CRTEC Team Engages Leaders at 2026 ACCA CCAF
Monday, May 11, 2026
The Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) team at the University of Illinois Cancer Center participated in the 2026 Association of Cancer Center Administrators (ACCA) Cancer Center Administrators Forum (CCAF) in April.
The annual forum convened administrators and leaders from National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers and institutions pursuing designation to discuss emerging trends in cancer center operations, research administration, workforce development, and collaborative leadership.
The meeting featured pre-conference workshops, educational sessions, industry insights, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen cancer center infrastructure and administration nationwide. It was held April 11–14 in Madison, Wisconsin.
As part of the conference, the Cancer Center CRTEC team participated in the ACCA CRTEC Associate Director and Administrator Workshop. The workshop provided a dedicated forum for leaders in cancer research training and education to exchange best practices, discuss operational strategies, and strengthen collaboration across institutions.
Participation in ACCA CCAF reflects the continued commitment of the Cancer Center to advancing excellence in cancer research training, strengthening administrative leadership, and contributing to national conversations focused on innovation and collaboration in cancer center operations. The Cancer Center is part of the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and its academic health enterprise, UI Health.
At the conference, CRTEC Director Ifeanyi Beverly Chukwudozie, MBA, MPH, was a panelist during the session, “Wait, How Did I Get Here? Stories from Cancer Center Leaders.” The session explored the unexpected and nonlinear career journeys that have shaped today’s cancer center leadership landscape, highlighting themes of mentorship, adaptability, professional growth, and leadership development in academic oncology environments. Ahlam Al-Kodmany, PhD, the Cancer Center Associate Director for Administration, was one of the session's moderators, guiding an engaging discussion among panelists and attendees on the evolving pathways to cancer center leadership roles.
The next ACCA CCAF is scheduled for March 2027 in New Orleans.
