About the summit and Clearing the air conferences
Summit History
Learn more about previous Arkansas Cancer Summits
Summit Planning Committee
The Arkansas Cancer Summit would not be possible without the support of our members and staff
Clearing the Air History
Learn more about the mission of the Clearing the Air Conference
Clearing the Air Planning Committee
The Clearing the Air Conference would not be possible without the support of its members and staff
Registration
Registration is Now Open!
Click The "Add Entry" Button Below to Register a New Attendee for Both The 27th Arkansas Cancer Summit and 23rd Clearing the Air in Communities of Color.
Please contact Miriam.Karanja@arcancercoalition.org for assistance.
Speakers & Facilitators
Coming Soon
The Virtual 23rd Clearing the Air in Communities of Color Conference – March 10, 2026
Facilitators
Lead Planner
Ruthie M. Johnson, MA, BS
Facilitator – Organizations Working to Make a Difference in Tobacco
Speakers
Speakers & Facilitators
27th Arkansas Cancer Summit – March 11, 2026
Keynote Speakers
Speakers
Lead Planner
Facilitator
Breakout Session Facilitators
Remarks
Breakout Session 1: A Local Perspective
Krista Kirksey-Thomas
Speaker – Patient Support With Special Populations
Facilitator – Strategies to Prevent and Detect Cancer
Sam “Issam” Makhoul, M.D.
Speaker – Implementing a Lung Cancer Screening Program in Rural Arkansas
Breakout Session 2: A National Perspective
Dr. Jennifer Redmond Knight
Speaker – Quality Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening (QUILS™)
Krista Kirksey-Thomas
Speaker – Patient Support With Special Populations
Facilitator – Strategies to
Awards
The Arkansas Cancer Coalition (ACC) is now accepting nominations for the Arkansas Cancer Summit Awards. Below are descriptions for each award and you can nominate more than one person and for multiple categories. If you have any questions about the awards please contact Nikki Butler, ACC Grants Manager, at 501-408-3867 or Nicole.butler@arcancercoalition.org
ACC Dr. David Bourne Leading Light Award
Dr. David Bourne was a leader in public health advocacy within the state of Arkansas. He was tireless in promoting public policy that limited public use of tobacco, and he successfully promoted the cause of allocating all tobacco settlement funds to health promotion and disease prevention programs. He was an advocate on a large scale, positively influencing tobacco related public policy, and was also a care provider for veterans in his capacity as a physician at the Central Arkansas Veteran’s Healthcare System.
Awardees
26th Summit: Shalanda Wilson
24th Summit: Dr. Bala Simon
23rd Summit: Dr. Pebbles Fagan, Ph.D, MPH
22nd Summit: Patricia Franklin, APRN-MNSc, ACNP-BC, CTTS
21st Summit: Dr. Joe Thompson, MD, MPH
20th Summit: Dr. Rhonda Henry-Tillman, MD
ACC Dr. Fay Boozman Leading Light Award
Dr. Fay Boozman, an ophthalmologist, directed the Arkansas Department of Health from 1999-2005. He served in the Arkansas Senate and ran for the United States Senate in 1998. He founded and operated a successful medical clinic in Rogers, Arkansas. Dr. Boozman was a leader in his church and community. All who knew him recognized his commitment to Jesus Christ and his desire to serve others.
Awardees
26th Summit: Belinda Joshaway
24th Summit: Dr. Jason Lofton
23rd Summit: Marybeth Curtis, RN, BSN, WOCN
22nd Summit: Dr. Jennifer Dillaha, MD, MA
21st Summit: Bruce Lockett
20th Summit: Dr. Joseph Bates, MD
ACC Louis Scott Outstanding Partner Award
Over the years, the Arkansas Cancer Coalition’s member organizations have demonstrated excellence in their commitment to advancing the goals and objectives of the Arkansas Cancer Plan. ACC recognizes that it takes a unique level of passion, interest and commitment to embark on a task as arduous as reducing the burden of cancer within the state.
Awardees
26th Summit: Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation
26th Summit: Immunize Arkansas
24th Summit: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement
23rd Summit: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office (MISRGO)
22nd Summit: Mainline Health Systems, Inc and CARTI Foundation
21st Summit: St. Bernards Development Foundation
20th Summit: Arkansas Department of Health
Previously Offered Awards
ACC Cancer Healthcare Provider of the Year
The Arkansas Cancer Coalition recognizes that it takes an immeasurable amount of strength, compassion, perseverance, and dedication to treat and care for cancer patients. Over the recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has rocked the entire world, but those who have felt its impact the greatest are our healthcare providers. It is our privilege to honor amazing healthcare providers in the field of oncology here in Arkansas who have sacrificed so much and risked the health of themselves and their families to ensure that cancer patients in Arkansas are taken care of.
Awardees
24th Summit: Dr. Clinton Smith
24th Summit: Dr. Manish Joshi and Dr. J. Thad Beck
25th Arkansas Cancer Summit
ACC Spotlight Award – Cancer in Your Community Hero
A Cancer Hero embodies the spirit of a true hero, not for their extraordinary feats or grand gestures, but for their unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Whether it’s lending a listening ear to a newly diagnosed patient, offering words of encouragement to a weary caregiver, or tirelessly advocating for better access to care and support services, cancer hero goes above and beyond to uplift and empower others on their cancer journey.
Awardees
Stervin Smith
Jacquelyn White
Gwen Wayne
ACC Spotlight Award – Star Collaborators of the Year
ACC acknowledges the value of collaboration in fostering innovation, driving progress, and delivering impactful results. The Star Collaborators of the Year award recognizes exemplary teamwork and partnerships that have significantly contributed to achieving shared goals or solving complex challenges. Recipients of this award embody the spirit of working together towards a common purpose, fostering a culture of mutual respect, trust, and collective achievement.
Awardees
Goodness Village
Home for Healing
ACC Lifetime Achievement Award – Cancer Control
The Cancer Lifetime Achievement Award stands as a testament to the profound impact of one individual’s lifelong dedication, innovation, and leadership in the fight against cancer. This prestigious accolade recognizes not only the remarkable achievements of the recipient but also their enduring commitment to advancing cancer research, patient care, advocacy, and education over the course of their career.
Awardees
Stacy Sells
Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman
Tina Gill
Treg Long
Dr. Namvar Zohoori
Continuing Education
Coming Soon
Credits for the 27th Arkansas Cancer Summit & 23rd Clearing the Air in Communities of Color Available for Multiple Professionals
Free Continued Education Credits for the 27th Arkansas Cancer Summit & 23rd Clearing the Air in Communities of Color
Free Credits for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Pharmacists, Pharmacy Techs, Registered Dietician and Registered Nutrition and Dietetics Technician
Joint Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Cancer Coalition is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Designation Statements
AMA Credit Designation Statement
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 9 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
ACPE Credit Designation Statement
These knowledge-based activities will provide pharmacists up to 9 contact hours or 0.9. CE credit information, based on verification of live attendance and completion of the program evaluation, will be provided to NABP within 60 days after the activity completion.
ANCC Credit Designation Statement
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 9 ANCC contact hours. Nursing contact hours will be awarded for successful completion of program components based upon documented attendance and completion of evaluation materials.
AAPA Credit Designation Statement
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 9 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
CDR Credit Designation Statement
This activity is designated for 9 CDR CPEUs. Completion of this RD/DTR profession-specific or IPCE activity awards CPEUs (One IPCE credit = one CPEU). If the activity is dietetics-related but not targeted to RDs or DTRs, CPEUs may be claimed which are commensurate with participation in contact hours. RDs and DTRs are to select activity type 102 in their Activity Log. Sphere and Competency selection is at the learner’s discretion.
Complete the Credit Claim/Evaluation at the link or scan the QR code below: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/accsummit25
The evaluation will close on 3/26/25 at midnight. Please complete the evaluation as soon as possible because after the evaluation closes, you will not be able to claim credit.
A certificate will be emailed to the address provided within 60 days of the activity end date.
Scan to Complete Credit Claim/Evaluation
CHES/MCHES, Certified Public Health, Respiratory Care, Dental Hygiene, Social Workers, Certificate of Attendance.
Certified Public Health Credits (CPH)
The 26th Arkansas Cancer Summit and 22nd Clearing the Air in Communities of Color Conference have been approved for 9 CPH CE credits for attending this public health course by the National Board of Public Health Examiners.
Please download your certificate of attendance here.
Community Health Education Specialists Credits (CHES/MCHES)
Sponsored by UAMS Institute for Digital Health & Innovation, a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. This program is designated for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) and/or Master Certified Health Education Specialists (MCHES) to receive up to 7.75 total Category I continuing education contact hours. Maximum advanced-level continuing education contact hours are 0.0. A certificate will be available for download and/or print at the completion of the evaluation. The evaluation module will be available the day of the conference and up to 1 week after the conclusion of the conference. If you have questions regarding CHES/MCHES credit, please email Kesha James at kvjames@uams.edu.
Evaluation Links:
22nd Annual Clearing the Air in Communities of Color Conference
26th Annual Arkansas Cancer Summit
Respiratory Care Credits
The 26th Arkansas Cancer Summit and 22nd Clearing the Air in Communities of Color Conference have been approved for 6 CEU credits for respiratory therapists by the Respiratory Care Examining Committee.
Please download your certificate of attendance here.
Dental Hygiene Credits
The 26th Arkansas Cancer Summit and 22nd Clearing the Air in Communities of Color Conference have been approved for 9 CEU credits for dental hygiene professionals by the Arkansas Dental Health Association.
Please download your certificate of attendance here.
Social Work Credits
Email your paperwork to ACC at info@arcancercoalition.org. We will sign it and email it back to you starting Monday, March 24, 2025
General Certificates of Attendance
Please download your certificate of attendance for the 26th Arkansas Cancer Summit here
For further questions, contact ACC at 501-404-2363.
*Continuing education information is updated as we receive it and can change at any time*
Your support of the Arkansas Cancer Summit is invaluable. By supporting the Summit, you have an opportunity to join in the fight against cancer. Your organization will also receive valuable exposure as you help support a worthy cause. For questions, call 501-404-2363.
Thank You To Our Supporters!
The Arkansas Cancer Summit Is made possible each year by our generous supporters.
FAQs
Registration will close on Friday, March 6th, 2026, by midnight.
Log-in information for both conferences will be sent out several times starting on February 17, 2026. We will ensure you have the information in time for the conference!
You will access those materials in the Conference Materials tab. All materials will be available electronically, only.
Yes, please click on the Education Credits tab to find the latest information on education credits.
We are accepting support for the Summit until January 30. If you support the Summit after February 1, your information might not be received in time to be printed in the program booklet, so please support the Summit as early as possible! Learn more about supporting by clicking the Supporters tab.
Website – Miriam Karanja – Miriam.Karanja@arcancercoalition.org