology
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Jeanine Schademann
Senior Associate
Care Coordination, Cancer Services
Nebraska Medicine

Geri Schmid
Director of Payer Relations
Nebraska Medicine

Kim Schmit-Pokorny, RN, MSN, OCN®, BMTCN™
Manager, Blood and Marrow Transplant Program
Nebraska Medicine

Melinda Sommerfeld
Communications/Marketing Senior Analyst
Nebraska Medicine

Deborah Swanson, RN, BA
Contract Specialist
Nebraska Medicine

Sue Wardian Hartung, RN, MSN, OCN®
Coordinator of Patient/Family Education, Cancer Care Services
Nebraska Medicine

Administrative Support

Peggy McKenzie
Administrative Senior Assistant
Nebraska Medicine