Meetings of the mind!

Excerpt

In a few short months, there will be a gathering of the clan to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Education (AACE). I would encourage all who read this editorial to make plans to attend. In addition to the regular fare of presentations on innovative cancer education programming, there will be special presentations commemorating our 50th. The AACE, and the annual meeting, has undergone numerous changes since it was formed, but has remained true to its mission “…of bringing together members and invited guests for discussion and demonstrations related to cancer teaching activities and varying pedagogical views…” [1]. In an earlier editorial [2], I recounted the history of our Association which harkens back to the 1940s when it was formed as a resource for grantees of the National Cancer Institute’s Undergraduate Cancer Training Grants. Meetings of this group continued through 1966 when at the 19th meeting the Group formally organized as the AACE. The annual meeting continues to serve as a resource of innovation and an avenue of communication among like minded professionals, but has become more expansive and representative in its membership. Attendance at these meetings now includes members of the Cancer Patient Education Network (CPEN) as well as our colleagues from the European Association for Cancer Education (EACE). This expansion has most recently resulted in a change of name to the annual meeting to the “International Cancer Education Conference.” It is the largest meeting that focuses solely on the state of cancer education. This year’s meeting will take place 14–16 September in Bethesda, Maryland (visit aaceonline.com for more info). The theme for the meeting is “Promoting Cancer Education, Equity, and Precision Medicine Globally.” Dr. Maria Bishop and her Program Committee are to be commended for assembling what appears to be a superb meeting. The main sessions will include a host of invited speakers including Dr. Douglas Lowy, Acting Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI); Dr. Edward Trimble the Director of the Center for Global Health at the NCI; Dr. Julia Rowland the Director of Cancer Survivorship (NCI); Dr. Ming Lei, Deputy Director of the Cancer Training Branch (NCI); Dr. Jeannette Korczk, Program Director of the Cancer Training Branch (NCI); Dr. Elmer Huerta, Director of the Cancer Preventorium at Washington Cancer Institute; and Dr. Olivia Carter-Pokras, Interin Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. This group will bring a wealth of experience to our meeting and their insights invaluable to our development of relevant, effective programs. I personally cannot wait to hear what they have to say and trust that you are equally curious. …