Pictured: Members of SWOG’s APP and Nurse Scientist Committee at the network’s fall 2026 group meeting
New online learning opportunities deliver practical, expert-driven education designed to strengthen advanced practitioner knowledge and enhance patient care
The Advanced Practitioner Society of Hematology and Oncology (APSHO), in partnership with The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research, has announced the release of two new educational offerings developed for advanced practitioners (APs) working across oncology and hematology care settings. The programs were created through collaboration that combined the expertise of leading oncology professionals with innovative educational design and delivery methods.
The self-paced online courses provide APs with practical, evidence-informed foundational and advanced clinical research education focused on real-world clinical practice and the navigation of increasingly complex cancer care environments.
With funding from The Hope Foundation, APSHO directed all curriculum planning, faculty interviews, content production, and subsequent course distribution through its educational platform.
“Every advancement in cancer care begins with research,” said APSHO Executive Director Wendy Vogel, MSN, FNP, FAPO. “These courses are about opening doors, building confidence, and empowering APs to be valuable contributors to cancer research in any role. We are incredibly grateful to The Hope Foundation for recognizing this opportunity and partnering with APSHO to create this powerful resource.”
The motivation for this educational collaboration originated with members of SWOG Cancer Research Network who, following NIH policy changes that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, recognized an opportunity to strengthen and formalize their role within the network. With support from SWOG’s charitable arm, The Hope Foundation, these APs launched a multi-year series of initiatives, including the creation of a task force, professional development opportunities, and a mentoring program. These efforts ultimately led to the establishment of a formal SWOG committee for APs and nurse scientists.
Along the way, The Hope Foundation teamed up with additional funders to expand and sustain the effort, demonstrating a successful model for engaging oncology professionals in community and capacity building. The new educational courses developed with APSHO represent the latest milestone in that evolution: What began as an effort to support APs within SWOG has now expanded through APSHO, making these educational resources available to oncology professionals nationwide.
“Clinical research education has been identified again and again as a barrier to APs practicing to their full scope, and this offers solutions for individual APs as well as institutions looking for a solid curriculum to train them,” said SWOG APP and Nurse Scientist Committee co-chair Christa Braun-Inglis, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AOCNP. “The faculty includes members of SWOG’s APP and Nurse Scientist Committee along with APSHO’s Research and Quality Improvement Committee and other AP leaders in clinical research! I am so proud to have been part of this collaboration knowing this is closing a practice gap which will ultimately improve care for oncology patients and increase access to clinical trials.”
Reaching a broad research audience with resources offered at no cost to learners is a key benefit of this joint effort.
“This collaboration advances our mission of supporting SWOG by equipping APs with the knowledge needed to strengthen research programs and improve patient care,” noted Jo Horn, President and CEO of The Hope Foundation. “Just as importantly, these courses support the academic and community SWOG member sites that rely on APs to advance clinical research, expand access to clinical trials, and bring innovative cancer treatments to patients closer to home.”
The courses are now available through APSHO’s AP Academy and reflect both organizations’ shared commitment to advancing professional education and improving outcomes for patients with cancer.
For more information or to access the courses, visit:
- Research 101: Advanced Practitioner Research Foundations Course: https://apacademy.apsho.org/courses/342989
- Research 102: Advanced Clinical Research for the Advanced Practitioner: https://apacademy.apsho.org/courses/341424
For any questions about accessing or registering for the courses, please contact info@apsho.org
The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research is the non-profit charitable arm of SWOG Cancer Research Network. Founded in 1993 to support network members and their research, The Hope Foundation funds clinical and translational studies, fellowships, training events, physician education, and patient advocacy across SWOG’s network of more than 20,000 individual members at more than 1,300 member sites. Learn more at thehopefoundation.org
The Advanced Practitioner Society for Hematology and Oncology (APSHO) is a national, non-profit professional membership organization consisting of nurse practitioners, physician associates, pharmacists, clinical nurse specialists, and other advanced practice registered nurses working in the field of oncology and hematology. Founded in 2014, APSHO’s mission is to improve the quality of care for patients with cancer by supporting critical educational, clinical, and professional development needs of advanced practitioners. APSHO promotes a collaborative, interdisciplinary team approach to cancer treatment to optimize patient outcomes, quality of life, and survivorship. For more information, visit apsho.org