2026 Annual Refresher, ASTRO 2026 Call for abstracts, Rally for ROCR
December 10, 2025
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| Registration is now open for the 2026 Virtual Annual Refresher Course |
| Join your colleagues online March 25-27 for this comprehensive review of the latest treatment methods and core competencies for the major disease sites. The Annual Refresher Course is a live virtual meeting led by expert presenters. This year’s program includes sessions on skin, adaptive radiotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals and three eContouring sessions, Gynecologic: Vulvar and Vaginal, Thoracic and Genitourinary. Along with the Refresher onDemand, there are three bonus onDemand presentations (pediatrics, vulvar and vaginal cancers, sarcomas).
Discounts are available for several add-on courses and ASTRO members from low, lower-middle or upper-middle-income countries receive a discount off the corresponding registration rate for the course. Register by January 21 for the best rate! |
| ASTRO 2026: Near-term reminders for Education session proposals and the Call for Abstracts |
| Don’t be caught off guard! Here are some reminders to consider for ASTRO 2026: first, only one month remains to submit Education session proposals, open now through January 12, 2026. Seize this opportunity to participate in the 2026 Annual Meeting Education Program, sharing your expertise and insights with the ASTRO community. Review the eligibility, scoring criteria and more. In addition, the Call for Abstracts for the Scientific Program is open until February 24, 2026. Please note this year’s Late-breaking submission process has some changes as well. |
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New on the Blog: Turning Copper into Care Be inspired by this account of two Dartmouth radiation therapists who discovered a stash of unused copper electron cutouts in their office closet and transformed this finding into an opportunity for community impact. Theirs is an example of how small and meaningful actions are within reach and directly applicable today. Read more. |
| 2026 Medical Student Fellowship and Mentor Awards — Applications now open |
| The application period for the 2026 ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship (MSF) and Mentor Awards is now open. The MSF Award offers medical students early exposure to radiation oncology through research opportunities, mentorship, networking and career development. Recipients receive a $6,000 package covering an eight-week summer research experience, career sessions and travel to ASTRO’s annual meeting. The application deadline is February 12, 2026. |
| It’s time to renew your ASTRO membership |
| Thank you for being a loyal member! ASTRO launched many important initiatives in 2025 including a study on the value of radiation therapy, increased member outreach, a focus on international growth, industry collaboration, radiopharmaceutical therapy training opportunities and an emphasis on radiation medicine. Not to mention our tireless efforts to advocate for fair reimbursement. ASTRO CEO Vivek Kavadi, MD, MBA, FASTRO, spoke about many of these initiatives during his CEO Update at the Annual Meeting. Your support and membership make our efforts possible. Renewing is easy, just click on the link in your email that was sent last Thursday or log in to astro.org and click on the alert. We look forward to serving you in 2026! |
| New Medicare model may be opportunity for functional radiation medicine |
| On December 1, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation launched a new payment model test using technology to help improve care for chronic conditions, including those with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Medicare Part B-enrolled providers or suppliers are eligible, representing a potential opportunity for radiation oncologists treating patients with functional radiation medicine. For more info, go to What’s Happening in Washington. |
| Rally for ROCR before 2025 ends |
| With just a few days left on the congressional calendar in 2025, don’t miss this chance to ask your members of Congress to cosponsor the ROCR Act! ROCR represents the best chance for freestanding and hospital radiation oncologists to secure long-term payment stability under Medicare. ASTRO lets you send a quick, clear message through our easy-to-use grassroots tool. |
| RTAnswers FAQs — Bust these commonly heard RT myths |
| ASTRO is committed to providing accessible and accurate information for your patients. RTAnswers.org answers this need, offering information for patients and caregivers from diagnosis through treatment to survivorship. Most recently, RTAnswers published FAQs, created to bust myths that patients may have heard before entering your waiting room. Use this resource to reinforce accuracy and provide assurance. |
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| APEx welcomes new facilities |
Congratulations to the following facilities for achieving accreditation through ASTRO’s APEx - Accreditation Program for Excellence®:
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