Cancer ECHO: Head and Neck Cancer series

About Head and Neck Cancer ECHO series with HPV Considerations

As of August 1, 2026 this page is no longer being updated

This virtual series was designed to support healthcare professionals in aligning their efforts with the Indiana Cancer Control Plan 2023-2027, addressing Head and Neck cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship care in a collaborative and impactful way. 

This free, virtual series offered evidence-based strategies to help reduce head and neck cancer rates and improve patient outcomes. We aimed to create a collaborative space to share resources, learn from one another, and create meaningful change.

The Cancer ECHO: Head and Neck Cancer ECHO series met online via Zoom on the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET.

Each session followed the familiar format of a 30-minute didactic presentation, followed by applied case-based learning, providing space for discussion and resource sharing.

Our Audience

Each session was designed with a specific professional audience in mind; however, every ECHO was open to all members of the health team, and we welcomed opportunities for cross-collaboration.

Content was best suited for primary care practitioners, including:

  • Physicians
  • Advanced Practice Providers
  • Oncologists
  • Nurses
  • Social Workers
  • Nutritionist
  • Medical and Non-Medical Case Managers
  • Patient Navigators
  • Community-Based Organizations working in Cancer Care
  • Public Health Professionals
  • Cancer Researchers
  • Pharmacists
  • Hospital Administration and Insurance Personnel

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact our program management specialist, Norelimane Bouzar: nbouzar@iu.edu 

Didactic Topics

Date

Didactic Topic

April 7, 2026Access to Care in Head and Neck Cancer
April 21, 2026HPV Vaccination and Prevention of Head and Neck Cancers
May 5, 2026Early Signs of Head and Neck Cancer
May 19, 2026Surgery, Radiation, and Systematic Therapies for Head and Neck Cancer
June 2, 2026Speech and Swallowing Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer Care
June 16, 2026Palliative and Hospice Care for Patients with Head and Neck Cancer

Recordings and resources from prior sessions are available through the ECHO Online Resource Library to all registered learners.

Colorectal Cancer ECHO

Date

Didactic Topic

October 7, 2025Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention in Rural Women
October 21, 2025Enhancing Screening Access in Rural Communities
November 4, 2025Promoting Nutrition-Based Cancer Prevention and Post-Treatment Wellness
November 18, 2025Expanding Colorectal Cancer Screening in Rural Indiana: A Grant-Funded Initiative
December 2, 2025Understanding Lynch Syndrome and the Role of Genetic Counseling in Hereditary Colorectal Cancer
December 16, 2025Cancelled for the holiday break
January 6, 2026Supporting Cancer Survivors Through Recurrence Concerns
January 20, 2026Integrating Palliative and Hospice Care for Improved Quality of Life
February 3, 2026Supporting Life After Colorectal Cancer: Tools, Resources, and Survivorship Programs
February 17, 2026Addressing Gaps in Impacted Populations
March 3, 2026Ensuring Insurance Coverage and Improving Access to Treatment

Lung Cancer ECHO series

Date

Didactic Topic
January 21, 2025Overview of Indiana Cancer Control Plan & YOU: What Part You Play in the Cancer Control Plan in Indiana
February 4, 2025Addressing The Top Causes of Lung Cancer in Indiana: Preventing Radon Exposure and Promoting Tobacco Cessation
February 18, 2025Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines: They've Changed and They're Not Always Easy
March 4, 2025Navigating Screening and Insurance Coverage for Patients with High Risk in Rural Communities
March 18, 2025Advances in Biomarker Testing for Lung Cancer
April 1, 2025Demystifying Clinical Trials and Promoting Diverse Participants
April 15, 2025Lung Cancer Survivorship Stories and Programmatic Approaches
May 6, 2025Supportive Approaches to Lung Cancer Palliative Care and Hospice
May 20, 2025Survivorship Care - From the Provider Perspective
July 15, 2025A Special Populations Focus: Physical Activity & Cancer Survivorship

Registered participants have access to our Canvas resource library.

DateDidactic Topics
02/07/2023An Overview of Indiana Cancer Epidemiology Data
02/21/2023Cancer Care in the Primary Care Setting
03/07/2023IU Multidisciplinary Oncology Vitality and Exercise (MOVE) Program
03/21/2023Colorectal Cancer Screening
04/04/2023Nutrition, Obesity, and Cancer
04/18/2023Canceled
05/02/2023Melanoma + Skin
05/16/2023Alcohol and Cancer
06/06/2023Trauma Informed Care, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Cancer
06/20/2023LGBTQ+ Cancer Considerations
07/04/2023Canceled for Independence Day
07/14/2023Tobacco Cessation
08/01/2023Cancer Survivorship
08/15/2023Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Screening
09/05/2023Lung Cancer Screening
09/19/2023Canceled: ECHO team attending conference
10/03/2023Canceled
10/17/2023Breast Cancer Awareness // Indiana Cancer Control Plan // National Lung Cancer Screening Day
11/07/2023Prostate Cancer: Diagnostics and Treatment

Registered participants have access to our Canvas resource library.

DateDidactic Topics
01/18/2022HPV and Cervical Cancer
02/01/2022The Women's Hospital High-Risk Breast Program​
02/15/2022Improved Survival in Cancer but Continued Disparities: Planning the Future with Precision Medicine, but Assessing the Past through the Rear View Mirror
03/01/2022HPV Vaccination Rates
03/15/2022Patient-Centered Nutrition, Factoring Food Insecurity and Cultural Food Preferences into Quality Health Care
04/05/2022Breast Cancer Disparities Part II
04/19/2022Men's HPV Cancer
05/03/2022Canceled
05/17/2022Cancer and Family Impact (Support Systems)
06/07/2022Cancer in the LGBTQ+ Community
06/21/2022“Oncology and Dermatology” by Syril Keena Que, MD, MPH
07/05/2022Post Traumatic Resilience
07/19/2022Cancer Risk Assessment and Genetic Counseling
08/02/2022Indiana Public Health Campaign
08/16/2022Identifying Barriers to HPV Vaccination for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Childhood Cancer Survivors
09/06/2022Patient-Informed Decision Making
09/20/2022HPV Counseling
10/04/2022Breast Cancer

Free Continuing Education Credits

Live attendees were eligible to earn free continuing medical education credits with the Indiana University School of Medicine, specialty credits with the American Academy of Family Physicians, and credits for certified health education specialists with the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

The Indiana University School of Medicine designated this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credits™. Learners should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Top Cancers in Indiana

According to the Indiana Cancer Control Plan 2023-2027, the top cancers affecting Hoosiers are:

  1. Lung Cancer
  2. Colorectal Cancer
  3. HPV and Cancers of the Head, Neck, and Oral Cavity
  4. Lymphoid & Blood Forming Tissues Cancer
  5. Breast Cancer
  6. Kidney & Urinary Bladder Cancer
  7. Prostate Cancer

Tim Ardnt

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Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Director | Indiana Department of Health

Tim has worked in public health for over 20 years.  Starting with non-profit foundations focused on prevention and services, and for the last 5 years, as a part of the Cancer Section at the Indiana Department of Health, managing the state’s Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. 

Kate Caufield

headshot of Kate Caufield

Associate Director, Cancer Center Partnerships | American Cancer Society

Kate Caufield is completing her 8th year at the American Cancer Society as Associate Director, Cancer Center Partnerships. In this role, she leads strategic collaborations with cancer centers around the state to advance shared priorities in cancer prevention, screening, and health equity. Kate works across academic, clinical, and community systems to align research, program implementation, and policy advocacy in service of more equitable outcomes for all people facing cancer.

Kate is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and institutions to drive change in cancer care. When she’s not at work, Kate is probably spending time with her husband of almost 26 years and adult children or out hiking in the woods with the family rescue dog. 

Mirian Ramirez, MLIS

Mirian Ramirez

Librarian • Ruth Lilly Medical Library | Indiana University School of Medicine

Mirian currently serves as a research metrics librarian at the Ruth Lilly Medical Library, where she supports researchers with the analysis and applications of scholarly impact metrics. Since joining the Cancer ECHO team in 2020, she provides database demonstrations and specialized information to caregivers and healthcare professionals. 

Mary Robertson, MPH

Mary Robertson headshot

Cancer Prevention and Screening Lead | IU Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

In her role as Cancer Prevention and Screening Lead, Mary provides leadership and advancement of strategic plans, statewide initiatives, and high-level collaborative partnerships to reduce the cancer burden. Previously, Mary served as Executive Director of the Indiana Cancer Consortium (ICC), Indiana’s statewide comprehensive cancer coalition.

Mary is a graduate of Purdue University and received her master’s degree in public health from Indiana University. Over the past seven years, Mary has worked and volunteered for several Indiana nonprofits and has a passion for improving the health of all Hoosiers. 

Tamika Turner, DNP, NP-C, AOCNP

Tamika Turner headshot

Nurse Practitioner | Weatherby Healthcare

Dr. Tamika Turner has been a registered nurse since 1999. She earned a Master of Science degree with a focus in primary care nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner in December 2005 from Indiana Wesleyan University. Since then, she has served at several Indiana hospitals, specializing in adult oncology/hematology. She has been active in providing patient and family education regarding symptom management and survivorship care.

Over the past year, she has worked as a Locum and traveled to various states to take care of those diagnosed with cancer. Her career experience includes general medical oncology and hematology, bone marrow transplant, breast surgery, hospice, survivorship care, retail health, palliative care, and home care.

Dr. Turner completed her DNP through Indiana Wesleyan University in 2016. She is dedicated to educating patients and families to live healthier lives and advocate for their health care. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two sons, six grandkids, and other family members.