October Professional
Development Luncheon
Topic: The Current State of Cancer
The State of Alaska reports that cancer has been the leading cause of death in Alaska since 1993. Every year, more than 2,000 Alaskans are diagnosed with cancer. The annual cost to treat cancer in the state exceeds $200 million1. Join us to learn more about the current status and trends of cancer in the nation and in Alaska, discuss data points, emerging technologies, cancer disparities, and get to know our current screening and treatment resources.
Presenters:
Kate Flynn (she/her)
American Cancer Society
Associate Director, Alaska State Partnerships
Kate Flynn holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington and is the Associate Director of Alaska State Partnerships for American Cancer Society. Based in Juneau, Kate works with hospital, clinic, and state partners to address priorities and challenges across the cancer continuum. Her projects focus on multiple cancer types, with an emphasis on colorectal, lung, breast, and cervical cancers in addition to HPV vaccinations.
Kate spent nearly four years in marketing at Premera Blue Cross and Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska, where she supported communications and outreach for the Medicare and individual markets.
Charissa Habeger
American Cancer Society
Director of Alaska
Charissa has been with the organization since 2015. Her work in the field of cancer philanthropy has spanned over fifteen years and across international borders. She lives in Anchorage with her husband and young son, and is grateful to continue doing the work that means so much to her here in the Last Frontier.
Dr. Kelly Powers
Alaska Imaging
Radiologist, Fellowship in Women's Imaging
Dr. Powers graduated from Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland, OR, in 2001, and did her Residency at Brown University Rhode Island Hospital and Women’s and Infants Hospital in Providence, RI. She completed her Fellowship in Women’s Imaging at Brown University Rhode Island Hospital and Women’s and Infants Hospital.
Dr. Powers was born and raised in Anchorage where she graduated from Dimond High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME with honors. An accomplished athlete, she is a board member for the Alaska Run for Women. She and her three daughters reside in Eagle River.
