MercyOne to host GI Oncology Conference

MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center will host the annual MercyOne GI Oncology Conference on Friday, March 7. 

The conference is targeted to health care professionals with a direct impact on patients who either have previously had cancer or are undergoing cancer treatment.

This year’s featured topic is the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer, the third-most common cancer in the digestive system. Saima Sharif, MD, will discuss the evolution of treatment, how to select the best treatment for patients, and the future direction of treatment strategies.

The cost is $35, but MercyOne or Trinity Health colleagues are not charged. Continuing education credits are available.

For more information and to register, visit https://www.mercyone.org/event/2025/03/07/in-person-2025-mercyone-gi-oncology-conference-mercyone-des-moines-medical-center

 

Agenda

7:30- 8 a.m.                   Breakfast 

8-8:10 a.m.                    Welcome and introduction, Shankar Raman, MD, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Surgical Group

8:10-8:40 a.m.               Surgical Approach to Neuroendocrine/Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors, Viet Le, MD, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Surgical Group

8:40-9:10 a.m.               Multi-Cancer Early Detection Clinic/Circulating tumor DNA, Richard Deming, MD, Richard Deming Cancer Center 

9:10-9:40 a.m.               Immunotherapy/Chemotherapy Approach to Gastrointestinal Cancer, Brian Freeman, MD, Mission Cancer + Blood

9:40-10 a.m.                  Break

10-10:30 a.m.                Aging and Cancer Survivorship, Truston Bodine, MD, MercyOne Cancer Center Radiation Oncology 

10:30-11 a.m.                Fear of Recurrence; the Elephant in the Room, Julie Larson, LCSW 

11-11:30 a.m.                Genetic Testing Access, Robert Harson, MD, Genesis Health Group 

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Treatment of LARC – It is as Much About the Journey as it is About the Destination, Saima Sharif, MD, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa Health Care

12:15-12:30 p.m.          Conclusion and evaluation