Pittsburgh, PA
Fairmont Hotel
September 18, 2026
4.25 CE/CME/CPE and
ABPath MOC

Advancing Precision Cancer Care Through Multidisciplinary Collaboration

Pittsburgh, PA
September 18, 2026

Advancing the Diagnostic-to-Treatment Continuum in Cancer Care –
Pittsburgh

Where translational science meets compassionate care

Pittsburgh’s strong foundation in biomedical research and clinical innovation makes it an ideal setting to bring together leaders in oncology, pathology, and precision medicine. This complimentary, CME-accredited conference will highlight emerging advances in molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence–driven analysis, and biomarker-guided therapies that are reshaping cancer care.

The program will be co-chaired by Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and a breast medical oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, whose research focuses on translational breast cancer biology and the use of circulating tumor DNA and genomic technologies to guide therapy.

Joining her as co-chair is Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Pittsburgh Foundation Chair and Director of the Institute for Precision Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and Professor of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology and Human Genetics. Dr. Lee’s work focuses on translating molecular and genomic discoveries into precision therapies for breast cancer and improving the integration of genomics into clinical care.

Together with an expert faculty of clinicians and translational scientists, this program will explore how advances in diagnostics, genomics, and multidisciplinary collaboration are accelerating the delivery of personalized cancer treatment from the laboratory to the clinic.

Agenda

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

EVENT PARTNER

September 18, 2026

 

All presentations to take place in Ballroom South unless otherwise noted.

7:30 AMRegistration & Check-in
8:25AMWelcome and IntroductionsMarija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine
8:30 AMIdentifying Pathologic Predictors of Response in the Era of Neoadjuvant Therapy Rohit Bhargava, MD, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
8:50 AMKeynote Address: Role of HfO – A Rapid Autopsy Program – in Understanding Breast Cancer Metastases Steffi Oesterreich, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
9:10 AMNext-Generation Cancer Therapies Come of Age Nolan Priedigkeit, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
9:30 AMInsight Into UPMC Network Rushir Choksi, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Stanley M. Marks, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Vincent E. Reyes, Jr., MD, MMM, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
10:00 AMExhibits/Breakfast
10:10 AMNon-CME Session – (Ballroom North)
10:50 AMExhibits/Break
11:00 AMEGFR Mutant NSCLC: The Evolving Landscape of Acquired Resistance Liza C. Villaruz, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
11:20 AMColorectal Cancer: Biomarkers and Methodologies Stanley R. Hamilton, MD,  FCAP, AGAF, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
11:40 AMPrecision Oncology in Gastroesophageal Cancer: Biomarkers and Emerging Targeted Therapies Anwaar Saeed, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
12:00 PMGU Cancers: Delivering Personalized Care Through Predictive Biomarkers New and Old Leonard J. Appleman, MD, PhD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
12:20 PMThe Molecular Roadmap: Navigating Current and Emerging Treatment Opportunities in Gynecologic OncologySarah E. Taylor, MD, PhD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
12:40 PMPrecision Oncology: Community Setting vs. Large Academic Institutions
Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine;Dhaval R. Mehta, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Shannon L. Puhalla, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
1:10 PMExhibits/Lunch
1:20 PMNon-CME Session –  (Ballroom North)
2:00 PMExhibits/Break
2:10 PMFrom Molecular Heterogeneity to Clinical Complexity: Rethinking Breast Cancer Trials Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
2:30 PMAdvances in MRD and Liquid Biopsy in Precision Oncology Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine
2:50 PMUsing Molecular Medicine to Advance Leukemia Treatment Choices John C. Byrd, MD, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
3:10 PMPanel Discussion: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities in Precision Oncology Marija Balic, MD, PhD, MBA, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; Adrian V. Lee, PhD, Institute for Precision Medicine
3:35 PMAdjourn

  • Integrate evidence-based advances from both pathology and oncology to enhance biomarker testing, diagnosis, and treatment planning for solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.

  • Apply multidisciplinary insights and new clinical data to improve therapeutic decision-making and patient outcomes across diverse practice settings.

Download Here!

Download Here!

How to Claim Your Certificate

1. Go to kc.cmecertificateonline.com
2. Click on the 2026 Pittsburgh – Advancing the Diagnostic-to-Treatment Continuum in Cancer Care link.
3. Evaluate the meeting.
4. Print, download, or save your certificate for your records.
5. If you lose your certificate, or need help, go to help.cmecertificateonline.com

 

Speakers

CHAIR

Marija Balic, MD, PhD

Chief, Medical Breast Oncology
University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Adrian Lee

CHAIR

Adrian Lee, PhD

Director and Chair in Precision Medicine
Institute for Precision Medicine
University of Pittsburgh and UPMC

Leonard J. Appleman, MD, PhD

Director, Genitourinary Cancer Disease Section
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Rohit Bhargava, MD

Chief of Pathology
UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Professor of Pathology
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

John C. Byrd, MD

Director
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center
Associate Vice Chancellor for Cancer Affairs
University of Pittsburgh

Rushir Choksi, MD

Chief Medical Officer
Medical Oncology Network
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Stanley Hamilton, MD, FCAP, AGAF

Adjunct Professor
Department of Pathology
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Stanley M. Marks, MD

Chairman
Director of Clinical Services
Chief Medical Officer
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Dhaval R. Mehta, MD

Medical Oncologist and Hematologist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Steffi Oesterreich, PhD

The Shear Family Foundation Chair in Breast Cancer Research
University of Pittsburgh

Nolan Priedigkeit, MD, PhD

Breast Medical Oncologist, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Shannon L. Puhalla, MD

Medical Oncologist
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Vincent E. Reyes, Jr., MD, MMM

Chief Medical Officer
Medical Oncology Network
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Anwaar Saeed, MD

Chief, Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program
Co-Leader, Cancer Therapeutics Program
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Sarah E. Taylor, MD, PhD

Director of Clinical Research and Leader Early Phase Clinical Trial, Gynecologic Oncology
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Liza C. Villaruz, MD

Chief, Thoracic Medical Oncology Program
UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

THE LOCATION

Fairmont Hotel
510 Market Street
Pittsburgh, PA  15222

REGISTRATION

SPONSOR

Interested in sponsoring the event? Email Nigel Russell by using the link below!

Sponsor