Introduction to Oncology for Healthcare Professionals July 2026

July 9, 2026

This one-day course provides a general overview of cancer, the disease process, treatments, symptom management, and its impact on patients and families.  It is intended to enhance the practice of both health care professionals and ancillary care staff who care for cancer patients in hospitals, ambulatory care, homecare, hospice, extended care, or rehabilitation settings.

Target Audience

This course addresses the needs of advanced practice providers, registered nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other members of the healthcare team who care for oncology patients in the acute care, outpatient, extended care, rehabilitation, and home care settings.  Other healthcare professionals involved in cancer care, or those who wish to expand their knowledge of cancer care, are also welcomed to attend.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

  1. Define the pathophysiology of malignant disease and factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
  2. Discuss the role of different treatment modalities in the management of patients with cancer.
  3. Identify supportive care, symptom management, and psychosocial needs of patients with cancer.
  4. Recall proper guidelines surrounding those who are administering or receiving antineoplastic therapy or immunotherapy.
  5. Recognize the signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria needed to manage the patient experiencing an oncologic emergency.   
Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 5.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 5.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 5.50 Attendance
Course opens: 
06/04/2026
Course expires: 
07/23/2026
Event starts: 
07/09/2026 - 8:00am EDT
Event ends: 
07/09/2026 - 3:00pm EDT
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7:30 am

Microsoft Teams login

 

8:00 am

Welcome and Overview

Amy DiMaggio, MSN, RN, OCN

8:10 am

Pathophysiology of Cancer

Maura Miller, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, OCN

9:05 am

Overview of Cancer Treatments

Ketura Miller, BSN, RN, OCN

10:05 am

Break

 

10:15 am

Safe Handling Measures and Responsibilities for Antineoplastic Therapy and Biotherapy

Lynne O’Connor, MSN, RN, OCN

10:40 am

Psychosocial Needs of Cancer Patients, Families, and Caregivers

Colleen Johnston, MSW, LCSW

11:20 am

Lunch

 

12:00 pm

The Use of Blood Products in Patients with Cancer

Meredith Cummings, PhD, RN, OCN

12:35 pm

Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia

Alyssa Owens, PA-C

1:10 pm

Break

 

1:20 pm

Pain Management and Nausea and Vomiting

Laura Davis, RN, OCN

2:05 pm

Oncologic Emergencies

Amy DiMaggio, MSN, RN, OCN

3:00 pm

Adjournment

 

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
United States
  • Meredith Cummings, PhD, RN, OCN
  • Laura Davis, RN, OCN
  • Amy DiMaggio, MSN, RN, OCN
  • Colleen Johnston, MSW, LCSW
  • Ketura Miller, BSN, RN, OCN
  • Maura Miller, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, OCN
  • Lynne O’Connor, MSN, RN, OCN
  • Alyssa Owens, PA-C  

 Conflict of Interest Disclosure

No members, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers, and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this educational activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose

imageIn support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. The University of Pittsburgh has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 5.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.  The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 5.5 contact hours. To receive 5.5 continuing education hours, the learner must record attendance, attend the entire activity, and complete the activity evaluation.

Available Credit

  • 5.50 AAPA Category I CME
  • 5.50 ANCC
    UPMC Provider Unit is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation
  • 5.50 Attendance
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