Leadership Development from ASCO

A board-certified hematologic oncology physician, Dr. Matthew Taub oversees patient care at Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates in Pembroke, Florida. Dr. Matthew Taub belongs to organizations that include the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

One of the world's top medical organizations, ASCO supports physicians and other professionals who serve patients diagnosed with cancer. As part of its mission to ensure quality healthcare offerings, ASCO supplies numerous programs for clinical education, mentorship, and professional development.

Opportunities for professional development through ASCO include the Leadership Development Program, which is designed for individuals who have completed medical training in a subspecialty. The year-long program introduces participants to leadership techniques applicable in government, nonprofit, and clinical work.

During the year of training, students participate in advocacy in Congress, engage in a variety of interactive sessions, and receive guidance from ASCO mentors.

The Quality Training Program Offered by ASCO

Dr. Matthew Taub practices with Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates in Florida. Possessing more than 20 years of medical experience, Matthew Taub, MD, belongs to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Since 1964, ASCO has been supporting physicians and oncology professionals. The organization offers numerous professional development activities, such as its Quality Training Program. This program is developed by oncology care specialists and oncologists to help oncology practice teams design, implement, and lead quality improvement activities in their practices.

The Quality Training Program combines hands-on learning with in-person sessions. The sessions take five days and include small group exercises and seminars to ensure that participants enjoy a well-rounded educational experience.

Completing the Quality Training Program allows participants to form high-functioning improvement teams at their practices, implement change strategies, and track quality performance over time. In addition, ASCO grants participants in the program credits toward their continuing education goals.

The NCCN Oncology Research Program

Hematologist Dr. Matthew Taub specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers. As a physician with Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates, Dr. Matthew Taub follows treatment guidelines released by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).

As of 2018, NCCN has raised more than $30 million for trials of promising treatment options for multiple cancers, including hematologic malignancies, breast cancer, and sarcomas. In collaboration with research cancer centers, NCCN member institutions, and biotechnology and drug development companies, NCCN funds all phases of oncology-focused clinical trials through its Oncology Research Program (ORP). In addition to financial support, NCCN plays a major role in organizing and monitoring trials and results analysis and publishing study results. 

Recently, NCCN ORP was awarded $2 million by healthcare multinational Eli Lilly. The grant will fund research covering the process that underlies CDK4/6 resistance in advanced breast cancer patients.

The Work of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

A strong believer in evidence-based medicine, Dr. Matthew Taub has treated people with a variety of cancers over the course of his 20-year career. Practicing at Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Dr. Matthew Taub adheres to the guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for decisions regarding chemotherapy and other treatments. 

A large part of the NCCN organization is its Oncology Research Program (ORP), which aims to enhance patient quality of life and reduce cancer-related deaths by advancing research in the field. To work toward its goals, ORP supports oncology preclinical, translational, and clinical research at NCCN member institutions. 

NCCN also actively works with industry drug developers to ensure effective communication across the industry. To date, NCCN ORP has allocated millions of dollars in research grants to fund investigator-initiated trials that push the boundaries of medical knowledge and seek answers to important research questions.

Memorial Hospital Miramar Nurtures Babies with Specially Designed NICU

An experienced oncologist and hematologist, Dr. Matthew Taub practices at Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Matthew Taub, MD, is a member of the multidisciplinary committee at Memorial Hospital Miramar.

Located in Miramar, Florida, Memorial Hospital Miramar features a family birthing center and a level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with 16 private patient rooms. Memorial Hospital Miramar NICU is equipped to care for neonates born at 28 weeks and later. 

The hospital invited a team of doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and parents to collaborate on the NICU design, which aims to provide an environment that feels like home. The unit has a special focus on privacy to allow bonding moments that nurture babies. In addition to the latest medical equipment, the NICU features ambient lighting that simulates night and day so babies develop a circadian rhythm that promotes healing and development.

Four Types of Benign Tumors

A graduate of Ross University School of Medicine, Dr. Matthew Taub works as a hematologic oncology physician at Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates in Florida. Possessing more than two decades of medical experience, Dr. Matthew Taub has treated multiple malignant and benign disorders in Florida, New York, and other states.

Benign tumors do not pose a threat to human health; however, they can press against blood vessels or nerves and cause pain or other problems. There are several types of benign tumors that are categorized based on where they grow. These types are briefly described below:

- Adenomas. Benign tumors that grow in the epithelial tissue of a gland, organ, or other structure are classified as adenomas. These growths are most commonly found as a polyp in the colon, but they are also found on the pituitary, adrenal, or thyroid gland.

- Myomas. When a benign tumor grows in the walls of the blood vessels or in the muscle, it’s classified as a myoma. Smooth muscle inside the organs can also hold myomas, but these growths are often classified as a fibroid rather than a myoma.

- Fibroids. Also known as fibromas, these tumors are found in the fibrous tissue of any organ. Typically, they are found in the uterus and may cause urinary incontinence or vaginal bleeding. If a fibroid causes symptoms, it can be surgically removed.

- Lipomas. The most common type of benign tumor is a lipoma. Found on the neck, back, or arms, lipomas develop from fat cells and are normally round and soft. When pressed on, they also move slightly under the skin.

Immunotherapy Side Effects More Common Than Originally Thought

A hematology and an oncology physician at Optimum Oncology Hematology Associates in Pembroke Pines, Florida, Dr. Matthew Taub has won numerous awards for his work treating and managing various disorders in multiple states. Active in his professional community, Dr. Matthew Taub maintains membership with such organizations as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Since 1964, ASCO has promoted the prevention and cure of cancer through the education of professionals and cancer research. Recently, the organization released information about a new study on people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). According to this report, unexpected medical problems caused by the immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors nivolumab, atezolizumab, and pembrolizumab may all be underreported in the initial trials of these therapies.

To complete this analysis, researchers looked at close to 2,800 people diagnosed with NSCLC who received immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors between 2015 and 2017. These individuals reported adverse events caused by these inhibitors to their insurance companies. This information was available to researchers through OptumLabs Data Warehouse, an insurance database founded in 2012 by the Mayo Clinic.

According to the results, the most common adverse outcome to immunotherapy was hypothyroidism. This issue appeared in just over 9 percent of patients. Meanwhile, acute kidney injury and anemia affected over 8 percent of patients, combined. Some patients also reported cardiac and gastrointestinal events, though these issues were relatively rare.

The researchers believe that being aware of these side effects and when they occur will grant physicians a greater chance to intervene and prevent such issues. In the meantime, being aware of the issues that immunotherapy can cause ensures that patients and physicians alike are better informed about treatment options.