The SROA 2022 Annual Meeting is coming to San Antonio October 23rd to 26th. This is the best conference for Radiation Oncology Managers as the focus of our program is on YOU. Listen now for program highlights and networking opportunities from our Program Chairs, Aaron Brammer and Julie Principe.  Aaron and Julie answer the following questions:  Why are you excited for this year's annual meeting? (0:20)Why should members (and other oncology leaders) attend? (1:17)What special events and activities will be held at the meeting this year? (2:00) Visit sroa.org for more information and to register today. We look forward to seeing you in San Antonio!

James Potter, Author of The Successful Manager, joins SROA Soundboard. He explains his background, what differences there are between leadership and management training, and some resources that employees can give their managers. 1. Tell me briefly about your background and why you wrote The Successful Manager? (0:27) 2. What is the difference between leadership training and management training? (2:00) 3. Why is the “figure it out approach” the norm when people are promoted to a management role? (3:12) 4. In your 1st chapter you write, “becoming a top-tier manager should be your number one professional goal.” Why do you make such a bold statement? (4:34) 5. What is the hardest part about being a great manager? (5:45) 6. Where does the input from the self-reflection? At what do you go out and get external input for self-reflection? (6:32) 7. Chapter 2 is called “The Seven Characteristics of Great Managers.” Why is this the 2nd chapter, and how do people develop those characteristics? (7:50) 8. How do you give yourself permission on the things you didn’t get better at? (12:00) 9. What are the best resources employers can give managers to become more effective? (13:57) 10. How can leaders support their managers in this new hybrid work environment we find ourselves in? (15:13) 11. Every great book has “Aha!” moments readers can connect with. What are the ones from your book that people have shared with you? (17:33) 12. What key takeaways would you share with healthcare administrators specifically regarding management and your book? (19:37) 13. What is not in the book that would be relevant to healthcare administrators? (21:00) 14. Is there a Successful Manager 2.0 book planned? (22:03)

Kay Formanek, Author of Beyond D&I, joins SROA Soundboard. She explains how her past has influenced her life's work, what people misunderstand about diversity, equity, & inclusion, and how to improve health outcomes and representation on their teams. Listen to hear more about: How did growing up in South Africa fuel your passion and life’s work in diversity? (0:26)Why did you write the book Beyond D&I? (2:09)What do most people struggle with regarding diversity, equity and inclusion? (3:24)What’s wrong with current approaches to diversity? How can diversity policies fail to deliver? (5:13)Would you say the why is more important as the how? (7:21)What is inclusive courageous leadership and how can leaders achieve it? (8:00)You suggest organizations and leaders need to move beyond D&I to include E, L and P (equity, purpose and leadership). Why does it need to be D + I + E + L + P? (12:53)How can healthcare leaders ensure DIELP is a strategic priority? (16:14)DE&I in health care needs work to improve health outcomes for underrepresented groups and to ensure physicians and other staff are more representative of the population at large. How do you think healthcare leaders can effect real change to improve health outcomes and representation on their teams? (18:28)What are the “Aha” moments in your book that people have commented on? (21:26)What’s not in the book that you would like to share with our audience? (23:07)

Keisha-Marie Clarke presented “Think Outside the Checked Box” at SROA’s 38th Annual Meeting. She reflects further on the importance of embracing and advancing diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace. Listen to hear more about: Have you experienced a professional environment that truly does DEI well? (0:45)How do leaders insure that that they continue focusing on DEI? What does inclusive leadership look like to you? (3:10)Are there any examples of leaders in health care doing DEI well? (5:00)How can administrators consciously shift and change their narratives to improve patient outcomes? (6:14)Is inclusion a learned behavior? (8:32)What kinds of hard, intentional questions should leaders ask others? How do they ensure they don’t alienate their teams on the path toward DEI? (11:04) You said, “If you want an inclusive workplace, you have to put it there.” How do leaders do that? (14:45)How can leaders make inclusivity measurable? (18:07)What are some key takeaways you would like administrators and their teams to remember? (19:50)

Tim Laugh, Director, Cancer Services at Owensboro Health, joins SROA Soundboard for its "In Conversation" series. He reflects on his experience as an administrator, what he enjoys doing outside work and advice for others. Listen to hear more about: Could you tell me briefly about your current position? (0:30)What do you like about being in a leadership position? (1:02)What do you find most challenging about leadership, especially in radiation oncology? (1:32)Do you feel your job as an administrator is becoming tougher with cuts and the RO-APM? (1:56)What do you hope to accomplish in your current role and at this point in your career? (2:50)What have you learned about leadership that you could share? (3:42)What/who inspires you? And why? (4:19)How does your family feel about you being a Radiation Oncology Administrator? (4:49)What professional organizations do you belong to and why? (5:33)What role has volunteering played in your career and in life personally? (6:28)What do you like to do in your free time? (7:21)What are you currently reading? (8:05) Do you have a favorite book you would recommend? (8:24)What’s on your playlist? (8:48)What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? (9:27)Based on everything you’ve learned over your career and your life, what advice would you offer others? (9:38)

Patty Saponaro, Associate Chair for Administration at UNC Radiation Oncology in Chapel Hill, NC, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences. She recalls her presentation from the SROA 2021 Annual Meeting, what mentoring means, and explains why the mentor/mentee relationships are important.  Listen to hear more about: Why did you give the presentation “Mentored and Being Mentored” at SROA’s Annual Meeting? (0:30)You’re about to retire in a few months. Looking back retrospectively, how would you say mentorship helped you in your career? (1:09)Can you clarify what you mean by how it’s a way to touch the future? (2:00)Are you currently mentoring someone for succession planning for the role that you are going to be vacating? (2:45)Do you think that happens very often, where someone is retiring and they are thinking about succession planning? (3:27)Does any mentor stand out in particular to you? (4:53)Can you elaborate on the differences between formal mentorship and informal mentorship? (7:02)Why is it important to have a charter? (10:04)Why do you suggest that the mentor ask the mentee about why they want to be mentored? (11:35)Do you have examples of probing questions mentors can ask mentees? (13:50)Why is it important for the mentee take the lead? (15:18)Do mentorship relationships fail sometimes? If so, why? (16:50)What key things would you like mentors to keep in mind as they undertake mentoring someone? (18:32)What should mentees remember when seeking out and engaging in mentorship? (20:01)What parting advice would you give to our listeners? (21:38)

Patty Beach, Leadership Development Consultant and author of The Art of Alignment, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences. She recalls her early career, what being inclusive means, and explains some key ideas in her book.  Listen to hear more about: Can you tell our listeners about your background and how you came to be an expert in the art of alignment? (0:30)What does it mean to be inclusive from your perspective? (2:48)In the book you write, “Most leaders have good ideas. The problem is they don’t know how to work inclusively and get people aligned behind them.” Why is that? (4:10)Often ideas come from the bottom up rather than the top down. How can leaders create alignment with ideas that may not originate at the top? (6:54)How does realignment work? (9:10) What are the 5c’s in the alignment process? (11:11)Why is alignment an art? (14:38)How do you see the art of alignment working in healthcare specifically? (16:57)In your book, you talk about Memorable Success Formulas? Can you provide an example for our listeners? (20:52)What would you like healthcare leaders to take away from our conversation and from your book? (24:45)Can you point our listeners to any other helpful resources? (25:58)

Beverly Cusano, Administrative Director of Radiation Oncology at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences as a Radiation Oncology Leader. She recalls how she started as a radiation therapist, her journey to how she got into this career field, what it means to be in radiation oncology leadership, and even some of her favorite books. Listen to hear more about: How did you get into Radiation Oncology Leadership? (0:34)What was it that you liked about radiation therapy when you were going through your rotations that lead to your current career? (2:56) Was your dad happy? (3:44)What do you like about being in leadership? (3:53)What do you find hardest about leadership in radiation oncology? (4:46) What have you learned about communication that you think others could learn from? (5:42)What are you working on accomplishing at this point in your career? (7:15)In terms of your professional development, what organizations do you belong to and why? (7:42)How has being involved in SROA shaped you both professionally and personally? (8:53)Who or what inspires you? Why? (9:57)What do you do when you have some time? (11:27)What are you currently reading? (12:24)Do you like the kind of reading that is also enlightening? (13:33)What is the best advice you have ever received? (14:17)

SROA President Debra Corbin and President-Elect, Aaron Brammer join SROA Soundboard-- a podcast for SROA to share why they are excited for SROA's upcoming Annual Meeting in Chicago and what you can look forward to during the meeting both in-person and virtually.   In this episode, you'll hear about: Why "Change, Challenge, Opportunity" is the theme of the meeting (0:30) Which speakers and sessions they are most excited to hear (1:43) Networking opportunities (2:54) Why people should attend whether in person or virtually (4:25) What people can expect to get out of SROA and the Annual Meeting (5:25)

Dr. Michele Harper, ER physician and author of The Beauty in Breaking, joins SROA Soundboard to share her experiences as an ER physician. She recalls her childhood and how her experiences shaped her career path, her work in diversity and inclusion, and writing a New York Times Bestseller.   Listen to hear more about: Can you talk briefly about your upbringing and how it shaped you? (0:30)Was there one defining moment that set you on the path for emergency medicine? (2:38)What does it mean to be a “healer”? How can people heal themselves? (6:41)What advice would you give to Radiation Oncologists that are dealing with a vulnerable population? (8:01)In your book, you write, “As a black woman, I navigate an American landscape that claims to be post-racial when every waking moment reveals the contrary, an American landscape that requires all women to pound tenaciously against the proverbial glass ceiling, which we’ve since discovered is made of palladium, the kind of glass that would sooner bow than shatter.” That’s very powerful. Can you share what those words mean to you? (14:31) Do you ever want to quit? (19:16)Would you say that you are extrinsically motivated by the power of connection and empathy that you feel with the people that come into your care? (23:03)How did you get to the point where you felt you needed to write about your experiences? (24:39)Do you have plans to write another book? (27:41)How did the title The Beauty in Breaking come about? (28:28)What lessons or messages can administrative leaders and others working in healthcare take from your book? (30:54)What do you hope for the future of health care? (33:21)

Tina Berry joins SROA Soundboard - In Conversation with Administrators Series, SROA's podcast series, to share information about challenges faced being in leadership in the radiation oncology field, how she got where she is today, who inspires her, and some personal anecdotes as well. Tina is currently working at Saint Francis Medical Center in Millersville, MO, and is currently an Emerging Professional Member-At-Large on the SROA Board of Directors. Brief synopsis about the journey to your current position. (0:33)What/who inspires you? And why? (2:21)What do you like about being in a leadership position? (3:05)What do you find most challenging about leadership, especially in radiation oncology? (3:55)What do you hope to accomplish? (4:45)What professional organizations do you belong to and why?  (5:36)What do you like to do in your free time? (6:10)What are you currently reading? (6:37)Do you have a favorite book you would recommend? (6:46)What’s on your playlist? (7:16)What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? (7:43)Based on everything you’ve learned over your career and your life, what advice would you offer others? (7:56)

Jana Grienke joins SROA Soundboard - In Conversation with Administrators Series, SROA's podcast series, to share how she got where she is today, positives about being in a leadership position, the best way to grow in your current position vs growing your career, and some personal anecdotes as well. Jana is currently working at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City, IA, as the Clinical Operations Director in the Department of Radiation Oncology and is currently a part of the Advisory Council on the SROA Board of Directors.   Tell me briefly about your journey to your current position. (0:33)What do you like about being in a leadership position? (3:40)What do you find most challenging about leadership, especially in radiation oncology? (5:38)What has helped you to be effective as a leader? (7:01)How do you plan to grow your career from here? (9:24)Is it important for young leaders to figure out how to grow in a role as well as how high they want to go? (11:33)What professional organizations do you belong to and why? (13:48)Who inspires you and why? (15:25)What do you like to do in your free time? (17:01)What are you currently reading? Do you have a favorite book you would recommend? (19:02) What’s on your playlist? (21:20)What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? (22:55)Based on everything you’ve learned over your career and your life, what advice would you offer others? (24:35)

Tara Powers joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share information about navigating remote work, her background, zoom fatigue, how to keep a strong team, and a little bit about her “Virtual Team school”.   Tara is currently a best selling author and award winning talent development leader. She has been in leadership and team development work for about 20 years. Background and how became passionate about career (0:31)Changes that leaders and their teams have had to make to work well remotely (1:47)Managing Zoom fatigue (10:36)Physical walking meetings (13:35)How leaders can create a balance between those who can & can not work remotely (16:05)Ensure all team members feel valued and focus on the positives/shared goals (21:01)Manage some team members working remotely while others do not post pandemic (28:12)Information about Tara Power's “Virtual Team School” (30:29)

Maria Grice joins SROA Soundboard for our new In Conversation with Administrators Series.  This series aims to share administrator's stories for how they got where they are today, positives about being in a leadership position, inspirations, as well as some interesting advice. Maria is currently working at Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY in East Syracuse, NY, and is currently a member of the SROA Board of Directors. Journey to current position (0:34)Positive aspects of being in a leadership position (1:19)Most challenging aspects of leadership, especially in radiation oncology (2:21)Future goals (3:35)Professional organization memberships (5:10)Individuals who have inspired her life and career (6:57)How she spends her free time (8:55)Current reads (9:35)Current playlists (10:54)Best advice received (11:38)Advice for other administrators  (13:33)

Skot Waldron joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share building leadership and effective communication in radiation oncology. Waldron is an internal communications consultant and brand strategist with GIANT. Waldron focuses on building future leaders through internal brand awareness and communication. Becoming passionate about leadership development and effective communication (0:27)Value of using data to coach leaders and organizations (2:12)Improving communication skills outside the Twentieth Century leadership programs (4:28)How to assist with organizations experiencing resistance to leadership training (6:13)Invincibility Assessment (8:16) Building loyalty with employees (9:29)Creating loyalty as employees and staff (12:20)The biggest changes for leaders during the Pandemic (13:49)Sherpa Leadership Program and how leaders can benefit (16:58)Tips for leaders to communicate more effectively (19:37)

Tony Byers, Ph.D. joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce.  Byers is a Global Diversity & Inclusion Strategist and joins us from Cornell University – ILR Center for Advanced HR Studies, Senior Extension Faculty. Byers wrote the book, The Multiplier Effect of Inclusion: How Diversity & Inclusion Advances Innovation and Drives Growth.   In this episode, you'll hear about: Moving from awareness of differences to the utilization of differences (0:35)How to cultivate more diversity in leadership positions (2:33)Advice for leaders to create change (6:32)Does training actually change the mindset  (9:19)Improving health outcomes for patients (11:11)How we can encourage a diverse workforce (14:20)What was the goal of writing your book (19:16)Adding "equity" to diversity and inclusion (23:20)Byers view on the future of diversity (26:04)

Patty Saponaro joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series, to share adding value as a leader in radiation oncology. Saponaro is the Associate Chair for Administration in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Saponaro presented at the 2020 SROA Annual Meeting.    In this episode you will hear about: Social IQ (0:34)Importance of knowing your team (1:29)Asking your team what they value (2:43)How to address disconnect within your team (4:45)The importance of asking prospective employees about “challenging situations” during an interview (6:32)The importance of asking prospective employees about quality improvement during an interview (10:45)Tips for hiring a prospective employee (13:52)What should be included in onboarding and orientation (16:11)Importance of checklists for orientation (17:53)New employee follow-up (19:20)Surprising responses from new employees (20:58)Importance of having a "procedure process" for a department (21:47)Final thought for administrators (24:20)

Dr. Malika Siker joins SROA Soundboard, SROA's podcast series to share about equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in radiation oncology. Dr. Siker is an Associate Dean for Student Inclusion and Diversity and an Associate Professor for Radiation Oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Siker presented at SROA's 2020 Annual Meeting. In this episode, you'll hear about: Structural racism (0:29)Improving equity, diversity, and inclusion (1:09)How Dr. Siker became passionate about diversity (2:06)Adapting to different environments (3:05)Implicit bias (3:58)How health equity can improve in Rad Onc (5:58)Suggested key resources (7:14)Strategies for administrators (8:50)Example of how to discuss with staff (9:39)Bias training for administrators (11:00)Offering patients to share their experiences (11:55)Long-term changes to improve diversity, inclusion, and health equity (12:41)Additional comments from Dr. Siker (15:00)

Tonya Terry and Debra Corbin join SROA Soundboard - a podcast for SROA to share their experience with the SROA Mentor Match Program. Tonya and Debra participated in the speed mentoring session at the SROA 2019 Annual Meeting. As a result, Tonya and Debra decided they would be a good fit for mentorship and entered into a year-long mentorship.    In this episode you'll hear about: Why speed mentoring? (0:24) How they matched (1:09) How often they met (2:47) Benefits as a mentee (4:21) Benefits as a mentor (5:07) Continuing the mentor/mentee relationship (5:55) Why everyone should participate in SROA mentor match (6:57)   What are you waiting for? Join SROA's Mentor Match Program!

SROA President Brenda Marie Palo and President-Elect, Debra Corbin join SROA Soundboard-- a podcast for SROA to share why they are excited for the SROA Virtual Annual Meeting and what you can look forward to during the virtual meeting.   In this episode, you'll hear about: Why "Navigating the Future" is the theme of the meeting (0:37) Which speakers and sessions they are looking forward to (1:26) Why this year is especially important to attend (2:34) Networking opportunities (3:51) How the meeting will set you up for success for 2021 (4:33) Ways to get involved with SROA (5:06)