In the October 10, 2024, issue of The ASCO Post, we shared some unique insights from several recipients of the international development and education award (IDEA). As oncologists and cancer researchers from diverse low- and middle-income countries, their experiences at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting (ASCO24) had a profound impact on both their professional and personal growth. Here are more reflections from others who have received the IDEA and attended ASCO24. For a full list of the 2024 IDEA awardees, see the September 10, 2024, issue of The ASCO Post.
Pankaj Singhai, MD
Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, Sri Aurobindo University, Indore, India
Pankaj Singhai, MD
“ASCO24 marked a significant milestone for palliative care with its robust inclusion of sessions dedicated to supportive care. Aligning with the conference’s overarching theme, “The Art and Science of Cancer Care: From Comfort to Cure,” it spotlighted the pivotal role of early integrated palliative care in oncology. I was deeply touched by the President’s address, emphasizing “to comfort always.” Thousands of oncologists worldwide gained insights into the importance of symptom management, psychosocial support, and rehabilitation. It was encouraging to see widespread acknowledgment and support for palliative care across different regions, signaling progress in enhancing access to specialized palliative care within oncology.”
Shama Pandey, MD
Department of Clinical Oncology, Bir Hospital, National Academy of Medical Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal
Shama Pandey, MD
“ASCO24 was a whirlwind! The largest conference I have ever been to delivered on all fronts. From the President’s electrifying address to the Plenary Session’s thunderous ovation, the energy was palpable. Networking with global physicians was invaluable, and the trainee lounge fostered a fantastic sense of community. Sessions on global oncology and women’s health highlighted the conference’s commitment to diverse cancer care needs.”
HebatAllah Mahmoud, MD
Clinical Oncology Department, Asyut University Hospital, Asyut, Egypt
HebatAllah Mahmoud, MD
“ASCO24 was my first ASCO meeting. McCormick Place is a vast building with such a large surface area that you need a scooter to move from one side to the other or be in good physical condition to run to attend your preferred sessions. I was astonished by its incredible organizational structure, the number of attendees, the dense scientific program, and the robust networking opportunities that helped all to enhance their career development and dissolve boundaries across the world.”
Tawasapon Thambamroong, MD
Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
Tawasapon Thambamroong, MD
“My experience as an IDEA 2024 Awardee from Thailand has been incredibly insightful. The opportunity to connect with the global oncology community has broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field. One key takeaway is the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing cancer research and treatment. The exchange of ideas and experiences has emphasized the significance of international cooperation in driving progress and innovation in oncology. I am truly grateful for this enriching experience and look forward to translating these insights into meaningful contributions to the fight against cancer.”
Ghazal Tansir, MD
Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Ghazal Tansir, MD
“ASCO24 and the IDEA award were both eye-opening experiences of a lifetime. As an early-career oncologist from a lower-middle income country, this was an opportunity to gain valuable insights from the stalwarts of the field. The IDEA workshops pushed us out of our comfort zones with engaging exercises, building our confidence to approach the oncology community with a new enthusiasm. Concepts I learned here, such as “an elevator pitch” and “less is more” were novel to me, and I will use them throughout my life now. I have returned to India enlightened, motivated, invigorated, and raring to achieve more.”
David Lee, MD
Department of Clinical Oncology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
David Lee, MD
“ASCO24 and the IDEA award were transformative experiences. Immersed in cutting-edge oncology research, I gained invaluable insights into the latest advancements in cancer treatment. Engaging with global experts and like-minded peers fostered an enriching exchange of ideas and collaborative learning. Hands-on workshops and interactive sessions honed my skills and confidence. The extended tour to a U.S. cancer center was particularly impactful, guiding my professional growth and research endeavors. The program’s emphasis on development and education reinforced my commitment to improving patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Overall, the IDEA award was an inspiring journey that will profoundly shape my career in oncology.”
Ramesh Shrestha, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
Ramesh Shrestha, MD
“The ASCO24 and the IDEA award journey was really a milestone to boost, shape, and sharpen my career in oncology and serve patients with cancer who are in pain. Focusing on the early integration of palliative care, active listening skills, interpersonal communication skills, presentation effectiveness (60-30-10 rule), elevator pitch, mentor-mentee relationship, and less is more are the key highlights of the ASCO IDEA interactive session. Thanks to Frank Ferris, MD, and his colleagues for the excellent execution of the key IDEA session. ASCO24 was also invaluable for early-career oncologists like us. It was a first of its kind for me, interacting with thousands of attendees. I enjoyed listening to salient subjects, the final Plenary Session with groundbreaking innovative results, and the eye-opening presidential address, as well as attending educational sessions, the early-career oncology meeting, and the JCO session. For me, it was a dream for oncologists to attend at least once in their lifetime.
“I would also like to acknowledge the extended tour to the mentor’s institute, which was informative and interactive, with lots of innovative learning experiences and interchanges. Lastly, it has really given me enormous power and an insight in the fight against cancer. Thanks to ASCO for this opportunity.”
Vivek Ghosh, MD
Department of Clinical Oncology, Birat Medical College Teaching Hospital, Biratnagar, Nepal
Vivek Ghosh, MD
“Attending ASCO24 as an IDEA awardee was a wonderful experience for a young oncologist like me, one that I shall cherish throughout my lifetime. This was my first experience attending the largest oncology event, which provided an excellent opportunity to interact with and gain valuable insights from my international peers and leaders in the field of medicine. The entire program was well managed, and I was amazed by how smoothly all the events were conducted. The IDEA Leadership Skills course, conducted by Dr. Frank Ferris and Shreeniwas Lele, MD, was particularly impactful, leaving a lasting impression on my professional life. Our IDEA awardee team was really great, and we enjoyed being together and sharing our experiences. The scientific sessions, especially the poster presentations, were excellent for understanding the latest developments in various oncologic disciplines from a global perspective.
“Finally, visiting my mentor’s institution, the Lifespan Cancer Centre, Providence, Rhode Island, provided me with practical insights into health-care delivery in the United States. The faculty members, including Don Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO; Jaroslaw Hepel, MD; Kathryn DeCarli, MD; and Humera Khurshid, MD, were very welcoming. I am truly thankful to ASCO for this wonderful opportunity. Finally, thanks to Vanessa and Ariella for guiding us throughout this wonderful journey.”
Marina Čalamać, MD
Daily Chemotherapy Hospital, Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
Marina Čalamać, MD
“I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in ASCO24 with so many people from all over the world. The first 2 days spent with Dr. Ferris and his colleagues were life-changing. Without the skills they taught us, I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of all the opportunities ASCO has to offer, including making connections. All the experts I met personally were very supportive, which is important for a young oncologist. This experience profoundly impacted both my professional and personal life, especially meeting colleagues from diverse backgrounds and environments.”
Aparna Sharma, MD
Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Aparna Sharma, MD
“The first visit to ASCO24 (and my first visit to the United States) not only lived up to but surpassed all my expectations. It was no ordinary visit, and an additional cherry on top was being awarded the prestigious IDEA award. This experience broadened my view of the oncology landscape worldwide, as the program brought together oncologists from across the globe. I made friends for life! The mentorship and guidance provided during this experience were exceptional. Stalwarts such as Dr. Ferris and my mentor Stephanie Berg, DO, helped us elevate our knowledge and experience. We had the opportunity to travel to iconic institutions such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. We all pledged to disseminate our experiences to our colleagues for the future development of collaborations and mentorship. It was a great privilege and honor to be part of this endeavor.”
Mary Antonette Ong, MD
Philippine Society of Medical Oncology, Philippines
Mary Antonette Ong, MD
“Visiting our mentor’s institution was such a treat! It was like a sneak peek into our mentor’s ‘day-in-the-life.’ We saw firsthand the many hats clinicians wear and how they balanced it all. Many were spouses, parents, professors, authors, investigators, clinicians, artists, leaders, and more. I saw how my mentor could quickly shift gears from being an oncologist to being a soccer mom to her daughter. It was a classic act to witness how clinicians delivered bad news and rejoiced with their patients over successful treatments.
“It was also insightful to observe how things were done at my mentor’s cancer center. It was nice to see how nurses, nurse practitioners, medical assistants, and patient navigators worked together to help patients navigate their treatment journey. The efficient system in handling patients in the waiting room; electronic patient records; and patient care before, during, and after treatment was fascinating. Overall, it was a great experience to be with our mentors and shadow them for 3 days. We learned many valuable lessons at the bedside and beyond. This activity was well crafted and hats off to all ASCO volunteer mentors.”
Mariam Abuladze, MD, PhD
Todua Clinic, Tbilisi Medical Academy, Tbilisi, Georgia
Mariam Abuladze, MD, PhD
“Attending ASCO24 as an IDEA awardee was a phenomenal experience. Renowned as one of the top oncology conferences worldwide, its outstanding organization, the vast number of attendees, the comprehensive scientific program, and the excellent networking opportunities truly impressed me. The 2 days spent with Don Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO, and his colleagues were life changing. Without the skills they taught us, I wouldn’t be able to take advantage of all the opportunities ASCO offers, especially in making connections. Meeting experts who were so encouraging was very important for a young oncologist like me. This experience profoundly impacted my professional and personal life, especially meeting colleagues from diverse backgrounds and environments.
“Additionally, it was fascinating to meet some of the greatest oncologists from around the world, including those who have fewer resources than I do yet achieve remarkable things. Until now, I had only met oncologists from more developed countries with abundant resources. The insights I gained from them were invaluable.”
Adekunle E. Sajo, MD
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Adekunle E. Sajo, MD
“The IDEA award marked a significant breakthrough in my career. The leadership training propelled my trajectory in effective presentation and collaboration skills. The time I spent at my mentor institution provided the necessary fuel to continue striving for excellence in the care I offer to patients with gynecologic cancers. ASCO24 was an incredible opportunity to develop lifelong networks and collaborations with IDEA colleagues and professionals worldwide. It was also a significant milestone in my professional development as a gynecologic oncologist. Several abstracts presented in the field of women’s cancers were particularly inspiring for our future projects. I met great friends from all over the world and cannot wait to meet them again to strengthen our professional relationships at future ASCO meetings.”
Watch for more reflections from other IDEA awardees in future issues of The ASCO Post.
