Otis W. Brawley, MD is a globally-recognized expert in cancer prevention and control. He has worked to reduce overscreening of medical conditions, which has revolutionized patient treatment by increasing quality of life and reducing health disparities. Brawley’s research focuses on developing cancer screening strategies and ensuring their effectiveness. He has championed efforts to decrease smoking and implement other lifestyle risk reduction programs, as well as to provide critical support to cancer patients and concentrate cancer control efforts in areas where they could be most effective. Brawley currently leads a broad interdisciplinary research effort on cancer health disparities at the Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, striving to close racial, economic, and social disparities in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer in the United States and worldwide. He also directs community outreach programs for underserved populations throughout Maryland.
Brian Connell is the Executive Director of Federal Affairs for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Over his 15-year career in Washington, Brian has secured legislative and regulatory changes that have expanded patient access to health care and made that care safer, more effective, and more sustainable. At LLS, Brian leads a team of federal lobbyists and policy professionals who advocate for meaningful reforms in federal policies, across Congress, the administration, and the courts.
William Flood, MD is the Senior Medical Director for the Cancer and Specialty Guidance Program with Optum Health Solutions; this program assures quality of the chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and specialty medicine care for over 30 million insured lives. He is a two-time graduate of Penn State (BS, MS) and the Temple University School of Medicine (MD). He completed his postgraduate training at the Duke University Medical Center (internal medicine) and the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center (medical oncology) and served on the Johns Hopkins Oncology Center and the Penn State College of Medicine. He also guided the development of Eviti, a cancer/specialty drug value and decision support platform, from start up to serving over 30 million insureds within NantHealth. He lives in central Pennsylvania with his wife and his daughter away in college, while his son has recently “launched.”
Kelsey Lang joins Avalere as a principal in Health Policy, bringing her extensive experience on coverage, access, and reimbursement, with a particular focus on Medicare and other government programs.
Ellen Lukens is the Deputy Director of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMS Innovation Center). In this role, Ms. Lukens leads policy development at the CMS Innovation Center. Ms. Lukens has deep experience both within and outside the government tackling complex health policy issues. Prior to this role, Ellen served as the Group Director of the Policy and Programs Group (PPG) within the CMS Innovation Center, where she led the team that provides cross-cutting support for Center-wide policy and portfolio management, including related to the Advanced Payment Model (APM) portion of the Medicare and Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). Ms. Lukens also served as the Division Director for Ambulatory Payment models, where she led development of physician-focused specialty care models, including the Oncology Care Model. Prior to joining CMS, Ms. Lukens led the Provider Practice at Avalere Health. In that role, she worked with hospitals, physician groups, and post-acute care providers on many policy and strategy issues, including developing analytic tools to improve provider performance and to evaluate participation in CMMI models. Prior to Avalere, Ms. Lukens held policy roles in hospital associations. Ms. Lukens began her health policy career as Presidential Management Fellow at CMS. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.
Gautam Mehta is an acting cross-disciplinary team leader in the Division of Oncology 2 at FDA and the lead for the Oncology Center of Excellence’s Project Confirm. Prior to joining FDA he was a member of the Neurosurgery faculty and Chair of the Research Committee at the House Ear Institute. He has published over 80 scientific papers and book chapters related to neuro-oncology and currently serves as the Scientific Liaison for Adult Neuro-Oncology at FDA’s Oncology Center for Excellence. He is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Neuro-Oncology, Chair of the Endolymphatic Sac Tumors/Audiologic Screening Guidelines Subcommittee for the VHL Alliance, and a member of the Executive Committee for the American Association of Neurological Surgeons/Congress of Neurosurgeons Section on Tumors. At FDA, he developed and leads Project Confirm, an initiative to increase the transparency around the Accelerated Approval program for oncology indications.
Bonny Morris, PhD is Senior Director for Patient Navigation at the American Cancer Society. She has a clinical background as an oncology registered nurse and as a certified oncology nurse navigator, a Master of Public Health concentrating in epidemiology, and a doctoral degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She was previously Chief Executive Officer of the non-profit Take the Fight to Cancer, training and demonstrating the sustainability of utilizing student volunteers to support nonclinical navigation. Her research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute and focuses on multi-level strategies integrating digital health and patient navigation to optimize cancer care delivery and improve cancer survivorship with the cross-cutting theme of reducing health disparities. Dr. Morris joined the American Cancer Society in October 2022, leading the development of ACS CARES (Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support). This multi-channel approach (app, virtual volunteer support, telephonic staff support, in-person volunteer support) will fill a critical gap in cancer care by providing those affected by cancer with direct, individualized, non-clinical navigation assistance delivering timely information to reduce distress, resources to mitigate barriers to care, and emotional support across the cancer continuum. Dr. Morris is also leading the Navigation Task Team for a new pediatric cancer project, aligned with the U.S. Federal Cancer Moonshot, CC-DIRECT (Childhood Cancer – Data Integration for Research, Education, Care and Trials). This work is conducted through a coalition of organizations, including the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Children’s Oncology Group, the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, the Office of the National Coordinator, and MITRE.
As senior vice president of KFF and Executive Director of KFF’s Program on Medicare Policy, Tricia Neuman oversees KFF’s policy analysis and research pertaining to Medicare, and health coverage and care for aging Americans and people with disabilities. A widely cited Medicare policy expert, Dr. Neuman focuses on topics such as the health and economic security of older adults, the role of Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare and out-of-pocket spending trends, prescription drug costs, payment and delivery system reforms, and policy options to strengthen Medicare for the future. She has authored numerous papers pertaining to Medicare, has been invited several times to present expert testimony before Congressional committees, and has appeared and been quoted as an independent expert by major, national media outlets. Before joining KFF in 1995, Dr. Neuman served on the professional staff of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health in the U.S. House of Representatives and on the staff of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging working on health and long-term care issues. Dr. Neuman received a Doctorate of Science degree in health policy and management and a Masters of Science degree in health finance and management from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan University.
Kashyap Patel, MD, is the CEO of Carolina Blood and Cancer Care Associates. Dr. Patel is a full time practicing medical oncologist, board certified in Hematology, Oncology, and Internal Medicine. He is immediate past president for the Community Oncology Alliance (COA). He is also chairman of the newly formed Biosimilars committee for the COA. He is a chair elect for the clinical affairs and trustee for the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC). He is also a member of the CPC committee for the ASCO and NCQA. He has been an advisor for the large payers including DHHS (SC), Palmetto GBA. He also serves on an advisory board for Medicaid HMOs. He has a special interest in health care policy and economics and the end-of-life care. He recently joined International Oncology Network as medical director. He has expertise in Value Based Care and has successfully led Oncology Care Model pilots with two payers including with CMMI (new division of CMS).
Lori M. Reilly is chief operating officer at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), providing executive level management, leadership and strategic direction for the organization. In this role, Ms. Reilly oversees PhRMA’s advocacy activities, including its federal, state and international government affairs and alliance development work. Ms. Reilly works across PhRMA to develop and advocate for practical policy solutions that will lower costs for patients.
Sharon Rivera Sanchez is a triple-negative breast cancer survivor who turned her fight into a burning desire to empower other breast cancer patients. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a rare form of breast cancer where the tumor does not have any of the three most common receptors that fuel breast cancer growth. This makes TNBC difficult to treat since the tumor can’t be directly targeted. Sharon took part in clinical trial studies with the Pink Lotus Foundation and University of PENN, Abramson Cancer Center to detect recurrences sooner for other breast cancer patients.
Lara Strawbridge is the Deputy Director for Policy in the newly formed Medicare Drug Rebate and Negotiations Group in the Center for Medicare. In this role, Ms. Strawbridge helps to lead the policy development and implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program and the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, as created by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Previously Ms. Strawbridge was Director of the Division of Ambulatory Payment Models in the Patient Care Models Group in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), where she led CMS’s efforts on Part B drug models as well as physician specialty models, such as the Oncology Care Model, Enhancing Oncology Model, and Radiation Oncology Model. Prior to taking on the Division Director role, Ms. Strawbridge led the Oncology Care Model and also previously worked in CMMI’s Research and Rapid-Cycle Evaluation Group. Ms. Strawbridge began her career in health policy and research at the Institute of Medicine and previously was a teacher in Hertfordshire, England, and Washington, DC. Ms. Strawbridge earned her MPH from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Emily S. Tonorezos, MD, MPH, serves as director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship, part of the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In this position, Dr. Tonorezos leads NCI’s efforts to address the challenges facing cancer survivors and their families — to prevent or mitigate adverse effects and to improve the health and well-being of cancer survivors from the time of diagnosis through the remainder of their lives.
As director of Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center, Robert A. Winn, MD, is leading the nation in establishing a 21st-century model for promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the oncology workforce, optimizing cancer health care outcomes for all and spearheading interdisciplinary approaches to cancer disparities research. Just the fourth director of Massey since its 1975 National Cancer Institute designation, Winn oversees a center comprised of nearly 150 scientists and clinical investigators. Leading by example, Winn is nationally recognized for his community engagement efforts in promoting new approaches to building trust among populations previously disenfranchised from healthcare or excluded or abused in research. Most recently, during the pandemic, Winn launched a nationally heralded Facts & Faith Fridays conversation series, an initiative that creates a dialogue between science, community and faith leaders to combat medical mistrust within the African American community. Hosted guests have included Jill Biden, EdD, Anthony Fauci, MD, Ned Sharpless, MD, and Francis Collins, MD, PhD. Winn is also the namesake of the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program, a $114 million training and education program in partnership with the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.
Monica Bertagnolli, MD, began work as the 16th director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on October 3, 2022. She previously served as the Richard E. Wilson Professor of Surgery in the field of surgical oncology at Harvard Medical School, a surgeon at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and a member of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment and Sarcoma Centers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Debra Curtis is a highly-respected health policy authority who helps clients advance their missions in Congress and beyond. With more than three decades of experience working both on the Hill and with the health insurance exchange marketplace, she helps clients execute payment strategy, see around the corner on policy and regulatory changes, and pursue effective advocacy. In addition, Debbie has deep experience working closely with payers, industry stakeholders and government officials at the federal, state and local levels.
Kristie Fields is a breast and colon cancer survivor. After battling cancer, Kristie received her BS in Business Management and a Master’s in health science. Her goal was to be an administrator at a local hospitals or cancer centers. However, she was not able to get a fellowship because of COVID. Kristie then completed paperwork to become a nonprofit, advocating for at-risk populations and veterans. She goes into neighborhoods to educate people about how to communicate with health care professionals. She provides training sessions, motivational speaking, and navigates clients through the health care system. Kristie is a veteran and provides training programs for veterans as well. She teaches others how to get through their diagnosis and thrive. She would like to connect with CPAT participants to learn how to expand her organization and do more for her community.
Shelagh Foster, JD strives to meet client public policy goals and objectives based on the client’s needs and capabilities. Shelagh has more than 20 years of experience in public policy, political strategy and execution, and advocacy at both the federal and state level. She has experience in emerging health care policy issues as well as developing and launching an array of advocacy programs, including a state advocacy program, a grassroots program and a political action committee. Shelagh’s holistic approach to client issues utilizes her experience with a wide array of policy levers to achieve successful outcomes.
Patricia A. Ganz, MD, a medical oncologist, has been a member of the faculty of the UCLA School of Medicine since 1978, where she serves as Distinguished Professor of Medicine. She has also been a faculty member at the UCLA School of Public Health since 1992, serving as Professor of Health Policy & Management. She was a founding member of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) in 1986. Since 1993 she has been the Associate Director for Population Science at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. In 1999 she was awarded an American Cancer Society Clinical Research Professorship for “Enhancing Patient Outcomes across the Cancer Control Continuum.” Dr. Ganz was elected to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2007, now National Academy of Medicine (NAM). She served on the National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Advisors from 2002-2007 and on the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Board of Directors from 2003-2006. She received the American Cancer Society Medal of Honor in 2010. Dr. Ganz received the Komen Professor of Survivorship Award 1999-2000, and was a Komen Scholar from 2009 to 2019.
Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC, is a family nurse practitioner and post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. She is affiliated with the Center for Improving Patient and Population Health at the School of Nursing and the Rogel Cancer Center. Dr. Ghazal completed her PhD at the Rory Meyers College of Nursing at New York University, where she was a T42 pre-doctoral fellow in Occupational and Environmental Health and received grant support from the National Institutes for Occupational Safety and Health. Her dissertation focused on work-related challenges and financial toxicity in adolescents and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Her broader program of research builds on her background in economics, clinical, and personal experiences to address cancer survivorship disparities in adolescents and young adults.
Lydia Isaac is the Vice President for Health Equity and Policy at the National Urban League. Dr. Isaac has a faculty appointment at the Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Health Policy and Management. She most recently served as the Executive Director of the RWJF funded Health Policy Research Scholars Program (HPRS) program where she was responsible for the day-to-day operations and curriculum development for the program. Previously, she was the Director of Policy and Health Systems Analysis in the Office of Policy, Planning and Strategic Data in the FirstDeputy Commissioner’s office at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Noam N. Levey, Senior Correspondent, joined KHN in January 2021 after 17 years at the Los Angeles Times, the last 12 as the paper’s national health care reporter based in Washington, D.C. Noam has reported on health care issues from more than three dozen states and four continents and won numerous honors, including the prestigious NIHCM award for his 2019 series “Inside America’s High-Deductible Revolution.” He has also been published in Health Affairs, JAMA, and The Milbank Quarterly. 
Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP has served as Chief Executive Officer of NCCS since October 2013. Prior to joining NCCS, Shelley served in leadership roles at Susan G. Komen, where she leveraged Komen’s grassroots network in Washington, DC, and in state capitals. Under her leadership, Komen successfully secured $80 million in state funding for cancer screening and treatment for uninsured and under-insured women.
Drawing on over 20 years of public policy and advocacy experience, Harry Sporidis provides clients with senior level proficiency in crafting solutions to legislative and regulatory challenges. He has worked closely with House and Senate Republicans and Democrats over his career on a wide range of issue areas including the environment, health care, transportation, trade, energy, and financial services.
Alicia C. Staley serves as vice president of Patient Engagement at Medidata. She oversees the Patient Insights Program and the Patient Insights Board. She works to infuse the patient perspective throughout the product development lifecycle and help engage patients in novel ways. She created Patient Centricity by Design (PCbD) in 2018 as a way to provide structure and governance for developing patient-centric technical solutions.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz has dedicated her public life to serving South Floridians and standing up for justice, equality, and opportunity wherever and whenever it is threatened. As Florida’s first Jewish Congresswoman, she has earned the respect of her colleagues for working tirelessly on behalf of seniors, children, and families for nearly three decades.
Ya-Chen Tina Shih, PhD, is professor and Chief of Section of Cancer Economics and Policy, Department of Health Services Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her research applies health econometric methods to study technology diffusion in cancer and modeling methods to evaluate cost-effectiveness of screening strategies. Dr. Shih is associate editor of Journal of the National Cancer Institute and is a member of the American Cancer Society Guidelines Development Workgroup.
Rodney Whitlock, PhD, is an accomplished health care advisor with more than two decades on the Hill where he specialized in rural health, the health care safety net and disability policy.
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Link to: Survivorship Champions
Become a Survivorship Champion
Survivorship Champions is a program for all clinicians and researchers, both oncology and primary care, who are interested in improving survivorship care and primary care’s role in caring for cancer survivors.
Link to: Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT)
Join CPAT
The NCCS Cancer Policy & Advocacy Team (CPAT) is a program for survivors and caregivers to learn about pressing policy issues that affect quality cancer care in order to be engaged as advocates in public policy around the needs of cancer survivors.
Link to: Survivor Stories
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NCCS represents the millions of Americans who share a common experience – living with, through and beyond a cancer diagnosis. By sharing your story of how you have been touched by cancer, you are supporting the national cancer survivorship movement.
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We encourage speakers and participating organizations to engage with NCCS on social media throughout the Spring 2023 Cancer Policy Roundtable. Please contact NCCS Communications and Marketing Manager Kara Kenan at kkenan@canceradvocacy.org with any questions or concerns.
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Sample Social Posts
We have provided some sample posts below for each social platform.