PATIENT ADVOCATES & SIO CONFERENCES
Come join us in Banff, Alberta, for the September 14-16, 2023 Conference and celebrate SIO’s 20th Anniversary!
Patient advocate members have been active in the annual Conference Planning Committees, providing important information and experiences for patient advocates since 2018.
SIO’s mission is important to those of us diagnosed with cancer because the disease affects not just our bodies, but our minds and spirits, our families, and our careers. Evidence-informed integrative medicine therapies can help by treating the whole person.
Read the comprehensive definition of integrative oncology here.
Mel D. Mann, MBA, M.Ed., Member: Patient Advocate Committee, Communications Committee, health Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Task Force, standing beside his portrait at SIO 2021 in Baltimore, MD.
Desirée Walker and Iris Zhi, MD, PhD at SIO 2021 Gala, Baltimore National Aquarium.
Betsy Glosik speaks at the SIO 2021 Patient Advocate Welcome Event in Baltimore, MD.
2022 SIO Conference Patient Advocate Welcome Event: Iris Zhi, MD, PhD, Guest Speaker.
Julie Deleemans, MS, PhD Candidate Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta Member, Patient Advocate Committee, Conference Planning Committee SIO 2021 New Investigator Award, Cancer survivor.
SIO 2022 Conference Sunset Soirée Event at Taliesin West
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Desert Laboratory
Many thanks to Betsy Glosik, Arlene Kuturoff, and Dr. Julie Deleemans for planning this amazing evening in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Julie Deleemans is Co-chair of the Patient Advocate Committee, Betsy Glosik was the committee’s first co-chair (2016-2021), and Arlene Kuturoff was our social event organizer, who did an amazing job!.
Why should patient advocates attend SIO2023?
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Hear content that is relevant, current, and practical presented in an approachable way
Learn how others are advocating for integrative oncology in their communities
Network with like-minded advocates, oncologists, researchers, integrative medicine practitioners, and more
Learn about integrative oncology research, training, and care delivery from multicultural and international perspectives
Learn about improving health equity, inclusion and belonging among underserved communities
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Network with like-minded advocates, oncologists, researchers, integrative medicine practitioners, and more
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From connecting with new and old friends, galas, dinners, and amazing events. You can’t go wrong with attending a SIO conference!
“Also, one of the best features of the SIO conference is that it is SO much fun! It’s one of the best conferences with some of the best patient advocate attendance out there, and the people are amazing. I always recommend the SIO conference to other patient advocates for this reason.” - Julie Deleemans, MS, PhD, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Member, Patient Advocate Committee, Conference Planning Committee, SIO 2021 New Investigator Award, Cancer survivor
What attendees are saying about SIO Conferences
SIO 2021 Hybrid Conference Attendee
“I liked the conference content and hearing from the patients who had created more advocacy and/or sought to serve those affected by cancer.”
SIO 2022 Conference Attendee
“I felt like I belonged. Everyone was easy to talk to and approachable. I enjoyed being with people that are open to new ideas and concepts.”
SIO 2020 Virtual Conference Attendee
“Content was terrific! And I am especially happy that we had such great engagement with patients/advocates.”
SIO 2022 Conference Attendee
“After 2.5 yrs of pandemic, the ability to connect with other people in integrative oncology is truly great for the mind/soul. The perfect weather/pool/healthful food are also wonderful to the body. The scientific sessions had high quality presentations and indicated the vitality of our field. Truly grateful for the SIO leadership, conference planning committee!”
SIO 2020 Virtual Conference Attendee
“Thanks for incorporating the voice of patient advocates in the conference.”
Join SIO today to take advantage of membership benefits, such as reduced conference registration rates, access to conference recordings, and more.
“Attending my first SIO conference in 2016 was life changing. I discovered there were researchers studying not just the side effects of cancer treatment I experienced, but also the therapies that could help.”
— Jodi MacLeod, cancer survivor, Co-chair, SIO Patient Advocate Committee