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Celebrating Women in Radiation Oncology

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

March is Women’s History Month.

National Cancer Prevention Month

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

February is National Cancer Prevention Month.

November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 04:00:00 GMT

There are two main categories of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which includes approximately 85 percent of cases, and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), which accounts for approximately 15 percent of cases.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Marks 40th Anniversary

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This year is the 40^th anniversary of the founding of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Skin Cancer: Be Aware and Take Care

Thu, 01 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

By Tammy McCausland

As we enjoy warmer temperatures and bright sunshine, it’s the perfect time to remind ourselves, our families, our colleagues and our friends to use sunscreen and get screened.

The Radiation Oncology Clinical Specialist

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

By Lorrie LeGrand

This blog post is adapted from the article “The Radiation Oncology Specialist Role: A Growth Opportunity for Radiation Therapists” published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators Volume 34 Number 5.

To Leverage Clinic Operational Data, Start with Results

Sat, 15 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Leveraging data analytics can unlock powerful clinical insights, but building a program that does it successfully takes careful planning and strategy to implement. Here are seven strategies to help you achieve success.

AI in Radiation Oncology: Where Are We Now??

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMT

By Tammy McCausland

Depending on who—or what tool—you ask, the definition of artificial intelligence (AI) and what it comprises can differ. Generally, machine learning, neural networks, deep learning and generative AI are technologies included under the general term “AI.”

Breast Cancer Awareness

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT

By Tammy McCausland

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most of us know someone, directly or indirectly, who has breast cancer, is a survivor or who succumbed to the disease.

Relationships and Engagement: The Benefits I Realized from SROA's New Administrators ?Workshop

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

By Jiné Maroney

This blog post is adapted from the article “My Experience Attending the New Administrators Workshop” published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol 34, No. 2.

Radiation Therapist Burnout

Wed, 15 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

This blog post is adapted from the article “Addressing Radiation Therapist Burnout” published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol 33, No. 5.

The Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

This blog post is adapted from the Q&A “Introducing the Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist” published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol 33, No. 5.

An Aligned Care Model to Improve Nurse Engagement?

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 05:00:00 GMT

This blog post is adapted from the article “An Aligned Care Model to Improve Nurse Engagement and Quality Outcomes” published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol 33, No. 5.

All Women Should Get Mammograms at Age 40?

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

This blog post is adapted from the article “Mammograms for All Women at Age 40” published in Vol. 33 No. 4 of Radiation Oncology for Administrators.

Succession Planning in Radiation Oncology Administration

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

This blog post is adapted from the article “Succession Planning” published in Vol. 33 No. 3 of Radiation Oncology for Administrators.

Pre-Conference Workshop for New Administrators ?

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

By Julie Abilheira

This year marks a significant milestone—SROA’s 40^th Annual Meeting. That’s 40 years of serving radiation oncology administrators with an annual conference filled with speakers, workshops, events and networking opportunities with their specific needs in mind. Each year SROA is joined by new administrators looking to gain knowledge and make connections.

Tackling Payor Issues

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

By Aaron Brammer

This blog post is modified from an article that appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators Vol 33 No 2.

In 2023, SROA and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) have teamed up to tackle payor challenges. Both societies are collecting examples of inappropriate denials and delays in care and identifying trends and themes. We will be meeting with the payors to present patient cases and scenarios of commonly experienced, inappropriate prior-authorization trends.

RTs Can Work Remotely

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

By Lea Woods

This blog post is modified from an article that appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators Vol 33 No 2.

When the pandemic started, we temporarily closed one of our two facilities and transferred our three radiation therapists (RTs) to our facility in Rock Hill, SC. We divided our 10 RTs into two teams. One team worked remotely for two weeks while the other team was hands-on in the clinic.

Mental Health Check-In

Thu, 11 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

By Tammy McCausland

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which has been observed since 1949.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the mental health of children, teens and adults. No industry was left untouched. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “Over the course of the pandemic, many adults reported symptoms consistent with anxiety and depression, with approximately four in ten adults reporting these symptoms by early 2021, before declining to approximately three in ten adults as the pandemic continued.”¹

How a Payer Rules Filter Can Reduce Denials

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

By Tammy McCausland

This blog post is modified from an article that appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators Vol 32 No 5.

Denial are complex, time consuming, costly to rectify and increasing yearly.

Payers complicate the billing process by creating their own rules. And now they’re using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to deny more claims.¹

Cancer Treatment in a FLASH

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

By Tammy McCausland

This blog post is modified from an article that appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators Vol 32 No 4.

In 1959, D. L. Dewey and J. W. Boag first reported FLASH radiotherapy (FLASH-RT), a novel radiotherapy technology defined as a single ultra-high dose-rate (≥ 40 Gy/s) radiotherapy.¹ They called it the “flash effect.”¹

Your "Top 5": A Key to Organization

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 04:00:00 GMT

This blog post is modified from an article that appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators Vol 32 No 3.

I have always been an organizer and a planner. As a radiation therapist I used a notebook agenda for professional daily goals and activities. Now I use my Outlook calendar for organizing work meetings and notes. Outlook offers a good high-level view of my day.

Day 3

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Barbara Khozam gave the first general session presentation on Day 3 of SROA’s 2022 Annual Meeting. Khozam explained that organizations can achieve exceptional Customer Service using G.I.F.T.

Barbara Khozam is an expert speaker in customer service, leadership, motivation, and communication. She wrote How Organizations Deliver BAD Customer Service (and Strategies that Turn it Around).

The Outcomes of Accreditation

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Ann Miner and Stephen Miller presented on the outcomes of accreditation.

Employee engagement is at the forefront of administrators’ minds. Engaging staff in quality improvement is important. Engaged team members impact outcomes, and the entire continuum of care. Quality improvement presents an opportunity to rediscover the fun and enjoyment in work; enables staff to connect in multidisciplinary teams, rediscovering what motivates them, and taking ownership of how they respond to the changing healthcare landscape; and prepare for challenges face in delivering best and safe practice.

Day 2: Roundup of SROA's 2022 Annual Meeting

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

SROA members began Day 2 of SROA’s 2022 Annual Meeting with a general session called, “Centering Diversity in Radiation Oncology: The What, The Why, and The How.” Dr. Parul Berry, Dr. Jerry Jaboin and Dr. Ivy Franco provided historical context about diversity and shared some of the personal challenges they have encountered as radiation oncologists from underrepresented minority groups. They offered numerous concrete suggestions on how radiation oncology departments and centers can diversify their radiation oncologist staff and improve their retention. Some suggestions include: giving less weight to test scores; exploring more deeply the reasons for lower test scores (for example, due to lack of financial resources to take test prep courses); and having standardized questions for all interviewees. The panelists also talked about ways to improve retention such as ensuring that the HR partners have the appropriate expertise for specific circumstances.

The Front Desk: Your Patients' First Impression

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

In her workshop at SROA’s 2022 Annual Meeting, Michele Krohn advocated for a back-to-basics approach ensuring front desk teams provide optimal customer service.

Somebody will make a judgment about your practice in the first seven seconds. Common sense is key, but it seems to be a lost art. The patient is the customer, but people like family, caregivers, representatives and the general public also take account.

Leveraging Mentorship

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Dr. Ruth Gotian spoke about mentorship at SROA’s 2022 Annual Meeting. She said we need four roles in our life:

Role Model is someone you want to become.
Mentor talks with you (an extended period of time).
Coach talks at you (pushes you, holds you accountable; a finite period of time.
Sponsor talks about you (people who nominate you for committees, award)

The Magic of Human Connection: Your Advantage in a Digital World

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Tim David gave SROA’s keynote presentation on the principles of human connection at SROA’s 2022 Annual Meeting. He said every organization has at least one person they don’t feel connected to. While people may be frustrating or challenging, we can make some tweaks to make them less so. Connection can create consistency and reliability and make our interactions more joyful.

Leader Standard Work: An Organizational Tool for Managing Your Work

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Leader Standard Work (LSW) is a tool that is being used more often in health care. LSW is one of the tools within Lean’s management system. It’s an effective tool for organizing one’s schedule, setting priorities and managing one’s time. The LSW concept is based on processes and achieving goals, supporting stainability and, to some degree, succession planning.

The Use of AI in Dosimetry

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 04:00:00 GMT

This blog post is adapted from “Is AI Reshaping the Medical Dosimetrist’s Role,” which was published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol. 32 No. 2.

A 2020 Nature article says, “AI could have particularly transformative applications in radiation oncology given the multifaceted and highly technical nature of this field of medicine with a heavy reliance on digital data processing and computer software. . . . AI has the potential to improve the accuracy, precision, efficiency and overall quality of radiation therapy for patients with cancer.”¹ Two medical dosimetrists share how they’re using AI and its implications for their profession and patient care.

Hiring, Recruiting and Retention Strategies

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 04:00:00 GMT

It’s well documented that the healthcare workforce has been hit hard by the pandemic. Burnout and stress have caused unprecedented rates of departure. At the same time, COVID-19 precipitated a time in which workers have greater opportunities to change jobs for more money, better benefits and more favorable work conditions.

Healthcare employers have to fill many vacancies and simultaneously retain current staff. In “Hiring staff during the great resignation,” Aine Cryts presents hiring strategies for front desk and medical assistant staff, administrative staff and clinical staff. One strategy is to post openings locally (such as through a relevant Facebook group). Other options include hiring people part-time and offering staff a flexible work schedule; both offer employers a chance to save money on health insurance and other benefits. The article also emphasizes the need to have pay rates for one’s specific market. Flexibility for all kinds of hires seems to be key.

How to Tackle Healthcare Worker Burnout

Mon, 02 May 2022 04:00:00 GMT

Renowned psychologist Christina Maslach, who created the Maslach Burnout Inventory, has remarked that even before the pandemic healthcare workers were at a higher risk for burnout. The pandemic has exacerbated the burnout problem as care providers and caretakers have struggled to keep pace.¹ According a survey highlighted in a March 2022 HealthcareDive article, one-third of nurses plan to quit their jobs by the end of this year.² Physician burnout increased from 42 percent in 2020 to 47 percent in 2021 according to the Medscape Physician Burnout & Depression Report 2022: Stress, Anxiety and Anger.³ The report notes that “Most physicians said that burnout permeates most aspects of their lives, with 54% indicating that the impact was strong to severe, including with their relationships.”³

Since the pandemic has worsened burnout and the coronavirus continues to stretch the country’s healthcare resources to their limits, how can healthcare leaders help their teams tackle burnout? We highlight several recent articles that offer suggestions.

Tackling Medical Physicist Burnout

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 04:00:00 GMT

This article is adapted, in part, from an article that appeared in SROA’s publication, Radiation Oncology for Administrators (Vol 31 No 5).

Many medical physicists have shared their concerns with me about their overwhelming workloads and exhaustion. Debbie Schofield decided to explore the prevalence of burnout in the medical physicist community as part of her doctoral studies. She conducted a study about job-related attitudes and burnout in the medical physics profession.

Helping Patients Avoid Financial Toxicity

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 13:00:00 GMT

This article is adapted, in part, from an article that appeared in SROA’s publication, Radiation Oncology for Administrators (Vol 31 No 5).

The National Cancer Institute describes financial toxicity as “problems a cancer patient has related to the cost of treatment.” Out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, deductibles and coinsurance not covered by health insurance, can cause patients financial distress. Financial hardship due to treatment can cause higher household debt, depletion of savings and even the need to seek bankruptcy protection. Financial issues affect patients’ emotional and physical well-being and their survival. Some patients may even have to delay or abandon treatment.

Cancer Awareness Days

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 05:00:00 GMT

There are more than 100 types of cancer. Cancers are usually named after the organs or tissues where they are located. Major cancers like breast, lung, prostate, colorectal, liver, cervical and ovarian cancer are more well-known because there are more diagnoses. We put together a list of important cancer awareness days that are recognized nationally and internationally each year. This list is comprehensive, but not exhaustive, so we apologize for any we’ve missed.

Cancer Awareness Months

Tue, 11 Jan 2022 05:00:00 GMT

Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected personally by cancer. In 2021, the American Cancer Society estimated there would be 1.9 million new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. and 608,570 cancer deaths. The National Cancer Institute reported that in 2020, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers accounted for an estimated 43 percent of all cancers diagnosed in men in 2020; breast, lung and colorectal accounted for an estimated 50 percent of all new cancer diagnoses in women.

We have put together a list of cancer awareness months

Tailoring Radiotherapy Using GARD

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Content in the blog post is adapted from an article published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators Vol 31 No 4.

Genomic-adjusted radiation dose (GARD) shows great promise in helping clinicians tailor radiotherapy treatments for patients. SROA first published an article about GARD in 2017. A new study about GARD published in The Lancet Oncology “validates the association between GARD and radiation therapy outcome in a large cohort of patients, across seven different cancer types.” These cancers include cancers of the breast, head and neck, endometrium, melanoma, glioma, pancreas and lung (NSCLC).

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 4

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Teri Bedard, Executive Director, Client & Corporate Resources with Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies, discusses new technologies. This content originally appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol. 31 No. 3.

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 3

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Teri Bedard, Executive Director, Client & Corporate Resources with Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies, discusses the impact of COVID-19, telehealth, and hypofractionation. This content originally appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol. 31 No. 3.

2021 Workshop: Mentoring and Being Mentored - Presented by Patty Saponaro

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 21:00:00 GMT

Patty Saponaro, Associate Chair for Administration at UNC Radiation Oncology, presented on mentoring and being mentored.

The leader’s role is to be curious, to keep learning, and to teach others, she said. You have to start with the work (what work needs to be done) and knowing what you have to offer and what the person wants. In doing so, you’re asking the person to be self-reflective about why they’re seeking mentorship.

2021 General Session: Crisis Leadership in a Time of Pandemic - Presented by Dr. Ralph Gigliotti

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 18:00:00 GMT

Sunday afternoon’s general session address featured Dr. Ralph Gigliotti, Director of Rutgers University’s Center For Organizational Leadership. He spoke about how crisis has become a more negative and complex term.

He presented six key strategies for administrators:

Focus on items within your immediate control and influence.
Develop a clear understanding of your leadership goals.
Design strategies for meaningfully engaging others in strategy, change, planning and crisis efforts.
Prioritize wellness and well-being.
Adopt people-centered approaches for navigating the “minefield” of the post-pandemic workplace.
Remember your why.

Keynote Session: Leading with Vitality

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 04:00:00 GMT

SROA’s 38^th Annual Meeting kicked off with a keynote presentation by Sara Ross, Chief Vitality Officer at BrainAMPED, a leadership research and coaching firm.

Three key takeaways from her presentation about developing a vitality mindset are:

Be willing to unlearn old intentions and re-learn new responses to serve that impact.
Shift your thinking from, “What’s wrong with them?” to “I wonder what’s going on with them.”
Write your own positive proof with a resilience resume. Keep it close, update it often, refer to it regularly.

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 2

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Teri Bedard, Executive Director, Client & Corporate Resources with Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies, discusses the RO-APM. This content originally appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol. 31 No. 3.

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 1

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 13:30:00 GMT

Teri Bedard, Executive Director, Client & Corporate Resources with Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies, discusses some common billing and coding issues. This content originally appeared in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol. 31 No. 3.

SROA Blog: A Team Approach to Patient Care

Thu, 29 Jul 2021 11:00:00 GMT

This blog post is based on “A Team Approach to Patient Care,” an article published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol 31, No 2. The publication is an SROA member benefit.

In September 2020, Jana Grienke, clinical administrator in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Iowa Hospitals, was recognized as a “Healthcare Hero,” and her team approach to health care was featured in an article.

“In radiation oncology, we’re always uber focused on the safety of patients and staff, but when the pandemic started, it really did force us to have a different perspective and approach with things in the clinic,” she said. “Due to the urgency, we needed to make decisions quickly and sometimes in real time.”

Improving Interoperability Through Standardization

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 18:00:00 GMT

This blog post is based on “Improving Interoperability Through Standardization,” an article published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators, Vol 31, No 2. The publication is an SROA member benefit.

When clinics have separate standalone systems, often there are inefficiencies like duplication of effort, underuse of tools that can lead to errors from manual workarounds, and missing documentation. TriHealth operates five radiation therapy sites, three of which came online during the pandemic, so we needed to standardize workflows and software among all the sites.

A Tool To Help You Be Both Productive And Present

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 12:00:00 GMT

The same distractions that interrupt office productivity also penetrate remote work environments. There can be spouses, kids, pets, laundry, and yard work to manage. So, how can you be simultaneously present and productive? By learning to set boundaries using common language and simple tools like the 5 Gears.

The Dietitian's Role in Oncology

Wed, 19 May 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) improves patients’ ability to tolerate treatment, quality of life during and post-treatment, and survival. MNT reduces weight loss, unplanned hospitalizations, lengths of stay in hospital and breaks in treatment. More than 50 percent of cancer patients exhibit nutritional risk factors at their initial oncology visit, and roughly 80 percent of these patients experience malnutrition at some point during treatment

Zoom Fatigue is Real

Wed, 05 May 2021 14:00:00 GMT

Over the last year many of us have gone from days with face-to-face meetings to hours of virtual meetings. With accessibility increasing, it seems like more and more meetings are happening via online platforms such as Teams, Webex, and especially Zoom.

Practice Yoga in the Workplace to De-Stress

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 04:00:00 GMT

Sitting is the new smoking. I’m sure you’ve heard that one before. With more and more people working from home, and with laptops, cell phones and email, the lines between our work lives and home lives have most definitely blurred, which leads to longer working days and more hours spent “logged in.”

While studies have shown that we are not necessarily sitting more than our prehistoric predecessors we also aren’t getting up and moving around as much as we once did. Sure, we can buy a standing desk, or sit on an exercise ball while we work to mitigate some of the negative effects of sitting, but a better strategy might be to incorporate short periods of movement during the day.

Women's History Month

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the vital role of women in American history.

SROA’s Connect community offers members a platform to ask each other questions, share ideas, or, as the website says, “connect and collaborate.” We asked our Community members what women inspire them in honor of Women’s History Month. Here is a sampling of some of the responses we received.

The Value of Onboarding

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 04:00:00 GMT

As administrators, we cannot underestimate the value and impact of a comprehensive onboarding program. Onboarding is the first opportunity for new hires to get a true sense of our organization’s culture.

How to Lead an Effective Meeting

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 05:00:00 GMT

People want to feel valued, heard, and understood in every environment. So, how do you know which team members want to be led in which way? First, seek to understand yourself, then seek to understand others. The way you communicate will lead to building or destroying your workplace culture.

A New Cancer Survivorship Clinic | SROA

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 05:00:00 GMT

Given the growing number of survivors––22.1 million survivors of cancer by 2030 according to American Cancer Society estimates––specific services will be needed to deal with long-term side effects and tools to help them maintain their quality of life.

Diversity Matters Revisited––Overcoming Adversity

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 05:00:00 GMT

This blog post sources its content from “Diversity Matters Revisited,” an article published in November 2020 in SROA’s quarterly news publication, Radiation Oncology News for Administrators.

2020: The Remarkable Year

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

A year ago, we anticipated a new decade and all its promise. At the end of 2019, there were hints that 2020 would be extraordinary though, not in the way we expected. The news of novel coronavirus cases in Wuhan, China, foreshadowed the pandemic that swept across the globe this year, but it wasn’t until early March that we had full awareness of the havoc COVID-19 would wreak.

How Speed Mentoring Fostered A Long-Term Professional and Personal Friendship

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

The SROA Mentor Match program is a fantastic way to engage with peers. The program offers members unique networking and career development tools that help you connect, share experiences and get advice on specific problems. And since the program is virtual, you can connect with anyone, anywhere, anytime!

Diversity Matters Revisited––Opportunities for Change

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

This blog post sources its content from “Diversity Matters Revisited,” an article published in November 2020 in SROA’s quarterly news publication, Radiation Oncology News for Administrators.

Benefits of AI in Radiation Oncology

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 05:00:00 GMT

In October 2020, the Mayo Clinic and Google Health announced a joint initiative that focuses on applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to radiation therapy planning and medical imaging. Experts from the Mayo Clinic and Google Health will apply AI to medical imaging.

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

It’s been said that cancer impacts us all, either directly or indirectly through someone we know. Until earlier this year, I mainly knew of cancer indirectly. My uncle was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer just as the pandemic hit.

Biology guided radiotherapy Q & A

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Sam Mazin is the founder and CTO of RefleXion Medical. Mazin joined SROA Soundboard--a podcast for SROA to discuss biology guided radiotherapy (BgRT) technology for radiation oncology. Catch up on the key highlights from Mazin's podcast.

National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. In 2020, more than 57,000 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Although this is considered a rare cancer, it is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

SROA 2020 Highlights: How You Can Advance Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence in Radiation Oncology (Part 1)

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

Dr. Malika Siker, a radiation oncologist with the Medical College of Wisconsin, spoke about ways to advance equity, diversity and inclusiveness in radiation oncology. She concluded her talk by discussing what steps individuals can take to effect change.

SROA2020 Highlights: Driving a Culture of Innovation

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

On Friday, October 30, Mark Coticchia, vice president for Innovation at Baptist Health South Florida, presented on driving a culture of innovation. He described innovation as the intentional process of developing a new product or service to address a need held by many. It’s a structured form of problem solving that is need-based and multidisciplinary.

#SROA2020 Highlights: Managing Projects in Radiation Oncology

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 05:00:00 GMT

On Thursday, October 29, Donna Royster, radiation oncology administrator with Atrium Health, presented practical tips on how to incorporate project management (PM) principles in radiation oncology. She also discussed why health care needs a more formal approach to project management.

#SROA2020 Highlights Cancer Research Insights: The Last Decade

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, October 28, Dr. Kim Clarke, program manager, Extramural Discovery Sciences with the American Cancer Society (ACS), presented on cancer research insights from the last decade. Her presentation covered precision medicine, immunotherapy, cancer metabolism, metastasis and palliative care.

#SROA2020 Highlights: Radiation Therapist Burnout

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

On Tuesday, October 27, Cassandra Worley, radiation therapy supervisor at The Radiation Therapy Center of Morris Hospital, gave a workshop on the potential hazards of burnout amongst radiation therapists.

#SROA2020 Highlights: Improving the Patient Experience

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

SROA President Brenda Marie Palo welcomed participants to the society’s 37^th annual and first Virtual Annual Meeting on Monday, October 26. She introduced John Cashion, this year’s keynote speaker.

2021 Proposed Rules and RO Model: Q&A with James Hugh, MHA

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

In this Q&A, James Hugh, MHA senior vice president of American Medical Accounting and Consulting, Inc., (AMAC) shared his thoughts on the 2020 CMS Final Rules.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

October 2020 marks the 35^th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every October for the past 35 years, charities in October raise money to support breast cancer research and to support patients and survivors. The pink ribbon has become an internationally recognized symbol.

Teaser Alert! What to expect at SROA 2020 Annual Meeitng

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 04:00:00 GMT

On October 26–30, SROA will host its 37^th Annual Meeting and its 1^st virtual meeting. Like prior annual meetings, there will be a keynote presentation, general presentations and workshops.

SROA'S Emerging Professional-at-Large –– Tina Berry

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Tina Berry is SROA’s new emerging professional-at-large. She participated in a Q&A to talk about her new role.

Cybersecurity Risks from Increased use of Telehealth

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Alex Wirth joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast for radiation oncology administrators to discuss cybersecurity risks that exist with the increased use of telehealth during the pandemic.

SROA's Newest Member-at-Large - Mike Grindstaff

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Mike Grindstaff, director, Radiation Oncology at TriHealth Cancer Institute in Cincinnati, Ohio, is SROA’s new member-at-large. He participated in a Q&A to talk about his new role.

SROA's New President-Elect

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

SROA’s New President-Elect

Aaron Brammer, administrator at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University in Atlanta, GA, is SROA’s new president-elect. He participated in a Q&A to talk about his new role.

Generation We

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

“I find that showing people how to behave is better than telling them how”–– John Paul DeJoria

Lee Silber joined SROA to discuss generations during his “Generation We” webinar. Silber, an award-winning author of 26 books, including two best sellers, spoke about the multigenerational workforce, what makes each generation special and commonalities with each generation.

Advocating for a Better Patient Experience

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 04:00:00 GMT

When she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Kimberly Richardson didn’t have a positive experience. During recovery for what doctors thought was an ovarian cyst, she was tapped on her shoulder and told, “Kim, it’s cancer. We’ll talk with you about it when you’re fully awake.” Later, her oncologist scribbled her specific tumor type––Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumor Stage 3A, a rare form of cancer—on the back of her referral. “I remember very clearly that my oncologist scribbled on the back of my referral for a follow-up test. It said ‘3A GCT.’ That was the very first time I was introduced to my stage and the type of cancer I had, and I had just met my oncologist,” she said.

The Art of Talking to people, Networking and Building Relationships

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years getting people interested in you,” Mattson

Tackling Diversity and Inclusion Through A Broader Lens

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT

“People misconstrue diversity. Diversity encompasses many groups depending upon what is underrepresented in the field,” said Dr. Maria L. Soto-Greene, who is nationally known for her work in diversity, inclusion, health equity and social justice. “Sometimes people equate diversity with underrepresented minorities, which leaves out the many identities that we have. Think about a person who is LGBTQ and also an underrepresented minority. When we fail to consider the assets of a diverse provider, we deprive our communities of the benefit that can be realized in their care.”

Lack of Diversity in Radiation Oncology is Not Simply a 'Pipeline Problem'

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMT

If you look at the top 20 specialties, radiation oncology ranks at the bottom with respect to women and minorities, so we need to figure out what we are not doing a good enough job at, recruiting these folks that are going into other specialties,” said Dr. Curtiland Deville, clinical director of Radiation Oncology at Sibley Memorial Hospital and associate professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Reduce Stress & Burnout and Build Resilience

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 04:00:00 GMT

“The greatest ability we have as humans is the ability to see beyond our circumstances. It’s about the choices we can make, the choices we need to make now are the in order to move into growth mode in everything you do.” Dr. Peart

Strategies for Diversifying the Radiation Oncologist Workforce

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

This blog post sources its content from “Diversity Matters”, an article published in SROA’s quarterly news publication Radiation Oncology News for Administrators in April 2020.

Published studies and statistics show that cancer patients from underrepresented populations tend to have poorer health outcomes. According to a 2017 ASCO Post article, “In oncology, just 2% of the physician workforce self-identifies as black/African American and 3% as Hispanic/Latino. In addition, the proportion of black/African American and Hispanic/Latino oncology fellows is consistently lower than many other fellowships in subspecialties in internal medicine.”

COVID-19 and Radiation Oncology Q&A

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT

SROA recently hosted a COVID-19 Q&A webinar session with four Board members. The members discussed what their facilities are doing to manage the CDC guidelines and the changing dynamic of the COVID-19 pandemic. All questions asked during the webinar were from SROA members.

Radiation Therapy Staffing

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

According to SROA’s 2018 Benchmarking Survey, the highest and lowest reported salaries for licensed radiation therapists was $93,600 and $65,094, respectively, with median bonuses of $2,000 and $900, respectively. Administrators reported that bonuses were not typical. SROA encourages member administrators to participate in the 2020 Biennial Benchmarking Survey.

Improve Operational Outcome

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Molly Patt is the radiation oncology department administrator at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. Patt shared details about more about her poster presentation, “Visual Management and Team Huddles Improve Operational Outcomes,” from the 2019 Annual Meeting.

Oncology Clinical Trials Amidst the Pandemic

Wed, 27 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

As COVID-19 took hold, it upended almost everything in health care. It has changed how healthcare providers work and how patients receive their care. The media have reported on the increased use of telehealth, treatment delays and the impacts on clinical trials. Typically, according to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 3 to 5 percent of adult cancer patients participate in clinical trials.

Sarah Lombardi Quality & Safety in Radiation Oncology

Wed, 20 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Sarah Lombardi is the Regional Quality Safety Coordinator for the Department of Radiation Oncology and Yale New Haven Hospital. Lombardi shares with SROA a more in-depth look at the importance of a quality and safety coordinator in radiation oncology.

Getting Organized to Get Things Done

Wed, 13 May 2020 04:00:00 GMT

Do you ever feel like there is too much to do and not enough hours in the day?

I do. I bet most of us do. If you’re anything like me, you’re juggling projects at work and at home. As the work piles up, you can feel paralyzed. Take this blog post, for instance –– I promised to complete it an embarrassingly long time ago. On top of that, it’s based on David Allen’s book, The Art of Getting Things Done: the Art of Stress-Free Productivity.

Radiation Oncology Career Growth Starts with a Conversation

Wed, 06 May 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Job satisfaction is important because it helps us have a healthy attitude that permeates all areas of our life. One was to ensure job satisfaction is having an honest conversation about career development with your manager. A good manager is willing to act as a mentor and help foster your career growth.

Small Steps to Tackle Workplace Burnout

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT

"There's only really 13% of the workplace, the global workforce that is engaged and happy at work." We spoke with Jennifer Moss in a recent podcast interview for SROA SoundBoard, regarding workplace Burnout Within and Beyond the Pandemic.

Radiation Oncology Code Capture Challenges

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Radiation oncology code capture is one of the most difficult areas of code captures in all of medicine.

Tips to Help You Reduce Nursing Turnover

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 12:00:00 GMT

A recent article* published in Radiation Oncology News for Administrators offers suggestions on how to fix a nursing turnover problem.

Radiation Oncology During COVID-19 - What One Facility is Doing During the Pandemic

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 12:23:00 GMT

Amidst the rapid changes that have come about because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we spoke to Dr. Bisham Chera in a recent podcast interview for SROA SoundBoard, regarding changes in his department and how they are handling the pandemic.

How to Bill for SBRT

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Susan Vannoni, founder and CEO of Radiation Oncology Consulting LLC (ROC), provides some helpful answers in this Q&A to common questions about treatment delivery and management of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). All codes listed in this Q&A are from the AMA CPT.

Managing a Multigenerational Workforce in the Radiation Oncoloy Department

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 12:00:00 GMT

Millennials, Gen Z, Boomers... love them or hate them as professionals we all need to work with them. With as many as five generations in the workforce today it is no wonder that generations in the workforce is a hot topic for administrators who run Radiation Oncology Departments. Kim Lear shares great advice for working with and managing the different generations in the workforce today in our most recent podcast.

2020 CMS Final Rules: Q&A with Jim Hugh

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 05:00:00 GMT

In this Q&A, Jim Hugh, senior vice president of American Medical Accounting and Consulting, Inc., (AMAC) shared his thoughts on the 2020 CMS Final Rules.

Like a Garden, Your Relationships Need Nurturing

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 14:00:00 GMT

Mentoring, in my opinion, is an overused term because I think we do it without putting the “mentoring” label on it. Mentoring is not like a shoebox with stuff in it that you pull out when you need it. It’s more aptly called relationship building, and it’s a core skill you should develop to use personally and professionally.

Late Career Is Not Too Late For A New Position

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 05:00:00 GMT

A few years ago I found myself downsized. My initial thought was, “What am I going to do at age 59 with no job opportunities?” I had been in my job for 24 years. I found myself in a situation I never expected.

Miffed About MIPS

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

As my organization shifts to discussions about participation in the radiation oncology alternative payment model (RO-APM), I am worried about the costs of meeting this new mandate. If our country is serious about a value-based payment system for health care, we must make sure that the total cost of delivering and demonstrating value is part of the equation.

Incident Reporting Using RO-ILS

Thu, 03 Oct 2019 04:00:00 GMT

In this Q&A, Jana Grienke, clinical department administrator, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, shared her experience with using ASTRO’s RO-ILS for incident reporting.

Decoding Demographic Shifts and Understanding Generational Insights

Sun, 15 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

This blog is a summary of the keynote presentation by Kim Lear, generational expert and founder of Inlay Insights.

What's Your Go-To Quotation

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT

I’m writing this on a Monday. Online every Monday the hashtags #MotivationMonday and #MondayMotivation accompany memes with famous quotations designed to encourage and inspire us as we begin a new work week. Why do so many people find Mondays so hard? Are weekends always that good?

Safety First Culture – One Administrator's Perspective

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 04:00:00 GMT

If ever there was a field for which safety culture is critically important, it is radiation oncology. This is due, in part, to the danger posed by introducing radiation to the human body. Add to this multiple human roles in processing every treatment plan, and the psychological complexity of dealing with cancer patients and their hopes, fears and expectations. It becomes important to explore: what are the necessary ingredients to create a successful safety culture? I think there are four pertinent criteria to safety first culture.

8 Tips to Avoid Workplace Burnout & Ensure Job Satisfaction

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 04:00:00 GMT

As administrators in radiation oncology many of us are tasked with diverse responsibilities that don’t fit neatly into a job description. Though we are in leadership roles, oftentimes we are the chief cook and the bottlewasher, the go-to people that step in to ensure that last-minute crises are avoided. We get the job done. And while that level of involvement can be rewarding and challenging, it can quickly lead to burnout. Read on for 8 tips to avoid workplace burnout and ensure job satisfaction.

Welcome to the SROA Sidebar Blog

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 05:00:00 GMT

Through this blog, as well as through the newsletter and eNews, I will continue to bring you relevant, timely—and interesting, I hope—articles, information and links to news. We plan to include content on work/life balance, managing and developing staff, patient experience, the challenges of pre-authorizations, and more. The blog will feature posts written by guest contributors.

SROA Sidebar Blog RSS

Celebrating Women in Radiation Oncology

National Cancer Prevention Month

November Is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Marks 40th Anniversary

Skin Cancer: Be Aware and Take Care

The Radiation Oncology Clinical Specialist

To Leverage Clinic Operational Data, Start with Results

AI in Radiation Oncology: Where Are We Now??

Breast Cancer Awareness

Relationships and Engagement: The Benefits I Realized from SROA's New Administrators ?Workshop

Radiation Therapist Burnout

The Advanced Practice Radiation Therapist

An Aligned Care Model to Improve Nurse Engagement?

All Women Should Get Mammograms at Age 40?

Succession Planning in Radiation Oncology Administration

Pre-Conference Workshop for New Administrators ?

Tackling Payor Issues

RTs Can Work Remotely

Mental Health Check-In

How a Payer Rules Filter Can Reduce Denials

Cancer Treatment in a FLASH

Sponsored Blog - MIM Software: Radiopharmaceutical Therapies: A Partnership between Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Oncology Departments?

Your "Top 5": A Key to Organization

Day 3

The Outcomes of Accreditation

Day 2: Roundup of SROA's 2022 Annual Meeting

The Front Desk: Your Patients' First Impression

Leveraging Mentorship

The Magic of Human Connection: Your Advantage in a Digital World

Sponsored Blog - Radformation: Automation-Assisted Workflows Maximize Clinical Efficiency

Leader Standard Work: An Organizational Tool for Managing Your Work

The Use of AI in Dosimetry

Hiring, Recruiting and Retention Strategies

How to Tackle Healthcare Worker Burnout

Tackling Medical Physicist Burnout

Helping Patients Avoid Financial Toxicity

Cancer Awareness Days

Cancer Awareness Months

Tailoring Radiotherapy Using GARD

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 4

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 3

2021 Workshop: Mentoring and Being Mentored - Presented by Patty Saponaro

2021 General Session: Crisis Leadership in a Time of Pandemic - Presented by Dr. Ralph Gigliotti

Keynote Session: Leading with Vitality

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 2

Billing and Coding Q&A–Part 1

SROA Blog: A Team Approach to Patient Care

Improving Interoperability Through Standardization

A Tool To Help You Be Both Productive And Present

The Dietitian's Role in Oncology

Zoom Fatigue is Real

Practice Yoga in the Workplace to De-Stress

Women's History Month

The Value of Onboarding

How to Lead an Effective Meeting

A New Cancer Survivorship Clinic | SROA

Diversity Matters Revisited––Overcoming Adversity

2020: The Remarkable Year

How Speed Mentoring Fostered A Long-Term Professional and Personal Friendship

Diversity Matters Revisited––Opportunities for Change

Benefits of AI in Radiation Oncology

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

Biology guided radiotherapy Q & A

National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

SROA 2020 Highlights: How You Can Advance Equity, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence in Radiation Oncology (Part 1)

SROA2020 Highlights: Driving a Culture of Innovation

#SROA2020 Highlights: Managing Projects in Radiation Oncology

#SROA2020 Highlights Cancer Research Insights: The Last Decade

#SROA2020 Highlights: Radiation Therapist Burnout

#SROA2020 Highlights: Improving the Patient Experience

2021 Proposed Rules and RO Model: Q&A with James Hugh, MHA

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Teaser Alert! What to expect at SROA 2020 Annual Meeitng

SROA'S Emerging Professional-at-Large –– Tina Berry

Cybersecurity Risks from Increased use of Telehealth

SROA's Newest Member-at-Large - Mike Grindstaff

SROA's New President-Elect

Generation We

Advocating for a Better Patient Experience