For over 20 years, Registry Partners has been at the forefront of the cancer registry industry, setting the standard for quality work and fostering a culture of excellence. Our commitment extends beyond internal practices—we are dedicated to improving the skills and knowledge of cancer registrars across the nation.
Enhancing the Cancer Registry Community
Known for our unwavering commitment to professional development, Registry Partners goes above and beyond to uplift the entire cancer registry community. Our Oncology Insights by Registry Partners Facebook page has become a hub for knowledge sharing across the U.S. Members of the group receive valuable abstracting tips and resources to help ensure clean data and high-quality case abstraction.
See the map below to explore the states where Registry Partners is actively presenting and educating this year, supporting registrars nationwide.
We also offer monthly Oncology Coding Breaks, which include content for all levels of expertise. While most Oncology Coding Breaks are short 15- to 20-minute videos, we also host special 1-hour sessions throughout the year, offering free continuing education credits. These sessions are widely sought after and utilized by registrars and colleges nationwide. Our educational efforts not only benefit our team but also provide invaluable content to the broader cancer registry profession.
In 2024 alone, we have already contributed our expertise at 35 events, with another 10 scheduled for the ongoing Fall conference season. This reflects our continuous drive to foster collaboration and education within the cancer registry field.
Heather Donohue, Educational Programs Director: Leading by Example
At the helm of these educational initiatives is Heather Donohue, an expert-level ODS-C and key leader at Registry Partners. Heather’s contributions are pivotal to the ongoing development of cancer registry professionals. She:
- Oversees the Registry Partners Internship & Mentoring Programs and is the architect behind the curriculum.
- Creates and delivers NCRA-approved educational presentations and resources for our Oncology staff and the broader registrar community, which have been highly regarded since 2020.
- Drives the success of Oncology Insights by Registry Partners.
- Was recognized as an NCRA 50 for 50 Hero for inspiring others, particularly through her educational efforts.
- Frequently presents at conferences, including Oncology Coding Breaks, State Associations, and NCRA events.
In 2024, Heather authored and presented impactful sessions, including Focused Abstracting: Hematopoietic Malignancies, Highly Effective Habits of Successful Oncology Data Specialists, and Common Coding Errors and Misinterpretations.
Additional Key Speakers and Leaders
In addition to Heather Donohue, Registry Partners is proud of our team of experts who continually contribute to the education and growth of cancer registrars:
Melissa Chapman, AAS, RHIT, ODS, Quality Consultant
Melissa is the Education and Training Coordinator for Indiana and Arkansas Central Registries, hosting valuable webinars and creating informative newsletters. She authored and presented An ODS-C Guide to Reading and Coding Radiation Treatment Summaries at NCRA this year and also presented Focused Abstracting: Esophageal Cancer and Focused Abstracting: Endometrial Cancer. Melissa’s Abstracting Head and Neck: An ODS’s Perspective poster won 2nd place at the NCRA in 2022. She frequently presents at both State Association and NCRA Annual Conferences, sharing her in-depth knowledge of abstracting and coding while mentoring individuals pursuing their ODS certification.
Stephanie Gutierrez, Quality Manager
A highly respected Quality Manager, Stephanie provides quality reviews, audits, and educational feedback to registrars, ensuring high-quality data for better patient outcomes. She is a co-presenter of Highly Effective Habits of Successful ODS-Certified Professionals: Tips for Action, Efficiency, Organization, and Beyond and the author and presenter of Focused Abstracting: Lymphoma.
Monica Reese, Quality Consultant
As a respected data abstraction subject matter expert, Monica mentors both newly certified and aspiring Oncology Data Specialists. She authored and presented Cancers of the Female Reproductive System and serves on the NCRA Education Committee, developing educational materials aimed at enhancing the skill set of cancer registrars nationwide. Monica frequently presents for both Oncology Coding Breaks and State Association Conferences, where her carefully curated content serves as invaluable tools for case abstraction.
Karen Seymour, Registry Solutions Advisor
With over 22 years in Cancer Data Management, Karen Seymour’s background is rich with experience and dedication to education. She co-authored and presented Top 5 Cancer Sites: The Ins, Outs, and In-Betweens and has spent 18 years teaching in Greenville Technical College’s Cancer Data Management certificate program. Her commitment to cancer data accuracy has earned her the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer Program, and she is a recognized national speaker for the National Cancer Registrars Association (NCRA). Karen’s expertise and passion for mentoring make her an invaluable resource to the cancer registry community.
Lauren Vincent, Senior Quality Development Consultant
Lauren presents Focused Abstracting: Prostate and oversees the Quality Control operations for the Registry Partners Oncology Service Line. She develops resources and educational tools to enhance the overall abstraction quality provided by Registry Partners employees. Lauren was also selected as an NCRA 50 for 50 Hero this year, celebrated for her patience, expertise, and dedication to mentoring others.
Erin Weber, Program Director for Oncology Services
Erin Weber is dedicated to operational efficiency and compliance within cancer registry departments. She conducts operational assessments to improve department efficiencies and enhance data utilization, while also evaluating accreditation compliance for NAPBC and CoC programs, offering strategic guidance for program optimization. Erin is an educator and subject matter expert in NAPBC and CoC Accreditation standards, and her presentations include Concurrent Abstracting: Advantages, Pitfalls, and RCRS and Navigating the 2024 NAPBC Standards. Erin’s commitment to quality and accreditation readiness supports registrars and hospitals in maintaining high standards in cancer data management.
A Commitment to Quality and Community
Through our ongoing volunteer work, educational programs, and expert speakers, Registry Partners continues to make a significant impact on the cancer registry industry. By nurturing the next generation of cancer registrars and providing continuous support for current professionals, we ensure the highest standards of quality and excellence in cancer data collection and reporting.
As we approach the end of the Fall conference season, it is clear that Registry Partners’ influence will continue to grow. We are proud to lead by example, fostering a culture of learning and collaboration within the cancer registry community.
See Where We’ll Be Next
Interested in where Registry Partners is presenting next? Check out our Events page to stay updated on all the upcoming conferences and events where you can connect with our team and learn more about how we are driving the future of cancer registries.