Florida Oncologists And Advocates To Attend National Cancer Meeting March 22-23, 2013

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Community Oncology Alliance (COA), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and fostering community cancer care, today announced details of their national conference that brings together all members of the cancer community: cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, nurses, oncologists, cancer center practice administrators and industry partners.  The conference will be held March 22 and 23, 2013 at the Swan & Dolphin Hotels, Disney World, Orlando, Florida.  Anyone interested in advocating for cancer care and cancer patients is encouraged to attend the meeting of industry authorities, key leaders and national and local cancer advocates.

Joining the national roster of speakers and attendees will be:

• Jose Alemar, MD, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Pinellas County, Florida
• Michael Diaz, MD, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Pinellas County, Florida
• Robert Green, MD, Palm Beach Cancer Institute, Lake Worth, Florida
• Leonard Kalman, MD, Advanced Medical Specialists, Miami, Florida 
• Scott Tetreault, MD, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Conference Co-Chair, Business and Clinical Track, Tallahassee, Florida
• Erin Dunbar, MD, University of Florida, Conference Co-Chair, Patient Advocacy Track, Gainesville, Florida
• Susan Vallan, RN, Oncology Nursing Society, Ocoee, Florida

"This is an opportunity for those diagnosed with cancer, those fighting cancer and their family, friends and caregivers to come together with other advocates," said Rose Gerber, COA's director of patient advocacy.  "The exchange of ideas and action plans developed at this meeting will guide these advocates for the next year as they lobby both locally and in Washington on behalf of all cancer patients."

The conference offers three distinct program tracks: patient advocacy, clinical and business operations -- and is one of the few meetings where patients and clinicians meet together.  The two day meeting is expected to exceed 500 attendees from across the nation and is the largest gathering of community oncologists and advocates.  For information about the meeting, contact Rose Gerber at [email protected].  To register to attend the meeting, go to www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1151896.

About Community Oncology Alliance (COA)
Formed in 2003 by community oncologists, COA is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to community oncology, where four out of five Americans with cancer are treated.  COA has mobilized community oncology to become more politically active, and increased awareness on Capitol Hill about the community cancer care delivery system. Additionally, COA has brought together community oncology practices from across the country to share information in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the cancer care they provide to their patients. COA also has a multi-stakeholder group involved with the implementation of the Oncology Medical Home, a cancer care model that fosters quality and value in cancer care. More information can be found at www.communityoncology.org.

The COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) was created in 2010 to advocate for access to local affordable care for all cancer patients. More information can be found at www.coaadvocacy.org.

SOURCE Community Oncology Alliance