Behind the Scenes — June 2020

From the Telehealth Director

Dear UNC Cancer Network Friends, 

Like so many people around the world, we here at the UNC Cancer Network are both heartbroken and outraged by the senseless death of George Floyd and by the legacy of systematic racial injustice that has brought us to this point in our nation’s history. We grieve with Mr. Floyd’s family, and, like so many Americans, we look to find ways to make a positive difference in our communities. We believe that Black Lives Matter, and we redouble our commitment to speak out against violence in all forms.   

This Wednesday’s lecture is The Role of Race in Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survivorship. It will be presented by Samuel Cykert, MD, and Christina Yogue, MPH, MCHES. The lecture will explore racial disparities in treatment and examine how systemic intervention can attenuate systemic racism. I hope that you will be able to attend this lecture. Details and registration information may be found at https://unclineberger.org/unclcn/event/06102020/ . 

All the best,   

Tim

The UNC Cancer Network
has a new Team Member

by Mary E. King

We are delighted to announce that Carolyn McKenzie, PhD, RN, CNE, has joined our UNC Cancer Network team, part-time, as of March 2020 as an Education Specialist. Her job responsibilities will include creating assessments for UNC Cancer Network lectures and working with lecture planning committees to select future lecture topics and presenters.

Carolyn has years of experience in increasingly responsible roles within the UNC School of Nursing (SON). She was an associate clinical professor and taught both graduate and undergraduate courses. She served on many SON committees, including admissions and progression committees. For years, Carolyn was a member of the Faculty Executive committee for the SON and taught many classes to licensed nurses through the AHEC program. She most recently worked on writing and compiling the application for the SON becoming a Center of Excellence and for the recertification/self-study for the Center for Lifelong Learning. Carolyn’s experience is enhanced by a bachelor’s degree from UNC Charlotte, a master’s degree in education from UNC Greensboro, and a Ph.D. in Nursing Research from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is a Certified Nurse Educator and was a certified Clinical Nurse Leader in the past two years. Carolyn’s research has been in the area of adult diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We are confident that her experience and knowledge will add another layer of success to our efforts to bring you the best possible lecturers.

Carolyn enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, two boys, and one girl, all under the age of eight. Since retiring in August of 2019, she spends lots of time caring for her seven dogs and two cats and trying to do things around the house that she never had time for when she worked full-time.

We are confident that Carolyn’s experience and knowledge will add another layer of success to our efforts to bring you the best possible lectures, and we are thrilled to have her join our team! Please join us in welcoming Carolyn. She can be reached at mckenzic@email.unc.edu.

Upcoming Live Events

June 10, 2020 | 12:00–1:00 pm

Samuel Cykert, MD

Christina Yongue, MPH, MCHES

The Role of Race in Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survivorship
unccn.org/06102020

Samuel Cykert, MD, and Christina Yongue, MPH, MCHES, will discuss the role of race in cancer treatment and survivorship. Topics may include issues around bias, access to care, and addressing disparities with systematic interventions.

May 27, 2020 | 12:00–1:00 pm

Trevor Royce, MD, MPH

Radiation Oncology in North Carolina: Updates for 2020
unccn.org/06242020

Dr. Trevor Royce from the UNC Lineberger Department of Radiation Oncology will describe relevant updates in radiation oncology for health care providers throughout the state of North Carolina. With a focus on bladder cancer – highlights could include updates on techniques and indications for radiotherapy, toxicity monitoring, recent research, and other issues.

Our lecture calendar can be found at https://unclineberger.org/unclcn/calendars/telehealth-lectures/.

Recent Additions to the Learning Portal

Amy M. Goetzinger, PhD

Use of Opioids in Patients with Cancer in North Carolina

Amy M. Goetzinger, PhD, will discuss concerns and strategies related to the use of opioids in patients with cancer in North Carolina. Dr. Goetzinger will share best-recommended approaches for the identification and management of cancer-related pain.

Frances Collichio, MD

Immune (check point) Related Adverse Events

Dr. Frances Collichio from the UNC Lineberger Melanoma group will describe relevant updates in understanding and managing toxicities of immunotherapies for health care providers throughout the state of North Carolina.

These and other Self-Paced, Online Courses are on our Learning Portal