The ASCO Annual Meeting brings together oncologists, researchers, and health-care professionals to share the latest advancements in cancer care. The 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting (ASCO24) was particularly momentous for those of who received the international development and education award (IDEA). As oncologists and cancer researchers from diverse low- and middle-income countries, their experiences were transformative. Here, several IDEA awardees share their unique insights highlighting the profound impact of the program on their professional and personal growth. For a full list of the 2024 IDEA awardees, see the September 10, 2024, issue of The ASCO Post.
Myriam Saadi, MD
Medical Oncology, Abderrahmen Mami Hospital of Ariana, Tunis, Tunisia
Myriam Saadi, MD
“ASCO2024 was my first ASCO Annual Meeting, and it was both overwhelming and impressive. The IDEA award made it even more special, as I got to share it with fellow awardees from various low- and middle-income countries around the world. It was beautiful to spend time together, struggle with jet lag, navigate the meeting together, and support each other. We were invited to many fascinating receptions, such as the President’s Reception and the World Oncology Leader’s Reception, to name a few. For me, ASCO2024 was more about networking than attending sessions, and that began with my fellow awardees, even before we arrived in Chicago. I hope this was just the first of many ASCO meetings for me. I am now proudly addicted to ASCO!”
Khalid El Bairi, MD
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Mohammed VI Polytechnic Benguerir, Morocco
Khalid El Bairi, MD
“To be honest, I achieved more in 8 days at ASCO24 than I have in an entire year. I had an oral abstract accepted, a simultaneous publication in JCO Global Oncology, another article in The ASCO Post, received the IDEA award, benefited from advances in oncology, attended courses on leadership, and became an ASCO Ally. In addition, I met a wonderful oncologist, Rachael Turner, MD, PhD, who is my mentor and shares similar research perspectives as mine. Because of her, I met Richard G. Moore, MD.
“Dr. Moore and his colleagues conducted extensive research on the HE4 protein and its potential as a biomarker for ovarian cancer. Their work was pivotal in developing HE4 for ovarian cancer detection, monitoring, and predicting response to treatments—a biomarker on which I wrote a review several years ago! I never thought I would meet one of the key scientists involved in the discovery of this biomarker for ovarian cancer, which is my current area of research. This amazing opportunity happened thanks to the IDEA program, and now we are exploring potential collaborations in the future with Dr Moore’s team.
“Additionally, I also met wonderful people whom I previously knew only through virtual interactions and scientific publications, including Prof. Sandra Swain, MD, FASCO; Prof. Bishal Gyawali, MD, PhD; and Prof. Giuseppe Curigliano, MD, PhD, to name just a few! To put it simply, the ASCO Annual Meeting is just the perfect place to grow.”
Sofia Vidaurre Mendes, MD
Institute D’or of Research and Education (IDOR), Oncology D’or, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Sofia Vidaurre Mendes, MD
“Participating in the IDEA program and attending ASCO2024 were transformative experiences for me. IDEA provided mentorship and networking opportunities, enabling me to connect with global leaders in oncology. Additionally, the 2-day workshop on leadership skills helped me make those connections and improve my leadership abilities. At ASCO24, we were exposed to the latest research and advancements in cancer therapy, which broadened our understanding and inspired new approaches in our real-world practice. The combination of hands-on learning and professional development at ASCO24 has significantly enhanced our skills and knowledge, reaffirming the critical role of continuous education in improving patient outcomes in oncology.”
Karishma Sharma, MD
Department of Hematology and Oncology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
Karishma Sharma, MD
“The IDEA award was my gateway to attend my first-ever ASCO conference! McCormick Place was nothing short of magnificent, and perhaps this was the first time I was surrounded by more than 40,000 people under the same roof. The presentation of groundbreaking science, novel therapies, and interaction with experts and peers gave me a comprehensive experience at the conference. I left ASCO2024 feeling inspired and motivated to change the face of cancer care and research in my country and hope to present some of the research at ASCO meetings in the future.”
Matheus Andrade, MD
Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo–ICESP-FMUSP, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Matheus Andrade, MD
“The IDEA program advances the frontiers of ASCO conference participation, also including leadership training and an academic visit to a reference institution. Sharing this experience with people from different parts of the world, in an environment that fosters growth and spirit of leadership, inspired me to start projects that previously did not seem possible. The connections built by the program will be fundamental for initiatives that were designed to be materialized into actions and may have a positive impact on oncology in my country and globally.”
Abeid Omar, MD
Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
Abeid Omar, MD
“The IDEA program was a turning point for me—a dream come true. During the leadership training, I was amazed to learn that presentation matters the most when meeting people and impressing them within 30 seconds with an elevator pitch was mind-blowing. Many thanks to the IDEA faculty, both the outgoing and incoming IDEA President/Chair, for being with us throughout our training. The presence of our mentors during the award ceremony and breakfast meeting showed how much they value us and are dedicated to this IDEA program. I can’t forget to thank Vanessa and Ariella for organizing the entire program, and particularly the World Oncology Leaders reception was the icing on the cake.
“Being part of the program allowed us to interact with past and current ASCO and Conquer Cancer leaders. Unlike other events, where we had to seek them out, they approached us and engaged in conversations, making us feel truly special. The visit to my mentor’s center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston was an extraordinary experience. Sara Tolaney, MD, MPH, organized an amazing program with different consultants in the field of breast cancer to help me experience the multidisciplinary approach. I hope the connections I have made will be long-lasting and will catapult my career growth, helping me earn more ASCO Conquer Cancer awards. Lastly, I fell in love with all my IDEA colleagues; it felt like having another family away from home. This was the best team.”
Amalya Sargsyan, MD
Adult Solid Tumor and Chemotherapy Clinic, Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center, Yerevan, Armenia
Amalya Sargsyan, MD
“The big talks and presentations were impressive and great, but the true ASCO experience came from connecting with people and exchanging ideas. If it’s your first time, more than 40,000 attendees can feel overwhelming. But when you build your network, it’s not 40,000 strangers to get lost among—it’s 40,000 potential connections. Where else could you interact with the pioneers who wrote guidelines, led groundbreaking trials, developed game-changing drugs, and even rub shoulders with former ASCO Presidents?
“Being part of the small IDEA group made it even more memorable. These 20-plus members created a tight-knit, academic community, sharing similar ideas, enthusiasm, and concerns. We attended sessions together, had meals, and met famous researchers as a group. Instead of being a face in the crowd, IDEA made us feel valued, giving us a chance to use an elevator pitch multiple times an hour. It fostered a friendly atmosphere for networking and the sense that we could be the ones presenting or leading next. Veteran members with 30+ years of experience helped envision the field’s future. Mentors boosted confidence in our current work and career trajectories. If you were once at the ASCO meeting, you’ll already start planning what to do to be there the next year.”
Girum Tessema Zingeta, MD
Intermediate Hospital Oshakati, Ministry of Health and Social Services, Oshakati, Oshana, Namibia
Girum Tessema Zingeta, MD
“Participating in the largest global medical conference and engaging with giant leaders in oncology present a significant opportunity for professional development as an oncologist. This experience not only allows for valuable insights and knowledge exchange, but also facilitates networking with mentors, fostering potential growth and career development. Furthermore, visiting cutting-edge medical facilities serves as a source of inspiration to enhance cancer care in underserved communities. These invaluable experiences and achievements would not have been attainable without the generous support of Conquer Cancer®, the ASCO Foundation through the IDEA program. This initiative has played a pivotal role in enabling oncologists and cancer researchers to expand their horizons, establish connections, and contribute toward improving patient care on a global scale. Early-career oncologists’ corner, plenary sessions, and highlights of the day were the most attractive ones to me, as you can tackle updates from past, present, and future.”
Long Nguyen, MD
Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam
Long Nguyen, MD
“The ASCO Annual Meeting is indeed one of the largest cancer conferences in the world, attracting more than 40,000 people to McCormick Place in Chicago. Many sessions, even though held in auditoriums that could accommodate thousands, were packed with oncologists from all over the world. Listening to groundbreaking studies, having the chance to meet and connect with leading experts in the field, and gaining a global perspective on cancer care have been eye-opening for me. The IDEA award and ASCO24 have given me enormous motivation to be a part of the fight against cancer.”
Kinjal Shankar Majumdar, MS, MCh
Department of Head & Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
Kinjal Shankar Majumdar, MS, MCh
“Amid the glow of projector screens and hushed murmurs, ASCO24 surged with expectations and anticipations. Experts exchanged insights on groundbreaking clinical trials, while earnest discussions delved into the promise of precision medicine. Attendees, from seasoned oncologists to impassioned researchers, forged connections, igniting collaborations that could redefine the future of cancer care. Delegations across the world resonated ASCO’s mission of global oncology. Empowering artificial intelligence to overcome resource constraints and developing oral chemotherapy repository envisage the commitment toward health equity. Amid the hustle, a quiet determination lingered—a shared resolve to push geographic boundaries and advocate progress in the fight against cancer. Thanks to the whole team at ASCO, our wonderful mentors, and all IDEA awardees who made all this possible for me. I can proudly call it my second family now.”
Watch for more reflections from other IDEA awardees in future issues of The ASCO Post.
