23rd Annual Fall Cancer Conference: Cancer Caregiving - Complexities, Challenges and Choices

Madison, WI US
October 24, 2025

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS CLOSED. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN POSSIBLY ATTENDING AS A "DAY OF REGISTRATION" ATTENDEE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO CRAIG ROBIDA, [email protected] or 608-212-8978.

Conference Format

This conference is being held in-person at Monona Terrace, One John Nolen Drive, Madison, Wisconsin.

This event will be held in-person only. There is not a hybrid option for this event, and the conference will not be recorded for use after the program.

Conference Description

Caregiver well-being has both direct and indirect effects on the quality of cancer care, including care received from the healthcare team, from the caregiver themselves, and in relation to patients’ own self-management. Supporting caregivers has tangible consequences regarding the quality of cancer care on multiple levels, with direct implications for patient outcomes. Health care professionals have a key role in providing psychosocial care to patients and their caregivers, and in supporting system-level change.

Informative presentations and interactive discussions await you! Our annual Fall Cancer Conference is designed for health care professionals, as well as patients and loved ones.

Intended Audience

This activity is designed for individuals who are involved in cancer treatment and education of cancer patients and their families: oncology physicians, primary care physicians, oncology nurses, oncology nurse practitioners, clinical research associates, health educators, social workers, psychologists, chaplains, and other interested health care professionals involved in cancer care. Patients, caregivers and community members are also encouraged to attend.

Elements of Competence

This continuing education activity has been designed to change learner competence and focuses on the following competencies:

American Board of Medical Specialties:

  • Patient Care and Procedural Skills
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills
  • Professionalism

Interprofessional Practice:

  • Values and Ethics
  • Communication

Global Learning Objectives

As a result of participation in this educational activity, members of the healthcare team will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the value of having caregivers systematically included in cancer care
  • Define the three evidence-based principles of real self-care – setting boundaries, practicing compassion, and identifying values – and explain how they support emotion regulation, decision-making, and values-based priority setting  
  • Describe the disparities in cancer caregiving experiences across diverse demographics and identities
  • Explore the latest research on the correlation between purpose and health and wellness
  • Explore the importance of cancer patients setting boundaries
  • Identify effective strategies for supporting patients who have no support system
  • Illustrate how humor is a lifeline to get through the tough part of caregiving 
  • Initiate actionable strategies for supporting caregivers in oncology
  • Highlight practical approaches for effective coping and self-care practices to reduce caregiver burden
  • Discuss the role of caregivers in empowering survivors’ experiences
  • Examine misconceptions among caregivers who support their loved ones
  • List the benefits of offering art programs to cancer caregivers

Conference Fees, Cancellation Policy

$175 Physicians

$125 Nurses, Physician Assistants, Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) Members/Clinical Research Associates, Social Workers, Dietitians, Other Health Care Professionals

$40 UW Health Staff, Residents, Fellows, Students; UW–Madison Faculty and Staff; Faculty, Staff, and Students at Any UW Campus

$40 Cancer Patients, Survivors, Caregivers and Family Members

The conference fee includes the cost of tuition, materials, breakfast, lunch, one break, and a nonrefundable processing fee of $25.

Requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. All cancellations must be received on or before October 10, 2025, in order to receive a refund minus the $25 nonrefundable processing fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after October 10, 2025 (this also applies to NO SHOWS).

 

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 6.00 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 6.00 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 6.00 ACE Credits
  • 6.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 6.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Registration opens: 
03/04/2025
Course expires: 
12/08/2025
Event starts: 
10/24/2025 - 7:15am CDT
Event ends: 
10/24/2025 - 4:00pm CDT
Cost:
$175.00
Add to calendar: 
Rating: 
0

Conference Agenda

Friday, October 24, 2025

AM
 
7:15-8:00
Registration, Breakfast and Visit With Exhibitors
8:00-8:05
Welcome and Introductions, Noelle LoConte, MD, FASCO
8:05-9:00
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Caring for the Caregiver: Barriers and Opportunities in an Oncology Setting, Courtney Van Houtven, PhD
  • Demonstrate the value of having caregivers systematically included in cancer care
  • Describe barriers for inclusion of caregivers in the health care team
  • List key facilitators to better include caregivers at a health system level
9:05-10:00
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Real Self-Care in the Workplace: It's Not About Bubble Baths or Juice Cleanses, Pooja Lakshmin, MD
  • Define the three evidence-based principles of real self-care - setting boundaries, practicing compassion, and identifying values - and explain how they support emotion regulation, decision-making, and values-based priority setting
  • Describe how to reframe adversity as an opportunity to learn real self-care literacy and apply this concept to develop sustainable well-being practices in a high-intensity environment
10:00-10:45
Break, Visit with Exhibitors
10:45-11:40
Workshops: Please Choose One
 
A)  Expanding the Narrative: The Often-Overlooked Faces in Cancer Caregiving, Abiola Keller, PhD, MPH, PA-C
  • Recognize the disparities in cancer caregiving experiences across diverse demographics and identities
  • Explore the unique emotional, financial, and social challenges faced by diverse caregiving groups
 
B)  Brick by Brick: Daily Steps for Purposeful Living, Christine B. Whelan, PhD
  • Redefine purpose as a verb, something we can all do in small steps each day
  • Explore the latest research on the correlation between purpose and health and wellness
  • Draft a daily purpose statement exercise to take immediate action
 
C)  How to Successfully Handle Toxic People, William Hutter, LMFT, PsyD
  • Recognize strategies for dealing with toxic individuals
  • Explore the importance of cancer patients setting boundaries
  • Describe how care partners can set better boundaries
 
D)  Panel: Supporting Patients with NO Support System, Moderator: Lyndsey Wallace, PsyD, ABPP; Panelists: Reverend Dr. Marcus Allen, Sr., Lisa Stewart-Boettcher, Robin Bach, MSN
  • Discuss possibilities as to why cancer patients may not have a support system
  • Identify effective strategies for supporting cancer patients who have no support system
  • Examine resources that exist to support cancer patients with no support system
11:45-12:40
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Raising My Parents: A Caregiver's Exploration of Role Reversals, Jesus Trejo
  • Illustrate how humor is a lifeline to get through the tough part of caregiving
  • Appreciate how heavy lifting can be made lighter through laughter
PM
 
12:40-1:35
Lunch, Visit with Symposium Exhibitors
1:35-2:30
Workshops: Please Choose One
 
A)  Invisible Patients: The Role of Caregivers in Cancer Care and How We Can Better Serve Them, Kristin Litzelman, PhD
  • Describe the role of caregivers in cancer care
  • Summarize the frustrations caregivers commonly experience in navigating the health care system
  • Initiate actionable strategies for supporting caregivers in oncology
 
B)  Inspiring Caregivers and Empowering Survivors to Care for the Community, Moderator: Earlise Ward, MS, PhD, LP; Panelists: Carolyn Rodgers; Pastor Victor T. Manns; First Lady Lisa Manns
  • Discuss the role of caregivers in empowering survivors' experiences
  • Talk about their encouragement to support the community
  • Share the experience and challenges in the role of survivor while caregiving to others
 
C)  Navigating the Emotional Landscape of End-of-Life Caregiving, Deanna Rymaszewski, MSW, APSW, APHSW
  • Identify sources of caregiver joys and challenges at the end of life, including emotional, physical, and psychological factors
  • Explore the emotional impact of caring for a terminally ill person on their caregivers' well-being and health
  • Highlight practical approaches for effective coping and self-care practices to reduce caregiver burden
 
D)  Panel: The Challenges of Caregiving - What Caregivers Want You to Know (Hear from Caregivers), Moderator: Fatou Ceesay; Panelists: Kathleen Callaghan, Tom Hirsch; Marie Stumpf
  • Examine misconceptions among caregivers who support their loved ones
  • Discuss common issues that arise amongst many caregivers that health care professionals may be unaware of
2:35-3:30
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
Leveraging the Arts for Healing Among Cancer Caregivers, Julia H. Rowland, PhD, FAPOS, FASCO
  • List the benefits of offering art programs to cancer caregivers
  • Describe what an Artist-in-Residence program is and how to create one
  • Discuss how to measure the impact of an arts program on caregiver well-being
3:30-4:00
Synthesis of Day/Wrap-Up, Noelle LoConte, MD, FASCO
4:00
Adjourn

 

Monona Terrace
One John Nolen Drive
Madison, WI 53703
United States
+1 (608) 261-4000

 

 

Conference Faculty

Reverend Dr. Marcus Allen, Sr., Pastor, Mount Zion Baptist Church
Robin Bach, MSN, Genitourinary Oncology Navigator, UW Carbone Cancer Center
Kathleen Callaghan, Caregiver, Director of Philanthropy, American Cancer Society
Fatou Ceesay, Owner and Manager, Cairasu Home Care
Tom Hirsch, Caregiver
William Hutter, LMFT, PsyD, Clinical Psychotherapist, Owner, FourRivers, LLC
Abiola Keller, PhD, MPH, PA-C, Associate Professor, College of Nursing, Marquette University
Pooja Lakshmin, MD, Psychiatrist and Best-Selling Author of Real Self-Care
Kristin Litzelman, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, School of Human Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Noelle LoConte, MD, FASCO, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, UW Department of Medicine, UW Carbone Cancer Center
Lisa Manns, First Lady, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
Victor T. Manns, Pastor, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
Carolyn Rodgers, Cancer Survivor and CEO, She Thrives
Julia H. Rowland, PhD, FAPOS, FASCO, Senior Strategic Advisor, Smith Center for Healing and the Arts
Deanna Rymaszewski, MSW, APSW, APHSW, Clinical Educator – Social Worker, Agrace
Lisa Stewart-Boettcher, Paralegal, Owner - LSB Legal and Member, Carbone Cancer Center's Community Advocacy Board
Marie Stumpf, Caregiver
Jesus Trejo, Comedian, Actor, and Writer
Courtney Van Houtven, PhD, Professor, Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University 
Lyndsey Wallace, PsyD, ABPP, Associate Professor, Director of Cancer Psychology, Medical College of Wisconsin
Earlise Ward, MS, PhD, LP, Professor of Family Medicine and Community Health, and Program Lead, Cancer Health Disparities Initiative, UW Carbone Cancer Center
Christine B. Whelan, PhD, Purpose Professor, Emory University; Adjunct Associate Professor, Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory University and Fellow, Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Conference Planning Committee

Elizabeth Dow-Hillgartner, PharmD, BCOP, Oncology Pharmacist, UW Health
Annie Fornoff, RN, Navigator Manager, UW Health
Tanya Kroll, MBA, Program Director, Oncology Supportive Services & Survivorship Program, UW Health
Noelle LoConte, MD, FASCO, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care, UW Department of Medicine, UW Carbone Cancer Center
Jenny Malak, MSN, RN, Director, Clinical Cancer Services, UW Health
Craig Robida, BA, External Relations Manager, UW Carbone Cancer Center
Susan Tierney, LCSW, Gynecologic Oncology Social Worker, UW Health

Policy on Faculty and Sponsor Disclosure

It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) to identify, mitigate and disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* held by the speakers/presenters, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence the content of this accredited continuing education (CE).  In addition, speakers, presenters and authors must disclose any planned discussion of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during their presentation.

*Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by, or on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical services directly to patients to be ineligible companies.          

NAME
ROLE(S)
FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS DISCLOSURE(S)
DISCUSSION OF UNLABELED/
UNAPPROVED USES OF DRUGS/
DEVICES IN PRESENTATION?
Reverend Dr. Marcus Allen, Sr.
Panelist
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Robin Bach, MSN
Panelist
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Kathleen Callaghan
Panelist
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Fatou Ceesay
Moderator
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Elizabeth Dow-Hillgartner, PharmD, BCOPCommittee MemberAstraZeneca (Contractor)No
Annie Fornoff, RN
Committee Member
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Tom Hirsch
Panelist
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
William Hutter, LMFT, PsyD
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Abiola Keller, PhD, MPH, PA-C
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Tanya Kroll, MBA
Committee Member
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Pooja Lakshmin, MD
Speaker
Bobbie; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies; Hearst Magazines Inc.; Quest Diagnostics Incorporated; Sanofi (All Contractor)
No
Kristin Litzelman, PhD
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Noelle LoConte, MD, FASCO
Committee Member, Speaker, Medical Director
Exact Sciences (Contractor)
No
Jenny Malak, MSN, RN
Committee Member
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Lisa MannsPanelistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Victor T. MannsPanelistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Cathy Means
Planner
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
N/A
Craig Robida, BA
Committee Member
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Carolyn Rodgers
Panelist
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Julia H. Rowland, PhD, FAPOS, FASCO
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Deanna Rymaszewski, MSW, APSW, APHSW
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Lisa Stewart-Boettcher
Panelist
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Marie StumpfPanelistNo relevant relationships with ineligible companies to discloseNo
Susan Tierney, LCSW
Committee Member
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Jesus Trejo
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Courtney Van Houtven, PhD
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Lyndsey Wallace, PsyD, ABPP
Moderator
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Earlise Ward, MS, PhD, LP
Moderator
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No
Christine B. Whelan, PhD
Speaker
No relevant relationships with ineligible companies to disclose
No

 

 

 

Discloser List CME Internal Report

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Designation Statements

American Medical Association (AMA)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 ANCC contact hours.

Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership (ICEP) is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 6.0 general, live continuing education credits.

Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this knowledge-based activity for a maximum of 6 hours or .6 CEUs. Credit can be earned by documented attendance by successfully completing an activity evaluation form. Credit will be provided to NABP CPE Monitor within 60 days after the activity completion.

Universal Activity Number (UAN): JA0000358-0000-25-051-L01-P

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.6 continuing education units (CEUs) or 6 hours.

Available Credit

  • 6.00 ACPE Contact Hours - Pharmacist
  • 6.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 6.00 ANCC Contact Hours
  • 6.00 ACE Credits
  • 6.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
    • 6.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Cost:
$175.00
Please login or register to take this course.

Registration for this activity can only be completed through the ICEP Learning Portal. Attendee registrations made through any other sites cannot be honored. UW-Madison ICEP is not able to refund fees paid through unaffiliated registration sites, such as eMedEvents.com, MedConfWorld.com, EventEgg.com, and 10times.com. Please report any unauthorized websites or solicitations for registrations to [email protected].

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. All cancellations must be received on or before October 10, 2025, in order to receive a refund minus the $25 nonrefundable processing fee. No refunds will be made for cancellations received after October 10, 2025 (this also applies to NO SHOWS).

Questions

For questions about registration, please email [email protected]. For general questions about the conference, please contact Craig Robida at [email protected].

Program Changes

Emergency situations occasionally occur and may necessitate topic or speaker changes. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP reserve the right to alter or substitute a topic or speaker without prior notification.

Accessibility

We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodation for this event. Please contact [email protected] as soon as you can make a reasonable accommodation request.