Blog

Introducing the Iowa Oncology Navigation Network (IONN)

By Courtney Vassiliades, Lori Pietig and Kelly Angell When a newly diagnosed cancer patient needed additional support, Courtney Vassiliades jumped into action. Courtney is a Social Worker Specialist at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in the Care Coordination Division. Part of her job is ensuring a patient’s care is transferred well to their…

Celebrating 50 years of the Iowa Cancer Registry

Did you know ‘cancer’ is a reportable disease in all 50 states? To make sense of all the data, there are actually teams of health providers, medical systems, and research scientists that come together to collect this information and share with the public. And in Iowa, we have the Iowa Cancer Registry. Since 1973, the…

Getting There: Practically Addressing Transportation Barriers for Cancer Treatment

By Kelly Angell, Rural Outreach Coordinator, Iowa Cancer Consortium Featuring Danny Schnathorst, Mobility Outreach Coordinator, HIRTA Addressing transportation barriers for cancer patients can be a challenging, time-consuming, and resource-heavy task, but getting it right can bring huge rewards. It requires patience, proper funding, time, learning and collaboration. Medical professionals could be working with a patient…

Soulful Healing Yoga for Breast and Chest Cancer

By Melissa Walker I am Melissa, a yoga practitioner, teacher, and creator of Soulful Healing Yoga in Des Moines, Iowa. Many years ago as a writer, I shared the stories of breast cancer survivors. Coincidentally, I was also starting my own journey as a yoga teacher. When those I was interviewing learned about yoga –…

Iowans Honored for Work in Cancer Control

Almost 200 cancer professionals and advocates came together in Ankeny on October 25th for the annual Iowa Cancer Summit. Among them were the recipients of three awards, given out every year by the Iowa Cancer Consortium to people who have worked to reduce the burden of cancer in the state. Retired Gazette columnist and three-time…

Meet Caroline Powell, Outreach Coordinator (CDC Public Health Associate)

My name is Caroline Powell, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from the Iowa Cancer Consortium team as their newest Outreach Coordinator through the CDC’s Public Health Associate (PHAP) training program. I have called New York City and Washington D.C. home, having graduated this past spring from American University…

Meet Abby Batterson, Communications Coordinator

My name is Abby Batterson and I am so excited to be serving as the Communications Coordinator for the Iowa Cancer Consortium. I live in Black Hawk County with my husband Beau and our daughter’s Lily (11) and Charlotte, Charley for short (2). My husband and I have been together since we were babies, literally!…

Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Educating Iowans About Ovarian Cancer

By Jodie Kavensky Founder/CEO of NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Initiative In Former President Barack Obama’s original National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month proclamation in 2011, he stated, “it is crucial that women know how to recognize the warning signs” and he vowed to advance screening and treatment for the thousands of American women who are diagnosed with…

Welcome New Board Members and Officers!

Board members bring their experiences, expertise, and passions to the table to develop and implement priorities, policies, and principles that make the Iowa Cancer Consortium what it is – a strong, skilled, collaborative network of cancer control advocates and professionals. As we begin a new fiscal year, we would like to thank our outgoing board…

20 Years of Dr. Weiner’s Leadership at the Iowa Cancer Consortium

This year marks the 20th anniversary of what is now called the Iowa Cancer Consortium. Although the Consortium is made up of many organizations and individuals working together in the cancer control space, one person – Dr. George Weiner – has been at the helm since its inception in 2002. With our 20th year comes…