The Epidemiology & Outcomes Network invites members to a timely and insightful webinar exploring the challenges of patient care and cancer registration during periods of mass displacement, drawing on firsthand experiences from Hurricane Katrina.

As global populations increasingly face displacement due to conflict, political instability, and climate‑related disasters, healthcare systems are forced to adapt rapidly to disrupted care pathways and fragmented data infrastructures. This session will highlight real‑world lessons from one of the largest population displacements in recent U.S. history and discuss their relevance for current and future crises.

Webinar Details

  • Date: Wednesday, 15 April 2026
  • Time: 14:00 CEST / Geneva
  • Format: Virtual
  • Access: Open to members
  • Register

About the Speakers

Dr. Maria C. Velez
Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans
Dr. Velez is a distinguished pediatric oncologist who worked on the front lines in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. She co‑leads the Neuro‑Oncology Program at Manning Family Children’s Hospital and has held numerous leadership roles, including Chair of the Diversity and Health Disparities Committee for the Children’s Oncology Group (COG). She currently serves as Vice‑President / President‑Elect of ASPHO.

Dr. Vivien W. Chen
Professor Emeritus, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
Dr. Chen is the Founding Director of the Louisiana Tumor Registry and served as its Principal Investigator for the NCI SEER Program during Hurricane Katrina. An internationally recognized leader in cancer surveillance and epidemiology, she has served as President of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and held advisory roles with IARC, WHO, and the National Academy of Medicine.

What You’ll Learn

  • Practical challenges in coordinating cancer care during population displacement
  • Maintaining cancer surveillance and registry data amid healthcare system disruption
  • Lessons from Hurricane Katrina with implications for current humanitarian and climate‑related crises
  • Strategies to improve continuity of care and data integrity during emergencies

This webinar offers valuable insights for clinicians, epidemiologists, cancer registry professionals, and policymakers engaged in caring for displaced populations worldwide.