What did researchers learn through the PRAGMATICA-LUNG (SWOG S2302) study? And what lessons can be applied to other groups aiming to develop studies that can activate more quickly and enroll more patients with fewer barriers to participation?

Dr. Jhanelle Gray, MD, of the Moffitt Cancer Center, joins our hosts, Ryan Nguyen, DO, of the University of Illinois Chicago, and Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute, for an engaging discussion on pragmatic clinical trials.

Links:

• PRAGMATICA-LUNG (SWOG S2302) ASCO 2025 Abstract: https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.17_suppl.LBA8671
• Jhanelle Gray, MD, Bio: https://www.moffitt.org/providers/jhanelle-gray/
• Big Ten CRC Health Equity Resources: https://bigtencrc.org/clinical-research/health-equity/

Hosts:

Coral Omene, MD, PhD (Rutgers Cancer Institute)

Ryan Nguyen, DO (University of Illinois Cancer Center)

Featured Guest:

Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, FASA

Former U.S. Surgeon General (2017–2021); Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives, Purdue University; Former Indiana State Health Commissioner

Episode Summary:

Dr. Jerome Adams joins Dr. Coral Omene and Dr. Ryan Nguyen for an in-depth discussion on health equity, leadership, and lessons learned from serving as the nation’s 20th U.S. Surgeon General during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Adams reflects on his journey practicing medicine, advancing health equity initiatives, and his experience as the United States Surgeon General.

Together, they explore how clinicians, researchers, and community partners can work together to reduce disparities in health outcomes.

Topics Covered:

• What inspired Dr. Adams’ path to medicine and public health
• Lessons learned as Indiana State Health Commissioner and U.S. Surgeon General
• Defining “health equity” across clinical, governmental, and academic roles
• Purdue’s Health Equity Initiatives and the HEAL Center’s community impact
• Communicating science and building public trust during crises
• How collaborations like the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium can address disparities nationwide

Resources Mentioned:

• Center for Community Health Empowerment and Learning (HEAL)
• Purdue University Health Empowerment Initiatives
• Surviving COVID: A Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Your Family, Your Community, and Yourself Safe - by Dr. Jerome Adams
• Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Spotlight on Opioids
• Big Ten CRC Health Equity Resources
• Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium

Monika Joshi, MD, of Penn State Cancer Institute, Craig Cole, MD, of Michigan State University, and Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey talk about the recently established Diversity Committee within the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium. During the conversation, the co-chairs discuss the range of diversity-focused initiatives the consortium intends to undertake. They also delved into the significance of ensuring equitable access for patients to participate in clinical trials.

Learn more about the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Diversity Committee: https://bigtencrc.org/clinical-research/diversity/

About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten cancer centers have united to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative, hypothesis-driven, highly translational oncology trials that leverage the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities. The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium creates a unique team-research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to treatment-changing paradigms. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow with the unified goal of improving the lives of all patients with cancer.

About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org