Rural Minnesota Lung Cancer Summit Recap: Turning Conversations into Action
On June 26, healthcare professionals, patient advocates, and industry partners gathered in Brainerd, Minnesota, for the second annual Rural Minnesota Lung Cancer Summit. Together, we convened with one shared purpose: to improve lung cancer outcomes for patients living in rural communities.
This year’s summit brought together more than 100 in-person attendees and additional virtual participants, representing 29 healthcare systems from across Minnesota and beyond. Throughout the day, one message remained clear: where a person lives should never determine the quality of lung cancer care they receive.
A Powerful Reminder of Why This Work Matters
The day began with an inspiring patient story from Bonnie Mueller, a 13-year Stage IV ROS1 lung cancer survivor. Bonnie shared her remarkable journey and the life-changing impact of precision medicine, targeted therapies, and access to expert care. Her story served as a powerful reminder that advances in lung cancer treatment are transforming what is possible for patients and families.
Moderator Dr. Robert Kratzke of the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center set the stage by highlighting the extraordinary progress in lung cancer care over the past decade. What was once considered impossible is now becoming reality, with many patients living years longer because of breakthroughs in targeted therapies and immunotherapies.
Session One: Optimizing Biomarker Testing and Early-Stage Care
The first session focused on one of the most important topics in modern lung cancer care: biomarker testing.
Drs. Manish Patel, Daniel Mundt, and Pam Pawloski explored how comprehensive molecular testing has fundamentally changed the treatment landscape for non-small cell lung cancer. Presentations highlighted both the incredible potential of precision medicine and the challenges that remain in ensuring all patients have access to timely, comprehensive testing.
Key themes included:
- Biomarker testing rates have improved but remain lower than recommended by national guidelines.
- Timely and comprehensive testing is essential to ensuring patients receive the most effective treatment options.
- Early-stage lung cancer care is rapidly evolving, with targeted therapies and immunotherapies now playing an important role before and after surgery.
- Practical solutions are needed to improve testing workflows, particularly in rural healthcare settings.
The session sparked meaningful discussions around reducing barriers to testing and creating systems that ensure every patient can benefit from precision medicine.
Session Two: Building Strong Multidisciplinary Teams in Rural Communities
No one provider can address every challenge of lung cancer care alone. Session Two focused on the importance of multidisciplinary teams and innovative care models designed specifically for rural communities.
Dr. Joshua Pritchett, Dr. Wade Swenson, and Kayla Hesse shared real-world examples of how healthcare systems are delivering high-quality cancer care through collaboration, coordination, and patient-centered approaches.
Highlights included:
- The value of nurse navigation programs in guiding patients through complex care journeys.
- Innovative telemedicine and virtual oncology models that bring specialized care closer to home.
- The importance of multidisciplinary tumor boards and coordinated care teams.
- Strategies for overcoming barriers unique to rural communities, including transportation challenges, access to specialists, and social determinants of health.
A common theme emerged throughout the discussion: relationships and trust are critical to improving outcomes in rural healthcare.
Session Three: Systemwide Solutions to Improve Lung Cancer Outcomes
The afternoon focused on broader system approaches that can transform lung cancer care across entire healthcare organizations.
Expanding Access to Early Detection
Monica Cook, Brian Helmrick, and Dr. Anuja Sharma shared innovative approaches to lung cancer screening, including nurse-led screening programs, mobile screening initiatives, and incidental lung nodule programs.
Attendees learned how centralized screening efforts are:
- Increasing access to screenings.
- Identifying more cancers at earlier stages.
- Improving follow-up and care coordination.
- Reaching underserved and rural populations in new ways.
Centralizing Programs for Better Patient Outcomes
Dr. Eric Swanson discussed how centralized lung cancer screening and nodule programs can improve consistency, increase adherence to annual screenings, reduce time to diagnosis, and standardize care across large rural service areas.
The message was clear: thoughtfully designed systems can make high-quality care accessible regardless of geography.
Addressing Financial Toxicity
Dr. Rajini Katipamula-Malisetti tackled one of the most challenging and often overlooked aspects of cancer care—financial toxicity.
The presentation highlighted the significant financial burdens many patients face and explored strategies to reduce barriers to care, particularly for those living in rural communities where travel, time away from work, and additional expenses can compound the challenges of treatment.
Supporting Survivorship Through Partnership
The day concluded with a discussion led by A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Foundation Executive Director Teri Cannon on the importance of partnerships in improving survivorship.
From patient education and support groups to nutrition programs, caregiver resources, and navigation services, meaningful partnerships can fill critical gaps and ensure patients and families receive support beyond their clinical care.
Moving Forward Together
Throughout the summit, one thing became abundantly clear: there is tremendous passion and commitment to improving lung cancer care across rural Minnesota.
The conversations did not end when the sessions concluded. New partnerships were formed, ideas were exchanged, and healthcare leaders committed to continuing the work together.
A Breath of Hope Lung Cancer Foundation extends our sincere gratitude to every speaker, attendee, sponsor, and healthcare system represented at this year’s summit. Your willingness to share expertise, discuss challenges openly, and collaborate on solutions is helping change the landscape of rural lung cancer care.
Together, we are building a future where every person—regardless of where they live—has access to early detection, precision medicine, comprehensive support, and the highest quality lung cancer care possible.
We look forward to continuing these conversations and seeing you again at future A Breath of Hope events as we work together to bring hope, innovation, and equitable care to every community.
