Cancer Connections

About Cancer Connections

Cancer Connections was launched by community member and breast cancer survivor Barb Thomas. It is hosted in partnership with UF HealthStreet and is an educational and networking event that brings together cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and health care professionals. Presentation topics include leading-edge cancer research, treatment options and health care services, explained in an easy-to-understand way. Join us for an upcoming event!

Watch Past Lectures

January 2024

“Cervical Cancer in the Era of Human Pappillomavirus Vaccines and Individualized Cancer Therapies”

Burak Zeybek, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Florida


November 2023

“An Overview of the Promote UP Smoking Cessation Study”

Ashley E. Dwarka, M.P.H.
Research Coordinator, UF College of Medicine


September 2023

“The Therapeutic Horticulture Program at the University of Florida”

Elizabeth (Leah) Diehl, RLA, HTM
Director of Therapeutic Horticulture
Wilmot Botanical Gardens at the College of Medicine
University of Florida


August 2023

“Latest Advances in the Management of Childhood Acute Leukemia”

Mansi Dalal, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics
University of Florida College of Medicine


July 2023

“Nutrition and Cancer: Fueling Your Fight”

Anamaria R. Yeung, M.D.
Clinical Professor and Residency Program Director
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida


June 2023

“Update on Cancer Research in Collaboration with Health Extension: Partnerships and Progress”

Melissa J. Vilaro, Ph.D., M.P.H., C.P.H.
Assistant Professor
Department of Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, University of Florida


May 2023

“Searching for the Cure: Cellular Immunotherapy Clinical Trials for Lymphomas”

Erin Dean, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine


April 2023

“Assessing the Impact of Multicomponent Interventions on Colorectal Cancer Screening Through Simulation: What Would It Take to Reach National Screening Targets in North Carolina?”

Karen Hicklin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering


March 2023

Advancing the Science of HPV Detection Through Self-Swab Collection

Jennifer Woodard, M.P.H., R.N., CCRP
Director, Office of Community Outreach & Engagement, UF Health Cancer Center


February 2023

The Evolving Landscape of Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer

Raymond Mailhot, M.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida


November 2022

Commonly Diagnosed Cancers and Treatment-related impairments: The Role of Cancer Rehabilitation

Ady Correa, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Florida College of Medicine


October 2022

Breaking the Silence of the “Superwoman Schema”: Black Breast Cancer Survivors

Lakeshia Cousin, Ph.D., APRN, AGPCNP-BC
Assistant Professor, Department of Family, Community and Health Systems Science, University of Florida College of Nursing


August 2022

How Does One’s Family Health History Impact Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment?

Luisel Ricks-Santi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy & Translational Research, University of Florida College of Pharmacy


July 2022

Harnessing Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics for Control of Resistance in Ovarian Cancer

Meghan C. Ferrall-Fairbanks, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering


June 2022

Recent Developments in the Systemic Treatment of Kidney Cancer

Jonathan Chatzkel, M.D.
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine


May 2022

Recent Breakthroughs and Treatment Hurdles in Metastatic Melanoma

Bently Doonan, M.D., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine


April 2022

Using Virtual Technology to Deliver Culturally Appropriate Cancer Prevention Messaging

Eric Cooks, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Associate, Department of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications


March 2022

Colorectal Cancer: Symptoms and Screening

Jesus C. Fabregas, M.D., M.P.H., FACP
Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology & Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine


February 2022

Head and Neck Cancer: The Role of the Environment and Biology in Racial Disparate Clinical Outcomes

Kristianna Fredenburg, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine


January 2022

Updates in Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgery and Regional Therapies

Ibrahim Nassour, M.D., MSCS
Assistant Professor, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine


October 2021

Breast Cancer: The Role of the Oncology Patient Navigator and Resource Spotlight: Blossoming Butterfly, Inc.

Pam Clevenger, R.N.
Oncology Patient Navigator, UF Health Breast Center

Nicole Miller
Founder and CEO, Blossoming Butterfly Inc.


August 2021

Cancer Immunotherapy and Precision Medicine Against Refractory Malignancies

Elias Sayour, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine


June 2021

Breast Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy

Jeri Franoeur, M.S.
Vice Chair and Advocacy Co-Chair, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation


May 2021

Overcoming Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Lisa Spiguel, M.D.
Clinical Director of UF Health Breast Center and Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine


April 2021

Molecular Biology of Lung Cancer

Frederic Kaye, M.D.
Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine


March 2021

Pediatric Cancer Survivorship

Tung Wynn, M.D.
Clinical Associate Professor and Director of UF Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Program


November 2020

Movement, Mindfulness, and Psychotherapy for Behavioral Cancer Control

Deidre B. Pereira, Ph.D., ABPP
Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Postgraduate Studies, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions

Stephanie Vega-Molina, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Resident, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions


October 2020

Reaching the Underserved Population in Rural Areas for Mammogram Screenings

Rita Cianfrocco
Regional Coordinator/ Programs Manager, Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program


September 2020

From Jargon to Plain Language: Making Cancer-Related Terms Patient Friendly

Sue Friedman, D.V.M.
Executive Director, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)


August 2020

Preventing Cancers in Florida with the HPV Vaccine

Stephanie Staras, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida College of Medicine


July 2020

Listen, Research, Respond: Mindful Exploration and Dissemination

Andrew Hix, L.M.T.
Integrative Therapies Practitioner, UF Health Shands, Arts in Medicine


February 2020

COMPPARE Clinical Trial: Protons vs Photons to Treat Prostate Cancer

Nancy Mendenhall, M.D., FACR, FASTRO
Medical Director, UF Health Proton Therapy Institute

Watch Past Lectures

Date Topic Speaker
2020/07/30 Listen, Research, Respond: Mindful Exploration and Dissemination Andrew Hix, LMT, Integrative Therapies Practitioner, UF Health Shands, Arts in Medicine
2020/08/27 Preventing Cancers in Florida with the HPV Vaccine Stephanie Staras, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida
2020/09/23 From Jargon to Plain Language: Making Cancer-Related Terms Patient Friendly Sue Friedman, DVM, Executive Director, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
2020/10/21 Reaching the Underserved Population in Rural Areas for Mammogram Screenings Rita Cianfrocco, Regional Coordinator/ Programs Manager, Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program
2020/11/18 Movement, Mindfulness, and Psychotherapy for Behavioral Cancer Control Deidre B. Pereira, Ph.D., ABPP Stephanie Vega-Molina, PhD, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Postgraduate Studies Postdoctoral Resident UF Dept. of Clinical and Health Psychology
2020/02/17 COMPPARE Clinical Trial: Protons vs Photons to Treat Prostate Cancer Nancy Mendenhall, M.D., FACR, FASTRO, Medical Director, UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
2021/03/24 Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Tung Wynn, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor and Director of UF Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Program
2021/04/22 Molecular Biology of Lung Cancer Frederic Kaye, M.D., Professor, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Florida
2021/05/25 Overcoming Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Lisa Spiguel, M.D., Clinical Director of UF Health Breast Center and Associate Professor of Surgery, University of Florida
2021/06/24 Breast Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy Jeri Franoeur, M.S., Vice Chair and Advocacy Co-Chair, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation
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