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National Conference Shines Spotlight on Cancer Communications and Fundraising Specialists

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Conference attendees participating in a session on industry best practices
Conference attendees participating in a session on industry best practices

Communications and development teams play instrumental roles at cancer centers鈥攄isseminating scientific breakthroughs and treatment advancements, sharing patient stories, raising funds, and building meaningful donor relationships. The (NACCDO) and the (PAMN) are the premier professional organizations for these groups. Each year, a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center is selected to host a joint conference. Huntsman Cancer Institute received the winning bid for 2024.

More than 600 attendees, speakers, and sponsors from across North America gathered for the 33rd annual NACCDO-PAMN Conference. In addition to professional development courses and networking, the conference also included a tour of Huntsman Cancer Institute with presentations from top researchers, an evening at Utah鈥檚 Olympic Park, a session with NCI communications director Peter Garrett, and plenary sessions with famous and notable Utahns who have personal connections to cancer, including a panel of Olympic athletes and actor Ty Burrell.

Mary Beckerle, PhD

鈥淐ommunications and fundraising teams are nothing less than critical to cancer centers. These teams support our functions, capabilities, reputations, and future growth. I鈥檓 proud of the exceptional talent and dedication we have on these teams at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Foundation, which was made even more clear under this national spotlight.鈥


Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO

Specialized Session Tracks

With nine concurrent session tracks to choose from, the conference offered industry best practices in cancer center marketing, communications, digital strategy, physician relations, fundraising, and event coordination. Huntsman Cancer Institute faculty and administrative leaders joined as guest speakers. 

Among them were Megan Provost, manager of outreach and network development, and Don Milligan, MBA, executive director of the cancer hospital, who shared about Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 affiliate hospital network.

鈥淚t was an honor for me and Huntsman Cancer Institute to participate in the NACCDO-PAMN conference. I attended several sessions and learned much. It was wonderful to have many attendees onsite at the hosted reception. I appreciated the opportunity to share our buildings with like-minded professionals who understand the importance of our collective goals, purpose, and mission.鈥

Don Milligan, MBA
Huntsman Cancer Institute hospital executive director

Don Milligan, MBA

PAMN Awards: Poster Session

Heather Simonsen answering questions about a poster
Heather Simonsen answering questions about a poster

New in 2024 were PAMN Awards with a poster session that highlighted entries from cancer centers across the country. Peer judges selected from numerous entries. 

Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 Communications and Public Affairs team was recognized for several recent projects:

  • The team was recognized for media work on the research study results.
  • Their 2024 desk calendar, featuring pets of faculty and staff, received praise for its creative design and fun, innovative way of building community.
  • The earned acclaim for it personalized approach to introducing physicians and researchers.
  • The team received first place honors in the survivorship stories category for the feature Three Stars Shine through the Cloud of Cancer Risk, written by Heather Simonsen, MA, Huntsman Cancer Institute public affairs senior manager. The post tells the story of siblings鈥攅ach notable college athletes鈥攂orn by IVF to eliminate the risk of a hereditary cancer gene.
Matti McDaniel

鈥淭hese awards reflect our passion and dedication to advancing cancer research and effectively communicating our findings and stories. Hosting this conference and presenting our work was a proud moment for us."

Matti McDaniel
Huntsman Cancer Institute communications and public affairs program manager

Female Leaders in Cancer Panel

(Left to right) Mary Nickles, Danielle Carnival, PhD, Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, and Mary Beckerle, PhD
(Left to right) Mary Nickles, Danielle Carnival, PhD, Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, and Mary Beckerle, PhD

Historically, the NACCDO-PAMN Conference has held a panel of cancer center directors to inform and update attendees about priorities from the National Cancer Institute. Often, this panel is all or mostly male鈥攁 reflection of appointed U.S. directors. Currently, only 10 of the 72 cancer center directors are women currently.

As a women-led institution, Huntsman Cancer Institute held a Female Leaders in Cancer panel, which opened with a message from National Cancer Institute Director Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MMHC. Panelists included Mary Beckerle, PhD, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute; Danielle Carnival, PhD, deputy assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot; and Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Mary Nickles, a Salt Lake City news anchor and breast cancer survivor, moderated.

鈥淚 never saw myself as a leader. I was doing things that I enjoy doing, with a lot of curiosity. I always pushed boundaries a little bit. I was always excited about bringing new teams together or just meeting new people. I鈥檓 a person who just wants to get stuff done, whatever it takes, and sometimes that requires me to lead, too.鈥


Huntsman Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center director

Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS

Olympic Panel

(Left to right) Adam Whitt, Kate Johnson, Catherine Raney Norman, and Summer Sanders
(Left to right) Adam Whitt, Kate Johnson, Catherine Raney Norman, and Summer Sanders

As Salt Lake City was home to the 2002 Winter Olympics and will host in 2034, the conference鈥檚 opening session featured a panel of Olympians who have been diagnosed with cancer. Each shared how the grit they have built through training and competition influenced their personal cancer experiences. The panel included 

  • Kate Johnson: Rower who won silver in 2004 in Athens, now director and head of global sports and entertainment at Google鈥攄iagnosed with breast cancer
  • Catherine Raney Norman: Four-time speed skater and chairperson for Salt Lake City鈥檚 2034 Olympic bid鈥攁 breast cancer patient at Huntsman Cancer Institute
  • Summer Sanders: Swimmer who won four medals in 1992 in Barcelona and panelist on CBS Sports WE NEED TO TALK鈥攁lso a melanoma patient treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute.

The session was moderated by Adam Whitt, a former Houston Astros pitcher, golf professional, and leukemia patient at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Adam emphasized the importance of caregivers鈥斺渢he team behind the team鈥濃攚ho often serve as coaches and cheerleaders out of the spotlight, yet who are fundamental. He tenderly thanked his wife sitting in the audience for her love and support.

Tours of Huntsman Cancer Institute

Tour group standing on the skybridge between buildings at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Tour group standing on the skybridge between buildings at Huntsman Cancer Institute
Tour group entering the mobile cancer screening and education bus
Tour group entering the mobile cancer screening and education bus

Attendees had the opportunity to spend an afternoon at Huntsman Cancer Institute where they heard from two leading researchers.

  • , spoke about her lab鈥檚 studies of breast cancer metastasis, including the Legacy to Life program
  • , spoke about his work to improve how melanoma and other skin cancers can be better recognized using a rapid exposure process

Tours of Huntsman Cancer Institute showed off the beautiful facilities that support research and serve patients throughout the Mountain West.

Conversation with Ty Burrell

Martin McMahon, PhD, and Ty Burrell
Martin McMahon, PhD, and Ty Burrell

The closing session featured a conversation with actor Ty Burrell, best known for playing Phil Dunphy on the sitcom Modern Family, and , researcher and senior director of preclinical translation at Huntsman Cancer Institute. 

With honesty and humor, Ty shared stories about his dad鈥攚ho passed away of pancreas cancer in the 1980s鈥攁nd how the loss as a young adult still shapes him. Dr. McMahon discussed advancements in pancreas cancer research and treatment, also sharing how his own family has been impacted by cancer through the loss of his father and a baby sister, whom he never met.

Announcements

(Left to right) Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, Meredith Vehar, and Ashlee Harrison
(Left to right) Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, Meredith Vehar, and Ashlee Harrison
PAMN steering committee members
PAMN steering committee members

Announced during the conference was the appointment of Meredith Vehar, MPA, Huntsman Cancer Institute communications director, as Vice Chair of PAMN. After a two-year term, Meredith will step in as Chair. Like many others, Meredith's life has been deeply affected by cancer. She lost two of her older sisters and a dear friend to cancer. Both of her sisters were treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Meredith Vehar, MPA

鈥淭he PAMN organization is the place for us on the communications side of cancer to come together broadly, learn from each other, and do what is within our capacity to support and promote research and improved outcomes. Hosting the conference and joining PAMN鈥檚 executive leadership is a culmination of nearly 20 years of my career. I think my sisters would be proud.鈥

Meredith Vehar, MPA
Huntsman Cancer Institute communications director

Many thanks to the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation teams who helped make this exceptional national showcase of our city and cancer center possible.

Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 Communications and Public Affairs team
Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 Communications and Public Affairs team

Cancer touches all of us.