Huntsman Cancer Institute

New research led by Tracy Onega, PhD, shows that rural Medicare patients often travel across state lines for cancer care. For rural patients, rates of out-of-state care were more than double those of non-rural patients. Dr. Onega says this highlights a pressing need for telehealth policy reform, so patients can receive follow-up care and supportive services remotely, without the burden of additional travel. bit.ly/3RGHg8R

This week is Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Awareness Week. People aged 18–39 face unique challenges after a cancer diagnosis. Perla, a research program manager on the Kirchhoff Team, shares insights into their impactful work, how it aims to support patients navigating cancer care, and why elevating patient voices is essential in cancer research.

Collaboration is shaping the future of our cancer research. Through a partnership with Brigham Young University, students like Sarah Fund are gaining valuable real-world experience by developing tools to personalize cancer treatments. Under the mentorship of our data science expert, Aik Choon Tan, PhD, Sarah and her classmates created an innovative algorithm that helps doctors tailor treatments based on patient data. Sarah shares, "It was really rewarding to be a part of a project that has the potential to help patients get more personalized treatments." Read more about this transformative collaboration: https://bit.ly/4i1ugFP

🚧 It’s time to break new ground! 🚧 We're excited to celebrate the groundbreaking of our new Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard, Utah! This new location will bring world-class cancer care closer to home for many patients and families. Join us virtually on April 8 at 1 p.m. for a live stream of this special ceremony. Learn how this expansion will advance cancer care, accelerate research, and provide even greater support for patients and their loved ones across the region. https://lnkd.in/gr7FrUz6

When Samantha Murrell returned from an adventure abroad with a persistent cough, she never expected the diagnosis that followed: stage 4 lung cancer. Her life changed in an instant, yet Samantha found strength in personalized care, supportive therapies, and an unwavering community. Read her story of resilience, self-advocacy, and embracing life fully—no matter the circumstances: https://bit.ly/4iS0HYB

For years, Amber avoided risk and stayed in her comfort zone. Then a rare appendix cancer diagnosis pushed her to face her biggest fears. With the support of her care team, Amber underwent a complex treatment called HIPEC, a combination of surgery and heated chemotherapy. Five years later, she’s cancer-free and embracing life in a completely new way. Read Amber’s story and learn more about the innovative HIPEC treatment: https://bit.ly/4jaa8SL

Happy Doctors' Day! Today, and every day, we celebrate our doctors for their compassion, dedication, and life-saving care. We might be biased, but we truly believe they're the best around. Of course, our patients say it best—swipe through to hear it from them directly 💙

Meet Savannah, one of our amazing music therapy interns. Savannah knew she wanted to be an intern here after experiencing the care provided to a family member. During their stay, she witnessed firsthand the empathy, transparency, and genuine kindness of our team. One morning, as she sat in the lobby, Savannah was deeply moved by the warmth and sense of community created by a music volunteer playing for patients and families. In that moment, she realized she wanted to be part of our music therapy program. Savannah’s favorite aspect of her internship is working alongside compassionate mentors who foster a supportive environment for growth. She especially loves building meaningful connections with patients and cherishes each opportunity to listen to their stories. Recently, Savannah was particularly impacted by a patient in palliative care who expressed gratitude for his journey, appreciating the chance to fully embrace the love and support around him. His mindfulness inspires her daily to savor each moment. Thank you, Savannah, for bringing warmth, compassion, and music to our patients and their families.

Recently, leading researchers, clinicians, and tech innovators gathered at our Frontiers Symposium on Transformation in Cancer Care Delivery to explore groundbreaking ways to enhance cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Discussions included exciting innovations such as AI-driven diagnostic imaging, virtual navigation, and decentralized clinical trials, demonstrating the profound impact technology will have in bridging gaps and providing equitable care—especially for rural and frontier communities. The symposium also highlighted promising research from emerging scholars across the country, underscoring the importance of supporting the next generation of cancer researchers. Read more about the symposium: https://bit.ly/43va1Ng

Have you heard of cardio-oncology? Roberta Florido, MD, a cardiologist and the director of our Cardio-Oncology Program, talks about why heart health is especially important for people facing cancer. She shares simple, everyday tips to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and explains how treatment improvements are making a difference. Also, get a glimpse into how Dr. Florido spends her time off—balancing family adventures and learning to ski in Utah!