Cancer Summit 2026

The Power of Collaboration

Minnesota Cancer Alliance 2026 Cancer Summit, The Power of Collaboration!

The Minnesota Cancer Alliance is excited to celebrate 20 years of cancer control and prevention work in Minnesota and the launch of the updated Cancer Plan Minnesota! 

When: February 26th, 2026

Where: McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455

Registration for this event has now ended.

*Please note, the University Avenue Ramp is unavailable on 2/26. Please plan to park in either the Washington Avenue Ramp or the Oak Street Ramp.

Schedule at a Glance

8:00 – 8:45 am

8:45 – 9:50 am

10:00 – 10:50 am

11:00 – 11:50 am

11:50 am – 12:40 pm

12:40 – 1:20 pm

1:30 – 2:20 pm

2:30 – 3:30 pm

Registration & Continental Breakfast

Welcome Plenary: Telling Minnesota’s Cancer Story

The plenary will highlight statewide cancer trends, progress, and disparities, featuring data from the Minnesota Cancer Registry and University of Minnesota catchment reports, perspectives from Tribal Nations and the African American community, and discussion on applying insights to the updated Cancer Plan Minnesota. Moderated by Dr. Halkeno Tura of the Minnesota Department of Health.

Breakout Session #1

Presenters:

  • Brian Helmrick, MBA, LAT, ATC, Clinical Program Manager, Allina Health
  • Monica Cook, RN BSN OCN, Clinical Program Specialist, Allina Health

Panel Presenters:

  • Dr. Eileen Crespo, MD, FAAP, Delta Dental
  • Jennifer Oliphant, EdD, MPH Independent Researcher
  • Melody Doan, Minnesota Department of Health

Presenters:

  • Heather Kehn, RN, BS, MPH, Metro Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium (MMCORC)
  • Dr. Yan Ji, MD, PhD, MS, Oncologist with HealthPartners Cancer Center at Regions Hospital and MMCORC Co-PI
  • Wyatt Pickner, MPH, Program Director, American Indian Cancer Foundation
  • Kassandra Remmel, BES, CCRP, Sanford Health NCORP
  • Dylan Zylla, MD, MS, Medical Oncologist and leader of MN-CONNECT
  • Konstantinos Leventakos, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic, MSCO

Panel Presenters:

  • Abby Gold, PhD, MPH, RD, University of Minnesota Extension
  • Melissa Laska, PhD, RD, McKnight Distinguished University Professor, School of Public Health
  • Hilary Gebauer, MPH, RDN, LD, Nutrition Policy Coordinator, MN Office of Health Statewide Health Improvement Partnership
  • Robert Turesky, PhD, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
  • Clarence Jones, MA, Director, Hue-MAN Partnership
  • Madjda Bellamri, PhD, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
  • Logan Spector, PhD, Director, Division of Epidemiology/Clinical Research, University of Minnesota

Presenters:

  • Caroline Blacketter, PhD, MTAG, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
  • Norah Barrett Cooper, Vice President of Mission Delivery, Angel Foundation

Breakout Session #2

Presenters:

  • Natalie Marker, MARCH, CPHQ, CUHCC
  • Lan Luu, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Lab Director Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School
  • Amna Hussein, MBS, Masonic Cancer Center
  • Nachia Larson, DEI Program Manager MNGI Digestive Health
  • Francisco Ramirez, M Health Fairview Community Education & Outreach Supervisor
  • Katie Verhulst, MPH, Masonic Cancer Center
  • Liz Francois, RN, M Health Fairview

Panel Presenters:

  • Manal Abbadi, Senior Program Coordinator, Mayo Clinic
  • Dan Wilson, Project REACH
  • Daniel Tranter, MPH, Minnesota Department of Health
  • Clarissa Rohm, BA, Community Relations Coordinator, Mayo Clinic
  • Gladys Asiedu, PhD, Mayo Clinic
  • Rachel Stoll, CHW, Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance

Panel Presenters:

  • Allison Breininger, MA, The Negative Space
  • Ellen LaFontaine, MSW, LICSW, M Health Fairview
  • Pam Mason, MS, American Cancer Society

Presenter:

  • Wade Swenson, MD, MPH, MBA, Rural Cancer Institute, Lakewood Health System

Lunch and Awards Ceremony

Policy Pathways: Advancing Minnesota’s Cancer Plan Together Discussion

Featuring multiple speakers from across the spectrum of policy and advocacy. A focused discussion on policy priorities and advocacy strategies supporting the goals of the updated Cancer Plan Minnesota and promoting equitable cancer care across the state. Moderated by Emily Myatt, ACS Cancer Action Network.

Breakout Session #3

Presenters:

  • GayLynn Richards, DNP, RN, MPH, Breast Cancer Education Association
  • Benita Robinson, AA, Sage Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Program Representative, Minnesota Department of Health
  • Fowzia Abdullahi, CHW, Breast Cancer Education Association
  • Dr. Rev. Ora Hokes, EdD, CHW, Breast Cancer Education Association

Panel Presenters:

  • Manal Abbadi, Mayo Clinic
  • Yeng M. Yang, MD, BMA, FAAP, Hmong Health Care Professionals Coalition

Panel Presenters: 

  • Wendy Worden, DNP, APRN, CNS, Mayo Clinic
  • Kris Newcomer, MA, Xanthos Health
  • David Haynes, PhD, Assistant Professor Institute for Health Informatics, University of Minnesota, Xanthos Health
  • Talaya Dendy, BCPA, NBC-HWC, On the Other Side

Panel Presenters:

  • Rachel Stoll, CHW, Minnesota Community Health Workers Alliance
  • Angela Fields, CHW, Community Health Worker Concepts
  • Foua-Choua Khang, CHW, MBA, BlueCross BlueShield

Presenters:

  • David G. Perdue, MD, MSPH, Navatar Health
  • Ali Khammanivong, PhD, MS, Oncodea, University of Minnesota
  • Rui Zhang, PhD, FAMCI, FAMIA, FIAHSI, University of Minnesota

Fireside Connect: A Real Life Look at the Impact of Cancer

A candid panel discussion featuring perspectives from a surgeon, medical oncologist, nurse navigator, cancer survivor, and caregiver, offering real-world insights into the challenges, triumphs, and human impact of cancer across Minnesota. Presented by Allina Health Cancer Institute.

Congratulations to our 2026 Award Recipients!

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Impact Award

Heather Kehn, RN, BS, MPH
Metro Minnesota Community Oncology Research Consortium

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Legacy Award

Matthew Flory, MPP
American Cancer Society

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Policy Champion Award

Representative Liz Reyer
District 52A

Summit Objectives

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Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 Cancer Summit have now ended.

A special thank you to the incredible organizations who’ve pledged to support the 2026 Cancer Summit. We value your partnership as we all work together to reduce the burden of cancer in Minnesota. Your contribution has made a significant impact, and we are grateful for your investment.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

Presenting Sponsors

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Champion Sponsors

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Advocate Sponsors

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Supporter Sponsors

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Community Sponsors

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