About ROC
The Rural Oncology Conference is a first in the nation, national meeting dedicated to understanding and solving the unique challenges of cancer care in rural America. It provides a forum for education, collaboration, research, advocacy, and the development of practical solutions to improve outcomes for rural cancer communities
2026 — Second Annual Rural Oncology Conference
April 18, 2026 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Graduate by Hilton
The program included:
Dr. Robin Zon, former ASCO president, as keynote
Rural cancer research presentations
Rural cancer care delivery
Patient advocacy
Nonprofit organizations addressing rural cancer
Clinical oncology and community practice
Healthcare policy and advocacy
Research addressing rural cancer disparities
One particularly distinctive component was the focus on nonprofit organizations as part of the rural cancer ecosystem, with leaders from organizations including The Helmsley Charitable Trust, A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Foundation, the Colon Cancer Coalition, and Angel Flight Central.
The 2026 meeting also featured speakers such as Dr. Lori Rosenstein, Dr. Josh Pritchett, Dr. Jack Hensold, and Dr. Jannette Merrill, among others.
2025 — Inaugural Rural Oncology Conference
June 6–7, 2025 | Lawrence, Kansas | The Oread
Some of the major themes included:
Telemedicine and tele-oncology
Innovative models for community-based oncology
Rural outreach clinics
Workforce and access challenges
Clinical research and new cancer treatments
Cancer disparities
Collaboration between rural providers and larger health systems
A notable presentation was from Dr. Gary Doolittle, who discussed the role of telemedicine in rural cancer care and how tele-oncology can reduce travel burdens while connecting rural patients with oncology expertise.
The conference also featured a session from Dr. Phu Truong and Valerie Davis on the successes and struggles of oncology outreach clinics, highlighting the Cancer Center of Kansas model with more than 20 outreach clinics.
The inaugural meeting was well received, with attendees describing it as an opportunity to bring providers and advocates together around issues ranging from telemedicine to research and community-based cancer care.
