Smilow and Yale Cancer Center Clinical and Research Town Hall | September 2, 2021

September 03, 2021

Information

Hosted by Dr. Nita Ahuja

Presentation by: Drs. Kevin Billingsley and Roy S. Herbst, Jenna Kostka, MSN, RN, and Dean Nancy Brown, MD

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00:00Everybody, thank you for joining us for
00:04Yale Cancer Center Smilow Cancer Hospital,
00:06Town Hall meeting and I hope everyone
00:09is doing well past last night's
00:11storm and everyone's dried out.
00:15I'm just going to remind everybody
00:16that a 5:30 D Nancy Brown is joining
00:19us and we have a packed agenda,
00:21so you may see us rush through to
00:24try to get you all the information.
00:26Alright, so moving on to next slide.
00:30Alright, acknowledging sort of all
00:32the things and I'm going to go run
00:34fast through these so please bear with
00:36me if I sort of missed some part.
00:38So first of all,
00:39big congratulations to Doctor Ed,
00:41captain who has been appointed or
00:44designee associate director designee
00:46for research affairs for the Yale Cancer
00:49Center starting in January 1, 2022.
00:51He will transition to the permanent job.
00:54Unfortunately,
00:54that also means that Doctor
00:56Garofalo it will be retiring and
00:58it's like mid bittersweet.
01:00I think for those of you know, Bob.
01:01Is outstanding, but so is it.
01:03So really glad to see a join us.
01:06He has been running our translational
01:08science effort along with RIFORD for nearly
01:10a decade and has really fostered research,
01:13engagement and career advancement.
01:15So really excited to welcome
01:17Ed into this role.
01:19And as you all know,
01:19RCCG CCSG Grant will be for renewal so that
01:24timeline is a critical time for us and.
01:27And thank you for Bob's effort
01:29for all that he has done for us,
01:30and I think stay tuned for retirement
01:33celebration also later in the year.
01:36Next up,
01:36it's Kevin.
01:37Do he joins the Smiler at radiation
01:39oncology team in Trumbull starting in
01:41September and he's coming joining us
01:43from NYU Langone Health and his research
01:45interests are in advancing innovation
01:47in medical education and GI malignancies.
01:51Next up,
01:51there is a doctor Alyssa Gallego
01:53who says some of you may know,
01:55but she's joining the department
01:56surgery as an assistant professor
01:58and is practicing in the Smilow
02:00Cancer Hospital Care Center,
02:01Greenwich.
02:02She is focuses on Breast Cancer Care and
02:05prior to practicing in Greenwich Hospital,
02:07doctor Gallego practice at
02:09Mount Sinai Beth Israel,
02:10and was an associate professor of surgery
02:13there at the ICANN School of Medicine.
02:15Last but not least,
02:17joining us as Alex Choi,
02:18a recent graduate of our fellowship program
02:21in Hospice and palliative medicine,
02:23he will join the palliative care program
02:25in October as an instructor of medicine.
02:27So welcome to all of the new faces slide.
02:32Alright,
02:32continuing now celebrations and awards
02:35doctor Joseph Kim got the 2021 Clinic
02:38Cancer clinical investigator Team
02:40Leadership Award from the NCI More kudos.
02:44Maryam last Doctor Lustberg appointed
02:45Co chair of the Alliance for
02:48Clinical Trials and Oncology Symptom
02:50Intervention Committee Next up Ellen
02:52Foxman doctor Foxman has been named a
02:542021 Rita Allen Foundation scholar.
02:57Congratulations Dr Foxman and
02:58then last but not least Doctor
03:00Kenyon has received a break.
03:02Through a word from the
03:04Department of Defense to fund
03:05his research in breast cancer.
03:07More awards. Breast Cancer Research
03:11Foundation awarded Dr Merrick Ocean and
03:13Leo's pushed I with the project awards
03:15for 2021 Kelsey Mark Doctor Martino
03:17and was invited to participate in the
03:20American Society of Climatology and the
03:22Medical Educators Institute and then
03:24Doctor Townsend was appointed as the
03:27inaugural culture elect of the ACR'S
03:29Working Group on Cancer Revolution.
03:31I'm saying this really fast.
03:33It's not that I don't congratulate all
03:35of you, but trying to stay on schedule.
03:37Doctor Vasquez received an NIH
03:40NCI QA Career Development award to
03:44study IDH Mutant gliomas and then
03:47Doctor Ward quarterback.
03:48I probably am messing up your name.
03:50Tim is a postdoc associated in the center
03:52of Molecular and Cellular Oncology
03:54under Marcus mute doctor musician,
03:56and he's been awarded a CR I
03:59Irvington Postdoc Fellowship.
04:01Doctor Gushwa 30 year hematology
04:03fellow at Yale, has been selected as a
04:06recipient of the Yale Cancer Center.
04:07Forget scholar for 2021 and then
04:10last but not least, on this page,
04:13Doctor Quinones, Abilis or not,
04:15quite doctor, she's still a student,
04:17a PhD student in in in Mandra Mazumder
04:20Slab has been afforded an F31 fellowship,
04:23so lots and lots of good stuff for our
04:27come our institution. OK, next page.
04:31Also kind of acknowledging.
04:34Recognizing Alien Sally Sally Rowley,
04:38who is an assistant patient
04:40services manager for MP4 and MP.
04:42A special multi specialty clinic.
04:45Really proud to announce that Alien
04:46graduated from The Citadel this summer.
04:48You can see this getting her
04:50masters degree in leadership.
04:51She was nominated and selected to receive
04:54the Lieutenant General John W Rosa Award,
04:56presented by General Glenn Walters
04:59for outstanding Academic Achievement,
05:02student engagement and scholarly.
05:05Excellence.
05:06She is the first woman of color
05:08to receive this award and with
05:10a military background,
05:12Elion has always dreamed of
05:13going to the Citadel.
05:15But at the time of undergraduate studies,
05:17females were not allowed
05:18entrance to the school.
05:20So congratulation,
05:20and what an inspiring story had to say.
05:23You know,
05:24just hearing about aliens journey and
05:25getting this big award, kudos to you.
05:29Alright, next slide.
05:34So I missed some promotion so I before I go,
05:37Sandy Morgan was promoted.
05:39Patient services manager for
05:40NP7 on New York Street campus.
05:43Samantha Perillo,
05:44patient services managers for radiation
05:46oncology came if I'm getting these wrong,
05:49please correct me.
05:50Actually, Sheldon next nursing
05:52professional development specialist
05:54for Smilow at Saint Francis and Chloe.
05:56Shelvin Smite was promoted to smilow
05:59safety and quality coordinator.
06:00Did I get those right?
06:02Alright, thank you alright agenda.
06:05First up Doc doctor Billingslea for
06:08the vaccination third dose update.
06:10We had a nice patient forum last night
06:12so I think Kevin will just cruise
06:14through this following followed by C2.
06:16Update by Roy Herbs and then last
06:19but not least chaperone policy.
06:21David Depot card is coming.
06:22Chris Parker couldn't come so he's
06:24going to talk to us and then as usual
06:26we're joined by our panelists came
06:28Slusser who you know and we love.
06:29And then Lisa Barbato whose on
06:31our backs and who represents.
06:33US on the vaccination team alright
06:35doctor Billinsley Europe first.
06:37Thank you so much Doctor Ahuja.
06:40So the challenging news that we're all
06:43aware of is that we enter the 19th month
06:47or so of this pandemic, and it does.
06:51It has taken a toll on all of us,
06:53but we all remain absolutely
06:56steadfast in serving our patients and
06:58keeping them as safe as possible.
07:01And the good news is that we do have
07:04excellent vaccine availability and
07:06we we know that an additional dose,
07:09particularly for immuno compromised.
07:11Patients which many of our cancer
07:14patients are provides an additional
07:16level of protection.
07:17So over the recent days or weeks under
07:22CDC guidance as well as updating our own
07:27recommendations to align with the NCCN,
07:31we have a new set of guidelines
07:33for our immuno compromised cancer
07:35patients who are now immediately
07:38eligible for a third dose vaccination.
07:41And these this is the attestation
07:43statements that are.
07:44Currently on our website for
07:46patients who wish to schedule a
07:48third dose vaccination here at Yale,
07:51New Haven Health these have been broadened
07:53to include any patient who's who have,
07:56who has received virtually any
07:59modality of cancer therapy for
08:01a solid tumor within one year
08:04of their initial vaccine series.
08:06As well,
08:07any patient who has a recently
08:09diagnosed cancer or recurrent
08:11cancer with a treatment plan that
08:13will include chemotherapy,
08:15immunotherapy,
08:16or radiation,
08:16as well as surgery even if they
08:19have not started therapy any any
08:22individual who has any blood cancer
08:24diagnosis and you can receive read
08:27the variety of diagnosis that
08:29are included under that umbrella
08:31and any of our patients who have
08:34received a stem cell transplant or.
08:37Therapy with.
08:38With that with car T cells we are
08:42of course reminding all of our
08:44patients to be vigilant in mask
08:47wearing and social distancing.
08:49Vaccines are only one level of
08:52protection and of course the other
08:54thing that I would add quickly is for
08:57our teams in clinical care settings are PPE.
09:01Recommendations have been updated
09:03to include eye protection as well.
09:06Thank you.
09:09Thank you Kevin. Next up,
09:13Doctor Herps you're up next.
09:14If you have questions for Doctor
09:16Billingsley, just put them in the
09:17chat and if you have time for Q
09:19and it then we'll keep it open.
09:22I'm thanks Nina. Great to be here.
09:24Just a quick update on the CTO,
09:26so here's our org chart for
09:28those who are interested.
09:30I know several of Asterix Sony to,
09:32of course, the director,
09:33I'm the acting associate
09:35director for Clinical Sciences.
09:37I've been doing this for about 3 1/2 months.
09:38I'm filling in.
09:39We are very happy to have an interim
09:42associate director for the see TO&C RSL.
09:45That's Alyssa gateman.
09:45She's on the call now and thank you.
09:47Listen for all you're doing and then
09:49our deputy director for finance and
09:51administration Margaretville Shannon.
09:52And then clinical operations salary
09:54boin has been doing an amazing job.
09:57We appreciate all of her efforts.
09:58The clinical Research Support
10:00Laboratory Italia Mitchell also doing
10:02great work and we're looking for
10:04someone to lead regulatory affairs.
10:06We have extended an offer.
10:07Our fingers are crossed on that a
10:09really great person and then we
10:11also are extending an offer for
10:12someone to lead our care center
10:14effort which is very important to
10:16accrued trials at the care center.
10:17So our immediate priority is
10:19stabilization through recruitment
10:21and staffing augmentation.
10:22To ensure our ongoing patient
10:24safety and regulatory compliance,
10:26and I'm happy to say that the pendulum
10:28is swinging up and we've been hiring
10:31and I really appreciate everyone and
10:33their patience as we continue to rebuild.
10:35Next slide,
10:37please.
10:37We have two search is underway
10:40will hopefully be announcing our
10:42candidates in the next week or two.
10:44We're going to have an assistant medical
10:46director for the CTO for the main
10:47campus and also an assistant medical
10:49director of the CEO for the care centers.
10:51Because of the broad nature of our practice.
10:5315 sites where patients are recruited trials,
10:56the busy nature of the main campus,
10:58we thought we need to MD's to help me
11:00in this role and we've had numerous
11:02candidates and their committees already met,
11:04so hopefully the next time I
11:05speak to you or even before.
11:07Need an eye and unless we will be
11:09sending out an announcement as to these
11:10people who will be working to help us
11:12all and our patients with the trials.
11:14Next slide now studies are activating.
11:19You know,
11:19one of the things I've I've become aware of.
11:20His communication is just so
11:22critical and I want everyone
11:23who's involved in clinical trials,
11:25and it's probably all of you on the
11:27line to know that things are picking up.
11:29We are going to start when we have
11:30the new medical directors and I sent
11:32a memo out to the DART leaders today.
11:34I really want people to know that.
11:35Let's not where we want it to be. It's not.
11:37Too bad and we're making progress.
11:4052 new studies were activated since March.
11:42About eight trials per month and six
11:44new studies were open since August 11th.
11:46So again,
11:47it's I see the light at the end
11:49of the tunnel.
11:50It's a bit of a long tunnel,
11:51but we are making progress
11:52and it's because of all
11:53the support from the people on
11:55the panel and all of you and the
11:57Deans office and the hospital.
11:58It really has been a team effort.
12:00Next slide now.
12:01Here are the numbers and and and
12:04you can see that things things are.
12:07Are you know dipped last
12:09June we actually closed.
12:11They've been inching up,
12:12but I just got this month
12:14numbers and I gotta tell you,
12:15you know, I'm ready to retire.
12:17This is amazing.
12:18We actually had 67 patients accrued
12:20last month and that's with one
12:22of our teams on a hold because
12:24of personnel issues which would
12:25make about 800 for the year.
12:27So and then, more importantly,
12:29twelve of those,
12:3067 or 17% were at the care centers
12:33and I'm just going to give a Kudo
12:35to Navy Hafez five accruals way
12:36to go Navy at our leader crew.
12:38The month I'm resigning from him three,
12:40so we are on the way back and
12:43we were never that down.
12:45We're having impact.
12:46We're helping our patients,
12:48so I think I have one more slide.
12:51And and this is our focus and I
12:52I just want all of you to know
12:54that if you have any questions,
12:56you can contact me,
12:57Alyssa or any of the team we're
12:59actively hiring and onboarding to
13:00fill new positions were on or having
13:03a long term ongoing long term CTO
13:05and investigative training efforts.
13:07In fact,
13:08today I was asked for four times
13:09next month or this month when
13:11I'll be able to lead a one and
13:12a half hour training session.
13:14Both of the care centers and
13:15main campus I'm I'm and soaps
13:17and how to do clinical studies,
13:19continuous monitoring and
13:20management of staff.
13:21Level work in progress.
13:23Continuous quality improvement to ensure
13:26SLP adherence and timely management
13:28of regulatory processes as we grow,
13:30we're going to grow in an even
13:32more efficient and safer way.
13:33And then we want to prioritize.
13:35Faculty group continues to meet where
13:37prior to write priority rising trials
13:40and we're trying to improve alignment
13:42and open more trials in a quicker way,
13:45and we're working with the faculty,
13:46the nurses,
13:47the staff,
13:47the scientists to make this happen.
13:49So thank you for all your
13:51support and I'll be back.
13:52Next month with another update.
13:55Roy, that was breaking news 'cause I
13:56didn't know the numbers that change.
13:58And kudos, that is amazing.
14:00That is outstanding. I don't know.
14:02Maybe our work is done all right.
14:04Next up I'm going to leave the Q&A if one
14:07of the fact there's a question on vaccine.
14:09If someone can chatter
14:10response on the panelist,
14:12but Next up is David Depakote,
14:14who's going to talk about the
14:16new chaperone policy?
14:17David, thank you for coming on short notice.
14:21Worries myself.
14:22Doctor Christian Packer and
14:24my colleague John Koskinen.
14:26I've been going on a road
14:28show about this policy.
14:29She may have heard of it before now.
14:32I'll keep some of this brief and
14:33and open up for questions if necessary.
14:35Or anyone can shoot myself Christian
14:38or Jenna. I know about it,
14:40but the new policy is a joint policy
14:43between Neil New Haven Health system,
14:46Yale Health and Yale Medicine
14:48that speaks to a combination of.
14:51Good practice out in the community.
14:54A standard of care that's
14:56emerging in risk mitigation.
14:58It's been many position statements,
15:01professional organizations to have medical
15:04chaperone during sensitive examinations,
15:06treatments or procedures,
15:07and is becoming a standard of
15:09care throughout the nation.
15:11Some in response to allegations of misconduct
15:15and and some driven by other means,
15:18such as in in the case of our situation
15:22as well MCIC pushing for a standard
15:25approach to these types of patients,
15:29and we we know that there are many cases
15:32where the most significant in recent years,
15:36which happened not too long ago,
15:37was USC settlement for alleged misconduct,
15:42which is $1.1 billion lawsuit
15:44and that is with a B.
15:46And we do note that in the news earlier
15:49this week there was misconduct by an
15:52advanced practice registered nurse.
15:54Who has significant misconduct and
15:56there are reasons then that we do
15:59have policies such as this coming
16:01forward given the next slide.
16:05On it in the organizations,
16:08a chaperone will be required.
16:11For examinations that are sensitive in
16:14nature and chaperone will be a trained
16:17individual that's either a hospital
16:20health system or university employee or
16:22member of the medical staff who access
16:26that impartial observer that is not
16:29the patient's family member and the
16:31bottom of the slide is a list of common.
16:35Treatments, exams,
16:36and procedures where a chaperone
16:39would be necessary on pelvic exams,
16:41internal extra genitalia examination of the
16:44female breast directly of the female breast.
16:47Specifically,
16:48rectal examinations, treatments,
16:50procedures in intra vaginal physical therapy.
16:53We know that this is a significant change in
16:57culture and how we manage our patient care,
17:00but in many cases this is an approach that
17:03supports both the safety of the patient.
17:05But also protection towards our health
17:08care professionals against allegations
17:10of misconduct bingo in the next slide.
17:15In addition to having a chaperone
17:17during these sensitive examinations,
17:19treatments or procedures on our risk
17:22management approaches to also document
17:24the presence of a chaperone and who
17:26that chaperone is. For most cases,
17:29if a provider is making that documentation,
17:34the dot chaperone note smart phrase in
17:37epic will be the easiest way to do that,
17:40and generally the inpatient sites real,
17:42not even healthy individual
17:43performing the examination,
17:45treatment, or procedure.
17:46We have the responsibility to complete
17:48that documentation outside of Yale.
17:51New Haven Health inpatient sites.
17:53Whether that's yellow medicine or
17:55ambulatory or outpatient sites,
17:57they'll be determined locally.
17:58If it's done during the grooming process,
18:00for example, it's done during bio,
18:03or done after the procedure
18:05by anime or or care associate.
18:08That'll be determined relatively locally,
18:11and I think that's the last
18:13slide that we had.
18:14We wanted to be very brief in terms of the.
18:16Older review of this and many individuals
18:20privacy Eves a they not only a note
18:23from Tom and from other health care
18:26leaders across the entities but also
18:29have received the training through
18:32your electronic management system.
18:34Whether that's TMS or in,
18:36for and or received.
18:38The memo to do it raining
18:40in it in a different way.
18:42Our goal is to train as many folks as
18:44possible to be able to act as chaperones.
18:47Across all of our sites,
18:49but happy to answer any questions,
18:50whether here or offline.
18:54Alright, well, perfect.
18:55I think we actually have time for Q&A.
18:58So Lisa, I think the question was important
19:00and we were able to type a quick response.
19:03But for those who can't read the
19:05chat 'cause you're listening in,
19:07but there was a question on if health
19:10care workers can also get the third dose.
19:13So maybe Lisa and then
19:14maybe Doctor Billingsley.
19:15You want to answer that
19:17because I suspect many people.
19:18One of our curious.
19:20So currently
19:21healthcare workers are not within scope
19:23to receive a third dose vaccination
19:25unless they meet one of the criteria
19:27that Kevin reviewed earlier.
19:29But we do expect that health
19:31care workers will be in the next
19:33wave of recommendations,
19:35which I think we expect
19:36to hear by the end of the month.
19:40I have little bad to Lisa's commentary.
19:44I I'm expecting to hear something
19:47within days actually about
19:50health care workers will.
19:52And I I think it's it.
19:54Well, we'll hear more very soon.
19:58Yeah, I think a lot of people
20:00are expecting that there
20:02will be news out in the next few weeks.
20:04Their questions on vaccines.
20:06Just type them out.
20:09Growing herbs I think you rush
20:12through your transformation,
20:13but what changed? Well,
20:16I I think a number of things.
20:19One you know, we everyone pitched in,
20:22you know we we went through a period
20:24in you know with COVID with some
20:27staff that I've left you know it's a
20:29tough time in in the whole country
20:31with people working remotely and
20:33and and and and people you know,
20:35slowly coming back to the work place.
20:37So a couple of things happened.
20:38One we we hired more staff
20:40and they became trained to.
20:43We've been allowing some to work remotely.
20:46In certain positions,
20:47and I think that's helped.
20:49Three, you know,
20:50we've run in a group called Juran who
20:53have helped us a great deal they've
20:55brought in some support and some
20:57additional team members that have
20:59helped us with the regulatory team.
21:01And then I think it really is a team effort.
21:03You know,
21:04the physicians and nurses
21:05everyones pictured in,
21:06we've had no nurses who have left
21:09one team or CRC's to go help another.
21:12We've we have APS who are now helping
21:14out with some of the research.
21:16Asks and I think you know,
21:18it's really all about patient
21:20care and everyone's really tried
21:22to make the best we can.
21:23And then we also have activated more trials.
21:25You know you can't.
21:26You can't make bread without flour,
21:28and you know,
21:29we've we've activated war trials,
21:31and we've been.
21:31We've been smarter and need to know
21:33where we're opening fewer trials.
21:34But smarter trials were closing
21:36some trials so that we have
21:37less regulatory work to do.
21:39So it's really, you know,
21:40many approaches,
21:40but I really have to thank you know,
21:42it's this is a team effort.
21:43You know,
21:44I picked this up from Lloyd Decker wonderful.
21:46Man who really was working with
21:48the team before I got here and and
21:50now it's been my pleasure to just
21:52sort of help everyone in just to
21:54reach their their best potential.
21:55We're not there yet.
21:56We still need more people.
21:58We still have one team that's not accruing,
22:01so we have to help that along.
22:03But we're going to build depth
22:04and and but I think right now
22:06we're on a good trajectory.
22:08And the key thing is to keep it there.
22:09Thank you. I think waiting.
22:11I figured there weren't
22:13enough vaccine questions.
22:14So now the questions are coming.
22:16Uhm, who wants to take if
22:18they're recommending from Mike?
22:20If they're recommending,
22:21I guess, the third dose to those
22:23living with immuno compromised.
22:25How do physicians and RN not fit into
22:27the same category for patient safety?
22:30So I think the question is why
22:32are the physicians and RN is not
22:34eligible for the vaccine right now?
22:38I think it's only this you know,
22:39so it may be Kevin you want
22:42to tackle. Yeah, thank you.
22:43You know I. I think
22:45what we are aiming for is is understanding
22:49that for many of our patients who
22:52have been under cancer therapy or
22:56recently treated their immunological
22:58response to their primary vaccine
23:02series has been probably adequate.
23:06But not optimal.
23:07Whereas most of us who are health
23:11care workers and may be exposed
23:14but are generally healthy.
23:17Most of us have enjoyed a quite quite
23:19a robust antibody response to either
23:22the M RNA vaccines or for the few folks
23:25who got the J&J to the edge vaccine.
23:29I think we've all learned,
23:31and there's abundant evidence to
23:34suggest this that over some period of
23:37time that antibody response will wane.
23:41Now it's not clear how much decrement
23:44in actual functional immunity will be.
23:46Go along with that.
23:47I think most of us are actually
23:49quite still well protected,
23:51but with that waning antibody response
23:54there will likely be benefit for
23:57all of us for an additional dose.
23:59But that necessity is probably we
24:03probably do not have the same acuity to
24:06that as some of our vulnerable patients do.
24:10But as we said earlier,
24:11hold on to your hats.
24:13More information coming soon.
24:15And regardless of one of the health
24:17care workers is immunosuppressed,
24:19they still are eligible and that list
24:21is rather large and comprehensive.
24:23If you are an immunosuppressive
24:26medications outside of cancer,
24:27you are still eligible just
24:29like any of our other people.
24:32And another question here is for how
24:34long after a person is in remission,
24:37are they still considered immunocompromised?
24:44No, I I guess I'll lead on that Lisa may have
24:49something to add.
24:50The for most patients
24:53treated with solid tumors,
24:55you know they are going to return to
24:58functional immunity quite quickly,
25:00but as you've noticed,
25:03the guidelines that are written
25:05currently expand out to one year.
25:08Anyone who's been vaccinated within
25:10one year of cancer treatment,
25:12so that's on the liberal side.
25:14But we feel that that's important,
25:16and fortunately the really good
25:18news here is that we seem to have.
25:21Vaccine availability not only in
25:23our own health system but in retail
25:26pharmacies as well so that there is no
25:29need to be restrictive in this approach.
25:32We Sir or even Roy.
25:34Do you want to add to that?
25:37I was just going to say it would
25:39be very dependent on the patients
25:41die underlying diagnosis
25:42and what type of treatment they
25:45received and clearly the humans
25:46help humans logic diagnosis.
25:50Maybe immuno compromised
25:51for longer periods,
25:52depending on the type of treatment.
25:54They received a
25:55man and I think if if that that's why
25:58the NCCN guidelines
25:59were written pretty liberally to
26:01allow for the 3rd dose
26:04to a pretty broad group based
26:05on the variability
26:07right and if someone is in remission folks.
26:09But if there's still on
26:11medications at driven therapy.
26:12Do we consider them immunosuppressed
26:14because you know someone is
26:16on hormonal therapy safe for
26:18breast cancer or others would?
26:20We would still consider
26:21them amino suppressed.
26:22I just want to make sure Lisa or
26:24Kim I see a lot of agreement.
26:26Yeah, that's it.
26:27The current guidelines
26:28that came out from NCCN?
26:29Yes, we're including that in.
26:31As Kevin said,
26:32we're being very inclusive,
26:34but yes, they're included.
26:37Thank you, I don't see more questions,
26:39but David I'm going to ask you a question
26:42in that if the chaperone policy in terms
26:44of if you have to have a chaperone in,
26:47we know our clinics are busy are
26:50their designated chaperones or
26:52how does this work operationally?
26:54Or maybe Kim may need to answer
26:57this order smilow patients,
26:58but maybe David you can give the
27:00system answer and then Kim can
27:02talk about the smilow answer.
27:03The system answer is it's it's
27:06Kim's answer on just joking,
27:08but I think the easy answer is our
27:11goal is to train everyone that
27:13works in a clinical space such that
27:16it's not a challenge in any way,
27:18shape or form to identify someone
27:20who should be a chaperone.
27:22So it from the unlicensed.
27:25Damn Azor care associates.
27:27The nursing staff to the medical staff.
27:29Our goal is to have everyone had
27:31the ability to be that chaperone.
27:33How that's truly operationalized
27:36within workflows,
27:37I would defer to content that question.
27:40Yeah, I think so. I would just say
27:42and there's a question in here.
27:44Additional Ftes 'cause I
27:45was going to get to that.
27:46I figured that was coming.
27:50Like let me just ask because we know
27:53that this policy is is going to be more
27:56disruptive in certain clinics than more
27:59so disruptive than in other clinics.
28:02So, but as as Dave said,
28:05what we really need to do initially is,
28:07it's just that all hands on deck
28:10we are making sure that everyone
28:12is receiving their training,
28:14and so I'm really it's really
28:16going to be a team approach,
28:18but the local leaders are looking at.
28:21Their workflows,
28:22with their local teams and in addition
28:25to that we are looking at some of our
28:28clinics that may require additional
28:31additional staff based on high
28:34volume examinations or procedures.
28:36So we have started that work again.
28:39It doesn't delay the implementation of
28:42the chaperone policy, so I said it first.
28:44You know,
28:44it's really going to take a team
28:47approach to make sure that we're
28:49keeping our patients and our teams.
28:51Safe and protect it and making
28:53sure everyone feels comfortable,
28:55has a comfortable environment to
28:57practice in and to be a patient.
28:59And but we are.
29:01I want everyone on the town hall
29:03to know we are looking at what
29:06clinics and what procedures.
29:09What you know that we may need
29:10to add additional staffing and
29:11trying to write those business
29:13plans with our finance partners.
29:14So that is work that is happening right now.
29:18Thank you and then David.
29:20I think the next one is for you.
29:21If a patient is completely
29:23comfortable with their provider and
29:24prefers not to have a chaperone,
29:26is there an option to opt out
29:28at Doctor Salem ask that.
29:31Yes, just typing in response will
29:33be easier to actually say it on.
29:35Given that there is a significant risk that
29:39a patient can be coerced into opting out,
29:44and the misconduct that can ensue from there,
29:49the general feeling not just within
29:51the health system and the Yale
29:54corporate entity and their risk
29:56management teams that opt out is not
29:59necessarily the appropriate approach.
30:01To safeguard both patients and
30:03practitioners so the stance from
30:05the Yelp corporate entity and the
30:07health system is that there is not
30:09an opt out clause within the policy.
30:18I don't see Dean Brown here yet.
30:20Are there other updates while we wanna
30:23give around the smilow operations?
30:26Kim, anything from the store more
30:28COVID you'd like to update us.
30:30I saw you see, you know that otherwise
30:32that someone is going to have to give
30:34a good joke or sing a song we did
30:36at both storms from a couple weeks
30:38ago and last night we were very,
30:40very fortunate. So you know,
30:43we really I do want to say though,
30:45thank you need a. This is a great
30:47opportunity to thank our teams.
30:48For a couple weeks ago they worked feverishly
30:52over the entire weekend to prepare.
30:55If we had to have a delayed start.
30:57We went through many scenarios,
30:59had people on the phone,
31:01mult in and zoom meetings
31:03multiple times throughout that
31:05whole weekend of the hurricane,
31:07and so I'm glad we had a couple extra
31:10minutes so that I could thank everyone.
31:13For all of their efforts,
31:14we ended up not having to implement a plan
31:18for a delayed start that that following day,
31:21but just really appreciate everyone
31:23coming together and doing what we
31:25needed to do to to plan for that.
31:27And in case,
31:29and we were very fortunate this
31:31morning I there were some water
31:33intrusions on the York Street
31:36in Saint Rayfield campus that I
31:38think teams worked very hard to to
31:41contain and and to limit disruption.
31:44Operations are cancer.
31:45Operations were not disrupted
31:48based off of the water intrusions,
31:51but again,
31:51the hospital did a really great
31:53job responding.
31:56Thank you and let me ask maybe one
31:58other question in terms of the third.
31:59Oh, so here's one one more so thank you.
32:02Oh D brown is here but not a panel is Renee.
32:06Could you make her a panelist?
32:09I've saved you guys giving
32:10us a song and or jokes.
32:12At this point there you go,
32:14the eye protection,
32:15the recurrent mandated use of eye
32:18protection or is is mandated.
32:19Now right? Kim,
32:21for all or Kevin IC agreement yes, well
32:24that the health systems
32:25coming out with their soon.
32:27I guess it was communicated
32:29to a faculty to medical staff,
32:32but the eye protection is a question
32:34meaning goggles or face shield.
32:35It's either
32:36OK. Thank you. Alright, well saved us.
32:40Roy singing us or one of
32:41you guys giving us a song.
32:43Thank you welcome Dean Brown for coming.
32:45Does this mean I have to say what's the?
32:49Did you you draw a crowd? There's?
32:50There's a lot of attendees,
32:51and they're eager to hear from you.
32:54We have. I kept them on a tight
32:56limit so they were very good.
32:57So welcome to town hall and this is broad.
33:00Based in both faculty and
33:02and our APS and staff.
33:04And it's a monthly occasion,
33:06so we thank you for joining us, my
33:08pleasure and and really very pleased
33:10to update you on the status of
33:13the search for your new director.
33:15As you know, the committee was chaired by.
33:20Rick Edelson other members Akiko Esaki,
33:23Chen Lu, Diane Kelly,
33:25Elena Ratner you know Williams Gary Dizzier,
33:27hyphen Lin, Jennifer Ogilvie,
33:29Keith Churchwell Lori Pickens
33:31Mark Lemon Patrick Penny,
33:33Ranjeet Bindra and Valentino Greco.
33:37The the. Search firm come.
33:43I did an amazing job and brought
33:45forward and I think it reflects on
33:47you as a center that there was a great
33:51deal of interest from top candidates.
33:55So much so that after the committee
33:58completed the what we call the
34:00airport interview or the you know,
34:01rounds of interviews.
34:03I normally ask them too.
34:07Narrow to three finalists,
34:08that committee was not able to do that
34:11and actually narrowed to six finalists,
34:14and because of that we then went to
34:18a series of zoom interviews with
34:21some key stakeholders to narrow
34:23to our three finalists,
34:25which we have now done, and we have three.
34:29Even that was extremely difficult.
34:31I will say we have three
34:34outstanding finalists who will now.
34:37Come on site for a hybrid of in person
34:41interviews of about two day visit and
34:45with a combined with a zoom interview.
34:48We've found over our last couple of
34:51searches that that actually facilitates
34:54more engagement, for example by.
34:56Trainees or people you know at
34:59different sites who can't get on
35:02campus for an in person meeting and
35:06the three finalists are Eric Weiner,
35:10Jennifer Grandis and Jedd Wolchok,
35:14and they will be here starting
35:16next week and the last one is
35:20currently scheduled for UM.
35:24The 18th or so of October.
35:27Each of them is very enthusiastic
35:31and excited and I'm really looking
35:34forward to our getting to spend
35:36some time with them and and think
35:39about the vision for this center so
35:44I don't know if we have the capacity
35:46needed to take questions in the
35:48chat or in any other way. So
35:50we do. We actually re-enable actually
35:53even put them on camera. I think.
35:55So, OK, I suspect there are a lot of
35:58questions if you service attendance.
36:00Respect everyone's curious, so Rene,
36:03what would be the best way they
36:05raise their hand or they put a chat?
36:07How would you like to do this?
36:11I think probably if they put their
36:13question and then we can upgrade
36:15them to the to the message so we can
36:17kind of make it more interactive.
36:19I know you all have a lot of questions
36:21so and I know Dean Brown made the time
36:23to sort of answer those questions,
36:25then I'm going to say the same thing.
36:27All of the finalists are very
36:30excited about our all of our combined
36:34organization and R&R in Hips met.
36:36Said many of us and I have to say I'm
36:40really excited about all three finalists.
36:43Maybe I'll start with the first question.
36:45While people are being shy in terms
36:48of the ability to meet the candidates,
36:51I know that we're putting together
36:53their vision talk,
36:54but will some of the people have an
36:57ability to meet the the finalist?
37:00Yes, so they will be here for two days
37:03and we have a you know let me call out.
37:07Rowan Mcquade, who runs all of our
37:09leadership searches and who has
37:11the job taking a spreadsheet that
37:13I've given her and many of you have
37:15had input to into and you know,
37:18slotting in many meetings and including,
37:22you know, meals and lots of opportunities,
37:25and so two days will be in person.
37:28And then again we will have each of them
37:31will have an opportunity to give a talk.
37:33These are hard talks to give.
37:35Because you, you you know,
37:37have to kind of express your vision,
37:42you may want to talk about your own
37:45background and there's a lot to get.
37:47And so you know it's.
37:50I would say the talks should not
37:52be a make or break.
37:53You know,
37:54it just gives you a flavor of
37:56somebody that gives them a chance
37:58to organize their their thoughts so.
38:02Perfect
38:02and I know that your office,
38:04Rowan also asked us to put small
38:05groups with at the different.
38:07Yes sort of ranks,
38:09so that's also there with including
38:11fellows and faculty at the various levels.
38:14So now questions are coming in
38:16the first one coming from Doctor
38:18Rachel Green Green up,
38:19who's our new chief of breast surgery?
38:20What are wonderful candidates?
38:22What are the driving priorities
38:24that will inform your decision?
38:28Yeah, so you know I told the committee, uhm.
38:32That in some sense, uh,
38:35these these candidates have to be a
38:38triple threat in every sense of the word,
38:42but ultimately they have to be people who
38:46can lead who lead with the highest values,
38:50who can promote the excellence of our our.
38:55A faculty in our center and who
38:57are able to articulate a vision
39:00that everybody can get behind.
39:02And you know again,
39:04we are very well poised but we
39:08are not where we can be so. The
39:11next question maybe is a big,
39:13perhaps many of the folks may
39:15not know these candidates,
39:16so can you share a little bit more
39:18about each candidate for those of
39:19us who may not be familiar, sure,
39:23so I'll start with Eric Weiner.
39:26Eric is a medical oncologist who
39:30specializes in breast cancer.
39:32He is, at the Dana Farber.
39:37Where he has been for a long time.
39:38He's actually was a Yale.
39:41Uhm, undergraduate and you know
39:44medical student and he is the
39:47incoming president of ASCO I believe.
39:50But very involved in ASCO
39:53and and I would say that,
39:55you know because of his connections to Yale.
39:58You know one of the draws for him is.
40:02Is is that dumb so that's, uh,
40:05and then Jed is at Memorial Sloan
40:09Kettering a you know leader in.
40:15Immunotherapeutics in particular has
40:17been leading the Parker Institute at MSK,
40:22which is a.
40:26Foundation funded institute that brings
40:29together leading immuno therapists
40:32and and a terrific scientists.
40:35And then the third Jennifer Grandis is
40:38on the West Coast and has had a is a.
40:43Uhm, E&T head and neck surgeon and she's
40:49had a variety of roles in cancer centers,
40:53but also in academia,
40:55including promotional roles and
40:57directing of a CTSA in the past,
41:00and so a very broad leadership background.
41:04So again, you know, incredibly.
41:07Uhm, talented,
41:09slightly different variations on the theme,
41:13but I think we we would be
41:14lucky to get any one of them.
41:16Yeah, and I agree all three are
41:18fabulous and excited and I think the
41:20other piece which maybe people will
41:22come feel comfortable or may not.
41:24And these are some of
41:26the questions I've heard.
41:27One is of course the question that
41:29comes up is how is the school and
41:33the hospital partnering together
41:34in in this very critical search.
41:37Yeah, you know so we've now
41:40done a number of clinical chair
41:42searches and I I have to say, come.
41:45It's been a pleasure.
41:48We work closely with the hospital,
41:50and in particular with the church,
41:52well in terms of crafting
41:56offers and Keith and I often.
42:00You know, come to the same.
42:01We always end up coming to the
42:03same conclusion about who the lead
42:05candidate is and and it's a you know.
42:09I think we share.
42:10The desire to invest in the success
42:13of this person and so it's a matter
42:15of figuring out how to do that,
42:18and it's very collegial and and
42:21I'm I'm excited about that as well,
42:24and just reminding everybody that Lori
42:26Pickens represented the hospital and
42:29the search committee also and Mason,
42:31well, I think one piece that a lot of
42:33faculty have been worried that they
42:35may affect them is, and you know,
42:37this is the CTO in the clinical trials,
42:40and there's been a lot of consternation.
42:42And I wonder if you can touch base on
42:45what's been shared and what you think has
42:47been the response from the candidates.
42:50Yeah, so again, let me say thank you to
42:54those who have been working very hard
42:57on the CTO and particularly Roy. The.
43:01The institutions and I say institutions
43:04because it includes the hospital and the
43:08school and Yale medicine are investing.
43:12A significant amount of money and resources
43:16in getting the CTO where it needs to be.
43:19The biggest challenge that we've had
43:22is the national competition for people
43:25who have the the training and the
43:29talents and we have worked closely
43:31with the university to enable us to now
43:35recruit people who can work elsewhere.
43:38We were losing a lot of candidates
43:41because of that. We've also put in place.
43:44An interim leader who is, I think,
43:48really stabilizing and at the administrative
43:50level and and and helping to turn around,
43:53and one of the.
43:56You know, I think when you when
43:58you talked to finalists,
43:59when I talked to find list,
44:01you know it's a very realistic
44:04assessment of what are the challenges
44:06and what do we need to address those
44:09challenges and so we're already
44:11starting to have those conversations
44:13with each of the finalists.
44:15The
44:16there's a question from Dan on when
44:18do you expect to make a decision?
44:20Yeah, pretty rapidly.
44:22You know, I think, uh.
44:25One starts to get a sense as
44:28the process goes on and and
44:30I in in the finalist process.
44:32Already we're, you know,
44:34asking people to start to express
44:36a vision which allows it informs
44:38the resources that people will
44:40need and you know in in my head,
44:42you know I may have three draft letters,
44:45offer letters in my head as
44:47we're having these conversations
44:49before we make our final so
44:50we can act pretty quickly so.
44:54You know, I hope, uhm?
44:57Mid fall.
44:58Perfect I think one of the other, UM.
45:02Key areas that I suspect a lot of the
45:06folks on the UM in the Cancer Center also
45:09concerned is our CCSG grant renewal.
45:13Yes, and how will that be impacted?
45:15What should we do?
45:17And it may be helpful to not only hear what.
45:21You know, maybe.
45:22You sort of are thinking,
45:24but also what the candidates
45:26experiences are in in grant renewal.
45:28Because I suspect many
45:30people are concerned about,
45:31you know there's a grant renewal
45:33for the next director and how
45:35ready are they with that, yeah?
45:38So each of these uh leaders has pretty
45:42extensive grant writing experience and
45:45grant writing experience for cancer centers.
45:50We the conversation that we've had,
45:53is whether to. Delay submission a year.
45:57The NCI will fund us at our current level
46:00for that year and what we have said as
46:03a leadership team is that we will make
46:06a decision in the next month or so,
46:08but I think that.
46:11One of the things that will inform that
46:13decision is the input from our candidates,
46:15as as we're meeting with them in terms
46:19of preference and and we have when.
46:22When Charlie was coming,
46:24he was working with many of you too brightly.
46:28A renewal submitted as he was arriving,
46:31so we have experience doing that.
46:33It's not easy and and.
46:36Well, as I say,
46:37we'll make a decision within the next month.
46:39Can
46:40see, I think, that one of the
46:42other things that a lot of faculty
46:44have been in this is, you know,
46:45just general as we have spread so much.
46:49How do we keep the connections
46:51of all of our care centers?
46:53There's 14 if I'm getting them right.
46:55Care centers where cancer services
46:57are performed and our physicians
46:59are scattered around all those
47:00sites in how do we connect?
47:02And then there's nursing teams
47:04in APR ends and all those tapes
47:06and all those things and one of
47:08the things that I have seen is.
47:09See some amount of worry and concerns
47:12that how does do we create a culture
47:15and connectivity and make sure
47:17that our mission which is devoted
47:19to our patient continues forward.
47:21Yeah, I don't know if this has
47:23come up with the candidates,
47:24but it's something that I've heard
47:26a lot from our new emerging leaders
47:28also as well as junior faculty.
47:30Well,
47:31I think this is, you know,
47:32when you start to think about what might
47:35differentiate one candidate versus
47:37another given their incredible talents.
47:39I think the ability to do
47:41this maybe one thing right,
47:42but and so I'm not going to answer the
47:46question because I think each of them
47:48will have a vision of how to do that.
47:51It's extremely important,
47:52it's it is very doable.
47:54It takes creativity and leadership
47:56and that's what we're gonna
47:58be looking for. The
47:59other part, which is important
48:01in terms of not only to the
48:03institution and I know to you,
48:04but also to the CCSG as is,
48:07and it's becoming a important scoring
48:10pieces attention to the I guess,
48:12and I know we have chatted,
48:14but it may be helpful to sort
48:16of for everyone else to hear
48:18and also maybe to hear some of.
48:20Or maybe we'll find out as they talk,
48:21but this is an important component
48:24of the SCHS G grant renewal
48:27and I know there has been over
48:29the past year led by Kevin.
48:31Billingsley and hairy cougar.
48:32A lot of working in this space and then,
48:36as you know,
48:37via appointed Dr Burtness Barbara
48:39Burtness as our interim Associate
48:40director of the eye in this space.
48:42But it's an important area not only
48:45broadly for academic medical centers,
48:47but also for the CCSG Yeah, uhm.
48:52So I think there are two aspects of
48:54this and where I thought you were going.
48:56This was the HealthEquity
48:57piece for the CCSG but but
48:59actually well that's the other next question.
49:03We talking about is the faculty diversity.
49:08Inclusion and end.
49:10So I think we get that we we have just.
49:14If you haven't looked at it.
49:17Posted on the on our office of DIY Web
49:20page is a strategic plan for our faculty
49:25and I think much of what is in there
49:27is applicable to the Cancer Center
49:30or just as it is to any department
49:33and the the core of that plan is not.
49:37It is retention,
49:38but it's also I'm sorry is is recruitment
49:41but it's also retention right?
49:43How do we retain our diverse trainees?
49:46You know, so this year our incoming residency
49:51class is 24% underrepresented in medicine.
49:54That's a big improvement.
49:56Over prior years,
49:57we need to make sure that we, you know,
50:00retain our best and brightest and
50:02keep them here into our fellowships.
50:04And then our fellows into our faculty.
50:06But.
50:08The Cancer Center is, you know,
50:09the the recruitment of the Faculty
50:12Cancer Center are not just in
50:14the in the Cancer Center itself,
50:16but in all of the related departments,
50:18and so the conversations that I'm having
50:21with many chairs are about candidates
50:23who will bring diversity and the other
50:27aspects of our strategic plan are around.
50:31Mentorship and sponsorship of faculty.
50:34Once they're here and.
50:39So,
50:39so there are many elements of it,
50:41and we're also changing our search
50:44processes to make sure that we are.
50:47Really reaching out deeply for the best or
50:51widely for the best candidates and we are.
50:54We are starting to make a dent.
50:57And then there's a question about the flip.
50:59The other part,
50:59which I think you were also going,
51:01yes called the equity and,
51:02and that's another another important piece.
51:05And I was in you kind of already fixed.
51:08Figured out my next question.
51:09But that's also another piece and you know,
51:11we live in a very rich,
51:12diverse environment,
51:13and that's a piece that I suspect
51:16we're also actively talking
51:18about an uptick with you. Yeah,
51:20and I think that UM.
51:23You know, there obviously the
51:25work of Marcelo Nunez Smith,
51:27both in the Cancer Center.
51:28But more broadly and strategic thinking
51:33strategically about how we do that.
51:35One of the things that she and I have
51:37been talking about is taking the.
51:43Infrastructure that we stood up
51:46for COVID research correct and and.
51:50Reapplying that now in the HealthEquity
51:53area and so in the cancer.
51:56Arena, for example,
51:57our cultural ambassadors have have
51:59emphasized prostate cancer as something
52:01that's of extreme importance to them and you.
52:04You could imagine standing up.
52:07A community organizations others who will
52:12facilitate making therapies accessible,
52:17and this is Isaac. Tim second day.
52:23But he and I have already talked
52:26about some recruitments that would.
52:28Add value in this area and help
52:30us make care more accessible and
52:32I think we need to look at this
52:35across every area of cancer.
52:37For those who don't know,
52:38Doctor Kim is our new chair of Urology.
52:41A couple more questions were guidelines
52:42or key components provided to the
52:44candidates in preparation of their visit.
52:46Vision talks. If so,
52:47can you review those elements and
52:49I can say yes, yes yes. Yes yes.
52:51Lots of guidelines, but I
52:53would say guidance more
52:54than guidelines you know.
52:55I think this is a really individual kind of.
53:00Thing, and so no.
53:01No one said, you know,
53:03cover these five elements.
53:04I think this is a chance for you to see
53:07how people think and how they organize.
53:10You know how they present themselves.
53:13Another question or in from
53:15Doctor Bill Kevin Billingsley,
53:17who I think you know,
53:17is our CMO Yes Medical Officer and
53:19Kevin as our Care center faculty.
53:21Are he stakeholders in our organization?
53:24Will they have an opportunity to
53:26interact with candidates even virtually?
53:29Come. The answer is yes.
53:31It virtually again because of the.
53:34The geography is probably the
53:35most effective way to do it.
53:39Absolutely, I think as Nancy as you know,
53:41about 60% of the cancer care is
53:43delivered in these care centers
53:45and the important stakeholders.
53:47For this. I'm looking if I missed
53:51any questions from the folks.
53:54I think in closing comments maybe if
53:56your broad observations and expectations,
53:59I think you alluded to it that you
54:01know where this Cancer Center.
54:02I know we're all very proud of her
54:05Cancer Center, but yet in the rankings.
54:08Uhm may not reflect that.
54:10I think we've all seen the newest rankings,
54:12and I know the director will
54:14have a huge role.
54:15But I know you're thinking
54:16about it more broader than that,
54:18as cancer care is delivered in a very
54:20distributed system and is affected by many,
54:23many parts.
54:24Maybe some you know thoughts on that,
54:27because I think this is a big
54:28part of you know.
54:29Also, although we shouldn't look at rankings,
54:31those do affect us.
54:32Yeah,
54:33so you know rankings are flawed.
54:38Report is a.
54:39It has a lot of unusual things,
54:42but I I think you pick.
54:44Those elements that come.
54:45Force you to move in the direction
54:48we need to move anyway, and you know.
54:51So obviously the quality pieces are dumb.
54:57Very relevant and and uhm.
55:00For cancer include, you know even how we
55:04think about palliative care and we have
55:06a very strong habit of care program.
55:08But you know that that comes
55:10into play as well.
55:14The the. Pieces around.
55:18Uhm? Reputation. Uh.
55:23Make up a significant proportion of
55:26our rankings and we have not done a
55:28very good job of getting the word out
55:31about everything that's going on here.
55:32And so we've had conversations with
55:36our communication team in the system
55:39and in your medicine about targeting.
55:43For example, national meetings like ASCO
55:45with information about what's going on here,
55:48various groups, and as well as the kind
55:52of doximity and and those sorts of things.
55:56But you know related to that is
55:59continuing to develop strong disease
56:01programs so that we are a destination
56:03site for more and more diseases.
56:05As we are, you know, in in many.
56:08So those are so few things,
56:11I think that we can do to.
56:14Realize the reputation that you deserve,
56:17and then the last piece which I
56:18know is close to your heart is
56:20the physician scientist pipeline.
56:22And how do we you know how have
56:25the candidates? Thought about it,
56:27is this something that's apparent to them?
56:29I presume it is and it's very annoying.
56:32What how you think about this,
56:34but it may be helpful 'cause
56:35this is important to our fellows.
56:37We have some great fellows,
56:38we're doing some ongoing recruitments
56:40but we don't keep a lot of our fellows
56:43and some of them have moved in.
56:45Perhaps some broader observations
56:47for not only Cancer Center product
56:49for our organization.
56:50How we foster that pipeline up.
56:52But yeah, I know.
56:53And I I mentioned that when I mentioned
56:56the characteristics of of our. Uhm?
56:59Recruits and UM. It's striking that
57:04that each has a track record for UM.
57:08For developing faculty and in
57:10fact come in one case. One of the.
57:14One of our candidates, former trainees,
57:17sent me a page long email making
57:21sure that I knew that this person,
57:23you know was an incredible mentor
57:26and developer of faculty and.
57:29You know?
57:31When we when we start to get into
57:34the division talks and what their
57:37resources that they need are.
57:39One of the things that attracts them
57:41is or some of the newer programs
57:43that we're putting into place that go
57:46beyond the Cancer Center. That the.
57:48Help them know that we value this,
57:51and so that that's a factor,
57:54but UM, the K12 and other things
57:55that we have in the Cancer Center
57:58extremely important to them.
57:59So I I think.
58:02Again,
58:02that may be an area where it
58:04becomes a differentiator that
58:05we find somebody who's you know
58:07most successful at that.
58:10Nancy, Greta or any closing remarks you
58:12would like to make 'cause you also have,
58:15you know beyond the director,
58:16search anything else you'd like to say.
58:19Uhm, thank you, uh, you know,
58:22we've we've been through a challenging 18
58:26months with COVID and it's had its impact
58:30on your care of cancer patients and.
58:34Thank you for continuing to offer
58:37outstanding care and you know the
58:38highlights of my day or when I get the
58:40note from a family member or the patient.
58:45Singing your praises and I try to
58:46share those back with you, but uhm.
58:51It's, you know, recruiting is one
58:53of the most fun things to do in
58:56this job because you get to see
58:58other people get really excited
59:00about you and this one has been.
59:04Gratifying so far and I
59:05look forward to landing.
59:06Somebody really grateful. Thank
59:08you so much for coming and talking to us.
59:10I know the entire our
59:14Cancer Center appreciates.
59:15I know they're very eager
59:17for their next director.
59:18I know, although you know,
59:20I'm here, I suspect we're all
59:22eager for our next director.
59:23And thank you also for acknowledging all
59:26the hard work this team has been doing.
59:28As you know that the cancer team
59:30was quite disrupted during code,
59:33they have come through brilliantly.
59:35Whether it's the nursing team,
59:36the physician team,
59:37so thank you Nancy for coming again.
59:39And everybody have a great evening
59:42I I will say
59:42thank you again.
59:43Will have lots of things to say.
59:45Thank you 'cause you're not
59:45off the hook yet, but neither
59:47you've really stepped up in a
59:48big way and so appreciate that.
59:50Thanks and and a reminder to everybody.
59:52Next town Hall is October 7th
59:55at 5:00 PM and then as usual
59:58if you have agenda items,
59:59email Renee Yelk answers dot dot Edu.
01:00:03Thank you everybody.org take
01:00:05care everybody. Bye bye.