Press Room

Announcements and news releases from NCRA are below. NCRA also offers timely and relevant news, information and tools to our members through The Update; NCRA’s bi-weekly e-newsletter for members, The Connection; the official newsletter of NCRA, and social media.

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National Cancer Registrars Week

Vanessa R Stinson Hoffmann, BS, CTR Begins Term as President of the National Cancer Registrars Association

Alexandria, VA, June 1, 2022—Vanessa R Stinson Hoffmann, BS, CTR began her presidency of the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) on Monday, June 1 2022. In her role as president, Stinson Hoffmann will represent the organization at national meetings and support its mission to empower and advance registry professionals through innovations in education, advocacy, credentialing, and strategic partnerships. Stinson Hoffmann was drawn to the medical field through a passion to be of service. She began as a cardiovascular technician, moving to the traumatic brain injury field, then discovered the cancer registry profession. Like many, she was called to pursue the CTR credential through personal connection and to fight in the ongoing battle against cancer. Stinson Hoffmann is currently Oncology Data and Accreditation Manager at Sarah Cannon and manages the Commission on Cancer’s accreditations for multiple hospitals across the United States. Her dedication and leadership in the profession extend beyond her own career, she has served as the Education Chair of the Tumor Registrars Association of Maryland, as well as Advocacy and Technical Practice Director (ATPD) East for NCRA.

National Cancer Registrars Week (NCRW)

April 4-8, 2022

Cancer Registrars: Enhance Cancer Care One Data Point at a Time

Alexandria, VA, March 7, 2022 — Cancer registrars throughout the world will join their colleagues, fellow medical professionals, and community leaders to observe the 26th annual National Cancer Registrars Week (NCRW) on April 4-8, 2022. The 2022 theme, Cancer Registrars: Cancer Registrars Enhance Cancer Care One Data Point at a Time, reflects the important role cancer registrars play in capturing data that informs cancer research, prevention, and treatment programs. “Take a moment the week of April 4-8 to celebrate the cancer registry profession by promoting what we do. Have pride in the fact that you are having a positive impact on improving cancer prevention and treatment,” advises NCRW Committee Chair Karen E. Schmidt, CTR.

Closed Captioning Included in NCRA 2021 Educational Conference Session Recordings

NCRA is pleased to announce that closed captioning is now included for the 2021 Annual Educational Conference Session Recordings, available through the Center for Cancer Registry Education (CCRE). Offering closed captioning increases accessibility to NCRA’s educational offerings and furthers the association’s dedication to ensure a diverse workforce. “This is an important step that allows the deaf and hard of hearing individuals and those with cognitive and learning behaviors to experience our educational content. It adds clarity to the information presented and is optimal for sound sensitive environments.” said Ebony Johnson, CTR, of the NCRA Workforce Diversity Working Group.

NCRA Releases the New 4th Edition of Cancer Registry Management Principles and Practice for Hospitals and Central Registries

NCRA's Cancer Registry Management Principles and Practice for Hospitals and Central Registries is the premier textbook and desk reference for the cancer registry profession. It has been revised by a volunteer team of cancer registry professionals who represent various organizations and entities from the cancer surveillance community in North America in a new, definitive update. The fourth edition is available for purchase in the NCRA store with the e-publication launching in late July. NCRA members may purchase at a discounted price.

Karen A Mason, MSc, RN, CTR Begins Term as President of the National Cancer Registrars Association

Alexandria, VA, June 21, 2021— Karen A Mason, MSc, RN, CTR, began her presidency of the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) on Monday, June 7 2021. NCRA is a non-profit organization that represents nearly 6,500 cancer registry professionals. Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The data provide essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. In her role as president, Mason will represent the organization at national meetings and support its mission to empower and advance registry professionals through innovations in education, advocacy, credentialing, and strategic partnerships.

National Cancer Registrars Week (NCRW)
April 5-9, 2021

Cancer Registrars: The Driving Force of Cancer Data
Alexandria, VA, February 22, 2021 — Cancer registrars throughout the world will join their colleagues, fellow medical professionals, and community leaders to observe the 25th annual National Cancer Registrars Week (NCRW) on April 5-9, 2021. The 2021 theme, Cancer Registrars: The Driving Force of Cancer Data, reflects the critical role cancer registrars play in capturing the data that informs cancer prevention and screening programs, treatment, and research.

Read More: NCRW 2021 Press Release

NCRA’s 50th Annual Education Conference will be held May 15-18, 2024, at the J.W. Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana
Alexandria, Virginia, January 6, 2021 – On December 18, 2020, NCRA announced that its 47th Annual Education Conference will be a virtual event only with no in-person conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, as was originally planned. NCRA noted that it was working with the J.W. Marriott in Indianapolis to reschedule a future conference in that great city. NCRA is pleased to announce that a new date has been set. NCRA will host is 50th Annual Education Conference on May 15-18, 2024, at the J.W. Marriott in Indianapolis, Indiana. Future conference dates are listed below.

NCRA 47th Annual Education Conference (Virtual Only)
June 3-5, 2021
NCRA 48th Annual Education Conference
April 6-9, 2022
Washington, DC
NCRA 49th Annual Education Conference
May 7-10, 2023
San Diego, CA
NCRA 50th Annual Education Conference
May 15-18, 2024
Indianapolis, IN

Special Edition of NCRA’s Journal of Registry Management Highlights Important Cancer Surveillance Research

Alexandria, VA, December 10, 2020 – The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) is proud to announce its inaugural edition of the Journal of Registry Management (JRM), published in collaboration with the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) and dedicated to disseminating critical cancer surveillance research. The Fall 2020 issue features important research and operational projects identified and peer reviewed by NAACCR members and provides an opportunity to disseminate this information despite the cancellation of many events due to COVID-19.

Nadine R. Walker, MS, CTR, Begins Term as President of the National Cancer Registrars Association

Alexandria, VA, June 2, 2020— Nadine R. Walker began her presidency of the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) on Monday, June 1, 2020. NCRA is a non-profit organization that represents 6,000 cancer registry professionals. Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The data provide essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. In her role as president, Walker will represent the organization at regional and national meetings and support its mission to promote education, credentialing, and advocacy for cancer registry professionals.

Paulette Zinkann, CTR, Installed as President of the National Cancer Registrars Association

Alexandria, VA, May 22, 2019— Paulette Zinkann, CTR, was installed as the president of the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) at its Annual Educational Conference in Denver, CO, on May 22, 2019. NCRA is a non-profit organization that represents 6,000 cancer registry professionals. Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The data provide essential information to researchers,
healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. In her role as president, Zinkann will represent the organization at regional and national meetings and support its mission to promote education, credentialing, and advocacy for cancer registry professionals.

Three Members Receive NCRA’s Highest Honors

Alexandria, VA, May 22, 2019 — The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) acknowledged three exceptional members at its Annual Educational Conference in Denver, CO, on May 22, 2019. Andrea Sipin-Baliwas, MS, CPHI, CTR, received the April Fritz Outstanding New Professional Award; Dianne M. Cleveland, HIA, CTR, was honored with the Distinguished Member Award; and Theresa M. Vallerand, BGS, CTR, was presented with the Volunteer Excellence Award. Established in 1987, the NCRA Awards Program highlights outstanding contributions to the cancer registry profession and the association.

National Cancer Registrars Association Releases New Strategic Management Plan (2019-2023)

Alexandria, VA, February 28, 2019 – The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) has released a new Strategic Management Plan (SMP) to guide its work for the next five years (2019-2023). Key to the plan is a new vision statement that highlights the role registrars play in curating data that advances outcomes. Its purpose is to help define the future of the cancer registry profession and guide NCRA leadership, volunteers, and staff to meet the needs of its members and partners. Barbara Dearmon, BS, CTR, Chair of NCRA’s Governance Planning and Evaluation Committee (GPEC), noted that “NCRA’s new SMP acknowledges the ever-changing work of the cancer registrar and seeks to focus the association’s programming and services on ways to empower registrars to define their futures and advance the profession.” Read the plan at www.ncra-usa.org/SMP.

*The associated press release reflects the release of the original 2019-2023 Strategic Management Plan. NCRA’s Board of Directors decided in October 2022 to extend the 2019-2023 SMP until 2024 due to COVID-19 pandemic related business operation delays.

Janet Reynolds, CTR, Installed as President of the National Cancer Registrars Association

Alexandria, VA, June 5, 2018— Janet Reynolds, CTR, was installed as the president of the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) at its Annual Educational Conference in New Orleans, LA, on May 23, 2018. NCRA is a non-profit organization that represents more than 5,800 cancer registry professionals. Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The data provide essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. In her role as president, Reynolds will represent the organization at regional and national meetings and support its mission to promote education, credentialing, and advocacy for cancer registry professionals.

National Cancer Registrars Association Acknowledges Three Exceptional Members for Their Work

Alexandria, VA, May 31, 2018— The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) acknowledged three exceptional members at its Annual Educational Conference in New Orleans, LA, on May 23, 2018. Ebony Johnson, CTR, received the April Fritz Outstanding New Professional Award; Melanie Rogan, CTR, was honored with the Distinguished Member Award; and Vonetta Williams, PhD, MPH, CTR, was presented with the Volunteer Excellence Award. Established in 1987, the NCRA Awards Program acknowledges outstanding contributions to the cancer registry profession and the association.

NCRA Applauds Decision to Establish a Special SOC Code for Medical Registrars

Alexandria, VA, December 8, 2017—The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) applauds the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) decision yesterday to establish a distinct, detailed occupation code of “Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars" in the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The new detailed occupation code reflects the increased use of data to improve medical treatment and care and the critical role cancer registrars play in collecting that data. The new code will also ensure that the statistics on the cancer registry workforce will be more accurate, providing a clearer understanding of the current and future workforce needs; correct salary information will help recruit and retain qualified individuals; and skill-appropriate personnel will be hired to fill cancer registrar positions at both the central and hospital levels.

Barbara J. Dearmon, BS, CTR, Installed as President of the National Cancer Registrars Association

Alexandria, VA, April 19, 2017— Barbara J. Dearmon, BS, CTR, was installed as the president of the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) at its Annual Educational Conference in Washington, DC, on April 8, 2017. NCRA is a non-profit organization that represents more than 5,800 cancer registry professionals. Cancer registrars are data information specialists that capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for every cancer patient in the U.S. The data provide essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials to better monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve cancer prevention and screening programs. In her role as president, Dearmon will represent the organization at regional and national meetings and support its mission to promote education, credentialing, and advocacy for cancer registry professionals.

National Cancer Registrars Association Acknowledges Two Exceptional Members for Their Work

Alexandria, VA, April 19, 2017— The National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA) acknowledged two
outstanding members at its Annual Educational Conference in Washington, DC, on April 8, 2017. Donna Gress was presented the 2017 Educational Achievement Award, and Jocelyn Hoopes was awarded the 2017 Outstanding New Professional Award. The NCRA awards program was established in 1987 to highlight member contributions.

Dr. Mahul Amin Announces Dedication of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual Eighth Edition to Cancer Registrars

Las Vegas, NV, April 12, 2016—Mahul B. Amin, MD, FACS, FCAP, Editor-In-Chief, AJCC Cancer Staging Manual Eighth Edition, announced at the National Cancer Registrars Association’s (NCRA) 42nd Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV, that the 8th Edition will be dedicated to cancer registrars. Dr. Amin cited that the honor was to recognize cancer registrars’ education and unique commitment to the recording and maintenance of data that are so vital for the care of the cancer patient. He noted their professionalism in the collection of factors fundamental to sustaining local, state, and national cancer registries and their dedication to the cataloging of information crucial to cancer research. He also described their leadership and support of the principles of cancer staging.

Press Room

RECENT NEWS/EVENTS

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