Cancer Care
Riverside’s 9th Annual Oncology Nursing Conference

The ninth annual Oncology Nursing Conference will be held Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (registration and breakfast 7:00– 8:00 a.m.) at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. The Riverside Oncology Nursing Conference is created for oncology nurses, by oncology nurses and delivers the latest insights and evidence-based practices to empower oncology nurses with the knowledge and tools to stay aligned with current standards of care.

Registration for the conference is open. Seating is limited to 150 attendees with no wait list and no late registrations.


General Event Details

Location:
Hampton Roads Convention Center
1610 Coliseum Drive
Hampton, Virginia 23666

Directions:
From Richmond, take I-64 East towards Hampton and use Exit 263 for Mercury Boulevard. Follow signs for Coliseum Drive, turn right on Coliseum drive and the Hampton Roads Convention Center will be about a quarter mile ahead.

From Norfolk, take 1-64 West towards Hampton and use Exit 263B for Mercury Boulevard. Turn right onto Coliseum Drive, and the Hampton Roads Convention Center will be about a quarter mile ahead.

Parking:
Parking is free for conference attendees.

*A nominal convenience fee will be charged for all credit card payments.

  • No payments will be accepted at the door.
  • No refunds will be issued.
  • Paid registration fees can be transferred.

Interdepartmental transfer of funds will be accepted and provided to Riverside managers on request.

If special accommodation is needed, please contact us at 800-520-7006. Every attempt will be made to facilitate your participation in this conference. We ask that notice be provided in advance for us to best serve your needs.

For additional information, please contact Laura Browder, MSN-Ed, RN, OCN, at [email protected].


Deadline for exhibitors to register is Friday, January 23, 2026. Exhibitor registration includes the exhibitor space only.

If you would like more information on exhibitor opportunities, contact: [email protected].

Exhibitor fee - $3,000


Program Agenda

7:00 a.m. -8:00 a.m. Registration, Breakfast and Visit Exhibitors

8:00 a.m. - 8:10 a.m. Welcome: Susan Miller, RN, OCN

8:10 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks: Frankye Myers, CNO, EVP Riverside Health

8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. The Other Side of the Stethoscope: Marcus Engel, MS, CPXP, CSP

9:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Break and Visit Exhibitors

10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Breast Cancer 2026: What We Do and Why: Aaron Bleznak, M.D.

11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. History of Cancer Care: Ko Ko Maung, M.D.

12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m. Lunch and Visit Exhibitors

1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Palliative Care — Part of the Journey: Sarah West, M.D.

2:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Break and Visit Exhibitors

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Presence: The Cornerstone of Caregiving: Marcus Engel, MS, CPXP, CSP

3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wrap-Up and Evaluations


Medical, Pharmaceutical and Clinical Advancements

  • Explore effective and innovative best practices from leading health care institutions
  • Expand knowledge of emerging cancer treatments and early therapeutic interventions
  • Learn about groundbreaking drug discoveries and advances in oncology pharmacology
  • Review the latest developments in current drug research and oncolytic therapies
  • Understand the categories of oncolytics currently in clinical use
  • Discuss future directions and innovations in cancer care

Patient-Centered Care and Compassion

  • Recognize the small actions that make a big difference in patient care
  • Navigate the difficult aspects of health care with compassion and professionalism
  • Celebrate the healing power of humor in patient interactions
  • Apply innovative techniques to address complex patient challenges
  • Understand the unique dynamics of trauma and loss in patient care
  • Integrate insights from multiple disciplines to enhance the patient experience
  • Gain perspective on the patient and family experience throughout the care journey

Care Team Support

  • Rediscover the personal rewards of providing meaningful care
  • Honor the dedication and commitment of health care professionals serving their patients
  • Balance professional responsibilities with genuine personal concern

Palliative and Hospice Care

  • Differentiate between palliative care and hospice care
  • Understand the roles and collaboration of interdisciplinary care team members
  • Define the shared responsibilities of medical professionals in providing palliative care

Breast Cancer

  • Examine the core components of breast cancer treatment, including surgery, systemic therapy and radiation
  • Trace the research evolution that has shaped modern breast cancer treatment
  • Review ongoing research and trends that will continue to transform breast cancer care

After surviving a tragic accident, Marcus shares how the compassion of his care team shaped his recovery and his purpose. Now an author and advocate, he inspires health care professionals to elevate the patient experience while reminding us all to protect and value those who deliver care every day.

This conference is being submitted for continuing education. Riverside Regional Medical Center is an approved provider of continuing education by the Virginia Nurses Association Continuing Education Approval Committee, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Conference attendance will also be submitted to ONS for ILNA coding for use in maintaining OCN certification.

In order to receive full credit, the participant must be present for the entire program and complete the evaluation form. Misplaced certificates cannot be reissued.


Poster Presentation Guidelines for the Ninth Annual Riverside Oncology Nursing Conference

  • Abstract Submission Deadline: December 19, 2025
  • Final Poster Submission Deadline: January 26, 2026

General Information

  • Posters should focus on oncology nursing research, clinical innovations, quality improvement projects, patient outcomes, or evidence-based practice initiatives.
  • Posters will be displayed throughout the conference, with designated times for Q&A.

Poster Formatting and Design

Required Template & Size

  • Templates: All posters must use Riverside-approved templates, available on the Riverside intranet.
  • Size: Maximum 48 inches (width) × 36 inches (height) (landscape format preferred).
  • Structure: Follow the template layout, which includes:
  • Title - Concise, reflecting the study or topic.
  • Authors & Affiliations - Include full names, credentials, and institutional affiliations.
  • Introduction/Background - Define the problem and significance.
  • Objectives/Purpose - Clearly state the aim of the study or project.
  • Methods - Summarize study design, interventions, and data collection.
  • Results - Present key findings using graphs, tables, or images.
  • Discussion/Conclusion - Summarize findings, their relevance, and impact on oncology nursing.
  • References - Use APA format for citations.

Readability & Aesthetics

  • Font size (per template guidelines):
  • Title: 72 pt (bold, visible from a distance).
  • Headings: 36 pt.
  • Body text: 24-28 pt.
  • Graphs/legends: At least 20 pt.
  • Colors & Fonts:
  • Use the official Riverside color scheme from the template.
  • Maintain high contrast for readability (e.g., dark text on a light background).
  • White space: Avoid excessive text-prioritize visuals and key takeaways.
  • Use visuals effectively: Graphs, charts, and images should be clear, well-labeled, and relevant.

Poster Submission & Printing
Abstract Submission Deadline: [Insert Date]
Final Poster Submission Deadline: [Insert Date]

  • Posters will be printed by the conference organizers at no cost to the presenter.
  • Submission format: Posters must be submitted as a high-resolution PDF
    using the Riverside template.
  • Submission method: email to [email protected]
  • Deadline: Late submissions may not be printed in time for the event.
  • Physical Setup: Posters will be displayed by the conference team before the event.

Presentation Best Practices

  • Engage your audience - Be prepared to explain your project in 3-5 minutes using clear, simple language.
  • Practice your pitch - Develop a concise summary emphasizing key takeaways.
    Encourage interaction - Invite and answer questions to foster discussion.
    Use a professional tone - Be confident, polite, and enthusiastic about your work.
    Provide a handout or QR code - Offer attendees access to more details.

Evaluation Criteria

Posters will be reviewed based on:

  • Relevance to oncology nursing practice
  • Clarity & organization of content
  • Visual appeal and effective communication
  • Innovation & impact on patient care
  • Engagement during the presentation session.

Additional information
For further inquiries, template access or submission details, please contact Corrine Check, RN at [email protected].

For more information on the oncology nursing conference contact Laura Browder at [email protected].