Change is difficult, even when the benefits seem obvious.

In this episode of SROA Soundboard, Shannon Gregg explores why people naturally resist change and how leaders can successfully guide teams through new initiatives, technologies, and evolving workplace expectations.

Drawing on her experience in healthcare technology, clinical research, and her own journey as a cancer survivor, Shannon shares practical insights on communication, training, leadership, and AI adoption. The conversation highlights why successful change management starts with understanding the people impacted by the change and creating an environment where learning, feedback, and growth can occur.

Whether you are implementing a new process, introducing AI tools, or leading organizational transformation, this episode offers actionable strategies to help move from resistance to adoption.

Rural radiation oncology programs are under increasing strain, and proposed Medicaid changes may significantly impact access to care.

In this episode of SROA Soundboard, Dr. Kunal Sindhu discusses how Medicaid cuts could affect rural hospitals, patient access to treatment, and long-term cancer outcomes.

This conversation provides insight into the financial and operational challenges facing rural oncology programs and offers practical guidance for administrators preparing for potential changes.

Carbon ion radiotherapy has treated more than 50,000 patients globally but is now being reintroduced in the United States. Carbon ion radiotherapy represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment, but launching a program of this scale requires detailed operational planning and coordination.

In this episode of SROA Soundboard, we explore how teams are preparing for the implementation of carbon ion radiotherapy through structured workstreams focused on people, workflows, training, competencies, and timelines.

This conversation provides insight into the complexity of introducing new technologies in radiation oncology and highlights the leadership and collaboration required to support successful program development.

Healthcare organizations across the country are experiencing a growing shortage of medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals. To help address this challenge and elevate the visibility of the profession, the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) launched its national Be Seen Campaign.

In this episode of SROA Soundboard, host Tammy McCausland is joined by Melissa Pergola, CEO and Executive Director of ASRT, and Jake Buehler, Chief Communications Officer at ASRT.

Together they discuss the inspiration behind the campaign, its goals, and how a multi-channel marketing strategy, including national television, social media, and digital advertising, is helping introduce the profession to new audiences while uplifting current practitioners.

They also share early campaign results, including millions of impressions and increased interest in imaging and therapy education programs across the country.

• Why ASRT launched the Be Seen Campaign • Addressing the workforce shortage in imaging and therapy professions • Reaching prospective students through digital and social media • The impact of national television advertising and streaming campaigns • Upcoming outreach focused on radiation therapy and medical dosimetry • How radiation oncology administrators can support the initiative

Visit: ASRT.org/BeSeen

Medical education is expensive, yet financial literacy receive little attention. Radiation oncology residents face various financial stressors, including high educational debt, limited exposure to personal finance, and the financial toxicity patients may experience. Dr. Afshin Safa discusses a financial literacy curriculum he created, which is delivered to radiation oncology residents at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Amy Tamblyn shares her thoughts on an exciting new certification for radiation oncology nurses that will begin in 2026. She provides helpful information about the certification and its importance.

Monique Chisem discusses her experience as the first radiation oncology clinical specialist at the Miami Cancer Institute. She shares how she shaped the role, what she learned, and why more cancer centers should adopt this position.

Resilience expert Karen Dean shares helpful tips to help navigate stressful situations, set boundaries and practice self-care.

The Miami Cancer Institute created a new radiation oncology clinical specialist role. SROA member Lorrie LeGrand talks about this novel role, including its benefits and impact.

The American Cancer Society hopes to recruit 100,000 Black women for its VOICES of Black Women study. Dr. Lauren McCullough, a co-principal investigator of the study, explains why this study is so important and what researchers hope to learn.

In an insightful conversation, distinguished scientist Dr. Ski Chilton, talks about CAST, a four-step process he outlines in his book There is Another Way to Happiness. The book include 13 weeks of meditation/reflection practices.

Amid the current RT shortage, competition for talent is fierce. Kevin Kindle,

Assistant Professor and Program Director Radiation Therapy at Augusta University, and senior students Nia Brown and Jeremiah Reeves, share their perspectives on the shortage and offer suggestions for administrators looking to hire.

Cancers centers across the country are grappling with an unprecedented RT shortage. Listen to gain insights and recommendations provided by Melissa Pergola, CEO and Executive Director of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, and Marissa Mangrum, Assistant Professor and Program Director, Radiation Therapy with The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences’ College of Allied Health.

“Targeting Exceptional Radiation Oncology” is the theme of this year’s Annual Meeting. SROA President Julie Abilheira and Chair Aaron Brammer provide a sneak peek at what attendees can expect. We hope to see you in Washington, DC, September 29–October 2.

Registration: Register Today

Conference Link: SROA Annual Meeting

Hotel Info: Grand Hyatt Washington

Leadership development matters more than ever in these times of tremendous change and increasing pressures. Ralph Gigliotti, an expert in organizational leadership and a senior leader at Rutgers University, talks with SROA about why healthcare organizations need to promote leadership development formally and informally and why leaders’ own self-reflection is so important.

Bio: Ralph Gigliotti

Books: Selected Books By Ralph Gigliotti

Deb Crowe, a certified life and leadership coach and author of The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook, talks with SROA about why heart-centered leadership is important and how leaders can lead with passion, purpose and heart.

Website: Deb Crowe

Book: The Heart-Centered Leadership Playbook

At SROA’s 40th Annual Meeting Joanna Herath and Patty Saponaro gave a presentation on developing radiation oncology (rad onc) leaders. They spoke with SROA on how to build an effective training program for new rad onc leaders and how to help staff explore their leadership potential.

ASTRO has developed the Radiation Oncology Case Rate Program, or ROCR, which it believes is a better model for radiation oncology than the now defunct RO Model. ASTRO’s Anne Hubbard and Dr. Constantine Mantz explain why ROCR is a better solution to address reimbursement and care challenges radiation oncology currently faces.

Metastatic cancer patients have fewer treatment options and much poorer outcomes than patientes diagnosed at earlier stages. Sam Mazin, cofounder and CTO of RefleXion Medical, talks with SROA about his hopes and plans for his company’s SCINTIX technology to treat metastatic disease. SCINTIX received FDA clearance in February 2023.

Website: RefleXion Medical

Michael Leiter is an honorary professor of organizational psychology with Deakin University in Australia, an expert in burnout and coauthor of a new book, The Burnout Challenge.

Questions Answered During Podcast:  1. Tell me briefly about your background and how you became an expert on burnout and engagement.  2. Burnout was recognized as a big problem, then the COVID-19 pandemic happened. Where are we now with regard to burnout?  3. Why is now a critical time for your book, The Burnout Challenge?  4. How can an individual know if they’re experiencing burnout?  5. In part II of the book, you explore six mismatches—workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values. What are mismatches and why do they happen?  6. There’s an example in the book of physicians being happiest when they practice “at the top of their license” but get “bogged down in administrative, bottom of their license” work. Who should do the “bottom of their license” work? And don’t those people also risk being burned out, too?  7. In the book you recommend a “3C’s” approach that includes collaboration, customization, and commitment. Can you talk about the 3C’s—why are all three needed and how, when used together, can they bring about change?   8. In Chapter 12, you touch on the challenge of fostering ongoing, continuous improvements in job person matches. How can leaders engage in continuous improvement to ensure there are more advantages than downsides in the job-person match?  9. You talk about the medical checkup and the organizational checkup as a useful tool? How does it work and why do you think it can be an effective tool?  10. Every great book has “Aha!” moments readers can connect with. What are the ones from your book that people have shared with you?  11. What key takeaways would you share with healthcare administrators specifically regarding burnout and your book?  12. What is not in the book that would be relevant to healthcare administrators?  13. Are you optimistic that we can see a reduction in burnout at work and better job-person matches? 

Chris Westfall is a business coach, keynote speaker and best-selling author of, Easier. Chris explains how he got where he is today, some insights into his book, and how you are capable of more than what you realize. 

1. Can you tell me briefly about your background and why you wrote Easier? (0:25)
2. Why do you say everything in life can be made easier? (6:05)
3. Why did you use a business fable, a conversation between a client and a coach? (10:00)
4. Can you give an example of how people can “show up” differently? (11:33)
5. Why 60 ways to “make the world of work” work for you? (14:54)
6. How can Easier help readers achieve true transformation? (17:20)
7. You have talked about how leaders should inspire and not instruct. Do you think most leaders understand the distinction? (19:45)
8. Every great book has “Aha!” moments readers can connect with. What are the ones from your book that people have shared with you? (26:28)

Chris Westfall website: https://westfallonline.com

Easier (book link): https://amzn.to/3VrChKa

The SROA 2022 Annual Meeting is coming to San Antonio October 23rd to 26th. This is the best conference for Radiation Oncology Managers as the focus of our program is on YOU.

Listen now for program highlights and networking opportunities from our Program Chairs, Aaron Brammer and Julie Principe. 

Aaron and Julie answer the following questions: 

• Why are you excited for this year's annual meeting? (0:20)
• Why should members (and other oncology leaders) attend? (1:17)
• What special events and activities will be held at the meeting this year? (2:00)

Visit sroa.org for more information and to register today. We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio!

1. Tell me briefly about your background and why you wrote The Successful Manager? (0:27) 2. What is the difference between leadership training and management training? (2:00) 3. Why is the “figure it out approach” the norm when people are promoted to a management role? (3:12) 4. In your 1st chapter you write, “becoming a top-tier manager should be your number one professional goal.” Why do you make such a bold statement? (4:34) 5. What is the hardest part about being a great manager? (5:45) 6. Where does the input from the self-reflection? At what do you go out and get external input for self-reflection? (6:32) 7. Chapter 2 is called “The Seven Characteristics of Great Managers.” Why is this the 2nd chapter, and how do people develop those characteristics? (7:50) 8. How do you give yourself permission on the things you didn’t get better at? (12:00) 9. What are the best resources employers can give managers to become more effective? (13:57) 10. How can leaders support their managers in this new hybrid work environment we find ourselves in? (15:13) 11. Every great book has “Aha!” moments readers can connect with. What are the ones from your book that people have shared with you? (17:33) 12. What key takeaways would you share with healthcare administrators specifically regarding management and your book? (19:37) 13. What is not in the book that would be relevant to healthcare administrators? (21:00) 14. Is there a Successful Manager 2.0 book planned? (22:03)

Kay Formanek, Author of Beyond D&I, joins SROA Soundboard. She explains how her past has influenced her life's work, what people misunderstand about diversity, equity, & inclusion, and how to improve health outcomes and representation on their teams.

Listen to hear more about:

1. How did growing up in South Africa fuel your passion and life’s work in diversity? (0:26)
2. Why did you write the book Beyond D&I? (2:09)
3. What do most people struggle with regarding diversity, equity and inclusion? (3:24)
4. What’s wrong with current approaches to diversity? How can diversity policies fail to deliver? (5:13)
5. Would you say the why is more important as the how? (7:21)
6. What is inclusive courageous leadership and how can leaders achieve it? (8:00)
7. You suggest organizations and leaders need to move beyond D&I to include E, L and P (equity, purpose and leadership). Why does it need to be D + I + E + L + P? (12:53)
8. How can healthcare leaders ensure DIELP is a strategic priority? (16:14)
9. DE&I in health care needs work to improve health outcomes for underrepresented groups and to ensure physicians and other staff are more representative of the population at large. How do you think healthcare leaders can effect real change to improve health outcomes and representation on their teams? (18:28)
10. What are the “Aha” moments in your book that people have commented on? (21:26)
11. What’s not in the book that you would like to share with our audience? (23:07)

Keisha-Marie Clarke presented “Think Outside the Checked Box” at SROA’s 38th Annual Meeting. She reflects further on the importance of embracing and advancing diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace.

Listen to hear more about:

1. Have you experienced a professional environment that truly does DEI well? (0:45)
2. How do leaders insure that that they continue focusing on DEI? What does inclusive leadership look like to you? (3:10)
3. Are there any examples of leaders in health care doing DEI well? (5:00)
4. How can administrators consciously shift and change their narratives to improve patient outcomes? (6:14)
5. Is inclusion a learned behavior? (8:32)
6. What kinds of hard, intentional questions should leaders ask others? How do they ensure they don’t alienate their teams on the path toward DEI? (11:04) 
7. You said, “If you want an inclusive workplace, you have to put it there.” How do leaders do that? (14:45)
8. How can leaders make inclusivity measurable? (18:07)
9. What are some key takeaways you would like administrators and their teams to remember? (19:50)

Tim Laugh, Director, Cancer Services at Owensboro Health, joins SROA Soundboard for its "In Conversation" series. He reflects on his experience as an administrator, what he enjoys doing outside work and advice for others.

Listen to hear more about:

• Could you tell me briefly about your current position? (0:30)
• What do you like about being in a leadership position? (1:02)
• What do you find most challenging about leadership, especially in radiation oncology? (1:32)
• Do you feel your job as an administrator is becoming tougher with cuts and the RO-APM? (1:56)
• What do you hope to accomplish in your current role and at this point in your career? (2:50)
• What have you learned about leadership that you could share? (3:42)
• What/who inspires you? And why? (4:19)
• How does your family feel about you being a Radiation Oncology Administrator? (4:49)
• What professional organizations do you belong to and why? (5:33)
• What role has volunteering played in your career and in life personally? (6:28)
• What do you like to do in your free time? (7:21)
• What are you currently reading? (8:05) Do you have a favorite book you would recommend? (8:24)
• What’s on your playlist? (8:48)
• What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? (9:27)
• Based on everything you’ve learned over your career and your life, what advice would you offer others? (9:38)

Patty Saponaro, Associate Chair for Administration at UNC Radiation Oncology in Chapel Hill, NC, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences. She recalls her presentation from the SROA 2021 Annual Meeting, what mentoring means, and explains why the mentor/mentee relationships are important. 

Listen to hear more about:

• Why did you give the presentation “Mentored and Being Mentored” at SROA’s Annual Meeting? (0:30)
• You’re about to retire in a few months. Looking back retrospectively, how would you say mentorship helped you in your career? (1:09)
• Can you clarify what you mean by how it’s a way to touch the future? (2:00)
• Are you currently mentoring someone for succession planning for the role that you are going to be vacating? (2:45)
• Do you think that happens very often, where someone is retiring and they are thinking about succession planning? (3:27)
• Does any mentor stand out in particular to you? (4:53)
• Can you elaborate on the differences between formal mentorship and informal mentorship? (7:02)
• Why is it important to have a charter? (10:04)
• Why do you suggest that the mentor ask the mentee about why they want to be mentored? (11:35)
• Do you have examples of probing questions mentors can ask mentees? (13:50)
• Why is it important for the mentee take the lead? (15:18)
• Do mentorship relationships fail sometimes? If so, why? (16:50)
• What key things would you like mentors to keep in mind as they undertake mentoring someone? (18:32)
• What should mentees remember when seeking out and engaging in mentorship? (20:01)
• What parting advice would you give to our listeners? (21:38)

Patty Beach, Leadership Development Consultant and author of The Art of Alignment, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences. She recalls her early career, what being inclusive means, and explains some key ideas in her book. 

Listen to hear more about:

• Can you tell our listeners about your background and how you came to be an expert in the art of alignment? (0:30)
• What does it mean to be inclusive from your perspective? (2:48)
• In the book you write, “Most leaders have good ideas. The problem is they don’t know how to work inclusively and get people aligned behind them.” Why is that? (4:10)
• Often ideas come from the bottom up rather than the top down. How can leaders create alignment with ideas that may not originate at the top? (6:54)
• How does realignment work? (9:10)
• What are the 5c’s in the alignment process? (11:11)
• Why is alignment an art? (14:38)
• How do you see the art of alignment working in healthcare specifically? (16:57)
• In your book, you talk about Memorable Success Formulas? Can you provide an example for our listeners? (20:52)
• What would you like healthcare leaders to take away from our conversation and from your book? (24:45)
• Can you point our listeners to any other helpful resources? (25:58)

Beverly Cusano, Administrative Director of Radiation Oncology at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences as a Radiation Oncology Leader. She recalls how she started as a radiation therapist, her journey to how she got into this career field, what it means to be in radiation oncology leadership, and even some of her favorite books.

Listen to hear more about:

• How did you get into Radiation Oncology Leadership? (0:34)
• What was it that you liked about radiation therapy when you were going through your rotations that lead to your current career? (2:56) Was your dad happy? (3:44)
• What do you like about being in leadership? (3:53)
• What do you find hardest about leadership in radiation oncology? (4:46)
• What have you learned about communication that you think others could learn from? (5:42)
• What are you working on accomplishing at this point in your career? (7:15)
• In terms of your professional development, what organizations do you belong to and why? (7:42)
• How has being involved in SROA shaped you both professionally and personally? (8:53)
• Who or what inspires you? Why? (9:57)
• What do you do when you have some time? (11:27)
• What are you currently reading? (12:24)
• Do you like the kind of reading that is also enlightening? (13:33)
• What is the best advice you have ever received? (14:17)

SROA President Debra Corbin and President-Elect, Aaron Brammer join SROA Soundboard-- a podcast for SROA to share why they are excited for SROA's upcoming Annual Meeting in Chicago and what you can look forward to during the meeting both in-person and virtually.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Why "Change, Challenge, Opportunity" is the theme of the meeting (0:30)

Which speakers and sessions they are most excited to hear (1:43)

Networking opportunities (2:54)

Why people should attend whether in person or virtually (4:25)

What people can expect to get out of SROA and the Annual Meeting (5:25)

Dr. Michele Harper, ER physician and author of The Beauty in Breaking, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences as an ER physician. She recalls her childhood and how her experiences shaped her career path, her work in diversity and inclusion, and writing a New York Times Bestseller.  

Listen to hear more about:

• Can you talk briefly about your upbringing and how it shaped you? (0:30)
• Was there one defining moment that set you on the path for emergency medicine? (2:38)
• What does it mean to be a “healer”? How can people heal themselves? (6:41)
• What advice would you give to Radiation Oncologists that are dealing with a vulnerable population? (8:01)
• In your book, you write, “As a black woman, I navigate an American landscape that claims to be post-racial when every waking moment reveals the contrary, an American landscape that requires all women to pound tenaciously against the proverbial glass ceiling, which we’ve since discovered is made of palladium, the kind of glass that would sooner bow than shatter.” That’s very powerful. Can you share what those words mean to you? (14:31)
• Do you ever want to quit? (19:16)
• Would you say that you are extrinsically motivated by the power of connection and empathy that you feel with the people that come into your care? (23:03)
• How did you get to the point where you felt you needed to write about your experiences? (24:39)
• Do you have plans to write another book? (27:41)
• How did the title The Beauty in Breaking come about? (28:28)
• What lessons or messages can administrative leaders and others working in healthcare take from your book? (30:54)
• What do you hope for the future of health care? (33:21)

Tina Berry joins SROA Soundboard - In Conversation with Administrators Series, SROA's podcast series, to share information about challenges faced being in leadership in the radiation oncology field, how she got where she is today, who inspires her, and some personal anecdotes as well. Tina is currently working at Saint Francis Medical Center in Millersville, MO, and is currently an Emerging Professional Member-At-Large on the SROA Board of Directors.

• Brief synopsis about the journey to your current position. (0:33)
• What/who inspires you? And why? (2:21)
• What do you like about being in a leadership position? (3:05)
• What do you find most challenging about leadership, especially in radiation oncology? (3:55)
• What do you hope to accomplish? (4:45)
• What professional organizations do you belong to and why?  (5:36)
• What do you like to do in your free time? (6:10)
• What are you currently reading? (6:37)
• Do you have a favorite book you would recommend? (6:46)
• What’s on your playlist? (7:16)
• What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? (7:43)
• Based on everything you’ve learned over your career and your life, what advice would you offer others? (7:56)

Jana Grienke joins SROA Soundboard - In Conversation with Administrators Series, SROA's podcast series, to share how she got where she is today, positives about being in a leadership position, the best way to grow in your current position vs growing your career, and some personal anecdotes as well. Jana is currently working at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, IA, as the Clinical Operations Director in the Department of Radiation Oncology and is currently a part of the Advisory Council on the SROA Board of Directors.

1. Tell me briefly about your journey to your current position. (0:33)
2. What do you like about being in a leadership position? (3:40)
3. What do you find most challenging about leadership, especially in radiation oncology? (5:38)
4. What has helped you to be effective as a leader? (7:01)
5. How do you plan to grow your career from here? (9:24)
6. Is it important for young leaders to figure out how to grow in a role as well as how high they want to go? (11:33)
7. What professional organizations do you belong to and why? (13:48)
8. Who inspires you and why? (15:25)
9. What do you like to do in your free time? (17:01)
10. What are you currently reading? Do you have a favorite book you would recommend? (19:02) 
11. What’s on your playlist? (21:20)
12. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? (22:55)
13. Based on everything you’ve learned over your career and your life, what advice would you offer others? (24:35)

Tara Powers joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share information about navigating remote work, her background, zoom fatigue, how to keep a strong team, and a little bit about her “Virtual Team school”.  

Tara is currently a best selling author and award winning talent development leader. She has been in leadership and team development work for about 20 years.

• Background and how became passionate about career (0:31)
• Changes that leaders and their teams have had to make to work well remotely (1:47)
• Managing Zoom fatigue (10:36)
• Physical walking meetings (13:35)
• How leaders can create a balance between those who can & can not work remotely (16:05)
• Ensure all team members feel valued and focus on the positives/shared goals (21:01)
• Manage some team members working remotely while others do not post pandemic (28:12)
• Information about Tara Power's “Virtual Team School” (30:29)

Maria Grice joins SROA Soundboard for our new In Conversation with Administrators Series.  This series aims to share administrator's stories for how they got where they are today, positives about being in a leadership position, inspirations, as well as some interesting advice.

Maria is currently working at Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY in East Syracuse, NY, and is currently a member of the SROA Board of Directors.

• Journey to current position (0:34)
• Positive aspects of being in a leadership position (1:19)
• Most challenging aspects of leadership, especially in radiation oncology (2:21)
• Future goals (3:35)
• Professional organization memberships (5:10)
• Individuals who have inspired her life and career (6:57)
• How she spends her free time (8:55)
• Current reads (9:35)
• Current playlists (10:54)
• Best advice received (11:38)
• Advice for other administrators  (13:33)

Skot Waldron joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share building leadership and effective communication in radiation oncology. Waldron is an internal communications consultant and brand strategist with GIANT. Waldron focuses on building future leaders through internal brand awareness and communication.

• Becoming passionate about leadership development and effective communication (0:27)
• Value of using data to coach leaders and organizations (2:12)
• Improving communication skills outside the Twentieth Century leadership programs (4:28)
• How to assist with organizations experiencing resistance to leadership training (6:13)
• Invincibility Assessment (8:16) 
• Building loyalty with employees (9:29)
• Creating loyalty as employees and staff (12:20)
• The biggest changes for leaders during the Pandemic (13:49)
• Sherpa Leadership Program and how leaders can benefit (16:58)
• Tips for leaders to communicate more effectively (19:37)

Tony Byers, Ph.D. joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce.  Byers is a Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategist and joins us from Cornell University – ILR Center for Advanced HR Studies, Senior Extension Faculty. Byers wrote the book, The Multiplier Effect of Inclusion: How Diversity & Inclusion Advances Innovation and Drives Growth.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Moving from awareness of differences to the utilization of differences (0:35)
• How to cultivate more diversity in leadership positions (2:33)
• Advice for leaders to create change (6:32)
• Does training actually change the mindset  (9:19)
• Improving health outcomes for patients (11:11)
• How we can encourage a diverse workforce (14:20)
• What was the goal of writing your book (19:16)
• Adding "equity" to diversity and inclusion (23:20)
• Byers view on the future of diversity (26:04)

Patty Saponaro joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share adding value as a leader in radiation oncology. Saponaro is the Associate Chair for Administration in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Saponaro presented at the 2020 SROA Annual Meeting. 

In this episode you will hear about:

• Social IQ (0:34)
• Importance of knowing your team (1:29)
• Asking your team what they value (2:43)
• How to address disconnect within your team (4:45)
• The importance of asking prospective employees about “challenging situations” during an interview (6:32)
• The importance of asking prospective employees about quality improvement during an interview (10:45)
• Tips for hiring a prospective employee (13:52)
• What should be included in onboarding and orientation (16:11)
• Importance of checklists for orientation (17:53)
• New employee follow-up (19:20)
• Surprising responses from new employees (20:58)
• Importance of having a "procedure process" for a department (21:47)
• Final thought for administrators (24:20)

Dr. Malika Siker joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series to share about equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in radiation oncology. Dr. Siker is an Associate Dean for Student Inclusion and Diversity and an Associate Professor for Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Siker presented at SROA's 2020 Annual Meeting.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Structural racism (0:29)
• Improving equity, diversity, and inclusion (1:09)
• How Dr. Siker became passionate about diversity (2:06)
• Adapting to different environments (3:05)
• Implicit bias (3:58)
• How health equity can improve in Rad Onc (5:58)
• Suggested key resources (7:14)
• Strategies for administrators (8:50)
• Example of how to discuss with staff (9:39)
• Bias training for administrators (11:00)
• Offering patients to share their experiences (11:55)
• Long-term changes to improve diversity, inclusion, and health equity (12:41)
• Additional comments from Dr. Siker (15:00) 

Tonya Terry and Debra Corbin join SROA Soundboard - a podcast for SROA to share their experience with the SROA Mentor Match Program. Tonya and Debra participated in the speed mentoring session at the SROA 2019 Annual Meeting. As a result, Tonya and Debra decided they would be a good fit for mentorship and entered into a year-long mentorship. 

In this episode you'll hear about:

Why speed mentoring? (0:24)

How they matched (1:09)

How often they met (2:47)

Benefits as a mentee (4:21)

Benefits as a mentor (5:07)

Continuing the mentor/mentee relationship (5:55)

Why everyone should participate in SROA mentor match (6:57)

What are you waiting for? Join SROA's Mentor Match Program!

SROA President Brenda Marie Palo and President-Elect, Debra Corbin join SROA Soundboard-- a podcast for SROA to share why they are excited for the SROA Virtual Annual Meeting and what you can look forward to during the virtual meeting.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Why "Navigating the Future" is the theme of the meeting (0:37)

Which speakers and sessions they are looking forward to (1:26)

Why this year is especially important to attend (2:34)

Networking opportunities (3:51)

How the meeting will set you up for success for 2021 (4:33)

Ways to get involved with SROA (5:06)

Amber Cox joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series. Amber Cox is a board-certified clinical hypnotist and founder of Maine Hypnosis Center and Integrative Health Solutions. Cox shares how cancer patients can benefit from hypnosis to help alleviate chronic pain, fear, stress, and trauma. 

In this episode, you'll hear about

How Cox became an expert (0:30)

How hypnosis is evidence-based (1:36)

Is it used in cancer care (3:23)

Can it help a cancer patient (4:14)

How to find Cox (5:17)

Finding a hypnotist (5:45)

Insurance coverage for hypnosis (6:33)

Hypnosis while in treatment (8:21)

Hypnosis while in the treatment room (8:33)

Why hypnosis should be encouraged (9:08)

Sessions and techniques (10:08)

Eric LoMonaco, Director of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at Community Hospital in the Monterey Peninsula. LoMonaco joins SROA Soundboard - a podcast for SROA to discuss how he improved patient experience at Community Hospital.

LoMononco presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• How consumerism is changing
• What patient experience means
• Excellence 24/7
• Changes implemented to improve patient experience
• Staff response to changes
• How long to start to make changes
• Effects on other departments
• Tips to healthcare leaders

In this episode you'll hear about:

• How biology-guided radiotherapy technology works (0:22)
• Potential of the technology (0:53)
• FDA approval (1:52)
• Special shielding or space considerations (2:53)
• Interface and treatment planning (3:24)
• Patient flow (4:13)
• Unique staffing requirements (5:06)
• Clinical data and early adopters (5:56)
• Reimbursement and ROI (6:33)
• Keeping this technology outside the bundle (7:37)
• Interface with immunotherapy (8:07)
• What decision-makers should know (9:25)

 Axel Wirth is the chief security strategist at MedCrypt Inc. A San Diego based company that provides proactive security for healthcare technology. Wirth joins SROA Soundboard - a podcast for SROA to discuss the increased use of telehealth and the cybersecurity risks associated with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Increased cybersecurity risks with increased telehealth (0:30)
• Common mistakes of data privacy and security (2:00)
• Data security on the patient privacy side (2:54)
• Managing data on patients personal device (4:07)
• How administrators can plan for a data security breach (5:26)
• Renegotiation telehealth contracts (6:24)
• Telehealth providers ready for increased use (8:02)
• Increase in telehealth providers in the marketplace (9:06)
• Increased rigor for telehealth providers (10:12)
• Tips for administrators for telehealth services (10:42)

Molly Patt is the radiation oncology department administrator at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center. Patt joins SROA to share her experience of implementing a visual management board that is utilized within her department by Patient Service Specialists. Pratt discusses what the visual management board is used for, how her staff is able to use the information, how the team was able to implement workflow processes that are successful and how weekly huddles have empowered staff.

Patt was a poster presenter and this podcast was recorded at the 2019 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.

In this episode, you will hear about

• Concept of weekly huddles (0:26)
• Staff's response to weekly huddles (3:02)
• How long it took staff to have fun with the huddles (4:24)
• Improvements in operational outcomes (5:19)
• Different responsibilities of staff in weekly huddles (6:50)
• Advice to administrators (8:17)
• What the visual board looks like (9:46)
• How huddles work (10:26)
• Feedback from staff (11:01)
• Some improvements for the huddles (12:05)

Workplace burnout is a pressing issue that has received widespread media attention, and the pandemic has only made it worse.

Jennifer Moss uses academic research, case studies and data to discuss workplace burnout with SROA, while talking about workplace burnout for healthcare workers during the pandemic.

Jennifer is an international public speaker, a workplace happiness expert and an award-winning author. Jennifer writes on HR-related issues such as burnout and workplace happiness for Harvard Business Review, SHRM, and Forbes. She is the best-selling and award-winning author of "Unlocking Happiness At Work."

In this episode you'll hear about:

• Researching and studying burnout (0:29)
• Why it's taken so long to give burnout attention (1:40)
• WHO classification of burnout (3:30)
• How administrators can help employees with burnout during the pandemic (5:18)
• Creative solutions to burnout (8:27)
• How the pandemic will shift the conversation about burnout (12:16)
• Burnout pebbles (15:25)
• Micro projects to tackle burnout (20:22)
• How to effectively approach burnout with employees (24:29)
• Rethinking Burnout and new insights (27:47)
• Release date of the next book (32:37)

Dr. Bisham Chera is the Associate Chair of Clinical Operations and Improvement, Director of Patient Safety and Quality in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Chera discusses the precautions, screening processes, and patient care steps in his department, and at UNC hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• Actions taken by UNC during the pandemic (0.28)
• Patient prescreening measures (2:23)
• Test results for COVID-19 (4:40)
• Sanitation practices in radiation oncology (5:39)
• Shortage of PPE and patient education (7:23)
• How the pandemic will improve telehealth for radiation oncology (9:40)
• Safety and quality changes in radiation oncology from the pandemic (12:07)
• Advice to help get through this pandemic (13:14)

In this quality and safety Q&A recorded at the 2019 Annual Meeting, Sarah Lombardi discusses how to educate industry leaders on the value of building a resilient safety culture in radiation oncology. Sarah Lombardi is the Regional, Quality, and Safety Coordinator for the Department of Radiation Oncology at Yale New Haven Hospital.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Responsibilities of a quality and safety coordinator (0:29)
• Importance of a quality and safety coordinator in an organization (2:16)
• Biggest challenges of the role (2:56)
• Training from therapist to quality and safety coordinator (4:05)
• Priority of the position in cancer care (5:07)
• Working with quality and safety committees within the organization (5:58)
• Reporting incidents and systems in place  (6:49)
• How the role is evolving (7:35)
• Accreditation and improvements in safety and radiation therapy (8:39)
• Importance of the role within an organization (9:22)

Kim Lear is a writer and researcher who explores how emerging trends impact the future of our workforce and marketplace. As the founder and content director of Inlay Insights, Kim is at the forefront of cutting edge research to uncover cultural shifts that revolutionize how organizations engage employees and consumers. She is known for her ability to use a mix of data, storytelling, humor, and actionable takeaways to discuss the trends that most impact the bottom line of organizations. Previously, Kim was the content director at a research firm dedicated to generational and Millennials trends. Her undergrad research is around Baby Boomers and longevity. Her post-grad work is around Millennials and social media networks.

Recorded at the 2019 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, Kim talks about generations in the workplace.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Myths surrounding the multigenerational workforce? (0:17)
• Why generations are a hot topic (1:46)
• Generational hazing (2:06)
• Why every generation thinks the other generations are wrong (2:56)
• Generations and inclusivity (4:22)
• How to bridge gaps between generations (5:53)
• The struggle of knowing how to "turn off" (8:10)
• What leaders need to know for managing a multigenerational workforce (11:16)

Anne Hubbard is the Director of Health Policy for the American Society for Radiation Oncology. As Director of Health Policy, Ms. Hubbard leads efforts to inform Medicare and private payer policies that impact the practice of radiation oncology. This includes oversight of the CPT and RUC process, coding and coverage policies, as well as the development of an Alternative Payment Model for Radiation Oncology. 

Recorded at the 2019 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, Anne talks about the upcoming Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Is the ROAPM what people were hoping for? (0:27)
• Impact on quality of care (1:27)
• 40% sample trial (2:04)
• Impact on workload (2:42)
• Economics for practice settings (3:24)
• Case rates for different modalities or cancer-specific (4:04)
• Data collection (4:31)
• New technologies or service line (5:22)
• Reconciliation and payment withholding (6:47)
• Episode Based Payments calculation (8:10)
• Potential change between the proposed model and final rule (8:50)
• CMS budget target and bundling (10:26)
• Speed of reimbursement (11:10)
• Key takeaways for Radiation Oncology Administrators (12:13)