AVBCC Southwest Regional Collaborative

The AVBCC Southwest Regional Collaborative is designed as more than a traditional conference—it is a Value-Based Engine intended to move the Dallas oncology ecosystem from discussion to coordinated action. The program is structured as a multi-phase journey that guides stakeholders from shared insight to collaborative solution design and ultimately to long-term implementation projects that improve oncology value, affordability, and the patient experience.

The central goal of the program is to align payers, providers, innovators, and other oncology stakeholders around a human-centric, value-based oncology ecosystem. The event focuses on solving for FNU (Fit, Need, Urgency) in Dallas oncology by identifying systemic barriers, designing practical solutions, and launching ongoing workstreams that continue beyond the event itself.

2026 AGENDA*

Thursday, September 17th

4:30pm-8:30pm

Registration & Networking Reception

Friday, September 18th

7:00am	Registration Open
8:15am	Welcome & Introduction Jon Zimmerman, Co-Chair, AVBCC Regional Collaboratives Jack Salerno, Co-Chair, AVBCC Regional Collaboratives Barry Russo, CEO, The Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders
8:30am-9:30am	Defining the Optimal Patient Experience: From Biopsy to Long-Term Follow-up Finding the Right Balance Between Outcomes, Affordability, and Patient Experience *Description:* What should “the optimal patient experience” look like? This diverse panel will explore the status quo, the ideal state, and what the path to achieve optimal looks like. We’ll discuss the specifics and nuance of delivering and receiving cancer care in the Southwest and how the evolving nature and exciting advances in treatment are prompting leaders to reimagine the cancer patient experience. Moderator: Lalan Wilfong, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Navista Speakers: ● Mark Chassay, MD, VP & CMO, Blue Cross ● Dax Kurbegov, SVP, HCA, Sarah Cannon Cancer Network ● Alti Rahman, MHA, MBA, CSSBB, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, AON ● Barbara McAneny, MD, Past President, American Medical Association; Co-Chair, ONCare Alliance; CEO, New Mexico Cancer Center ● Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, EVP, Policy & Strategy, Texas Oncology
9:30am-10:30am	Panel Session: 1 The Patient Continuum of Care: What Works—and What Doesn’t *Description:* From diagnosis through survivorship, today’s cancer journey is often fragmented. And as cancer transforms into a chronic condition for many patients, oncology leaders need to reimagine what the patient and family journey looks like today. This panel examines the real patient experience across the continuum of care, highlighting points of strength and breakdown, with a focus on the local dynamics and market complexities of the Southwest region. A patient story grounds the discussion in lived experience, ensuring the conversation remains centered on what matters most — how we meet patients where they are and deliver the best possible experience. Moderator: Deirdre Saulet, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer, Jasper Health, Strategic Advisor & Co-Chair, AVBCC Speakers: ● Jordan Henderson, BSN, RN, OCN, ONN-CG, Director of Program Development, AONN+ ● Misha Kaur, COO, Cureety ● Jed Stone, Head of Customer Success & Operations, Canopy ● Jennifer Hasbrook, AVP, Oncology Navigation, Sarah Cannon ● Terry Purdom
10:30am-11:30am	Panel Session: 2 Closing Access Gaps: Ensuring Breakthroughs Reach Every Patient *Description:* We are living in an era of lifesaving breakthroughs in cancer care, but barriers across the healthcare ecosystem continue to drive variable outcomes and disparities in care. This session asks a critical question: how accountable are we—collectively—for ensuring every patient has the best possible chance of cure? Panelists will explore access challenges, responsibility, and opportunities to drive better outcomes for every patient. Because breakthroughs only matter if they reach the patients who need them. Moderator: John Hennessy, Associate Principal, Payer Science Speakers: ● Robert Hauser, PhD, VP Oncology, NTX, & Co-Founder Vidence ● Glenn Balasky, Executive Director, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers ● Gerry Stanley, MD, Former, Chief Medical Officer, Express Scripts by Evernorth ● Lucy Langer, MD, MSHS, National Medical Director/CMO, Oncology, Genomics & Laboratory UnitedHealthcare ● Nate Osborne, West Regional Director, Cell Therapy Field Market Access, Bristol-Myers Squibb
11:30am-12:15pm	LUNCH & NETWORKING
12:15pm	Transition Recap of morning learning and setting the stage for afternoon sessions
12:30pm-1:30pm	Panel Session: 3 Misalignment in the Oncology Ecosystem: What Care Delivery and Economic Models are Working to Move the Needle in Value Based Care? *Description:* This panel explores misalignment across stakeholders, the pros and cons of various care delivery and economic approaches, considerations in assuming financial risk and where value-based care succeeds—and falls short. Moderator: Barry Russo, CEO, The Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders Speakers: ● Craig Ortego, RVP, Sarah Cannon ● Marianne Fazen, President, Dallas Fort Worth Business Group on Health ● Matt Saylor, PharmD, BCOP, Sr. Director – Drug Insights & Quality Initiatives, Pharmacy, US Oncology ● Daron Street, MD, FACOG, Gynecologic Oncologist, Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute ● Amila Patel, Head of Product, Providers, ThymeCare ● Sheri Chatterson, MSM, MBA, CFHP, Vice President Payer Relations for OneOncology and United Urology Group
1:30pm-2:30pm	Panel Session: 4 Where Innovation Meets Affordability: Solutions That Improve Patient Outcomes *Description:* This discussion examines how technology, data, and new care models can improve outcomes while addressing affordability—highlighting solutions that scale innovation without widening access gaps. Moderator: Jon Zimmerman, AVBCC Regional Collaboratives Co-Chair Speakers: ● John Hennessy, Associate Principal, Payer Sciences ● Jeff Hunnicut, Chief Operating Officer, Navista ● Brian Bourbeau, MBA, Vice President, Care Delivery, ASCO ● Reena Duseja, MD, MS, Physician Executive, Oracle
2:30pm-2:45pm	Transition Recap of Panel Sessions and setting the stage for the Breakout Session
2:45pm-3:30pm	Breakout Session: 1 The Patient Continuum of Care: What Works—and What Doesn’t Moderator: Deirdre Saulet, Chief Strategy Officer, Jasper Health Assignment: Identify systemic “Breaking Points” in the patient journey and design a collaborative model to drive a better patient experience and better outcomes.
2:45pm-3:30pm	Breakout Session: 2 Closing Access Gaps: Ensuring Breakthroughs Reach Every Patient Moderator: John Hennessy, Associate Principal, Payer Science Assignment: Identify potential solutions to access challenges, responsibility, and opportunities to drive better outcomes for every patient.
2:45pm-3:30pm	Breakout Session: 3 Misalignment in the Oncology Ecosystem: What Care Delivery and Economic Models are Working to Move the Needle in Value Based Care? Moderator: Barry Russo, CEO, The Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders Assignment: Evaluate risk-bearing models and determine the CEV (Compelling Economic Value) for transitioning from Fee-for-Service.
2:45pm-3:30pm	Breakout Session: 4 Where Innovation Meets Affordability: Solutions That Improve Patient Outcomes Moderator: Jon Zimmerman, AVBCC Regional Collaboratives Co-Chair Assignment: Solve the “Trade-Off” between breakthrough science, coordination, process efficiency and system affordability.
3:45pm-4:30pm	Closing Session Designing an Oncology Ecosystem Around the Patient: Turning Insight Into Action *Description:* Breakout groups report out key insights and proposed solutions (5 minutes per group). The session concludes with a facilitated discussion to clarify desired outputs, align on next steps, and identify concrete action items to carry the work forward beyond today. Moderator: Jon Zimmerman, AVBCC Regional Collaboratives Co-Chair
4:30pm	Closing Remarks Jon Zimmerman, Co-Chair, AVBCC Regional Collaboratives Barry Russo, CEO, The Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders