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
September 2024
“How to Spot the BOAST: Behind the Cancer Headlines”
Sue Friedman, D.V.M.
Executive Director, Founder
FORCE: Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered
August 2024
“Unlocking Clarity: Streamlining Cancer Diagnostics Using ArlVPI”
Mohammed Gbadamosi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research, University of Florida College of Pharmacy
June 2024: Survivorship Series
Survivorship Resources
Erin Reynolds, B.S.N., Student, University of Florida College of Nursing
Staja Booker, Ph.D., R.N., Assistant Professor, University of Florida College of Nursing
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
Andy Judge, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida College of Public Health & Health Professions
Meryl Alappattu, D.P.T., Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida College of Public Health & Health Professions
Nutrition
Anamaria R. Yeung, M.D., Clinical Professor and Residency Director, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine
May 2024
“Biological and Computational Approaches for Optimizing Personalized and Precision Medicine in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer”
Mohammed Gbadamosi, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacotherapy and Translational Research
University of Florida College of Pharmacy
April 2024
“Prostate Cancer: Understanding the Basics”
Jasmine Brown, PA-C
Department of Urology, UF Health
March 2024
“Colorectal Cancer in Younger Patients: Why and What to Do”
Thomas George, M.D., FACP
Professor & Deputy Director, UF Health Cancer Center; Director, UF Health GI Oncology Program
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