Join the UPMC Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery for the Survivorship after Cancer of the Head and Neck: A Multidisciplinary Symposium on August 4, 2025.
The purpose of this symposium is to provide essential knowledge for delivering comprehensive survivorship care to head and neck cancer patients across the care continuum. The program is designed to enhance healthcare providers’ ability to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care that addresses the unique needs of the growing population of head and neck cancer survivors.
Target Audience
Professional providers, primary care physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, residents, audiologists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dentists, and other interested healthcare professionals.
Learning Objectives
At the completion of the course, the participant should be able to:
- Summarize the essential elements of comprehensive, multidisciplinary survivorship care for patients with head and neck cancer.
- Differentiate the prevalence, complexity, and clinical implications of common symptoms and treatment-related effects in head and neck cancer survivorship, considering cancer characteristics and treatment factors.
- Evaluate evidence-based strategies to optimize physical functioning and psychosocial well-being in head and neck cancer survivors.
- Appraise current and emerging systemic therapies for head and neck cancer, including associated toxicities and management approaches.
Program
Survivorship after Cancer of the Head and Neck: A Multidisciplinary Symposium
August 4, 2025
7:00 – 8:00 AM
Registration and Breakfast
8:00 – 8:05 AM
Welcome Address
José P. Zevallos, MD, MPH
SESSION 1
Moderator: Marci Nilsen, PhD, RN, CHPN, FAAN
8:05 – 9:00 AM
Beyond Dysphagia: Improving Comprehensive Care for Head and Neck Cancer Survivors
Evan Graboyes, MD, MPH Guest Speaker
9:00 – 10:00 AM
Moving Through Cancer
Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH Keynote Speaker
10:00 – 10:10 AM
BREAK, Visit with Exhibitors
Poster Session Viewing
Crane Shed
10:10 – 10:40 AM
Advancing Survivorship Care in our Veterans
Jessica Maxwell, MD, MPH
10:40 – 11:10 AM
Disparities in Survivorship Care
Angela Mazul, PhD, MPH
11:10 – 11:30 AM
Panel Discussion: Multidisciplinary Treatment Options
Moderator: Marci Nilsen, PhD, RN, CHPN, FAAN
Panelists: Evan Graboyes, MD, MPH; Jessica Maxwell, MD, MPH; Angela Mazul, PhD, MPH; Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH
11:30 – 12:30 PM
LUNCH, Visit with Exhibitors
Poster Session Viewing and Awards
Crane Shed
SESSION 2
Moderator: Jonas Johnson, MD
12:30 – 1:00 PM
Personalizing Head and Neck Cancer Care
Kevin Contrera, MD, MPH
1:00 – 1:30 PM
Connected Care: Leveraging Digital Tools and Allied Health Team's Expertise to Transform Cancer Care and Survivorship
Jamie Ku, MD Guest Speaker
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Advances in Systemic Therapy for Recurrent/Metastatic HNSCC: Current Status and Future Directions.
Dan Zandberg, MD
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Recent Advances in Head and Neck Radiation Oncology Techniques and Toxicity Management
Yvonne Mowery, MD, PhD, DABR
2:30 – 2:40 PM
BREAK, Visit with Exhibitor
Crane Shed
SESSION 3
Moderator: Matthew Spector, MD
2:40 – 3:10 PM
AI in Head and Neck Cancer
Steven Chinn, MD
3:10 – 3:40 PM
Dental Care with Head and Neck Cancer
Patricia Corby, DDS, MS
3:40 – 4:10 PM
Management of Dysphagia in Head and Neck Cancer
Sandra Stinnett, MD
4:10 – 4:40 PM
Facial Reanimation in the Head and Neck Cancer Patient
Christina Yver, MD, MBA
4:40 – 4:55 PM
Panel Discussion: Topic TBD
Moderator: Matthew Spector, MD
Panelists: Steven Chinn, MD; Patricia Corby, DDS, MS; Sandra Stinnett, MD; Christina Yver, MD, MBA
4:55 – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks
