Read Time: 6 minutes
Communications and development teams play instrumental roles at cancer centers—disseminating scientific breakthroughs and treatment advancements, sharing patient stories, raising funds, and building meaningful donor relationships. The National Association of Cancer Center Development Offices (NACCDO) and the Public Affairs and Marketing Network (PAMN) are the premier professional organizations for these groups. Each year, a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center is selected to host a joint conference. Huntsman Cancer Institute received the winning bid for 2024.
More than 600 attendees, speakers, and sponsors from across North America gathered for the 33rd annual NACCDO-PAMN Conference. In addition to professional development courses and networking, the conference also included a tour of Huntsman Cancer Institute with presentations from top researchers, an evening at Utah’s Olympic Park, a session with NCI communications director Peter Garrett, and plenary sessions with famous and notable Utahns who have personal connections to cancer, including a panel of Olympic athletes and actor Ty Burrell.
“Communications and fundraising teams are nothing less than critical to cancer centers. These teams support our functions, capabilities, reputations, and future growth. I’m proud of the exceptional talent and dedication we have on these teams at Huntsman Cancer Institute and Foundation, which was made even more clear under this national spotlight.”
Mary Beckerle, PhD
Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO
Specialized Session Tracks
With nine concurrent session tracks to choose from, the conference offered industry best practices in cancer center marketing, communications, digital strategy, physician relations, fundraising, and event coordination. Huntsman Cancer Institute faculty and administrative leaders joined as guest speakers.
Among them were Megan Provost, manager of outreach and network development, and Don Milligan, MBA, executive director of the cancer hospital, who shared about Huntsman Cancer Institute’s affiliate hospital network.
“It was an honor for me and Huntsman Cancer Institute to participate in the NACCDO-PAMN conference. I attended several sessions and learned much. It was wonderful to have many attendees onsite at the hosted reception. I appreciated the opportunity to share our buildings with like-minded professionals who understand the importance of our collective goals, purpose, and mission.”
Don Milligan, MBA
Huntsman Cancer Institute hospital executive director
PAMN Awards: Poster Session
New in 2024 were PAMN Awards with a poster session that highlighted entries from cancer centers across the country. Peer judges selected from numerous entries.
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Communications and Public Affairs team was recognized for several recent projects:
- The team was recognized for media work on the ColoCare research study results.
- Their 2024 desk calendar, featuring pets of faculty and staff, received praise for its creative design and fun, innovative way of building community.
- The Talks with Docs video series earned acclaim for it personalized approach to introducing physicians and researchers.
- The team received first place honors in the survivorship stories category for the feature Three Stars Shine through the Cloud of Cancer Risk, written by Heather Simonsen, MA, Huntsman Cancer Institute public affairs senior manager. The post tells the story of siblings—each notable college athletes—born by IVF to eliminate the risk of a hereditary cancer gene.
“These awards reflect our passion and dedication to advancing cancer research and effectively communicating our findings and stories. Hosting this conference and presenting our work was a proud moment for us."
Matti McDaniel
Huntsman Cancer Institute communications and public affairs program manager
Female Leaders in Cancer Panel
Historically, the NACCDO-PAMN Conference has held a panel of cancer center directors to inform and update attendees about priorities from the National Cancer Institute. Often, this panel is all or mostly male—a reflection of appointed U.S. directors. Currently, only 10 of the 72 cancer center directors are women currently.
As a women-led institution, Huntsman Cancer Institute held a Female Leaders in Cancer panel, which opened with a message from National Cancer Institute Director Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, MMHC. Panelists included Mary Beckerle, PhD, CEO of Huntsman Cancer Institute; Danielle Carnival, PhD, deputy assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot; and Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS, executive director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Mary Nickles, a Salt Lake City news anchor and breast cancer survivor, moderated.
“I never saw myself as a leader. I was doing things that I enjoy doing, with a lot of curiosity. I always pushed boundaries a little bit. I was always excited about bringing new teams together or just meeting new people. I’m a person who just wants to get stuff done, whatever it takes, and sometimes that requires me to lead, too.”
Neli Ulrich, PhD, MS
Huntsman Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer center director
Olympic Panel
As Salt Lake City was home to the 2002 Winter Olympics and will host in 2034, the conference’s opening session featured a panel of Olympians who have been diagnosed with cancer. Each shared how the grit they have built through training and competition influenced their personal cancer experiences. The panel included
- Kate Johnson: Rower who won silver in 2004 in Athens, now director and head of global sports and entertainment at Google—diagnosed with breast cancer
- Catherine Raney Norman: Four-time speed skater and chairperson for Salt Lake City’s 2034 Olympic bid—a breast cancer patient at Huntsman Cancer Institute
- Summer Sanders: Swimmer who won four medals in 1992 in Barcelona and panelist on CBS Sports WE NEED TO TALK—also a melanoma patient treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
The session was moderated by Adam Whitt, a former Houston Astros pitcher, golf professional, and leukemia patient at Huntsman Cancer Institute. Adam emphasized the importance of caregivers—“the team behind the team”—who often serve as coaches and cheerleaders out of the spotlight, yet who are fundamental. He tenderly thanked his wife sitting in the audience for her love and support.
Tours of Huntsman Cancer Institute
Attendees had the opportunity to spend an afternoon at Huntsman Cancer Institute where they heard from two leading researchers.
- Alana Welm, PhD, spoke about her lab’s studies of breast cancer metastasis, including the Legacy to Life program.
- Jakob Jensen, PhD, spoke about his work to improve how melanoma and other skin cancers can be better recognized using a rapid exposure process.
Tours of Huntsman Cancer Institute showed off the beautiful facilities that support research and serve patients throughout the Mountain West.
Conversation with Ty Burrell
The closing session featured a conversation with actor Ty Burrell, best known for playing Phil Dunphy on the sitcom Modern Family, and Martin McMahon, PhD, researcher and senior director of preclinical translation at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
With honesty and humor, Ty shared stories about his dad—who passed away of pancreas cancer in the 1980s—and how the loss as a young adult still shapes him. Dr. McMahon discussed advancements in pancreas cancer research and treatment, also sharing how his own family has been impacted by cancer through the loss of his father and a baby sister, whom he never met.
Announcements
Announced during the conference was the appointment of Meredith Vehar, MPA, Huntsman Cancer Institute communications director, as Vice Chair of PAMN. After a two-year term, Meredith will step in as Chair. Like many others, Meredith's life has been deeply affected by cancer. She lost two of her older sisters and a dear friend to cancer. Both of her sisters were treated at Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“The PAMN organization is the place for us on the communications side of cancer to come together broadly, learn from each other, and do what is within our capacity to support and promote research and improved outcomes. Hosting the conference and joining PAMN’s executive leadership is a culmination of nearly 20 years of my career. I think my sisters would be proud.”
Meredith Vehar, MPA
Huntsman Cancer Institute communications director
Many thanks to the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Huntsman Cancer Foundation teams who helped make this exceptional national showcase of our city and cancer center possible.
