The Role of Clinical Trials
Today’s Special Topic is The Role of Clinical Trials with experts Gray Kirby, PharmD, Dr. Katherine Ansley, Medical Oncologist with Atrium Health, and Dr. Kathleen Elliot, Medical Oncologist, Novant Health.
Our experts addresses several questions including:
- What is a clinical trial?
- How do I find a clinical trial?
- Will my oncologist have access to a clinical trial?
- Who responsible for a clinical trial and who pays for it?
- Who protects my rights in a clinical trial? How do I know what tests and procedures will be done on me during a clinical trial? What are my commitments to the trial?
- How do I know if the trial is safe? What are the potential benefits?
- How long does it take for a new drug to get on the market and what is the cost?
Search for clinical trials here:
Thrive After You Survive
Dara Kurtz is a breast cancer survivor, author of Crush Cancer, and survivorship mentor. As of March 2025, she is also providing Survivorship Mentoring & Support for Cancer Services’!
Listen to our interview with Dara to hear:
- What was the most significant mental or emotional shift she experienced after finishing treatment
- How did she begin to rebuild identity after cancer
- What tools or habits have helped her the most in navigating life post-cancer
- The role that community played in her healing.
2024 Interviews
Oncology Dental Health
With expert Dr. Shaiba Sandhu, Oral Medicine and Orofacial Pain Specialist for High Point University. She cares for patients at both Novant Cancer Institute.
Dr. Sandhu addresses several questions including:
- What is an “oral medicine oncology specialist”?
- What’s the role of oral health for oncology care?
- Is there a need for a break from cancer medications before dental work?
- What kinds of issues are people typically seeing an oncology dental health specialist for?
- Do people have to be referred to see you?
- What do you like about the work you do?
- What advice do you have for managing oral health during and after treatment?
- If someone wants an oncology oral health consultation, how can they get on your schedule?
Integrative Oncology
With expert Dr. Rachel Baldwin, integrative medicine physician with Novant Health Cancer Institute.
Dr. Baldwin addresses several questions including:
- What’s the role of integrative medicine for oncology care?
- What kinds of issues are people typically seeing you for?
- Do people have to be referred to see you?
- What did you do before working for Novant Cancer Institute?
- Do you think a change in diet or lifestyle will shrink the cancer and keep it from growing back without chemotherapy?
- What advice do you have for managing chemo side effects?
- What are your key recommendations for a cancer survivorship lifestyle?
- If someone wants an integrative medicine consultation, how can they get on your schedule?
- Can caregivers come for a consultation with you?
Spirituality and Cancer
With expert Andrea Mitchell, oncology chaplain with Novant Health Cancer Institute.
Andrea and Julie discuss the following topics:
- – What’s the role of spiritual care? – How does that work in oncology? – What have you noticed that people need most in their spiritual care? – What advice do you have for people in terms of tending to their spirit during and after treatment. – How can patients help their spiritual community know best how to support them during this time?
Body Image and Nutrition for your Nervous System
This month’s expert speaker is Debra Benfield, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and owner of Body and Mind Nutrition.
2023 Interviews
The Effects of High Blood Pressure on Cancer Survivorship
With expert Dr. Ken E. Bodek, a cardio-oncologist with Novant Health Cardiology.
What to Know when You’re Facing Cancer
We are lucky to have three experts on this topic this month, Melissa Lyle-Nipper, Felicia Dobson and Lindy Milligan. Melissa is our Patient Advocate Director here at Cancer Services and has a master’s in social work, Felicia is one of our fantastic Patient Advocators, and Lindy is our survivorship coordinator and a breast cancer survivor.
Resources discussed:
- Cancer Services Patient Advocates – 336-760-9983; www.cancerservicesonline.org
- Survivor Programs: www.cancerservicesonline.org/register
- Fund Finder https://fundfinder.panfoundation.org/
- Cancer Care www.cancercare.org
- Caring Bridge: https://www.caringbridge.org/
- Livestrong at the YMCA: https://ymcanwnc.org/health-and-fitness/community-health-programs/livestrong-at-the-ymca
Watch the video here:
Navigating Health Insurance Options
Sarah Jolly is a Certified Marketplace Navigator with NC Navigator Consortium and works for Legal Aid in Forsyth County. We have a lot of great information to share on this topic and hope you find it helpful!
Watch the video here:
Heart Health After Treatment
With expert Dr. Ken E. Bodek, a cardio-oncologist with Novant Health Cardiology.
Watch video here:
Neuropathy During & After Treatment
Our May topic is Neuropathy during and after treatment. Our expert speakers are Stephanie Rehm, a physical therapist and Claire Salmond, an occupational therapist, both with Novant Health.
Watch the interview here:
Nutrition During & After Treatment
Watch the interview!
Our expert speakers this month are Lora White, RD, CSO, LDN and Amber Thomas, RD, CSO. We have a lot of great information to share on this topic and hope you find it helpful!
- Lora White: lora.white@novanthealth.org
- Amber Thomas: https://cancernutritionsolutions.com/about
- Julie Lanford: https://cancerdietitian.com/
Cancer Brain – Tips & Tricks for Coping
Watch the interview!
Our expert speakers are Claudia U. Koliscak, MS CCC-SLP and Sara Bridges, LCSW
Contact info:
- Sara Bridges: sebridges@novanthealth.org |
- Claudia Koliscak: ckoliscak@novanthealth.org | 336-397-6029
Socializing When You’re Immune Compromised
Our expert speaker for February is Dr. Stacy Wentworth, the medical director of Survivorship for Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Priorities and Well-Being: Maintaining Focus on What’s Really Important
Part 1 Video
In our January special topic, experts Lisa Rainwater (Oncology Counselor at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist) and Decarlos West (Social Worker at Novant Health), help us know what’s important when it comes to well-being after a cancer diagnosis.
We touch on a few different areas that many cancer survivors and caregivers face, and give you some practical tips on how to take steps towards identifying your priorities and enhancing your well-being.
Part 2 Video
In Part 2, Julie interviews Kris Ryan, a cancer survivor and certified coach, who helps us process what we heard in Part 1 and think about how we might identify some personal next steps or goals.
