Podcast Summary

Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Episode Title: Expanding Access, Translational Research, and the Future of Cancer Care with Dr. Robert A. Figlin
Date: March 4, 2026
Guest: Dr. Robert A. Figlin, Interim Director, Cedars-Sinai Cancer & Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute
Host: Elizabeth Gregerson

Overview

This episode spotlights Dr. Robert Figlin’s strategic perspective on advancing cancer care, emphasizing expanding access, enhancing translational research, workforce development, and innovative health system strategies. Targeted at healthcare executives, the conversation explores aligning cancer program growth with broader system priorities, successful operational models, and the future direction of multidisciplinary, patient-centered oncology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aligning Cancer Program Growth with System Priorities

[02:32–06:06]

• Competing Priorities: Cancer care growth competes with other service lines for resources—brick-and-mortar investments, research, and personnel.
  • “There are always going to be competing priorities for assets, whether it’s brick and mortar assets or research assets or personnel.” — Dr. Figlin [02:38]
• Integration & Survivorship:
  • As survival improves (70%+ 5-year survival), more cancer patients and survivors become part of the health system, intertwined with chronic and comorbid conditions (e.g., cardiovascular health).
• Distributed Care Model:
  • Cedars-Sinai’s horizontally integrated network brings expertise to local communities through shared infrastructure, prioritizing patient access close to home.
  • “Patients would like to receive their care close to home if at all possible...bringing their expertise to their communities.” — Dr. Figlin [04:27]
• Access as the Foundational Principle:
  • “...the key for the patient and the key for the system is access, access, access, access.” — Dr. Figlin [03:39]

2. Embedding Translational Research in Clinical Care

[07:19–10:18]

• No Divide Between Research and Clinical Care:
  • “There is no line in my view, between clinical care and research.” — Dr. Figlin [07:54]
• Research for Community Needs:
  • Clinical and basic research is expected to address real-world population needs in Los Angeles’ highly diverse demographic.
• Community Advisory Board:
  • A diverse board informs research priorities, ensuring alignment with community needs.
  • “Our community advisory board has been a strong advocate for asking the right questions for what’s important for the people that we serve.” — Dr. Figlin [09:58]
• Bench-to-Bedside Model:
  • Integration of EHRs and infrastructure allows system-wide delivery of research-driven care.

3. Oncology Workforce Challenges & Solutions

[11:09–14:28]

• Shortage of Cancer Experts:
  • The physician pipeline is insufficient; most new graduates opt for community over academic practice.
• Tailored Roles & Incentives:
  • Community and academic physicians have differentiated expectations, with incentives aligned to practice setting.
• Deploying Advanced Practice Providers (APPs):
  • PAs and NPs play a central role in supporting chronic care and survivorship, allowing physicians to focus on new cases.
  • “That’s where APPs practicing at the top of their license can support the care of the patient, the care of the journey, and the care of the outcome.” — Dr. Figlin [12:46]
• Team Approach Education:
  • Emphasis on building patient trust in clinical teams over individual physicians.
  • “It’s best that we start to educate them about being attached to their physician teams as opposed to just the physician themselves.” — Dr. Figlin [14:19]

4. Innovative Strategies Enabling Cancer Care Success

[15:01–18:17]

• Embracing Technology & Partnerships:
  • Initiatives include AI, collaboration with imaging companies, and new vendor partnerships to improve access and convenience.
  • Screening services—such as breast, lung, prostate—brought to the point of care in partnership with imaging providers, with “warm handoffs” to specialists for abnormal results.
• Centralized, Distributed Hub Model:
  • Key services like molecular testing, clinical trial enrollment, and precision medicine infrastructure centralized but accessible throughout the network.
• Adapting Corporate Mindsets:
  • “Service lines, especially cancer care service lines, need to be looked [at] through the lens of a bit of a corporate structure.” — Dr. Figlin [16:03]

5. Patient-Centricity as a North Star

[18:29–19:13]

• Organizational Philosophy:
  • “We have to view everything that we do through the eyes of the patient. Whether that is science, access, translation, discovery, it has to be viewed through the lens of the patient.” — Dr. Figlin [18:35]
• Futureproofing Care:
  • A relentless focus on the patient experience ensures organizational adaptability and compassion.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The care that we deliver today is on the backs of patients that had participated in clinical research previously.” — Dr. Figlin [07:51]
• “As our population ages, unfortunately, there will be more new cancer cases. And we need to make sure that our cancer physicians have the capacity to take up the new cancer cases and are not burdened by the more chronic cases...” — Dr. Figlin [12:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Dr. Figlin’s Background: [00:31–01:35]
• Aligning Cancer Service Growth & System Strategy: [02:32–06:06]
• Bridging Discovery & Clinical Care (Translational Research): [07:19–10:18]
• Oncology Workforce – Challenges & APP Integration: [11:09–14:28]
• Strategies for Cancer Care Success & Innovation: [15:01–18:17]
• Patient-Centric Philosophy & Closing Thoughts: [18:29–19:13]

Episode Takeaways

• Access and convenience are essential for future cancer care expansion.
• Translational research must be embedded and relevant to community needs.
• APPs are crucial for workforce sustainability and survivorship management.
• Multidisciplinary, team-based approaches should be normalized and patient trust in teams cultivated.
• Strategic partnerships, corporate mindsets, and technology adoption enable scalable, patient-centered care.

Dr. Figlin frames a hopeful, innovative, and relentlessly patient-focused vision for the advancement of cancer care within integrated health systems.