and Other Blood Cancers
Save the date for Stronger Together: Empowering Lives After Hodgkin Lymphoma and Other Blood Cancers!
Presented by Hodgkin’s International and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center
Join Hodgkin’s International and the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center for an immersive educational and supportive experience for survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma and other blood cancers. Created for survivors by survivors, this gathering brings together long-term survivors from across the globe to connect, share their journeys, and draw strength from the power of shared experience.
Our symposium is uniquely dedicated to the complexities of long-term survivorship, offering an exceptional space for learning, community, and empowerment.
Open to survivors, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and advocates, the event features leading experts who will address the lasting effects of cancer treatments and share strategies to improve lives.
We look forward to coming together in Cincinnati, OH for this two-day experience that will inform, inspire and celebrate the diverse community of survivors, care partners, clinicians, trainees, and support professionals who walk this journey every day and prove that we are, indeed, stronger together.
Location
Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
151 W 5th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Date & Time
Friday, October 16, 2026
1:00-9:00 pm; symposium
Saturday, October 17, 2026
7:30 am-6:30 pm; symposium
6:30-9:00 pm; dinner, keynote speaker and awards
Find out more about the 2026 symposium
Select from the links below to learn more about this year’s conference.
Agenda • Register • Speakers • Sponsors • Sponsorship Opportunities • FAQs • Places to Stay and Visit
Schedule of Activities
In choosing our speakers and topics, we have endeavored to address some of the most pressing issues for long-term cancer survivors. They include:
- Addressing the short and long-term effects of treatments, and their prevention, including: cardiac and pulmonary disease, subsequent cancers, anxiety and depression, spiritual care, radiation fibrosis, exercise, yoga, sleep, pain management, sexual health, oncofertility, and financial hardships
- Advances in patient-focused survivorship care: the role of primary care physicians and oncology primary care
- Survivorship research and the impact on how Hodgkin Lymphoma is currently treated
This schedule may change over the next several months, but we will keep you updated at all times.
Register Today
This symposium brings together Hodgkin Lymphoma and other blood cancer survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers to explore the latest in survivorship care, address long-term and late effects of treatment, and build community. Participants will leave with practical strategies, research insights, and connections that support life beyond cancer.
Connect
Survivors, clinicians, researchers, advocates.
Get Practical Tools
Screening checklists, and self-advocacy strategies. Evidence-based education on late and long-term effects.
Be Seen
Created for survivors, by survivors.
Keynote Speaker, Ethan Zohn knows what it means to be a survivor.
Winning CBS Survivor: Africa’s $1 million prize launched an extraordinary life of entrepreneurship, advocacy, and purpose—one defined by resilience and enduring spirit.
After publicly sharing his battles with CD20+ Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and two stem cell transplants, Ethan became a global ambassador for leading cancer and survivorship organizations. As an international keynote speaker, he inspires audiences with humor, honesty, and vulnerability—encouraging them to never let a crisis go to waste, but to use it as an opportunity for meaningful impact.
Our speaker lineup features nationally recognized clinicians, researchers, and survivorship thought leaders who bring deep expertise and compassionate insight to every aspect of long-term survivorship.
Rev. Amy Arnold was born and raised in Hamilton, OH, the daughter of public-school teachers. She attended Anderson University, double majoring in History and Christian Education. She then completed her Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA with an emphasis on Family Pastoral Care and Counseling.
Amy has been ordained with the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana since 1998.
Amy has served as a congregational Pastor, Professor of Religion but has been a Healthcare Chaplain with an emphasis on Hospice, Palliative Care and Blood Cancer for over 22 years. Amy is currently the System Manager of Spiritual Care for UC Health.
Being a retreat speaker, officiating a wedding or funeral are Amy’s other favorite parts of ministry. Her biggest honor in life is being an Aunt.
Dr. Baas is a fellowship-trained urologist who specializes in urethral reconstruction, male stress urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s Disease, and male factor infertility. He received his fellowship training in Trauma and Genitourinary Reconstruction at Washington University in St. Louis. He completed medical school at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr. Baas has been published several times in peer reviewed academic journals, has authored multiple textbook chapters, and presented at numerous national meetings. Dr. Baas is actively involved in research with a focus on urethral reconstruction, Peyronie’s Disease, and male sexual health. Dr. Baas has developed extensive experience in the new technology and skilled techniques including genitourinary reconstruction, robotic surgery, minimally invasive prostate procedures (i.e. Rezum) insertion of penile prosthesis, and the artificial urinary sphincter.
Dr. Balch has more than 22 years of executive leadership in the non-profit sector spanning multiple advocacy areas including access and affordability, health equity, prevention and early detection, and cancer research. He became the CEO of both PAF and NPAF in 2013 and has served as a member of both Boards of Directors since 2007. From 2006-2013, he served as Vice President of the Preventive Health Partnership – a national health promotion collaboration between the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Heart Association. Dr. Balch currently serves on dozens of selective boards, steering committees, and councils for an array of institutions. Most recently, Dr. Balch was selected as the Chair of the Global Patient Council for the American Patient Representatives Roundtable for the Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) after serving as the Co-Chair of the North American Patient Representatives Roundtable.
Dr. Balch recently stepped into the role of Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Clinical Pathways. He has served on the editorial board and as a contributing editor for many years and on the advisory board for the Journal of Oncology Navigation and Survivorship. He is frequently invited to peer review article submissions to various publications including the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, Journal of Clinical Oncology, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and the American Journal of Public Health.
He earned his PhD in 2003 from the University of California Santa Cruz, his master’s degree in 1997 from the University of Texas San Antonio; and his bachelor’s degree in 1994 from Trinity University in San Antonio.
Meredith Barteck is a Senior Communications Consultant for UC Health. She is an Emmy Award-winning storyteller with a decade of communications and public speaking experience. Using multimedia platforms, Meredith tells the stories of our academic health enterprise with a focus on celebrating employees, patients, research, and innovation. In 2024, Meredith helped the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center internally launch the UC Blood Cancer Healing Center to the 10,000+ employees of UC Health. Previously, Meredith worked as a journalist and anchor in local news across the country, including WLWT News 5 in Cincinnati. In 2025, Meredith and her team at WLWT were awarded an Emmy for their documentary focusing on sex trafficking in Cincinnati. Since transitioning from news to UC Health, which includes the hospital where she was born, she is grateful to give back to the place where her story began through this new age of healthcare communications. Meredith is honored to be with you. She is excited to learn alongside brilliant, compassionate minds and explore ways we can empower the blood cancer community.
Andrew Bazemore, MD, MPH serves as the Senior Vice President of Research and Policy for the American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM). As Senior Vice President for Research and Policy, Dr. Bazemore is responsible for managing all ABFM research functions and staff, development and implementation of an enterprise-wide strategy for research, co-directing the new ABFM Center for Professionalism and Value in Health Care in Washington DC, coordinating and developing an existing and expanding ABFM leadership/scholarship portfolio that includes ABFM Visiting Scholars & Fellowship, Pisacano Scholars & Puffer Fellowship programs, developing national and international collaborative research partnerships, and continuing to grow his own research in measures that matter for primary care, workforce & training, and access to primary health care for vulnerable populations.
Dr. Bender is a Pediatric Oncologist on the Leukemia/Lymphoma Team and Associate Director of the Cardio-Oncology Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Dr. Bender completed his medical degree and Internal Medicine-Pediatrics residency at the University of Michigan, where he also served as Chief Resident and undertook a fellowship in medical education. He completed fellowship in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, during which he also earned a Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research through the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Clinically, Dr. Bender’s focus is on caring for adolescents and young adults with hematologic malignancies, with a particular focus on Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. His research centers on cardiotoxicity associated with novel therapies in pediatric oncology, along with strategies to identify childhood cancer survivors at highest risk for late-onset cardiotoxicity.
Jonathan serves as co-chair of the ACTION Network Pediatric Cardio-Oncology Workgroup and as a member of the International Cardio-Oncology Society Pediatric Task Force. Within the Children’s Oncology Group, Jonathan is a member of the Hodgkin Lymphoma Steering Committee, the Myeloid Cardiotoxicity Committee, and the steering committee for LEAP, which is a pilot project focused on revolutionizing follow-up for survivors of childhood Hodgkin lymphoma.
Dr. Rynita Bohler is a family physician; her medical education was at Wayne State University before coming to Cincinnati for her Family Medicine Residency with the University of Cincinnati. She was a trailblazer in her subsequent palliative care fellowship, training also in oncology primary care. She currently splits her clinical activities between oncology primary care and palliative care. Hailed by her patients for her intelligence, listening skills, and insight, she provides the utmost in care to her patients.
Dr. Childress joined Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in 2024 to serve as the Co-Director of the Comprehensive Fertility Care and Preservation Program and Fellowship Director of the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Fellowship Program. She completed her OB GYN residency training at Northwestern University in Chicago, followed by Fellowship in Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital. After fellowship she started the first Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Program at Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA) in Atlanta, GA where she practice for 5 years, followed by a 2-year faculty position as Co-Director of the Fertility Program at Primary Children’s Hospital. She has been involved in various multidisciplinary clinics, including care for pelvic and anorectal malformations, bleeding disorders, bone marrow transplant survivorship and a DSD clinic throughout her career. She serves on committees and boards for various specialty societies and pediatric gynecology special interest groups, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), Oncofertility Consortium, Pediatric Colorectal and Pelvic Learning Consortium and North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG). She currently serves as president of the NASPAG. She has academic and research interests in fertility preservation, complex differences of the reproductive tract, complex pelvic malformations, ovarian masses and minimally invasive surgery.
Patrick Collier, MD, PhD, MBA, FASE, FESC, FACC is a board-certified cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic. He is Co-Director of the Cardio-Oncology Center, Associate Director of the Echo Lab and is Associate Professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. His specialty interests include cancer-related heart disease (cardio-oncology), multi-modality cardiovascular imaging and structural heart disease. Pertaining to these specialty interests, he is heavily involved in research and is collaborating with a group of physicians and scientists to better understand the pathophysiology of these disorders. He is widely published in leading medical journals and was invited to serve as a member of the SWOG Cardio-toxicity Advisory Panel in 2019 and completed a 7 year term as Section Editor Cardio-Oncology, JACC from 2018-2024.
Sian Cotton, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, founding director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health and the Turner Farm Foundation Chair at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. A Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine and Division Director for Integrative Medicine, Dr. Cotton has an active research lab with ongoing clinical studies focusing primarily on mindfulness-based interventions and integrative medicine practice-based research. She is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Academic Consortium of Integrative Medicine and Health, a group of over 85 leading academic health centers and served as 1 of 8 Congress Co-Presidents for the 2nd World Congress on Integrative Medicine in Rome September 2023. Dr. Cotton is often invited to speak with community organizations and businesses, healthcare audiences, and academics about mind-body medicine for stress reduction, and preventive and wellness-based approaches to healthcare.
Dr. Matthew Ehrhardt is an Associate Member in the Division of Cancer Survivorship at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital specialized in the care of long-term childhood cancer survivors and children newly diagnosed with Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He is a Co-Chair of the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Group Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers and a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology Survivorship (ASCO) Guideline Advisory Group, the American College of Radiology (ACR) Appropriateness Criteria Committee, and multiple COG, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and International Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG) guideline panels and initiatives. His research is focused on the long-term effects of childhood cancer therapy as well as surveillance guideline development, dissemination, and utilization.
Dr. Melissa Erickson is currently an adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She is the Medical Director and Founder of the Oncology Primary Care Clinic at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center and holds the Robert and Adele Schiff Family Clinical Endowed Chair for Cancer Survivorship. She provides primary care services for patients with cancer or a hereditary predisposition to cancer. Additionally, she sees adult survivors of childhood, adolescent and young adult cancers in the Cancer Survivorship Clinic at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
I have been in women’s health in multiple areas from labor and delivery, OB/GYN, GYN/ONC and currently URO/GYN for 26 years. I have been a CNP since 2010 and I care for women ages 12–105-year-old. My passion is education and I currently specialize in Sexual Health and menopause in tandem with URO/GYN. I have completed special training in pelvic pain and sexual health from ISSWSH and IPPA. My approach is bio/psycho/social and focus on pleasure context and not desire or climax as sexual health is complicated and all areas need to be addressed for success. Changes in our health, relationships and life experiences can create new contexts in our intimacy. I treat all women individually using multiple modalities including mindfulness, sensate focus, therapy, integrative medicine, hormone therapy and reminding women that we are not broken and to not compare ourselves to what we think others are doing. We all have our own story and it begins with loving ourselves.
Sara Kleinschmidt, MD, is an oncology primary care physician at the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, where she provides care at the region’s first and only Oncology Primary Care Clinic. She is also the medical director of Palliative care at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati.
Dr. Latif is actively involved in clinical research and scholarly activities in hematologic malignancies and GI oncology, having published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as review articles in prestigious journals such as Bone Marrow Transplantation, Critical Review in Hematology Oncology, and Experimental Hematology.
Dr. Latif currently serves as Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Division of Hematology Oncology and Director of Infusion Services, UCMC, is a practicing Hematologist and Oncologist with special interest in malignant hematology (lymphoproliferative disorders). Dr. Latif graduated from Allama Iqbal Medical College, University of the Punjab in 1996 and completed his residency and fellowship training from Cleveland Clinic Florida and Cleveland Clinic foundation respectively. He’s been practicing for over 15 years and has trained and educated many oncologists in Cincinnati Area.
He has keen interest in improving efficiency and quality of health care with development of lean systems and has adopted several process improvement initiatives at University of Cincinnati since his arrival.
Meriden combines her master’s level education in mental and public health with her training in mind-body modalities, including mindfulness and positive psychology, to teach individuals and groups techniques for optimal mental wellbeing. Meriden has worked with a variety of populations such as professional athletic teams including both the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns, Fortune 500 Companies, C-suite leadership teams, human resource departments, veterans, mental health professionals, families, and beyond.
Dr. Larissa Nekhlyudov is Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, practicing internist at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Clinical Director, Internal Medicine for Cancer Survivors at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Over the past two decades, her efforts have focused on clinical care, research, and teaching, with the goal of improving the quality of care for cancer survivors. Dr. Nekhlyudov is regarded as one of a handful of primary care providers at the forefront of the field of cancer survivorship, both nationally and internationally. Her publications (including original journal articles and editorials, book chapters and two books) as well as broad-ranging educational programs have promoted awareness among health care professionals about the ongoing needs of cancer patients across the care continuum. Throughout her career, Dr. Nekhlyudov has been dedicated to teaching and mentoring students, residents, fellows, and faculty, and has been committed to empowering cancer survivors and caregivers.
Sharon is the center manager and treating physical therapist at NovaCare’s Crestview Hills center where she oversees the day-to day operations of the facility and mentoring the staff in clinical and service excellence. She particularly enjoys working with knee, shoulder and TMJ patients as these conditions have the biggest impact on a person’s ability to function at the highest level. Sharon loves using an eclectic approach using the most efficient and effective means of treatment including exercises, dry needling and other manual techniques as she guides each patient to a successful recovery. Sharon received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and master’s degree in physical therapy. Sharon is the Director of ReVital Cancer care for the Cincinnati-Dayton-NKY market. She is also a certified lymphedema specialist.
Dr. Zulfa Omer is an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of Cincinnati and serves as the Disease Research Group Leader for Malignant Hematology at the UC Cancer Center. She completed her medical degree at the University of Khartoum, Sudan, and her Internal Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical Center and her Hematology/Oncology fellowship at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Omer’s research focuses on developing innovative early-phase clinical trials, with an emphasis on investigating small molecule inhibitors and T-cell therapies, aiming to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for CLL and lymphoma patients. She currently leads multiple investigator-initiated and industry clinical trials.
Thomas D. Ryan, MD, PhD, FAAP, FACC, FAHA is the Associate Director of the Advanced Cardiomyopathy Program, Director of the Cardio-Oncology Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), and Professor of Pediatrics-Clinical at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
Dr. Ryan earned both an MD and PhD at the University of Alabama School of Medicine/University of Alabama at Birmingham. He completed general pediatrics residency and pediatric cardiology fellowship at CCHMC and was the first graduate of the CCHMC Heart Institute’s Advanced Fellowship in Pediatric Heart Failure, Cardiomyopathy, and Cardiac Transplantation.
Dr. Ryan’s clinical and research interests focus on inherited and acquired cardiomyopathy as well as cardiac transplantation. He has published over 95 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and is author of more than 10 textbook chapters. He was on the founding Leadership Council for the Cardio-Oncology Member Section of the American College of Cardiology and was the first Chair of the Pediatric Working Group and is co-founder of the Pediatric Cardio-Oncology Consortium. Dr. Ryan serves as Co-Chair of the Institutional Review Board at CCHMC, as well as Section Editor for the journal Cardio-Oncology and Associate Editor for the journal Progress in Pediatric Cardiology.
Dr. Erin Scott is an associate professor in the Palliative Medicine Division of the Department of Internal Medicine at The Ohio State University. As an outpatient palliative care physician, she manages symptoms and cancer-related stress for individuals diagnosed with solid-tumor and hematologic malignancies. Dr. Scott serves as Program Director for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship and the Co-Program Director the Medical Oncology/Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship at OSU. Dr. Scott’s clinical interests are focused on providing high quality care and symptom management for patients and their loved ones who are facing a serious illness.
Dr. Elizabeth (Beth) Shaughnessy hails from the Chicago Metropolitan area. She obtained her BS at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign In Honors Biology before completing medical school at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed her residency in general surgery in Chicago before her fellowship in surgical oncology at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in California. There, she was introduced to the concept of cancer survivorship, which intrigued her. She brought that interest with her to the University of Cincinnati where she helped in the early formation of Cancer Survivorship. Later, as a cancer survivor, she joined forces to assume administrative responsibilities and grow educational and research programs.
Liya Shuster-Bier is the founder and CEO of Maia Oncology, the first comprehensive virtual Onco-primary clinic for cancer patients and survivors in the country. Maia is seeded and co-incubated in partnership with Takeda Digital Ventures and Yosemite, with additional support from American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge, BBGV Ventures and Coalition Operators.
On January 11, 2018, on the cusp of her 30th birthday, six months after graduating from Wharton, Liya was diagnosed with a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Taking the knowledge gained from experiencing the gaps in care from her hospital bed, Liya built Maia to stitch the gaps between oncology and primary care. Prior to Maia, Liya founded Alula, an oncology symptom management marketplace anchored by Mckesson-Med Surgical. Liya sold Alula to Maia Oncology in April 2023.
Prior to Alula, Liya built a career in community development and impact investing, partnering with mayors and governors across the country to create innovative financing solutions that improved community outcomes. She started her career at Goldman Sachs, on the corporate currency derivatives team. In addition to receiving her MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from The Wharton School, Liya is a proud Dartmouth alum, native Queens girl, and an immigrant from Baku.
Dr. Sophia Smith is an Associate Professor with Tenure at the Duke School of Nursing and earned her PhD and MSW degrees at UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Her research explores ways to improve the quality of cancer care including post-treatment survivorship and palliative care with a primary focus on leveraging technology in delivering behavioral health interventions to the community. She is leading efforts to integrate clinical cancer care and research in building the scientific evidence that informs evidence-based practice through her current and past membership on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Survivorship Guidelines Panel and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Survivorship Committee. Dr. Smith’s research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, NCCN, and Pfizer Grants for Independent Learning and Change.
Dr. Michael D. Stubblefield is Medical Director for Cancer Rehabilitation at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, National Medical Director for Select Medical’s ReVital Cancer Rehabilitation Program and National Medical Director for Complex Medical Rehabilitation for Select Medical’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital Division. He is President of the International Cancer Rehabilitation Foundation and the former Chief of Cancer Rehabilitation at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), Internal Medicine, and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. His primary clinical expertise is in the identification, evaluation, and rehabilitation of neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, pain, and functional disorders resulting from cancer and its treatment, particularly those caused by radiation and neurotoxic chemotherapy.
Dr. Stubblefield is an accomplished researcher who has published extensively, not only in the rehabilitation literature, but in oncology, pain management, palliative care, neurophysiology, and other journals. He has authored numerous review articles and book chapters in the field of cancer rehabilitation and is the editor of Cancer Rehabilitation: Principles and Practice, the only comprehensive textbook in this emerging field now in its 3rd edition. Dr. Stubblefield is a fierce advocate for the development of cancer rehabilitation and survivorship programs and champions their role in restoring function and quality of life to cancer patients.
Emily Tonorezos, MD MPH is Director of the Iris Cantor Survivorship Program and Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Hematology /Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine. Prior to this position, Dr. Tonorezos served as Director of the Office of Cancer Survivorship at the National Cancer Institute. She has published widely on the multitude of issues facing people who have been diagnosed with cancer, including the side effects of treatment and care delivery.
Dr. Tonorezos has led and co-led numerous cancer survivorship guideline-writing committees within COG, ASCO, and the International Guideline Harmonization Group, and was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Childhood Cancer and Disability. She earned her MD from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and her MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She completed her internal medicine residency and served as chief resident at Columbia University Medical Center, followed by a general internal medicine fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Alique Topalian is a 2-time cancer survivor. She is now in remission and using her voice to passionately raise awareness about the unique needs of cancer patients. Her experience with childhood cancer inspired her to obtain a Master’s in Public Health and a Ph.D. in Health Promotion and Education completing her degree in 2020. Little did she know that in March of 2021 she would relapse with AML, the first person to ever relapse after 22 years. During her time in active treatment, she used every opportunity to network, participate in psychosocial programming, and educate herself on resources available to patients in all stages of treatment. Alique was selected as a 2022 recipient of the 40 Under 40 in Cancer award and was recognized as 100 Influential Women in Oncology in 2024. She is sharing her experience with The University of Cincinnati as a Research Scientist to research patient experience, oncology primary care, cancer related cognitive impairment, AYAs, and survivorship.
Tina Walter, C-IAYT, is a Mind-Body Intervention Specialist at the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UC where she provides evidence-based yoga therapy interventions to patients and their caregivers throughout their cancer journey from prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and end of life. For over a decade, Tina has designed and provided protocols for oncology patients at local hospitals to manage the adverse effects of treatment and improve clinical outcomes. She teaches meditation and both private and group yoga classes for people and their caregivers at UC Health.
Tina is certified by The International Association of Yoga Therapists and has advanced training in yoga for cancer and chronic illness. She is past chair of the Yoga SIG for the Society for Integrative Oncology and is a contributing author of a book on yoga therapy for cancer. She has co-authored published articles including a manuscript on the efficacy of yoga therapy during cancer treatment, has presented her research at local and national conferences, and is currently involved in a study on the effects of mind/body interventions on hospitalized oncology patients. At present, Tina is studying to become a board-certified health coach, adding another dimension to her yoga therapy credentials.
A mother of five children, Tina resides in Cincinnati with her husband, Bob. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, cooking, walking in nature, and taking care of their new grandbaby.
Dr. Weeks is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician and has practiced in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio area for the past 18 years. He has extensive experience in Cannabinoid Medicine and has consulted 1000’s of Ohio and Kentucky residents, helping them reach their health goals through the use of medical cannabis.
Dr. Weeks is the owner and lead physician of the medical cannabis practice One Heart Medical as well as provides psychedelic facilitation through his One Heart Mental Health Collaborative initiative. One Heart has 3 locations, Columbia Tusculum, Eastgate, and Ft Wright, KY.
Eric Zhou, PhD is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and a Staff Psychologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dr. Zhou’s research focuses on how we can better understand and treat sleep disorders in both pediatric and adult populations, especially those with chronic illnesses. This work has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Cancer Society, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, private foundations, and industry. His research has been published in journals such as JAMA Psychiatry, Cancer, and SLEEP. Dr. Zhou currently serves as an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Behavioral Medicine and on the editorial board for Annals of Behavioral Medicine. He has served as a consultant for organizations such as Samsung and the Goldie Hawn Foundation to provide sleep expertise. For his training, Dr. Zhou completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA and residency at Brown University Alpert Medical School in Providence, RI. He received a B.Sc. (Integrated Sciences and Psychology) from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC and an M.S. and Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology, Health Division) from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL.
What makes this symposium different?
- Survivor-centered and survivor-informed
- Focused on long-term survivorship and late effects
- Multidisciplinary faculty and lived experience
- Practical, actionable, and community-driven
Thank You to Our 2026 Symposium Sponsors and Volunteer Leaders
The following individuals’ and organizations’ generous support has helped make this year’s conference a reality.
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Friend
Outstanding Volunteers
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorship opportunities range from community access scholarships to program and meal sponsorships, allowing partners to align their support with the impact they care most about.
Cancer treatment may end, but survivorship does not. For many survivors, the years and decades after treatment bring complex medical, emotional, and financial challenges that too often go unseen. The 2026 symposium exists to change that. As a sponsor, you help remove barriers to education, foster meaningful connections, and amplify the voices of survivors who have been “lost to the system.” Your support sends a powerful message that survivors matter, their lives matter, and their long-term health deserves attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
This symposium is open to all cancer survivors, particularly long-term and AYA survivors, regardless of diagnosis, as well as caregivers, healthcare professionals, students, researchers, cancer advocates, and anyone interested in long-term and late effects of cancer treatment. While it is hosted by Hodgkin’s International & University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, and includes many Hodgkin Lymphoma survivors, it is not restricted to Hodgkin Lymphoma survivors only.
Yes. You are welcome to attend just the Saturday evening dinner, keynote presentation, and awards ceremony on Saturday, October 17, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets for the dinner are $80 per person and can be purchased through the registration link.
Early-bird registration (before July 1, 2026) for the full conference is $150 per person. Beginning July 1, 2026 the standard conference registration is $200 per person and includes access to all sessions, panels, and conference materials. Additional details about what is included will be shared as the event approaches.
Registration fees are non-refundable, but they are fully transferable.
Hodgkin’s International is largely an all-volunteer organization operating on a tight budget. A non-refundable policy allows us to keep registration costs as low as possible while making firm commitments to our venue and vendors.
That said, we understand that life happens. If you are unable to attend, you may:
- Transfer your registration to another person
- Donate your registration to someone who may not be able to afford to attend
- Apply the registration as a tax-deductible donation to Hodgkin’s International
Our goal is not profit, but to break even while delivering a meaningful, high-quality conference. We truly appreciate your understanding.
Yes. UCCC has secured a special room rate at the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati, which is co-located with the conference. The hotel is centrally located in downtown Cincinnati. Reduced-rate rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend booking early. The booking link is here. Please note, the last day to book rooms is Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Yes. Cincinnati has a vibrant downtown with museums, parks, restaurants, and riverfront attractions. A list of recommended places to visit is included below on this page.
Meals are provided during the conference, including dinner and cocktails on Friday evening, breakfast, boxed lunch, and a sit-down dinner on Saturday. We will do our best to accommodate common dietary needs (there will be a place to indicate/include any restrictions during registration). More details will be shared closer to the event.
We anticipate making session recordings available after the conference. Final details will be confirmed and shared closer to the event.
Yes. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible conference experience. The venue is ADA-accessible, and quiet or rest areas will be available for attendees who need breaks. If you have specific accessibility or wellness needs, please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you.
We will continue to update this page and share information on our social media as the event approaches. If you have questions not answered here, please email us at info@hodgkinsinternational.org
Register Today
This symposium brings together Hodgkin Lymphoma and other blood cancer survivors, caregivers, clinicians, and researchers to explore the latest in survivorship care, address long-term and late effects of treatment, and build community. Participants will leave with practical strategies, research insights, and connections that support life beyond cancer.
Places to Stay in Cincinnati
Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
151 W 5th Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Guest rooms are available at a discounted rate through our reserved room block. The last day to book rooms is Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Places to Visit in Cincinnati
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: One of the oldest and most beloved zoos in the U.S., home to rare species, beautiful gardens, and seasonal events.
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center: Powerful museum and cultural center highlighting the history of the Underground Railroad and struggles for freedom and civil rights.
- Cincinnati Museum Center: Located in historic Union Terminal, this complex houses multiple museums, exhibits, and an OMNIMAX theater.
- Cincinnati Art Museum : World-class art museum with a huge collection spanning centuries and cultures (free admission on many days).
- American Sign Museum: Quirky, colorful museum dedicated to vintage signs and neon – a favorite for photography and design lovers.
- Taft Museum of Art : An elegant historic mansion with an outstanding art collection, right in downtown Cincinnati.
- Eden Park : Beautiful hilltop park with river views, walking paths, and cultural sites – ideal for a morning stroll.
- Krohn Conservatory : Stunning botanical greenhouse in Eden Park with seasonal plant shows – great for a relaxed visit.
- Devou Park (Covington, KY): Across the river with panoramic skyline views and trails – perfect for photos and sunset vistas.
- American Legacy Tours: Walking tours focused on Cincinnati’s history, architecture, and local stories.
