Women's Health and Cancer Conference

Welcome and Introduction

WHY I HATED SUPPORT GROUPS BEFORE EVER ATTENDING ONE
Cancer runs through Lisa Wise’s blood. As a third-generation lymphoma patient, she thought she had seen it all. But when it was finally her turn to wear that undignified hospital gown, she knew a lot about IV poles, surgical scars and palliative care, but not how to ask for support. Lisa comes from a long line of fiercely independent folks who didn't ask for help. In this talk, she will address what scares us most about being vulnerable — especially in a group setting — and how reaching out to others and creating an environment of support can enable profound connections and help us feel less alone. Let’s explore thriving gracefully together in our toughest moments. Spoiler alert: we will laugh!

Lisa is working on an essay collection titled INCURABLE AND OTHER COMPLIMENTS about her exciting adventures as "Patient #1" in an experimental clinical drug trial. More at lisajwise.com.
CME: P, N, Pharm, PA, PT, SW

EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENT OF PAIN WITH JOSHUA PLAVIN AND A PANEL OF GUESTS.
Chronic pain and cancer often go together. This panel will explore the environment of whole person integrative care as a component of treatment for high-impact, chronic pain. Panelists will share transdisciplinary and group models of care from the perspectives of patients and integrative providers with special consideration for both patient and provider experiences and outcomes.
CME: P, N, Pharm, PA, PT, RD, SW

This talk will present an overview of what is known about environmental risk factors, primarily physical and chemical, for cancer. To help understand this complex and diverse topic, Dr. Engel will focus on several cancers, including breast cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He will discuss what is currently known about environmental contributors to these and other cancers as well as some of the challenges of conducting such research.
CME: P, N, Pharm, PA, PT, SW

As a mindfulness meditation teacher, Donna’s goal is to create a safe, educational space for you to discover, through mindfulness practices and inquiry, the power of befriending yourself and seeing life as it really is. Join Donna for a 25-minute demo and practice Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).
CME: N/A
In-person only, maximum participation = 30

While it is generally accepted that what we eat impacts health outcomes, we less commonly extend that conversation to agricultural practices and the larger food ecosystem. This panel will provide an overview of the connections between soil microbiology, plant foods, the gut microbiome, the human immune system, and what this information means for individual health behaviors and food choice.
CME: P, N, Pharm, PA, PT, RD

Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Coach, and Yoga Instructor, Erin Bingham, will invite you to move or imagine moving your body in ways that are safe, soothing, and accessible for you. Erin is trained in Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga and Kripalu Yoga and uses these as the foundation for her yoga facilitation.
CME: N/A
In-person only, maximum participation = 30

A welcome by Randall Holcombe*, MD, MBA Director, University of Vermont Cancer Center and Molly Barry*, MD Co-Chair, Women’s Health and Cancer Conference; Medical Oncologist, UVMCC

Climate change intersects with cancer in several ways. Extreme weather events like the recent flooding seen across Vermont increase environmental exposure to carcinogens, and disrupt access to cancer care. At the same time, the large carbon footprint of the healthcare system compels us to rethink the way we provide care in a move toward carbon-neutrality. In this keynote address, we will consider these bi-directional connections between cancer and climate, with an emphasis on identifying pathways forward that are better for both people and the planet.
CME: P, N, Pharm, PA, PT, RD, SW

Introduce key concepts, structure and major research evidence relating to Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (PAT) in modern clinical trials with a particular focus on the use of psilocybin in the context of cancer. Discuss scientific findings and gaps in our knowledge about the role of therapeutic relationships during the process of PAT.
CME: P, Pharm, PA, RD, SW

Support Group Facilitation Toolkit. What is the one thing EVERY support group leader is missing? Their own support group! This session will unpack what a group facilitator needs to have in their official toolkit, and what hacks are helpful to have in your back pocket. Discussing how to navigate challenging group dynamics, personal pitfalls, die-hard Debbie Downers, and "vulnerability hangovers," we will also celebrate the sheer beauty of true connection. Along the way, we’ll emphasize the imperative of taking care of ourselves while we’re taking care of others. Guaranteed fun.
CME: P, N, Pharm, PA, PT, SW

Join Integrative Oncology Health & Wellness Coach Jessica Coleman to learn about your “Wheel of Health.” During this demo you will first be introduced to UVM’s unique whole-health tool, then invited to consider and explore what your “wheel” looks like now. In her current practice at UVMMC's Cancer Center, Jessica works one-on-one with oncology patients, supporting individuals as they identify personal health goals and create a plan for adopting healthy habits. Jessica is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach.
CME: N/A
In-person only, maximum participation = 30

We are more microbe than human. The majority of these microbes help maintain health, but modern life can result in imbalances in the microbial composition. We are now learning how these imbalances can result in a host of diseases including cancers. Our expanding knowledge on this topic is also helping develop interesting new ways of treating and preventing cancer.

CME: P, N, Pharm, PA, PT, RD