The University of Vermont Cancer Center (UVMCC) hosted its 28th Annual Women’s Health and Cancer Conference on September 19, 2025, at the Dudley H. Davis Center on the UVM campus and virtually via Zoom. The event drew more than 600 participants from 32 states and 6 countries and included patients, caregivers, health care professionals, and community members.

This year’s theme, “The Leading Edge of Cancer Care,” reflected the rapid evolution of cancer research, treatment, and support systems. The conference explored such cutting-edge topics as artificial intelligence in oncology, emerging therapeutics, innovations in lung and breast cancer care, and the growing crisis of young-onset colorectal cancer.

“We really tried to touch on the most developing areas—it wasn’t just about the newest drugs or procedures,” said UVM Cancer Center member and conference executive director Molly Barry, M.D., a medical oncologist at UVM Medical Center (UVMMC) and assistant professor at Larner College of Medicine. 

Conference Highlights  

Opening Plenary: AI at the Bedside

UVMCC member Nataniel Lester-Coll, M.D., an associate professor of radiation oncology at the Larner College of Medicine and radiation oncology chair at UVM Health, opened the conference with a compelling session on how artificial intelligence is transforming cancer care—from adaptive radiotherapy to predictive analytics and AI-driven patient communication platforms.

Cancer Survivorship: Knowledge + Research + Advocacy = Survival

Led by Terri Conneran, founder of KRAS Kickers, this session emphasized personalized care and the power of informed patient advocacy.

Target Acquired: Locking Onto Cancer with T-cells and Toxins

Oncology pharmacists and clinicians discussed bispecific T-cell engagers and antibody-drug conjugates—precision therapies that are reshaping cancer treatment. 

Clinical Trials: Driving Innovation

UVMCC members Christa Varnadoe, DNP, AGNP-C, OCN, CCRP, Larner associate professor of medicine, and Alissa Thomas, M.D., UVMMC neuro-oncologist and Larner associate professor of neurological sciences and medicine, highlighted the importance of clinical trials in advancing care, featuring a patient’s firsthand experience. 

Innovations in Lung Cancer Detection and Treatment

A multidisciplinary panel that showcased robotic surgery, biosensor probes, and novel screening techniques.

Keynote Address: The Emerging Crisis of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Benjamin Schlechter, M.D., a senior physician in the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute with a particular focus on colorectal cancer, anal cancer, and innovative immunotherapies, delivered a fascinating keynote on the alarming rise of colorectal cancer in adults under 50, now the leading cause of cancer death in young men and projected to surpass breast cancer in young women by 2030. Dr. Schlecter was introduced by a young colorectal cancer patient of UVMCC.

What’s New in Breast Cancer?

New to the UVMCC, member Anne Christine Buteau, M.D., UVMMC breast oncologist and Larner assistant professor of medicine, discussed personalized treatment and quality-of-life improvements for breast cancer patients. 

Living Life to the Fullest by Talking About Death

Physician Assistant Kimberley Schmitt explored end-of-life care, medical assistance in dying (MAiD) options, and the role of death cafes in fostering open conversations. 

Closing Plenary: Sugar? Soy? Science!

UVMCC member Amy Voishan Littlefield, ND, FABNO, LAc, MSOM, of Vermont Wellness Medicine & Integrative Oncology, debunked myths in integrative medicine and shared evidence-based insights into nutrition and wellness. 

Creative Collaborations and Exhibits

New this year was “STILL,” a photography exhibit curated by Lisa Taft Sylvester. This powerful exhibit featured portraits and stories of women across the country who chose flat closure after mastectomy, challenging societal norms around beauty and body image. 

The conference also included an exhibitor hall with more than 25 nonprofit organizations and wellness demonstrations. Conference attendees were invited to sign up for complimentary 20-minute reiki and acupuncture treatments, hosted by UVM’s Osher Center for Integrative Health.