UPCOMING: 2025 ALLIANCE SPRING GROUP MEETING
Meeting book
Congratulations to the Carle Cancer Center NCI Community Oncology Research Program for the 2025 Alliance Spring Group Meeting Book cover design. For more than 40 years, Carle Cancer Center has been advancing medicine by providing patients access to a wide range of treatment options, including high-quality clinical trials. Carle has participated in more than 800 clinical trials, enrolling more than 6,500 patients. Kendrith Rowland, MD, serves as the site principal investigator for Carle-NCORP Alliance trials, and Betsy Barnick, MHS, CCRP, is the Manager of Oncology Research. Click here to download and view the meeting book located on the Alliance member website.
What to expect
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology will convene the 2025 Alliance Spring Group Meeting April 30-May 2 at the Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel and virtually.
Over three days, the meeting will feature a range of scientific and administrative sessions led by leading oncology researchers, clinical trial experts, and research administrators from across the country. It will highlight innovative cancer prevention, control, and treatment trials conducted through a collaborative network of academic and community-based researchers, as part of the NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP).
All attendees must register in advance to participate in the meeting and access virtual sessions.
To join sessions, view agendas and presentations, or connect with other attendees, please log in to the Attendee Hub using the same credentials you used during registration.
Please note: Closed sessions are by invitation only and will not appear on the website or app.
For any questions about the meeting or registration, contact Meetings@AllianceNCTN.org.
Take a closer look.
Plan accordingly. View the meeting schedule.
Check out a few meeting highlights below.
All times noted are Central Daylight Time (CDT).
PLENARY SESSION :: Friday, May 2, 10:30 am-12 pm
Welcome and Announcements
Evanthia Galanis, MD
Group Chair
Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
2025 Charles G. Moertel Lecture
“Harnessing Alliance Clinical Trials Data to Drive Efficiency and Innovation in Cancer Trials Conduct and Research”
Sumithra J. Mandrekar, PhD
Alliance Program Director and Group Statistician
Professor of Oncology and Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Co-Chair, National Institutes of Health, Streamlining Clinical Trials Implementation Committee and Streamlining Clinical Trials Working Group
The Charles G. Moertel Lecture is a yearly award established in 1995 through the Moertel Lecture Endowment Fund to honor the legacy of Dr. Moertel, founder of the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG), and to acknowledge individuals making a major impact on community cancer practice.
“Progress from the Alliance Breast Committee: Assessing and Addressing Unmet Needs”
Lisa A. Carey, MD, ScM, FASCO
Co-Chair, Alliance Breast Committee
L. Richardson and Marilyn Jacobs Preyer Distinguished Professor for Breast Cancer Research
Deputy Director of Clinical Sciences, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Ann H. Partridge, MD, MPH
Co-Chair, Alliance Breast Committee
Interim Chair of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Director of the Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer, Director, Adult Survivorship Program
Eric P. Winer, MD, Chair in Breast Cancer Research, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
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ALLIANCE RESEARCH FOR EARLY CAREER INVESTIGATORS :: Thursday, May 1 | 12 pm-1:30 pm
Previously known as the New Investigators Workshop, this 90-minute session has been redesigned to highlight essential aspects of the Alliance organization and promote opportunities that will enhance researchers in their early career.
Evanthia Galanis, MD (Group Chair, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology) will provide opening remarks and an overview to the Alliance. David Kozono, MD, PhD (Group Vice-Chair and Principal Investigator) will highlight the many opportunities at Alliance from his own professional experiences as Group Vice-Chair, Committee Chair, and Study Chair. Yujia Wen, MD, PhD (Senior Director, Alliance Translational Research Operations) and Selina Chow, MD (Executive Officer, Alliance Data Innovation Lab and Cancer Control Program) will present on Secondary Analysis - How to Access Data and Specimens.
Olwen Hahn, MD (Director and Principal Investigator, Alliance Central Protocol Operations Program) will discuss the role of the Alliance Central Office. To conclude the session, John Leonard, MD (Chair, Alliance Lymphoma Committee) will share on how to further your involvement in Alliance as a Committee Chair. All slides will be available after the session for use as a resource.
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CLINICAL RESEARCH PROFESSIONALS SESSIONS
CRP Breakout Session: What's New with BioMS? :: Wednesday, April 30 | 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
Join Alliance Clinical Informaticist Amy Brink for an in-depth update on the Alliance BioSpecimen Management System (BioMS), a web application designed to track and manage biospecimens for Alliance studies. This session will cover important changes to specimen shipment processes, key functionalities of BioMS, how to navigate the system, and resources for troubleshooting common issues. Whether you're new to the system or a seasoned clinical research professional, this session will provide valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your workflow.
CRP Breakout Session: Airing Dirty Laundry – Survey Says: CRP Family Feud :: Wednesday, April 30 | 3 pm-4pm
Airing Dirty Laundry is back with another fun and insightful session—Family Feud Style! Join CRP Committee members Betsy Barnick, MHS, CCRP; Chris Manring, MBA; Carol Sweney, BS, CCRP; Belen Martinez-Caro Aguado; and Erin Kittleman, RN, CCRP, as they share lessons learned from past mistakes, real-life scenarios, and best practices for navigating uncertainty. This interactive session creates a safe space for clinical research professionals to share experiences, learn from one another, and enjoy some laughs. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to embrace mistakes and turn them into valuable opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss this chance for both learning and fun!
CRP Breakout Session: Data Forms & Common Data Errors :: Thursday, May 1 | 8 am-9 am
Allison Booth, MA, Co-Director of Data Collection & Management at the Alliance Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC), will highlight common data errors encountered during data entry and Alliance Group Audits. This session will review resources and tools designed to help clinical research professionals navigate data entry and management challenges. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to identify, address, and resolve common data-related issues, giving them the confidence to handle unavoidable errors effectively.
CRP Breakout Session: EMR Template Training :: Thursday, May 1 | 9:30 am-10:30 am
This panel will focus on the trending topic of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) protocol template builds. Specifically designed to help sites streamline the EMR treatment plan build process, the session will provide practical insights on how to implement and use these templates effectively. Panelists will cover the development process, discuss common challenges, and offer troubleshooting strategies to overcome obstacles. Prepare for an engaging discussion on this rapidly evolving topic.
CRP Networking Lunch :: Thursday, May 1 | 11 am-12 pm
Join the Alliance Clinical Research Professional Committee (CRPC) for an informal networking lunch with fellow CRPs. Whether you're looking to grow your professional network or simply enjoy great conversation and food, the CRPC welcomes you!
Clinical Research Professionals (CRP) Information Session :: Thursday, May 1 | 1 pm-4 pm
This session will provide valuable updates and insights for Clinical Research Professionals (CRPs) across the Alliance network. It will open with a welcome from Jennifer Dill, CCRP, Chair of the Alliance CRP Committee, followed by a powerful presentation from Vernal Branch, Vice-Chair of the Alliance Patient Advocate Committee, highlighting the impact of oncology clinical research on patients and participants.
Additional presentations will include:
>> Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU) updates from LaWanna Porcher (Westat)
>> Specimen management insights from Amy Brink (Alliance BioMS)
>> Data and statistics updates from Allison Booth, MA (Alliance SDMC)
>> Protocol operations highlights from Colleen Watt (Alliance Central Protocol Office)
This session is designed to inform, engage, and support CRPs in their critical roles across the research spectrum.
Clinical Research Professionals (CRP) Education Session :: Friday May 2 | 8 am-10 am
John Taylor, MA, Associate Director of Alliance Protocol Operations, will kick off the session with a historical overview of the Alliance, exploring the three National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded cooperative groups that form its foundation: the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG), the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). The session will also include an overview of results from previous Alliance studies, highlighting how completed trials have identified practice-changing treatments that have influenced oncology care.
Next, Nancy Campbell, MSM, RN, Associate Director of Operations at the Alliance Data Innovation Lab, will introduce the Participant Engagement Portal (PEP), showcasing its role as a crucial resource for patients involved in Alliance clinical trials.
Finally, Kurombi Wade-Oliver, CCRP, Director of Alliance Quality Management and Audit Program, and Stephanie Couch, Associate Director of Quality Management, will share an auditor's perspective on how to craft effective Corrective Action and Preventative Action (CAPA) plans, along with best practices for implementing new processes and procedures.
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ONCOLOGY NURSING + CLINICAL RESEARCH PROFESSIONALS
Helping Health Professionals and Researchers Thrive:
Using the Science of Mind-Body Medicine and Human Flourishing :: Wednesday, April 30 | 4:30 pm-5:30 pm
Aviad Haramati, PhD, Professor of Integrative Physiology and Medicine at Georgetown University Medical Center, will explore how health professionals and researchers can thrive in their work through Mind-Body Medicine and Human Flourishing practices. Dr. Haramati will introduce the idea that true flourishing goes beyond physical and mental well-being as a baseline. To truly thrive, individuals need alignment between aspects of Human Flourishing—such as meaning, purpose, character, values, kindness, and positive relationships—and their physical and mental health. Additionally, he will discuss mind-body practices that can reduce stress and enhance overall well-being.
Objectives:
>> To understand the physiology and pathophysiology of stress and the scientific basis for mind-body therapies used to reduce stress and improve well-being
>> To learn about frameworks for Human Flourishing and identify several domains that contribute to one’s ability to thrive in work and in life
>> To experience at least one exercise that is used in the mind-body and human flourishing courses at Georgetown University School of Medicine
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ALLIANCE FOUNDATION TRIALS (AFT) SESSIONS
Thursday, May 1
8 am-9 am :: AFT-50: EndoMAP
3 pm-3:30 pm :: AFT-38 PATINA
3:30 pm-4:30 pm :: AFT-65 ASCENT-05/OptimICE-R
4:30 pm-5 pm :: AFT-66-CAMBRIA-2
Friday, May 2
8:30 am-10 am :: Alliance Foundation Trials (AFT) Overview and Updates
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CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
RN, OCN, ARNP - ONA Credit - The Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) is the largest approver unit of CE credit in the country, accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. Nine (9) ONA contact hours will be offered. To receive ONA credit, attendees must complete a required survey e-mailed to them after the meeting.
CCRP - SoCRA Credit - The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) provides training, continuing education, and an internationally recognized certification program that promotes quality clinical research to protect the welfare of research participants and improve global health. Thirty-one (31) SOCRA credits will be offered. To receive SoCRA credit, attendees must complete a required survey e-mailed to them after the meeting.
For more information about continuing education credits, contact Katherine Stanaszek (Alliance Training and Adminsitrative Coordinator) at kstanaszek@alliancenctn.org
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Join the Conversation :: ALLIANCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Share your meeting experience and session highlights using the hashtag - #AllianceSpring25.
Find and follow us on X (formerly Twitter): @ALLIANCE_org and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AllianceForClinicalTrialsInOncology/
