Dear colleagues, friends, and gynecologic oncology community,
As I reflect on this past year, I am so honored to have served the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), our members, patients, advocates, and larger gynecologic oncology community. Truly, words are not sufficient to describe my tremendous gratitude for you all. Furthermore, I am thrilled by the progress we collectively have made to strengthen the organizational structure of the SGO, ensure continued close alignment with the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC), and build numerous synergistic partnerships. The future is bright, and March is an incredibly symbolic time to reflect on forthcoming opportunities. With March comes the vernal equinox, marking the first day of spring and representing the start of new beginnings. A perfect time to reimagine greater opportunities for SGO as we chart our exciting pathway forward.
Through our theme, “The Power of Shared Purpose,” we recognized that together, we can surmount our greatest obstacles and realize the tremendous prospects for success. In June 2023, BlochReed Association Advisors completed a comprehensive evaluation of the SGO and FWC organizational structure. The findings and recommendations provided the framework to achieve strategic, visionary leadership and operational excellence. We have already completed several key steps. Specifically, our financial management has been reorganized with the transition to Your Part Time Controller (YPTC) and Robin Kruegger was hired as our fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO). By working with YPTC, SGO and FWC have access to state-of-the-art technology, customized financial dashboards, and real-time forecasting with the latest advice for nonprofit and association best practices. We continue to explore further information technology investment to ensure maximal operational efficiency. The SGO Board is focused on key strategic initiatives regarding committee structure, organizational alignment, program of work review, revenue sustainability, and the strategic plan for 2025-2028.
In addition to the year-end updates provided previously, we have the following additional items to share:
- SGO/FWC CEO Search: The search committee has now launched the full CEO search, and we anticipate interviews will begin shortly. We appreciate all the amazing progress Interim CEO Tim Johnstone has made to enhance our organizational structure, operational efficiency, and alignment.
- SGO Governance Committee: Under the direction of Stephanie V. Blank, MD, and Amanda Nickles Fader, MD, an overview of the SGO bylaws has been completed and distributed to the membership for approval. We look forward to member review. Check your e-mail for information on voting.
- SGO Committees: Collectively, the SGO committees, volunteer members, and staff have been incredibly productive, releasing 25 SGO Issues, 19 podcasts, 16 webinars, 10 coding corners, eight chemotherapy drug shortage communiques, and seven manuscripts, among other critical member resources. The 2023 Allied Health Professionals Meeting and 2024 Winter Meeting had record breaking in-person attendance, as well as fantastic educational sessions, networking, and wellness activities.
- The SGO/FWC/GOG Foundation (GOG-F) collaboration: We continue to work together on several initiatives. Recently, we developed a $360,000, three-year career development award in collaboration with the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation (AAOGF), FWC, and GOG-F supporting early-career investigators interested in clinical trials. Grants may be submitted through the AAOGF website, due July 1, 2024. We continue to explore opportunities to expand on the wonderful BRIDGES program established by Amanda Nickles Fader, MD, and Sarah Adams, MD.
- The SGO State of the Society Survey (SOSS): The SGO SOSS is conducted every five years and provides detailed demographic and practice data that our members can utilize to inform and support their clinical practices. The information also enhances SGO’s ability to better understand members’ needs and provide value-directed services. The survey, developed by the SOSS Steering Committee under the direction of Barbara Goff, MD, and David Kushner, MD, will be released in May 2024 to full and international members, as well as advanced practice providers (APPs). Historically, survey response rates have been very high, allowing us to provide important information that members can use when negotiating or evaluating positions. We really value your participation.
The SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer Program Chairs, Bhavana Pothuri, MD, MS, and Matthew Powell, MD, and the SGO Program Committee have organized an innovative, patient-facing 2024 meeting with the theme “The Power of Shared Purpose: Transforming Gynecologic Cancer Care.” This year’s groundbreaking meeting features practice-changing science, a record number of late-breaking abstracts, a new ENCORE Plus abstract category, two surgical sessions, two international congress sessions, a resident/fellow networking lounge, a disco-themed party at a night club, the FWC Patient and Advocate Education Forum (March 15), and so much more.
We encourage you to register and invite colleagues, trainees, allied health professionals, patients, advocates, and industry partners to join this meeting. Patients are invited to participate in all aspects of the meeting. The meeting includes in-person and virtual components, so everyone anywhere in the world can attend. The live sessions start on March 15 and culminate on March 18 – and you do not want to miss the second late-breaking abstract session and the “Going for the Gold with Shared Purpose” Tumor Board Monday afternoon.
The end of this transformative year of worthy accomplishments represents a celebration of our united SGO/FWC TEAM where “Together Everyone Achieves More”. A welcoming space where everyone has the power to impact, prevent, overcome, and eradicate gynecologic cancers.