2024 ASTRO election results, 2025 MPFS & HOPPS proposed rules, LPP applications open
July 17, 2024
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ASTRO announces 2024 elections results Congratulations to the following newly elected members of ASTRO’s Board of Directors and the ASTRO Nominating Committee. The new officers' terms will begin on October 1, 2024, at the 2024 ASTRO Annual Meeting. |
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| Applications open for 2024-2026 Leadership Pathway Program |
| ASTRO is accepting applications for the 2024-2026 Leadership Pathway Program now through August 14. The Leadership Pathway Program aims to enhance the career advancement of a new generation of diverse leaders. The two-year program includes activities specifically designed to increase awardees’ knowledge of ASTRO’s governance structure, expand their networks through assignments to an ASTRO Council, and augment their leadership skills. |
| 2025 MPFS and HOPPS proposed rules released |
| On Tuesday, July 9, the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) proposed rules were released. There were no additional proposed direct payment cuts to radiation therapy (RT) physician services under the MPFS, but existing policies will continue to depress payments next year. Under HOPPS, modest payment increases for RT services were proposed. Read What’s Happening in Washington for more information. |
| ASTRO Government Relations leader testifies before U.S. Senate committee |
| On July 11, ASTRO’s Congressional Relations Subcommittee Vice Chair Fumiko Chino, MD, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on a panel tasked with answering “What can Congress do to end the medical debt crisis in America?” Dr. Chino shared with the committee findings from her research on health care affordability and her personal experience with the financial toxicity of a cancer diagnosis. For more, visit What’s Happening in Washington. |
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Red Journal call for papers: Adaptive Cancer Therapies The Red Journal requests papers for an upcoming special edition on Adaptive Cancer Therapies. We encourage a broad range of submissions related to topics such as biomarkers, imaging and image guidance, advanced tools and technologies, particle therapies, systemic therapies, younger and older age patients, toxicity and cancer control outcomes, global equity, workflows, quality assurance, reimbursement and financial outcomes, and reporting. Please submit manuscripts by November 1, 2024, under the Section/Category “Special Issue – Adaptive Cancer Therapies.” Please select the Article Type as you typically would. Contact Red Journal staff with any questions. |
| Check out ASTRO Quality Improvement programming at AAPM Annual Meeting |
| RO-ILS and APEx staff look forward to seeing you at AAPM’s Annual Meeting next week in Los Angeles. In honor of 10 years of operation, RO-ILS will be holding a celebratory reception this Sunday evening, July 21, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Network with RO-ILS users, supporters and those wanting to learn more about the program. Connect with others passionate about patient safety while enjoying light hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Additionally, RO-ILS will be highlighted in a session about incident learning around the world and APEx surveyors are invited to a closed retreat. Also, seek out Samantha Dawes, Director of Quality Improvement, to learn more about APEx, ASTRO’s Accreditation Program for Excellence. |
| RO-ILS seeks nominations for Safety Stars |
| The deadline to nominate a medical dosimetrist as a RO-ILS Safety Star is Tuesday, July 23. An underpinning goal of RO-ILS is to support and encourage a strong culture of safety — this includes celebrating team members at participating facilities. Other radiation oncology team members will be selected later in the year but it’s never too early to nominate a colleague for their exceptional work in quality improvement and safety! |
| Task Force guideline involvement application |
| ASTRO is initiating a task force to develop a guideline replacement on Hypofractionated Radiation Therapy for Localized Prostate Cancer. To expand the pool of potential task force members, a new process has been implemented so interested members may apply for consideration. Please apply or forward this information to interested colleagues by July 29. |
| ASTRO 2024: About a month left to take advantage of the Advance rate | |
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We know you’ll want to join your colleagues at ASTRO’s 66th Annual Meeting in the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, September 29 – October 2. This is the premier radiation oncology event in the world, and we can’t wait to have you join us! The Annual Meeting program offers the top science and education related to the field of radiation oncology. Last year, nearly 10,000 of your colleagues attended the event. Register by August 15 to take advantage of the discounted Advance rate and remember to book your housing before our room block sells out. |
