Conference Highlights

If you were one of the 400+ attendees at our first-ever virtual conference, you were part of history in the making! Navigators from around the world tuned in, made new connections, and reconnected with AONN+ leadership and peers. In this first part of the 2-part conference recap, we present some of the weekend’s highlights. If you were not able to attend the conference, here’s a sample of what attendees experienced.

AONN+ members near and far had an opportunity to engage with leadership and ask questions during our Facebook Live Town Hall on Sunday morning.

Discussion of landmark national study of evidence-based oncology navigation metrics draws large number of attendees to the Tennessee Ballroom to learn more.

Although Sunday only allowed for a half-day of events, its bounty of sessions provided a grand finale to the conference. General sessions focused on hot topics such as cancer legal issues, sexuality and cancer, and cancer nutrition. Four breakout sessions gave attendees opportunities to learn more about new developments in hematologic cancers, primary prevention, improving collaboration among disciplines, and understanding neuroendocrine and colorectal cancers.

With a full schedule of engaging activities awaiting them on Saturday, navigators in attendance greeted the day early, abuzz over breakfast. Sessions covering navigation acuity, precision medicine, palliative care, and access to clinical trials for adolescents and young adults provided abundant learning opportunities. Enhancing the day’s events were Sponsored Knowledge Exchange Sessions and time to peruse the wide array of offerings in the Exhibit Hall.

Anticipation for the AONN+ Midyear 2019 Conference in the Golden State was so great that some attendees couldn’t wait for it to begin. Fortunately, they didn’t have to, with 2 morning preconference sessions kicking off a compelling slate of events throughout the weekend. Focusing on grant writing and financial navigation, these intensive sessions served as informative precursors to the day’s remaining events. Over lunch, a spirited welcome to beautiful San Diego from AONN+ leadership added to the excitement, getting navigators from all around the country enthused for 3 days of education, networking, and, of course, the gorgeous views of the waves along the shoreline.

Although the conference was winding down, Sunday was host to more events of interest for attendees. A session on genetics and genomics served as a primer for navigators, while breakout sessions gave attendees the opportunity to get hands-on experience with integrative therapies, including art therapy, aromatherapy, pet therapy, and healing touch. Popular and engaging, these sessions were a fun way to bring the weekend’s events to a close before bidding a fond farewell—until the Midyear Conference in May!

A sunny Dallas day greeted attendees Saturday as they gathered for the conference’s keynote address by former Second Lady of the United States Jill Biden, EdD. Praising navigators and sharing her personal experiences with cancer, as well as insights as Co-Founder of the Biden Cancer Initiative, Dr Biden garnered a standing ovation from the packed house. A full day of informative sessions, along with the interactive Leadership Live Town Hall, culminated in a dazzling evening at the Denim & Diamonds Awards Event.