Highlights from the IHF Cancer Leadership Network's first meeting

On 14 September, the IHF Cancer Leadership Network (CLN), in partnership with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, held its first full meeting, bringing together cancer care leaders from around the world to explore the critical topic of workforce management.

Setting the scene

Paul Fenton of Icon Australia opened the discussion with a presentation on the steps his institution has taken to prepare its workforce for the future of cancer care. He stressed the importance of taking a holistic view, with interventions needed at multiple levels: (i) building the pipeline, (ii) developing and retaining talent, and (iii) designing for scale. The Q&A that followed sparked a lively and highly engaging conversation, as leaders shared the challenges they face across very different healthcare settings, along with the approaches they have developed to address them.

Shared challenges, varied solutions

The challenges discussed were wide-ranging, from difficulties recruiting staff at rural sites and the lack of clear career pathways for non-clinical roles, to an overreliance on tenure in promotion decisions and the search for effective ways to prevent and address burnout.

The range of solutions being explored across the CLN membership was impressive, including:

Dedicated administrative career pathways and training programmes
Investment in software and digital tools to simplify frustrating or unnecessary processes
Targeted strategies to support workforce retention
Strengthened peer-to-peer support networks
Regular staff surveys and mental health screening

This first meeting made clear that, while cancer centres around the world face workforce challenges shaped by very different contexts, the CLN offers a valuable space for leaders to learn from one another’s experience and accelerate progress together.

Highlights from the IHF Cancer Leadership Network’s first meeting

Date: 21 September 2026

Setting the scene

Shared challenges, varied solutions

Written by:

Ana Rubio

News & insights

Look into our latest...

How do hospitals in different countries balance short-term cost pressures against long-term investment needs? (YEL 2026)

LEADSAFE: A transformational leadership framework for patient and healthcare worker safety (YEL 2026)

Beyond digital: Rethinking the future of healthcare in the age of AI (YEL 2026)

Kindness in healthcare leadership and culture

Useful links

Join our mailing list