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Pictured above, AACI CADEx Planning Committee members, L to R: Dr. Debby Oh, Dr. Sandi L. Pruitt, Shayla Scarlett, Dr. Peter DelNero, Dr. Christopher McNair, Todd Burus, Dr. Dinesh Pal Mudaranthakam, and Dr. Tracy Onega
Not pictured: Dr. Susan Vadaparampil, Lauren Hackett, Dr. Katherine Tossas, and Alex Zafirovski
Photo credit: Randy Belice

AACI convened the 2025 AACI Catchment Area Data Excellence (CADEx) Conference, January 29-31, in Coronado, CA. Participants included cancer center catchment area data scientists, geospatial statisticians, and other experts, who addressed emerging topics in cancer prevention and control analytics.

In welcoming remarks, AACI President Robert A. Winn, MD, said that, despite challenges, "We’re all in the same boat; let us go away from this conference renewed with the power of data and renewed with the power of purpose."

The conference opened with a keynote by Jeremy Warner, MD, MS, FAMIA, FASCO, "A Brief History of EHRs and the Importance of Interoperability," supported by Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center. His presentation included a historical overview of health records and mapped out their possible evolution, highlighting the importance of interoperability in health care.

A panel discussion, "The Spatial Context of Cancer: Leveraging Geospatial Tools for Better Outcomes," was moderated by Debby Oh, MSc, PhD, of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Panelists included Salah Komrokji, MPH, Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute; Salma Shariff-Marco, PhD, MPH, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Recinda Sherman, PhD, MPH, of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries. Manifold provided support for the session.

Day 1 closed with a poster session highlighting AACI members' innovative research on data collection and tools, and their impact on patients with cancer.

Day 2 kicked off with "Strengthening and Sustaining Ongoing Catchment Area Surveillance at Cancer Centers," moderated by Todd Burus, MAS, of UK Markey Cancer Center. Stephanie B. Wheeler, PhD, MPH, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, described the conference as a "call to action for all of us, and a reminder that we have each other," underscoring the importance of both data collection and collaboration. Additional panelists were Kalyani Sonawane, PhD, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina; and Changzhen Wang, PhD, University of Alabama.

Moffitt Cancer Center's Susan T. Vadaparampil, PhD, MPH, moderated a session on using data tools to measure your cancer center's impact on the catchment area. Joining her were panelists Elizabeth Carosso, Fred Hutch Cancer Center; Corinne McDaniels-Davidson, PhD, MPH, UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, and Erika S. Trapl, PhD, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Abstract winners and their colleagues, pictured L to R: Jenna Schiffelbein, Dr.Christine Gunn, Tesla DuBois, Dr. Shannon Lynch, and Dr. Changzhen Wang 
Photo credit: Randy Belice

Abstract presentations were supported by Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson. The first place abstract, "Using Health System Population Health Data to Support Community-Engaged Cancer Health Equity Initiatives: A Pilot Project," was presented by Dartmouth Cancer Center's Christine Gunn, MA, PhD. Tesla DuBois of Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, presented the second place abstract, "Leveraging Geospatial Data to Support an Implementation Science Approach to Address Lung Cancer Burden." And Changzhen Wang, PhD, of University of Alabama, presented the third place abstract, "GIS Automated Delineation of Cancer Service Areas: Implications for Cancer Control in the U.S." 

View All CADEx Conference Abstracts and Posters

Additional breakout sessions delved further into data gathering, analysis, and dissemination, highlighting several abstracts that touched on these topics. The day closed with "Building a GIS/Catchment Area Data Team at Your Cancer Center," moderated by Tracy OnegaPhD, MS, MA, MPAS, of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah. Panelists were Kirsten Beyer, PhD, MPH, MS, Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center; Marta Jankowska, PhD, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Stephanie Nutt, MA, MPA, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

AACI gratefully acknowledges 2025 CADEx conference support from:

Distinguished Supporter
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Champion Supporters
Manifold
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Jefferson
Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center

Premier Supporter
UK Markey Cancer Center

Wi-Fi Supporter
Moffitt Cancer Center

Coffee Break Supporter
Inspirata

Exhibitors
NavOnko
VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

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