Empowered!

Empowered!

Patient Empowerment Network (PEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. PEN’s mission is to fortify cancer patients and care partners with the knowledge and tools to boost their confidence, put them in control of their healthcare journey, and assist them in receiving the best, most personalized care available to ensure they have the best possible outcome.Our programs enhance patient health literacy to enable shared decision-making and provide informational and educational resources to empower patients and care partners at every step of their cancer journey.

Episodes

September 3, 2026 • 11 mins

In this EPEP podcast, Dr. Gabriela Hobbs, Clinical Director of the Leukemia Service at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, examines the clinical gray areas of MPN progression, including discordance between symptoms and molecular risk. She also discusses treatment timing and approaches to communicating evolving risk without creating unnecessary anxiety.

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Dr. Gabriela Hobbs, Clinical Director of the Leukemia Service at Massachusetts General Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, speaks to the complexities of caring for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), particularly when symptoms, laboratory findings, and perceived risk don’t tell the same story. She shares practical insights on navigating these disconnects, strengthening patien...

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Conversations about MPN progression can become increasingly complex as patients face treatment escalation, clinical trial consideration, and long-term planning. In this EPEP podcast, Dr. John Mascarenhas, Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, shares his approach to guiding patients through these critical transition points. 

He discusses tailoring conversations to the individual patient, presentin...

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In this episode of the Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP) podcast, host Dr. Nicole Rochester interviews Dr. Leanne Woods-Burnham about the hidden blind spots shaping cancer outcomes today. From misclassified cell lines to overlooked risk factors in primary care, this insightful conversation reveals where provider awareness falls short, and how those gaps translate into missed opportunities for early detection, equitabl...

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In Episode 3 of our DECODE podcast, Dr. Virginia Haoyu Sun of Harvard Medical School dives into one of the most critical conversations in modern cancer care: how to use artificial intelligence safely, responsibly, and ethically. She speaks to how bias enters AI systems, what trust in digital health tools really means, and how patients and care partners can thoughtfully engage with AI without replacing human judgment.

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In this episode of the Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP) podcast, host Dr. Nicole Rochester speaks with Dr. Demetria Smith-Graziani from Emory University School of Medicine about advancing trust, communication, and equity in breast cancer care. Together, they explore what it means for healthcare systems to truly reflect community voices and lived experience, how to ensure new innovations reach all patients, and w...

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This episode of the “Empowering Providers to Empower Patients” (EPEP) podcast features Dr. Andrew Laccetti of NYU Langone Health discussing the rapidly evolving field of bladder cancer care. Dr. Laccetti explores what makes bladder cancer unique among genitourinary cancers, highlights recent innovations,including combination therapies achieving 70% response rates in advanced cases and shares strategies to empower patien...

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This inaugural episode of the Empowering Providers to Empower Patients (EPEP) podcast features Dr. Andrew Laccetti, medical oncologist and Director of Quality for Hematology and Medical Oncology at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.

Dr. Laccetti explores the rapidly evolving landscape of prostate cancer care and shares strategies for overcoming practice inertia, addressing healthcare disparities, and personalizing treatme...

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 In this DECODE episode, host Lisa Hatfield speaks with Dr. Virginia Sun of Massachusetts General Hospital about how AI, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, is already changing cancer care. From identifying immune-related side effects to easing documentation burdens, they explore what’s hype, what’s real, and what patients should know as they navigate cancer in an increasingly tech-driven world.

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In this DECODE podcast, Empowerment Lead Lisa Hatfield and Dr. Virginia Sun explore how artificial intelligence, especially large language models (LLMs), is transforming cancer care. From diagnosing adverse events to streamlining clinician workflows, they unpack what patients need to know, clarify common concerns, and discuss how AI can improve outcomes while preserving the irreplaceable human connection in medicine.

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START HERE bridges the gap between expert and patient voices, empowering myeloma patients to feel comfortable asking precise questions of their healthcare team.

In this webinar, Dr. Ola Landgren delves into the emerging and exciting therapies and clinical trials for myeloma, discusses the latest options for relapsed disease, and explores the current landscape of managing and monitoring multiple myeloma. Watch as Dr. Landgren answers...

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With the quickly evolving landscape of myeloma treatment and care, it’s important to work with your healthcare team to determine a care plan. In this program, Dr. Omar Nadeem discusses the latest updates in research and clinical trials, the role of new and emerging therapies-- including bispecific antibodies and CAR T-cell therapy--and shares advice for accessing quality myeloma care.

Dr. Omar Nadeem is the Clinical Director o...

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Myelofibrosis treatment and care is evolving quickly so it’s essential to understand your options and work with your healthcare team when making treatment decisions. In this webinar, Dr. Gaby Hobbs will discusses the latest updates in research and clinical trials, the role of new and emerging myelofibrosis therapies, and shares advice for accessing quality care.

Dr. Gabriela Hobbs is a hematology-oncology physician specializin...

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START HERE bridges the expert and patient voice, enabling patients facing a kidney cancer diagnosis to feel comfortable asking precise questions of their healthcare team.

In this program, Dr. Moshe Ornstein offers invaluable insights into renal cell carcinoma (RCC), equipping newly diagnosed patients with essential information on treatment priorities, as well as strategies for managing progression and recurrence.

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 In this START HERE myeloma program, Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi from Mayo Clinic spotlights priorities in the rapidly expanding myeloma treatment landscape. Watch as Dr. Ailawadhi addresses pressing questions submitted by patients and families, providing invaluable guidance and reassurance in navigating the complexities of myeloma care.

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Head and neck cancer research is evolving rapidly, leading to expanded treatment options for patients. Expert and researcher Dr. Ezra Cohen discusses key factors that impact head and neck cancer treatment decisions, reviews emerging research, and provides tips for collaborating with your healthcare team.

Dr. Ezra Cohen is a medical oncologist, head and neck cancer researcher and Chief Medical Officer of Oncology at Tempus Labs.

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Dr. Beth Faiman, a myeloma expert and researcher, discusses factors that should be considered when deciding to undergo CAR T-cell therapy, advice for preparing for and after the process, and why a good support team is essential. Dr. Faiman also shares research updates in CAR T-cell therapy, and alternatives options to this myeloma treatment.

Dr. Beth Faiman is an Adult Nurse Practitioner in the department of Hematologic Oncology and...

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Treatment options for multiple myeloma have increased substantially, mainly attributed to advancements in clinical trials. More than ever, HCPs having conversations about trials is critical. Given that underrepresented communities bear a disproportionate burden of multiple myeloma, it becomes imperative to shift this paradigm.

What are the optimal approaches to initiate these conversations early in the patient journey? How should HC...

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Clinical trials represent tomorrow’s medicine today, yet not every patient confronting a myeloma diagnosis is informed about all available care options. Surprisingly, some patients and their care partners are never introduced to the possibility of participating in clinical trials. How can we alter the course? What strategies can healthcare professionals (HCPs) employ to effectively communicate information about clinical trial...

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Follicular lymphoma expert, Dr. Kami Maddocks discusses the latest in follicular lymphoma, meaningful highlights from the American Society of Hematology 2023 meeting and answers questions submitted by patients and care partners.

Dr. Maddocks is a hematologist/oncologist specializing in treating lymphatic diseases from The Ohio State University. 

See More from START HERE Follicular Lymphoma

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