3565 - Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Cancer Center Clinical Oncology and Research Symposium for Medical Students, Residents, Fellows and Faculty

A. M. Schottstaedt¹, M. Ward², L. A. McAlarnen³, P. Flejsierowicz², L. Wallace⁴, R. Summey⁴, S. Duyar⁴, C. Barnes⁵, R. Bello⁴, M. Pierro⁴, N. H. Kim⁴, A. Escobar Vasco⁶, L. Lamar⁷, H. A. Himburg¹, S. L. Kerns⁵, L. Sanchez Johnsen², N. Stratton², R. F. Amidon⁸, M. Fahhoum², and M. L. Siker¹; ¹Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, ²Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center, Milwaukee, WI, ³University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, ⁴Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, ⁵Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, ⁶The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, ⁷The Medical College of Wisconsin, Wisconsin, WI, ⁸Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States

Purpose/Objective(s): Medical students have limited exposure to oncologic specialties, leading to inadequate information or misconceptions that can limit recruitment. Mentorship and involvement in oncology research can be challenging as these fields require fellowship training and/or are not part of core clerkships. A multidisciplinary symposium was implemented to introduce oncologic specialties, connect students with mentors, and facilitate research. Materials/

Methods: Symposium implementation required recruitment of key stakeholders, partnership with administrative staff, and institutional support. Promotion was aided by advanced registration, social media teams, and sharing via email groups, calendars, and newsletters. Date selection, clear expectations for speakers, and day-of logistics were considered. Sessions were evaluated with pre- and post-surveys. The agenda is shown in Table 1.
Results: 21 and 31 students, 11 and 12 leaders, 1 and 2 administrators, and 2 and 6 staff members attended the first and second annual symposia, respectively. 7 students responded to the feedback survey for each symposium. Breakdown was 28% M1, 42% M2, 28% M3 students for the first, and 42% M1, 28% M2, 14% M3, and 14% graduate students for the second symposium. Symposia were rated 4.5/5 and 4.8/5 stars. 23% of respondents reported they were able to connect with faculty of interest after the event, 30% were exposed to new and interesting ideas, and 23% had new opportunities available after meeting with mentors. A third of speakers reported having at least one student follow up for research. Surveys suggested interest but limited knowledge of clinical oncology prior to the event, with enhanced knowledge and mentorship/research opportunities post-symposia.
Conclusion: Multidisciplinary, multi-institutional symposia were implemented with favorable results. Key considerations for setting up a symposium are provided to facilitate implementation of this innovative education opportunity at other institutions. This approach could also be adapted to multi-disciplinary fields outside of oncology.

Abstract 3565 – Table 1: Agenda

Time	Section	Subsection
8:30-9:00	Registration and Breakfast
9:05-10:00	Overview Lectures of Disciplines	Radiation, Gynecologic, Medical, Surgical, and Pediatric Oncology
10:00-10:05	Break
10:05-10:55	From Bench to Bedside: Careers in Oncology
10:55-11:00	Break
11:00-11:20	Multi-Disciplinary Team Lecture	Psychosocial Oncology, Genetics, Clinical Trials Officer
11:20-11:45	Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Lecture
11:45-1:00	Lunch, Networking, and Mentorship
1:00-3:55	Interactive Hands on Learning Cases	H&N & Flexible Laryngoscopy with Med and Rad Onc, Endometrial Cancer & Vaginal Packing with Gyn and Psych Onc, Pancreatic Cancer & Suturing with Surg Onc and Genetics, Pediatric Cancer & Trial Design with Peds Onc and Clinical Trials
3:55-4:00	Closing Remarks