4th Surgical Oncology Advanced Practitioner (SOAP) Conference

Additional dates:

Completed Event:

April 22, 2023

Overview
The goal of the SOAP conference is to foster collaboration and share best practices among APPs working in surgical oncology. This extensive 3-day program will bring the latest evidence regarding the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of solid tumor malignancies and multi-disciplinary management to medical professionals involved in patient care and clinical research. The inaugural SOAP conference took place in April 2018 and was co-sponsored by the Association of Physician Assistants in Oncology and the MD Anderson Division of Surgery. This inaugural meeting was the first of its kind in providing specific medical and surgical training and education to help improve patient outcomes for those afflicted with solid tumors. The meeting was a huge success in meeting the educational needs of surgical APPs from around the country, attracting nearly 240 attendees from 29 US states. Additionally, there were 104 APPs from MD Anderson that not only received specialized CME for certification, but also the shared benefit of APP collaboration on best practice and opportunities for professional development. In April 2019, the 2nd Surgical Oncology Advanced Practitioner Conference (SOAP) took place on the MD Anderson Cancer Center campus and had similar results in participation and learning outcomes. The success of both the 1st and 2nd SOAP conference prompted organizers to continue having this conference as a regular, biennial educational event. The last or 3rd SOAP conference took place in April 2021 and was held virtually due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite work-related travel changes, this 3rd SOAP conference remained a huge success with over 250 registrants representing over 20 US states, including participants from Europe, Central and South America. Post-conference surveys continue to demonstrate positive outcomes related to both virtual and in-person learning platforms. With limited opportunities for APPs to obtain continuing education, especially in the areas of oncology and solid tumor management, the SOAP conference continues to help fill much needed gaps in clinical learning and professional collaboration and networking.