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About the symposium
The Pediatric Palliative Oncology Academic Leadership Collaborative & Symposium (PAL Symposium) aims to bring together scientists, clinicians, and professionals across disciplines to advance the field through scholarship, education, and collaboration. This year’s theme is “Building Bridges and Facilitating our Future: Harnessing Tomorrow's Technology for Connection and Collaboration Today”, with an emphasis on interactive engagement to advance the field through the incorporation of emerging technology in academic pediatric palliative oncology.
Featured experts, including interprofessional investigators, educators, clinicians, bereaved parents, and advocates, will address a host of topics through lectures and interactive workshops. Scientific presentations and poster sessions in research, education, and quality improvement will foster evidence-based knowledge dissemination and networking in pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) palliative oncology.
Oncology and palliative care clinicians, educators, and researchers across disciplines are encouraged to attend. We extend a special welcome to psychosocial professionals, patient/family partners, advocates, and trainees.
Please feel free to reach out to symposium chair, Dr. Deena Levine, if you have any questions.
Faculty
Deena Levine, MD FAAP FAAHPM - Symposium Chair
Associate Member - Department of Oncology
Division Director - Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care
Medical Director – Palliative Care & Integrative Medicine Services
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Scientific Advisory Board
Jackelyn Boyden, PhD, MPH, RN
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (secondary appointment)
Katharine Brock, MD, MS, FAAHPM
Associate Professor of Pediatrics – Oncology & Palliative Care, Emory University
R. Harold Harrison Chair of Pediatric Supportive Care
Director, Supportive Care Clinic, Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Emily Johnston MD, MS
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Director of Pediatric Palliative Care Education and Research, Center for Palliative and Supportive Care
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Erica C. Kaye MD, MPH, FAAHPM
Associate Member, Department of Oncology
Director, Quality of Life and Palliative Care Research Program
Chair, Qualitative Research Network
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Sarah McCarthy, PhD
Director of Psychology -Robert’s Program on Sudden Unexpected Death in Pediatrics
Boston Children’s Hospital
Jennifer Snaman, MD, MS, FAAHPM
Director of Pediatric Palliative Care Research
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Boston Children’s Hospital
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School
Molly Taylor, MD, MS
University of Washington / Seattle Children’s Hospital
Meaghann Weaver MD, PhD, MPH, HEC-C
Associate Member - Bioethicist and Palliative Care Physician
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Overview
Event: Pediatric Palliative Oncology Academic Leadership Collaborative & Symposium
Date: November 5-6, 2026
Location:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Virtual option available
Department host: Quality of Life and Palliative Care Division, Department of Oncology
Symposium chair and event contact:
Deena Levine, MD, FAAP, FAAHPM
deena.levine@stjude.org
Registration deadlines & fees
Registration will open soon.
Registration fees are fully refundable due to cancellation through October 15, 2026 (minus a small processing fee). If you need to alter or cancel your registration, please contact Dr. Deena Levine.
| Registration Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-person attendance | |
| Physicians | $249 |
| Non-physicians | $199 |
| Trainees | $149 |
| Virtual registration | |
| With continuing education credit | $75 |
| Without continuing education credit | $25 |