Q&A With SGO President Amanda Nickles Fader, MD
SGO President offers SGO Meeting News an exclusive look at what to expect at this year’s annual meeting as well as what the future of the field may hold.
The SGO 2025 Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer has been pivotal in shaping the future of women’s cancer care and the careers of gynecologic oncology providers since 1969. During those years, global experts in gynecologic oncology have come together annually to share the latest scientific advancements, participate in educational and mentoring programs, and network with peers.
This year’s program promises to bring the best in gynecologic oncology education again with the expansion of multidisciplinary collaboration and interactive masterclasses.
SGO President Amanda Nickles Fader, MD, offered SGO Meeting News an exclusive look at what attendees can expect at this year’s annual meeting, starting with what she’s most excited about: dynamic keynote speakers, cutting-edge scientific sessions, discussing the future of the field, and connecting with colleagues in Seattle.
Q: As the president of SGO, what excites you most about the SGO 2025 Annual Meeting in Seattle? What can attendees look forward to this year?
A: I am thrilled about the SGO 2025 Annual Meeting in Seattle because it promises to be an extraordinary gathering of minds, offering a platform for innovation, collaboration, and community-building in gynecologic oncology. This year, attendees can look forward to an impressive lineup of keynote speakers and cutting-edge scientific sessions that will showcase the latest advancements in research and clinical practice.
I'm particularly excited about the expanded opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration, with tailored sessions for gynecologic oncologists and medical oncologists, researchers, allied health professionals, early career professionals, and patient advocates. The meeting will also feature enhanced networking events, interactive masterclasses, and dynamic workshops designed to foster meaningful connections and professional growth. Seattle's vibrant cityscape will provide a dynamic backdrop for this event, making it an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
Q: This year’s theme is Multiply Your Impact: Building Extraordinary Careers, Cancer Programs, and Community During Extraordinary Times. How does this theme reflect the current landscape of gynecologic oncology, and why is it especially relevant in 2025?
A: It’s not only our theme for the Annual Meeting but also our theme at SGO this year. Gynecologic oncology professionals make a difference in the lives of their patients every day. Our 2024-2025 theme is a call to action to leverage the expertise of our SGO members and professional staff to make an even more significant Impact on the lives of those diagnosed with, or at risk for, gynecologic cancers and to help them build meaningful careers and leadership opportunities within our field.
This theme is not just the cornerstone of our annual meeting; it is a guiding principle that has permeated several programs and initiatives we undertook this year. While we live in Extraordinary Times that offer exciting, diverse professional opportunities in our field and more novel clinical breakthroughs in cancer medicine than ever, we remain challenged in our opportunities to build Extraordinary Careers, Cancer Programs, and Community due to various barriers. At our Annual Meeting, we wish to equip our members with the best education and tools to help them thrive in their clinical practices and careers and improve the lives of their patients.
Q: Are there any new initiatives, groundbreaking research, or special sessions that you would like to highlight for attendees? What makes this year’s meeting unique?
A: We are very proud of the meeting our program chairs, committee, and SGO staff have put together, including the groundbreaking science being presented. Our masterclasses this year are spectacular. These are deep-dive courses on a variety of topics, from mastery of coding, the business of medicine, and developing pro tips in clinical practice, to how surgeons can avoid injuries to their backs/necks, practice high-stakes clinical communication scenarios, to a state-of-the-art endometrial cancer course.
Our invited speakers and panels are inspiring—from recent NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli, a renowned surgical oncologist and researcher who will discuss the current state of cancer research, to New York Times best-selling author Liz Wiseman, who will discuss how to become an impact player in your career and lead during uncertain times. Ms. Wiseman’s talk is followed by a panel on Oncology Surgeons in the C-Suite, where gynecologic oncologists who have become healthcare or medical society executives will discuss their career journeys and how to multiply one’s impact.
We’re also excited about the many novel education sessions at the meeting, including a tumor board session incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) that will be provocative and high yield for our conference attendees. And the 2025 SGO State of the Society Survey results (member survey taking the pulse of gynecologic oncology professionals to determine trends, opportunities, and barriers) will be revealed, followed by a companion session on the Future of the Profession. This is a can’t-miss, provocative and substantive session that will benefit every conference attendee.
Q: For those who have never attended an SGO Annual Meeting, why do you encourage them to join? What do you think makes this event essential for professionals in the field?
A: The SGO Annual Meeting is widely regarded by many as one of the premier meetings in gynecologic oncology, offering a unique opportunity for professionals in the field to immerse themselves in the latest research, innovations, and clinical practices. I encourage any gynecologic oncology professional or patient advocate to attend because the event offers unparalleled access to cutting-edge scientific sessions, expert-led discussions, and presentations from leading researchers and clinicians. It offers novel, engaging education sessions (and more CME than any other similar conference), showcases best-in-class career development workshops, provides essential updates on oncology policy and trends, and offers memorable networking and social events.
The meeting is not only highly engaging but also places a strong emphasis on the wellness of our members. It fosters a vibrant sense of community and shared purpose among attendees, inspiring collaboration and the development of lifelong professional relationships.
Q: Beyond the scientific sessions, how will SGO 2025 foster networking, collaboration, and professional growth for gynecologic oncologists, researchers, and allied health professionals?
A: The SGO 2025 Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer is designed to facilitate networking, collaboration, and professional growth through various interactive opportunities. The event will feature numerous masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions, and breakout sessions that encourage dialogue and the exchange of ideas among peers. Attendees can participate in mentorship programs, where experienced professionals guide and support early-career individuals. These include the SGO/GOG-F BRIDGES 2.0 and LEAD programs, which aim to develop the next generation of clinical trialists and gynecologic oncologists entering the field, respectively.
Speed mentoring and other networking events, receptions, and social gatherings provide informal settings to connect with colleagues and forge new partnerships. Our social event this year will be at the iconic Seattle MoPop (Museum of Pop Culture), and we're encouraging meeting attendees to dress up as their favorite pop culture icons! Additionally, the meeting will offer career development sessions and resources, enabling attendees to enhance their skills and advance their professional journeys. These elements collectively create an engaging environment that supports collaboration, fosters innovation, and promotes ongoing professional development.
Ultimately, I am excited to spend time with my colleagues. Gynecologic oncology is a relatively small and close-knit field, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have developed numerous friendships and professional relationships over the years. Being a gynecologic oncology professional is so rewarding, but has its challenges; so it’s great to attend a meeting in a supportive, collegial environment where we can learn from and nurture one another.
I can’t wait to see everyone in Seattle this week!
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