2023 ACS CAN Research and Innovation Forum

The ACS CAN Minnesota Research and Innovation Forum is a premier event that brings together leaders from the business, education, medical, government and research communities to advance the work of ACS CAN. The event not only unites those in Minnesota who are fighting to end cancer, but it also serves to support ACS CAN and its work.

The October 17 event will focus on the latest innovations in cancer research. Attendees will hear directly from survivors, caregivers, providers, researchers, and public health advocates about how research impacts Minnesota's cancer community and informs ACS CAN's public policy initiatives.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, is the nation’s leading cancer advocacy organization working every day to make cancer issues a top priority. ACS CAN unites and empowers cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, and their loved ones, giving them the training and tools they need to be heard.

AGENDA

8:30AM - BREAKFAST AND NETWORKING

9:30AM - WELCOMING REMARKS

PROVIDER AND PUBLIC HEALTH PANEL

• Moderator: Elizabeth Emerson, Vice President, Public Affairs, Goff Public
• Monica Buchanan, Ph.D., Field Medical Director, GRAIL  
• Kris Newcomer, Project Director, Breast Cancer Gaps Project 
• Sumedha Penheiter, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration, Mayo Clinic, Vice-Chair, Minnesota Cancer Alliance
• Irina Stepanov, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Global Cancer Prevention Research, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota 

PATIENT, SURVIVOR AND CAREGIVER PANEL

• Haley Erickson, breast cancer survivor 
• ​​​​​Gene Nichols, community advocate and cancer survivor  
• Ryne Wilson, DNP, RN, OCN, patient advocate 

ACS CAN 'SPIRIT OF ADVOCACY' AWARD PRESENTATION
Senator Melissa Wiklund (51, DFL), Chair, Senate Health and Human Services

CLOSING REMARKS

EVENT SPONSORS

Please consider making a donation to support the work of ACS CAN Minnesota. 

If you are feeling sick or have been recently exposed to someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19, you should stay home. People who have underlying health conditions or taking medications that weaken the immune system should talk to their healthcare provider before attending large gatherings.

RECOGNIZE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS The CDC has identified the symptoms of a COVID-19 infection. If you have one or more of these symptoms on the day of the event, please stay home. If you are waiting for COVID-19 test results or have had close contact with a person who has tested positive for or who has COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home unless you get a negative test result before the event.

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY The COVID-19 virus and its variants are highly contagious. Some people infected with these viruses get severely ill, become hospitalized or die. Event attendees acknowledge the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, assume all such risk, and the American Cancer Society, Inc., shall not be held liable.