Our OC Education Webinars are the chance for our participants and supporters to hear the latest ideas and information from Clearity staff and expert guests.
Each online session offers new perspectives on the chosen topic, ranging from the latest ovarian cancer research to conversations about managing the impact of this diagnosis on people’s day-to-day lives. Each discussion is held live with time for audience questions at the end.
The information presented in these webinars is designed to be helpful and hopeful. If you have benefitted from watching, please consider making a donation to support future learning opportunities.
But This Is Different:
Understanding and Getting Support for the Unique Needs of People with Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer (LGSOC)
Clearity’s Director of Education, Danielle Peterson talks with Jubilee Brown, MD from Atrium Health and Clearity’s Director of OC Counseling, KrisAnn Talarico to discuss results from the Verastem Oncology LGSOC Patient Impact Survey.
Topic covered include:
- What makes LGSOC a unique type of ovarian cancer
- Research on the quality-of-life issues facing those with LGSOC
- How to access helpful resources and support
For the list of resources discussed during the webinar, click here
Gynecologic Oncologist
Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute
Dr. Brown is a gynecologic oncologist at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina. She attended University of Cincinnati and completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at University of Maryland. Her expertise includes ovarian cancer, ovarian rare and borderline tumors, uterine cancer and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Brown is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as gynecologic oncology.
Director of OC Counseling
Clearity
KrisAnn Talarico is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Board-Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C). She has been with Clearity’s Steps Through OC program since 2018 as an OC Counselor. As the Director of OC Counseling, she oversees operations and a team of OC Counselors who provide telephone and videoconference psychosocial support to survivors and caregivers nationwide. She has worked for non-profit organizations seeking to improve accessibility of psychosocial support to cancer survivors through the use of technology, including bringing to life an online Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management program for breast cancer survivors.
Director of Education
Clearity
Danielle joined the Clearity team in 2021 as an OC Counselor and began her role as the Director of Education in 2023. The majority of Danielle’s social work career has been helping people find their way through a cancer diagnosis. Danielle has worked at the local and national levels with non-profit organizations that serve people of all ages affected by cancer. Along with her work at Clearity, Danielle teaches in the Division of Social Work at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress 2024
What we learned and the latest research
The Clearity team, Ramez Eskander, MD, Chief Scientific and Medical Advisor and Anne Mette Buhl, PhD, Director of Science and Clinical Trials discuss the most recent research related to maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy and early results from various antibody drug conjugate (ADC) trials for recurrent ovarian cancer.
Topics discussed include:
Maintenance Therapy Regimens
- PRIMA Phase III trial (PARP inhibitor Niraparib/Zejula)
- Phase III ATHENA-COMBO trial (PARP inhibitor Rucaparib/Rubraca and immune checkpoint inhibitor Nivolumab/Opdivo)
Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
- PICCOLO Phase II trial with FRAlpha-targeted ADC Mirvetuximab/Elahere
- Trials studying TROP2-targeted ADCs Datopotamab-deruxtecan (Dato-Dxd) andSacituzumab Tirumotecan (Sac-TMT)
Director of Science and Clinical Trials
Clearity
Anne Mette Buhl, PhD is Clearity’s Director of Science and Clinical Trials. She has more than 20 years of experience in basic and translational cancer research in Europe and the US. Prior to joining Clearity, she was fellow at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center at University of California, San Diego, Dr. Buhl received her PhD in Chemistry from Aarhus University, Denmark.
Professor of Gynecologic Oncology
Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Office at UC San Diego Health and Moores Cancer Center
Clearity Foundation – Scientific and Medical Advisor
Dr. Ramez N. Eskander joined Clearity as Chief Scientific and Medical Advisor in July, 2021. As a board-certified gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Eskander has a passion for improving outcomes for women with gynecologic cancers, including ovarian cancer, combined with extensive research experience. Dr. Eskander specializes in the systemic treatment and surgical management of female reproductive system cancers. His expertise includes chemotherapy, novel drugs and clinical trials as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Eskander is a Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the UC San Diego Health Moores NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he also leads the fellowship training program. Most recently, Dr. Eskander was appointed Medical Director of the Clinical Trials office at the Moores Cancer Center.
Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
What you need to know about this promising type of treatment
Dr. Ramez Eskander, MD, Chief Scientific Advisor speaks to Dr. Kathleen Moore, MD, MS and Dr. Gottfried Konecny, MD about Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs). In this conversation moderated by Dr. Anne Mette Buhl, PhD, Director of Science and Clinical Trials they cover:
- How ADCs work
- Approved ADCs for ovarian cancer
- Ongoing research and clinical Trials for new ADCs
Click here to learn more about how ADCs work.
Special thanks to our sponsors ImmunoGen (now part of AbbVie), Genmab and Sutro for their generous support to make this webinar available.
Virginia Kerley Cade Chair in Developmental Therapeutics
Co-Director, Cancer Therapeutics Program, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma
Dr. Moore is a gynecologic oncologist with 20 years experience in drug development with phase 1-3 clinical trial expertise. She is the Associate Director, GOG Partners, the NRG Oncology Ovarian Committee Chair and holds a seat on the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Board of Directors.
Lead Clinician for Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Medicine at UCLA
Dr. Konecny obtained his medical degree and completed his residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Munich in Germany. In 2007 he went to the University of California as a group leader to the Translational Oncology Research Laboratory of UCLA, to establish a laboratory for preclinical drug and clinical trial development in the area of gynecologic malignancies.
Professor of Gynecologic Oncology
Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Office at UC San Diego Health and Moores Cancer CenterClearity Foundation – Scientific and Medical Advisor
Dr. Ramez N. Eskander joined Clearity as Chief Scientific and Medical Advisor in July, 2021. As a board-certified gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Eskander has a passion for improving outcomes for women with gynecologic cancers, including ovarian cancer, combined with extensive research experience. Dr. Eskander specializes in the systemic treatment and surgical management of female reproductive system cancers. His expertise includes chemotherapy, novel drugs and clinical trials as well as minimally invasive surgical techniques. Dr. Eskander is a Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the UC San Diego Health Moores NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, where he also leads the fellowship training program. Most recently, Dr. Eskander was appointed Medical Director of the Clinical Trials office at the Moores Cancer Center.
Platinum Resistant Refractory Ovarian Cancer
Despite limited options, there is reason for hope.
Dr. Ramez Eskander, MD, Chief Scientific Advisor and Dr. Anne Mette Buhl, PhD, Director of Science and Clinical Trials welcome special guest, Dr. Alberto Mendivil, MD, Co-Director, Gynecologic Oncology, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.
They cover:
- Overview of current platinum-based therapies
- NCCN Guidelines for PPROC patients
- Innovative approaches being explored
Dr. Alberto Mendivil, MD is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as Gynecologic Oncology. He serves as the Principal Investigator for the OnPrime Phase 3 Registration trial, which is currently enrolling. He has extensive training in all aspects of gynecologic surgery including advanced laparoscopy and robotics and leads the gynecologic cancer clinical trials at Hoag Family Cancer Institute.
Dr. Anne Mette Buhl, PhD is Clearity’s Director of Science and Clinical Trials. She has more than 20 years of experience in basic and translational cancer research in Europe and the US. Prior to joining Clearity, she was a fellow at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego. Dr. Buhl received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Aarhus University, Denmark.
Dr. Ramez Eskander, MD joined Clearity as Chief Scientific and Medical Advisor in July, 2021. As a board-certified gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Eskander has a passion for improving outcomes for women with ovarian cancer combined with extensive research experience as Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the UC San Diego Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center.
What We Learned at The SGO Annual Meeting
The latest ovarian cancer research and news
The Society of Gynecologic Oncology held their Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA March 15-18, 2024. The event kicked off with a Patient Educational Forum, hosted by the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, followed by two full days of panels and discussions with physicians, experts, advocates and patients. Our team was there and they are bringing back the information to share with the Clearity community.
Dr. Anne Mette Buhl, PhD is Clearity’s Director of Science and Clinical Trials. She has more than 20 years of experience in basic and translational cancer research in Europe and the US. Prior to joining Clearity, she was a fellow at the UCSD Moores Cancer Center at University of California San Diego. Dr. Buhl received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Aarhus University, Denmark.
Dr. Ramez Eskander, MD joined Clearity as Chief Scientific and Medical Advisor in July, 2021. As a board-certified gynecologic oncologist, Dr. Eskander has a passion for improving outcomes for women with ovarian cancer combined with extensive research experience as Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the UC San Diego Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Let’s talk about purpose:
A conversation about the search for joy and meaning
Questions of purpose may be prompted by a health crisis or part of “normal” midlife transition and have a profound impact on long-term happiness and life satisfaction. Karin and Buck share their perspectives as executive coaches and Clearity board members who have supported clients [and loved ones] through major life transitions.
Karin Blair is passionate about working with the innovators and change makers of today and tomorrow. As President and Founder of Evoking Insights LLC, she operates at the intersection of strategy and leadership as an executive-level coach and strategic advisor.
As a coach & counselor, Buck Dodson partners with creatives, founders and life leaders to ignite ideas, feel free, and live with passion and purpose.
Why Do I feel like this?
Insights in the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis
Learn how a person diagnosed with cancer may face seemingly opposite emotions, such as feeling hopeful yet fearful, or surrounded by family yet lonely. KrisAnn and Susan talk about the “opposing truths” of managing cancer, things to keep in mind when emotions don’t “make sense” and ways to support the person diagnosed and their loved ones.
KrisAnn Talarico is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Board Certified Oncology Social Worker (OSW-C). She is passionate about improving the lives of patients and families facing cancer. As Clearity’s Director of OC Counseling, she oversees operations and a team of OC Counselors who provide psychosocial support by phone or video to survivors and caregivers nationwide.
Susan Hess has been supporting oviarian cancer patients and their families for more than two decades. She played an instrumental role in developing Clearity’s ovarian cancer counseling program, Steps Through OC in 2018 serving as the Program Director through 2022. Susan was Clearity’s Director of Education prior to her well-deserved retirement in Sept, 2023.
Let’s Talk About Nutrition!
A conversation about the role food plays in living well with ovarian cancer
Special guest speaker Erin Pellegrin, RD, LDN, from the breast and ovarian cancer organization, Unite For HE,R leads the discussion on this important topic.
Erin covers:
- Why nutrition matters for cancer patients, Including the risk of malnutrition
- Getting started with 3 P’s – One of them is protein
- The challenges which may arise – Discover strategies to overcome them
Erin Pellegrin RD, LDN is Unite for HER’s Director of Culinary Nutrition and Education. As part of the Culinary Nutrition Team, she shares their nutrition missino and philosophy by educating and counseling breast and ovarian cancer patients through treatment and beyond as part of their Wellness Program.