Cancer Nation Policy Roundtable
Fall 2026
November 19, 2026 | 8:30 AM ET – 3:00 PM ET
Marriott Marquis – Washington, DC
Shaw and LeDroit Park Rooms (Level M3)
From the Fall 2025 Roundtable — Left: Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD; Center: Nikki Hayes, Ellen Lukens, and Kalah Auchincloss discuss federal cuts with CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso; Right: Head-and-neck cancer survivor Tom Warren shares his perspective. (Photos by Leslie Kossoff/LK Photos)
For 27 years, the Cancer Nation Policy Roundtable has convened survivors, advocates, policymakers, and leaders in cancer care to discuss policies that affect access, affordability, quality, and innovation. The conversations ensure the experiences of people living with, through, and beyond cancer are central to shaping better cancer care.
This November, we are excited to host another series of discussions about pressing issues in cancer policy.
What to expect at the Fall 2026 Cancer Nation Policy Roundtable:
- NCI Director Dr. Anthony Letai in conversation with Dr. Otis Brawley on the status of the institute and what lies ahead.
- A panel discussion about the midterm election results and what they mean for the future of health policy.
- We present the findings from our recent survey of clinicians, with commentary from a panel of experts.
- A presentation from Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, “Artificial Intelligence: Is it Time for Regulation and Certification?”
Meeting Agenda
Note: All times Eastern. Session times subject to change.
- 8:30 AM – Registration and Coffee
- 9:00 AM – Artificial Intelligence: Is it Time for Regulation and Certification?
- Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD (participating virtually)
Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and the Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy University Professor
University of Pennsylvania
- Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD (participating virtually)
-
9:30 AM – Cancer Survivor Perspective
- Michael Ettinger
National Ambassador, Fight Colorectal Cancer
- Michael Ettinger
- 10:00 AM – Break
-
10:15 AM – Clinician Perspectives: Gaps, Challenges, and Opportunities
In September 2026, Cancer Nation released the findings of its Survivorship Survey: Clinician Perspective that assessed health care professionals’ attitudes regarding cancer care across the continuum. The survey asked oncologists and primary care providers about their confidence in providing cancer care, including survivorship care; their willingness to coordinate in cancer care delivery; and the barriers to delivering whole person care across the cancer care continuum.
The panel will include a presentation of the Clinician Survey results and commentary on the survey findings from cancer care professionals and health care experts.
- Wayne Jonas, MD
President, Healing Works Foundation - Dr. Ana Maria López, MD, MPH, FACP
Cancer Nation Board Member - Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP (moderator)
CEO, Cancer Nation
- Wayne Jonas, MD
- 11:30 AM – Reconstructing Insurance Affordability Programs
This session will present new Campaign for Community Healthcare findings that nearly 15 million people will lose public coverage by 2034, about 60% of them in communities of color. The report examines how recent cuts and enrollment barriers are widening disparities and what it will take to rebuild affordability programs that cover everyone fairly.
- Stan Dorn, JD
Director, Health Policy Project, UnidosUS
- Stan Dorn, JD
- 12:00 PM – Lunch
- 1:00 PM – Post-Election Debrief: The Road Ahead for Health Policy
Health policy leaders will examine what the election results mean for cancer care policy, including new committee assignments, oversight priorities, and the broader legislative and regulatory landscape ahead. The panel will look at what these shifts signal for survivors and the cancer community in the coming year.
- Debbie Curtis
Managing Director, Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies - West Cuthbert
Director, August Strategies - Nikita Varman Auster,
Health Policy Advisor, Rep. Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) - David Lim (moderator)
Healthcare Reporter, SEMAFOR
- Debbie Curtis
- 2:00 PM – Break
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2:15 PM – The Cancer Landscape: Progress, Priorities, and What’s Next
In a conversation with Dr. Otis Brawley, National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Anthony Letai will discuss the status of grantmaking, the operations of advisory panels authorized by the National Cancer Act, and staffing at the institute. He and Dr. Brawley will also discuss exciting and pioneering cancer research efforts and how NCI is responding to the needs of cancer survivors.
- Dr. Anthony Letai, MD, PhD
Director, National Cancer Institute - Dr. Otis Brawley, MD
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Board Member, Cancer Nation
- Dr. Anthony Letai, MD, PhD
Speaker Biographies
Dr. Ezekiel J. EmanuelMichael EttingerDr. Wayne JonasDr. Ana Maria LópezShelley Fuld NassoStan DornDebbie CurtisWest CuthbertNikita Varman AusterDavid LimDr. Anthony LetaiOtis Brawley
Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD
Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and University Professor
University of Pennsylvania
Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, is Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and the Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, with appointments in the Perelman School of Medicine and Wharton School. An oncologist and internationally recognized expert in health policy and bioethics, Dr. Emanuel previously served as founding chair of the Department of Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health and as a Special Advisor on Health Policy in the Obama administration, contributing to development of the Affordable Care Act. A prolific author and commentator, his work examines health system reform, medical ethics, and improving health care delivery.
Michael Ettinger
Cancer Survivor and Ambassador
Fight Colorectal Cancer
Michael Ettinger is a colorectal cancer survivor and advocate with Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC). Diagnosed with stage III colon cancer in May 2021 at just 18 years old, Michael experienced months of abdominal pain and extreme fatigue before receiving his diagnosis. His experience highlights the realities of facing a serious cancer diagnosis during young adulthood, a time typically associated with education, independence, and planning for the future. Through his advocacy, Michael helps bring attention to early-onset colorectal cancer and the importance of listening to young patients, recognizing symptoms, and ensuring that younger survivors’ experiences are represented in conversations about cancer care.
Wayne Jonas, MD
President
Healing Works Foundation
Wayne Jonas, MD, is President of the Healing Works Foundation, where he advances the integration of whole-person care into routine health care delivery. A practicing family physician, researcher, and author, Dr. Jonas is a nationally recognized leader in integrative health and healing. He previously directed the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine and served as President and CEO of the Samueli Institute. He is the author of How Healing Works and co-author of Healing and Cancer: A Guide to Whole Person Cancer Care. His work emphasizes addressing patients’ physical, emotional, and social needs alongside medical treatment.
Dr. Ana Maria López, MD, MPH, FACP
Cancer Nation Board Member
Ana Maria López, MD, MPH, FACP, is Professor and Vice Chair of Medical Oncology at Sidney Kimmel Medical College and Chief of Cancer Services at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health – New Jersey. Dr. López has served as an Cancer Nation Board Member since 2021.
Dr. López joined Jefferson in 2018 from the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, UT, where she was Director of Cancer Health Equality and Inclusion and served as Associate Vice President of Health Equality and Inclusion at the University of Utah Health. A board-certified Medical Oncologist, Dr. López’s clinical expertise is in women’s malignancies, integrative medicine and oncology, and telehealth.
Dr. López is President-Emeritus of the American College of Physicians, the largest medical specialty organization in the United States. Her strong commitment to health equity is reflected in her work with the American Society of Clinical Oncology as former Chair of the Health Equity Committee, and with the Association of American Medical Colleges where she serves as Member of the Steering Committee of the Group of Women in Medicine and Science. Her areas of expertise and research focus include cancer prevention, integrative oncology, and innovations in healthcare.
Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP
Chief Executive Officer
Cancer Nation
Shelley Fuld Nasso, MPP, is CEO of Cancer Nation—the voice of the 18 million Americans living with, through, and beyond cancer. Under her leadership, Cancer Nation (formerly the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship) pushes for bold policy change to ensure every survivor has the right to not just survive—but thrive. From Capitol Hill to cancer centers, Shelley elevates survivor voices and demands care that actually works for the people living it.
A defining part of her work is helping survivors and caregivers find their voice in the democratic process—whether it’s their first visit to Capitol Hill or telling their story to someone in power. Through advocacy training and deep community-building, she empowers people to speak out, be heard, and help shape the policies that shape their lives.
Before joining Cancer Nation in 2013, she led public policy initiatives at Susan G. Komen. She holds degrees from Rice University and the Harvard Kennedy School. Shelley’s advocacy is deeply personal—rooted in love for her friend Dr. Brent Whitworth, a compassionate physician who died of cancer at 43, and in solidarity with countless others in her life affected by cancer.
She lives in Maryland with her husband and three sons. When not pushing for a cure for care, she’s likely found on a paddleboard, in a yoga class, or solving a crossword.
Stan Dorn
Director
Health Policy Project
Stan Dorn is the director of the Health Policy Project at UnidosUS. He oversees the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts related to health programs like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as well as nutrition security programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), free and reduced-cost school meals and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
Stan has worked on health issues affecting low-income communities since the mid-1980s. He directed the National Center for Coverage Innovation at Families USA, served as a senior fellow at the Urban Institute’s Health Policy Center, led the health division at the Children’s Defense Fund and held multiple roles at the National Health Law Program, including managing the organization’s Washington office.
Stan received his undergraduate degree from Harvard College and his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. He lives in Montgomery County, Maryland, with his wife and several puzzled cats, now that his two adult children have flown the coop.
Debbie Curtis
Managing Director
Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies
Debbie Curtis is Managing Director at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, where she advises clients on federal health policy, legislative strategy, and regulatory developments. With more than three decades of experience in government and health care policy, she previously spent 24 years on Capitol Hill, including serving as Chief of Staff to Representative Pete Stark and as a professional staff member on the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. She played an important role in developing the Affordable Care Act and advancing Medicare policy. Curtis later helped establish DC Health Link, Washington, DC’s health insurance marketplace, working closely with federal and local stakeholders.
West Cuthbert
Director
West Cuthbert is a policy and government affairs professional with over a decade of experience in government, real estate, and financial services.
West moved to Washington, D.C. to serve in the Trump 47 administration as Associate Deputy Secretary and Chief of Staff to Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. His team oversaw the daily operations of one of the largest departments in the Federal government and led initiatives focused on innovation, AI strategy and implementation, and fighting fraud.
Prior to joining the Trump Administration, West was a Vice President at True North Management Group and real estate development and investment professional with The Georgetown Company. He began his career as an investment banker with Berenson & Company in New York City.
A Richmond, Virginia native, West graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. While at Yale, he competed on the Men’s Varsity Swimming team and was an inaugural fellow of the William F. Buckley, Jr. Program. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
Nikita Varman Auster
Health Policy Advisor
Office of U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss (MA-04)
Nikita Varman Auster serves as a health policy advisor in the office of U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss, who represents Massachusetts’s Fourth Congressional District. In this role, she contributes to the office’s work on federal health policy and legislative issues affecting patients, providers, and the broader health care system.
David Lim
Healthcare Reporter
Semafor
David Lim is a healthcare reporter at Semafor, covering the intersection of federal health policy, politics, and the health care industry. Based in Washington, DC, he reports on developments in Congress, federal health agencies, and the policy decisions shaping the nation’s health care system. Before joining Semafor, he reported for POLITICO and other health policy publications, building experience covering health care legislation, regulation, and industry developments. His reporting provides insight into the political and regulatory landscape affecting patients, providers, and health care organizations, including the implications of changing congressional leadership and federal policy priorities.
Anthony Letai, MD, PhD
Director
National Cancer Institute
Anthony Letai, MD, PhD, is Director of the National Cancer Institute, a position he assumed in September 2025. A physician-scientist and medical oncologist, Dr. Letai previously served as a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. His pioneering research in cancer cell death and functional precision oncology has helped advance targeted treatments, including BCL-2 inhibitors used in leukemia care. His laboratory developed BH3 profiling, a technique designed to predict cancer cells’ responses to treatment. Throughout his career, Dr. Letai has championed translating scientific discoveries into more effective, individualized therapies for patients.
Otis Brawley, MD
Bloomberg Distinguished Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Board Member, Cancer Nation
Otis W. Brawley, MD is a globally recognized expert in cancer prevention and control. He has worked to reduce over-screening of medical conditions, which has revolutionized patient treatment by increasing quality of life and reducing health disparities.
Dr. 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. Dr. 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.
Dr. Brawley joined Johns Hopkins University as a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor in 2019 from the American Cancer Society and Emory University.
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Please contact Nadine Dorvelus at ndorvelus@canceradvocacy.org with any questions you may have.
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