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  4. FDA Oncology Center of Excellence Presents: Conversations on Cancer, Black History Month Program: “Real Talk: Our Stories as Black Oncologists at the FDA” - 02/27/2024
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Webcast | Virtual

Event Title
FDA Oncology Center of Excellence Presents: Conversations on Cancer, Black History Month Program: “Real Talk: Our Stories as Black Oncologists at the FDA”
February 27, 2024

Date:
February 27, 2024
Time:
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM ET
Organized By:
Organizer
Sponsored By:
Sponsor
Food and Drug Administration
Image
Conversations on Cancer, Black History Month Program: “Real Talk: Our Stories as Black Oncologists at the FDA” image

X (formerly Twitter): #ConversationsonCancer

Background: 

The FDA Oncology of Excellence (OCE) presents its 6th annual Conversations on Cancer program commemorating Black History Month titled, Real Talk: Our Stories as Black Oncologists at the FDA. Recently, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released data showing that African Americans will likely continue to be under-represented in medical oncology and African Americans compose only 4% of hematology/oncology fellows in the United States. Trends of graduating physicians from medical schools by race in the U.S. reveal the proportion of racial minorities in the field has increased substantially–except for African Americans. The relatively low number of African American medical oncologists has implications for the oncology workforce and delivery of quality cancer care. Furthermore, the National Academy of Medicine has reported a relationship between a shortage of minority health care providers and poor health outcomes for minority patients. This discussion will feature several African American medical oncologists who work at FDA to discuss their experiences, perspectives, and advice.

Discussion topics include:

  • Their unique backgrounds and how they were drawn to oncology.
  • Personal stories involving cancer and their motivation to work in this field, specifically at the FDA.
  • Early career experiences, and challenges and successes finding mentors who exposed them to the oncology field.
  • Hot button issues related to being an African American working in oncology.
  • Root causes behind the shortage of African American oncologists and potential solutions.
  • Their current role, unique opportunities, projects, and programs the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence offers for oncologists. 
  • Unique ways they give back to their community, and how they expose others to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. 
  • Their vision for the next generation and opinions on what needs to happen for future positive outcomes in oncology. 

Webcast Information: 

A free-of-charge webcast of this public panel discussion will be provided. Registration for the webcast is required at the link above. 
FDA plans to post archived webcast of this Conversations on Cancer program at: https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/project-community/conversations-cancer

Contact:

For any inquiries regarding this program, please send an email to: OCE-Engagement@fda.hhs.gov

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