UVM Cancer Center Hosts 2nd Annual Rural Health and Cancer Conference
The University of Vermont Cancer Center (UVMCC) hosted its second annual Rural Health and Cancer Conference (RHCC) June 2–4, 2026, at Hotel Champlain in downtown Burlington. Attended by nearly 80 cancer professionals from 19 U.S. states plus Brazil, and featuring more than a dozen speakers, the conference brought together clinicians, researchers, and advocates committed to improving cancer care delivery and outcomes in rural communities.
Clinical Trials and Community Engagement
The conference opened Tuesday evening with a reception featuring a powerful patient story from Andrea and Rusty Ashmore This was followed by a keynote presented by one of the Ashmores’ providers, UVM Cancer Center member Alissa Thomas, M.D., an associate professor at the Larner College of Medicine. Dr. Thomas’s talk underscored how access to clinical trials is key to improving outcomes for rural cancer patients.
On Wednesday, UVMCC Director Randall Holcombe, M.D., M.B.A., and Larner Senior Associate Dean for Research Kate Tracy, Ph.D., welcomed attendees. Wednesday’s keynote was given by Nathan L. Vanderford, Ph.D., M.B.A., of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center (UKMCC), whose talk “Taking ACTION to Reduce Cancer Disparities in Appalachian Kentucky” described his success in leveraging community engagement and education to reduce the burden of cancer in Appalachia.
Diverse Strategies and Research
Three sessions on Wednesday highlighted diverse strategies and research from across the country. Session 1: Addressing Challenges in Rural Cancer Care presented community perspectives from Virginia, Vermont, and Maine around barriers such as geographic isolation and workforce shortages. Session 2: Novel Approaches to Improve Rural Cancer Health Outcomes brought forward innovative models and programs from Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, UK Markey Cancer Center, and the University of Rochester Medical Center – Wilmot Cancer Institute. Session 3: Increasing Screening/Prevention Services & Uptake in Rural Communities featured efforts in Alaska and Florida to expand access to screening and preventive care. A round of lightning talks showcased initiatives from San Antonio, Maine, and Brazil.
Disproportionate Cancer Burdens
Thursday morning’s Policy Panel Plenary looked at how policy decisions at the state and national levels influence rural cancer care delivery. The conference concluded with Session 4: Survivorship in Rural Communities, which offered stories from Iowa, Maine, and Vermont highlighting the unique needs of cancer survivors living in rural areas. The closing day, June 4, coincided with Rural Cancer Awareness Day, bringing home the conference’s central message.
As rural populations continue to face disproportionate cancer burdens, the Rural Health and Cancer Conference serves as an essential forum for advancing collaboration and innovation in care. Planning is already underway for next year’s conference, which will return to Burlington June 9-11, 2027.
