FORT MYERS, Fla., April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — American Oncology Network (AON), one of the nation’s fastest-growing community oncology networks, today announced that it will participate in 14 speaking sessions at the 2025 Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Annual Conference. The event, themed Empower & Advocate: Independent Community Oncology, will take place April 29-30 in Orlando, Florida.
“At AON, we’re committed to supporting local practices because they bring immense value to patients and communities,” said Stephen “Fred” Divers, MD, AON’s chief medical officer, medical oncologist at Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute, and conference co-chair. “The conference theme of empowerment and advocacy aligns with our mission of improving outcomes through patient-centered care, and I look forward to hearing AON thought leaders share insights with fellow community oncology colleagues.”
AON leaders will speak on a range of topics including payer contracting, value-based care, patient advocacy, clinical trials, and mental health programs. Featured speakers include:
- Stephen “Fred” Divers, MD, chief medical officer – Welcome from the Co-Chairs and Evolving Successful Hospital and Independent Community Practice Partnerships
- Alti Rahman, MHA/MBA, CSSBB, chief strategy and innovation officer – Welcome from the Co-Chairs and The Business Plan for Payer Contracting
- Sunil Babu, MD, medical oncologist, Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology – Growing Clinical Trial Infrastructure & Access in Community Oncology
- Katie Goodman, RN, vice president of clinical research – Growing Clinical Trial Infrastructure & Access in Community Oncology
- Melissa Shaw, BSN, RN, OCN, director of clinical projects, Central Georgia Cancer Care – The Value of Patient Advisory Boards
- Cassandra Perkey, PharmD, BCOP, regional clinical pharmacist – Streamlining Pharmacist-led Hyperglycemia Management in HR+ Breast Cancer
- Anne Marie Rainey, MSN, RN, CHC, CPHQ, director of value-based care – Building Effective Patient Navigation Programs
- Autumn Jones, director of radiology operations – Radiopharmaceutical Therapies: Business Mechanics & Operational Review
- Guy Messer, AS-NMT, BS-HCMGT, MBA, vice president of radiation and radiology services – Radiopharmaceutical Therapies: Business Mechanics & Operational Review
- Ruemu Birhiray, MD, medical oncologist, Hematology Oncology of Indiana – Is Mastocytosis Underdiagnosed?
- Melody Chang, RPh, MBA, BCOP, vice president of pharmacy operations – Aiming for Accuracy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
- Lisa Poiry, RN, OCN, division director of quality services, Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Hematology – State & Local Advocacy: Reaching Your Local Elected Officials
- Susan Sabo-Wagner, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, vice president of clinical innovation – Practices Using Data to Engage Payers
- Brian Mulherin, MD, medical oncologist, Hematology Oncology of Indiana – How to Operationalize a Mental Health Program in Your Practice
- Katie Alexander, MS, APRN-CNP, OCN, BBA, nurse practitioner and central region APP coordinator, Zangmeister Cancer Center – Leadership, Team Building and Culture in Community Oncology
“AON and COA share a mission to protect and promote independent oncology,” said Alti Rahman, AON chief strategy and innovation officer and conference co-chair. “Events like this help unify our efforts and accelerate the innovations needed to improve care across the country.”
AON provides comprehensive support services to independent oncology practices, including in-house pharmacy, lab services, revenue-diversifying programs and back-office operations. By partnering with AON, physicians can focus on delivering high-quality care in their communities without relying on hospital systems or third-party providers.
AON will also exhibit at booth 207 during the conference.
For more information about AON, visit AONcology.com.
About American Oncology Network
American Oncology Network (AON) is an alliance of physicians and seasoned healthcare leaders partnering to ensure the long-term success and viability of community oncology and other specialties. Founded in 2018, AON’s rapidly expanding network represents more than 290 providers practicing across 21 states. AON pioneers innovative healthcare solutions through its physician-led model, fostering value-based care that improves patient outcomes while reducing costs and expanding access to quality care. AON equips its network physicians with the tools they need to thrive independently while providing comprehensive support, integrated revenue-diversifying ancillary services, and practice management expertise, enabling physicians to focus on what matters most – providing the highest standard of care for every patient. AON is committed to promoting health equity by addressing disparities in cancer care and ensuring that all patients have access to the care they need to achieve optimal health outcomes. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, AON is shaping the future of community oncology. For more information, please visit AONcology.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube.
Media Contact:
Karen Riley Sawyer
American Oncology Network
[email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bb6e22d9-b7b3-434e-bf07-0d46dbb697a4
