Heart to Heart: When the Doctor Becomes the Patient

Dr. Alexia Oliver opened our 2025 Global Summit sharing her harrowing account of being on the brink of completing her medical training only to discover she had an aggressive lymphoma. Her treatment was followed by chemotherapy-induced heart failure so severe she was placed on the transplant list, yet she slowly recovered against all expectations. After additional setbacks—including bilateral hip replacements—she returned to medical school with a renewed sense of purpose, grounded in the conviction that having a “why” makes survival possible. She embodies the reason our community exists, you won't want to miss this episode.

Dr. James Wilson is a consultant clinical oncologist in the UK who specializes in lung and skin cancers. He works at several London hospitals, including the London Clinic, The Cromwell Hospital, and Leaders in Oncology Care (LOC), and also has an NHS base at University College London Hospital (UCLH). His expertise includes treatments like advanced radiotherapy (such as SABR and CyberKnife), chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, and he is involved in research and clinical trials.

Francesca Ossani survived breast cancer and cardiovascular complications of her cancer therapy but discovered beauty and hope along the way. She discovered the value of collaborative medical care and the hope of sharing the journey with others. She now continues to spread hope and joy in her volunteer work at a pediatric cancer center. Join us as we hear of her remarkable story of hope and joy in the face of incredible challenges.

As part of our 2025 Board Review Course Dr. Mahmood provides insights into the contemporary state of our understanding of CAR T therapies, their CV risk, and management. You can purchase the complete set of review course videos at the link below. This includes modules covering the Management & Detection of Cardiac Dysfunction, Toxicities of Traditional Therapies, Hematology, and Immunotherapy.https://members.ic-os.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=26378193

As part of our 2025 Board review course Dr. Fradley reviews some key articles that promise to shape the future of clinical practice.You can purchase the complete set of review course videos at the link below. This includes modules covering the Management & Detection of Cardiac Dysfunction, Toxicities of Traditional Therapies, Hematology, and Immunotherapy.https://members.ic-os.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=26378193

Dr. Novi Tham, President of IC-OS Indonesia inspires us with her account of establishing the first cardio-oncology clinic in her country. She currently serves as cardio-oncology director at Siloam Hospitals Lippo Village.

Markus S. Anker, MD, Department of Cardiology, Charité, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203 Berlin, Germany. Here the team discusses a recent clinical trial related to cancer patients in the palliative care setting being treated for heart failure. You can read the full article here: https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf705/8242490

Taryn Cox was diagnosed with breast cancer while living in remote parts of southern Africa. Her story of tenacity and courage to get proper care is an inspiration for all of us.

In this episode we hear an update about the ongoing challenges of working in Ukraine along with the resiliance and productivity of the team there in spite of the circumstances. Dr. Kozhukov serves at Kyiv Medical University and the National Stiencific Center The M.D.Strazhesko Institute of Cardiology. Dr. Nataliia Dovganych serves at The M.D.Strazhesko Institute of Cardiology and Uzhgorod State University. Dr. Eugene Storozynsky, is Professor of Medicine and Oncology, Jefferson Health Enterprise Chief of Cardio-Oncology, Toll Heart and Vascular Institute, Sidney Kimmel Medical College-Thomas Jefferson University.

We caoght up with IC-OS Poland President Sebastian Szmit at the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) meeting for a quick update on cardio-oncology developments in Poland.