Your Everyday Provider: The Role of Oncology Nurses

May 14, 2025, at 12 p.m. EST

Rose Gerber, MS, Advocacy Chat host and COA’s Director of Patient Advocacy and Education, will be joined by Shannon Besselman, RN, BSN, a clinical manager for Northwest Medical Specialties for a discussion of the roles that oncology nurses play in community oncology practices.

Previous Advocacy Chats

Each month, a special guest joins COA’s Director of Patient Advocacy & Education, Rose Gerber for a conversation on oncology and advocacy-related topics.

A prepared advocate is an effective advocate. That’s why COA and CPAN are working to provide advocates with the latest information on policy changes. As a new year begins, ensure you have the tools and knowledge you need to advocate for local, affordable cancer care.

View all past chats with full video playback, notes, and session slides.

Previous Advocacy Chats

Each month, a special guest joins COA’s Director of Patient Advocacy & Education, Rose Gerber for a conversation on oncology and advocacy-related topics.

A prepared advocate is an effective advocate. That’s why COA and CPAN are working to provide advocates with the latest information on policy changes. As a new year begins, ensure you have the tools and knowledge you need to advocate for local, affordable cancer care.

View all past chats with full video playback, notes, and session slides.

  • The Financial Crisis of Cancer

    February 2, 2022 12:00 pm

    Carla Tardif

    A cancer diagnosis is life-changing. In addition to the emotional toll, patients rearrange schedules to accommodate treatment, adjust to new physical challenges, and reach out to friends and family for help. One of the biggest changes, though, is adjusting to the financial burden. On February 2, 2022 at 12 p.m. ET, Rose Gerber and Carla Tardif discussed about one organization helping those who need financial assistance with cancer.

  • The Crystal Ball for Cancer Policy in 2022

    January 12, 2022 12:00 pm

    Ted Okon, MBA

    The COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) started off 2022 with a familiar guest: Community Oncology Alliance (COA) Executive Director Ted Okon joined Director of Patient Advocacy and Education Rose Gerber to discuss COA’s legislative priorities in the new year as well as expected developments at the federal and state level.

  • Caring for the Caregivers: Supporting the Families and Friends of Patients

    December 8, 2021 12:00 pm

    John Schall, MPP

    As a chronic disease, cancer affects more than just the patient. Treatment and recovery require the efforts of multiple people in multiple places to be successful. Join Rose Gerber and Caregiver Action Network CEO John Schall to learn how to care for those most affected by a loved one’s diagnosis: family and friends.

  • Get to Know Your Oncology Care Team: Oncology Social Workers

    November 10, 2021 12:00 pm

    Abra Kelson, LICSW, OSW-C

    The November COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Chat shines a light on the role of social workers. On November 10 at 12 p.m. ET, Abra Kelson, LICSW, OSW-C, of Northwest Medical Specialties joined Rose Gerber of COA to discuss the daily life of a social worker and how you can better take advantage of all the resources your care provider’s social workers have to offer. Abra and Rose also covered the expanded role of social workers during COVID, how social workers interact with patient advocacy and support organizations, and what you can expect when talking to a social worker about your mental health or emotional needs.

  • Breast Cancer Awareness Month

    October 13, 2021 12:00 pm

    Stacy Lewis

    On October 13 at 12 p.m. ET, Rose Gerber, COA's director of patient advocacy and education, and Stacy Lewis, the chief program officer and deputy chief executive of the Young Survival Coalition, discussed Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the challenge of reaching populations who need help but may not know where to get it.