History
Drs. Nunnink, Hammond, and Larmon share their memories of how NNECOS came to be, recorded at our 25th Anniversary celebration.
History of the Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society
NNECOS was founded in 1990 by a group of medical oncology pioneers from across the region, united by a shared conviction that Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont were stronger together than apart. Each state individually had only a small number of oncologists in clinical practice, but combined they formed a meaningful professional community. Bylaws were written and NNECOS was incorporated in New Hampshire on December 13, 1990, with a formal affiliation with the American Society of Clinical Oncology established from the outset.
Building a Regional Voice
From its earliest years, NNECOS became the representative organization for the region in national oncology policy conversations, including the Medicare Regional Carrier Advisory Committee and ASCO’s Clinical Practice Committee. Members of NNECOS have gone on to hold leadership positions at the national level, including seats on the ASCO Board of Directors and chairs of key ASCO committees, bringing the perspective of Northern New England to the highest levels of the profession.
Growing the Community
In 2000, the bylaws were rewritten to allow telephonic board meetings, removing a geographic barrier that had limited the organization’s reach, and to formally welcome non-physician members of the oncology care team. This reflected a founding commitment that had always been present: that patients with cancer need help from many disciplines, and NNECOS should reflect that reality. The first Annual Meeting was held in the fall of 2002, and the Spring Meeting was established in 2004, creating a regular rhythm of education and gathering for members across the region.
ASCO Partnership and Innovation
A strong partnership with ASCO’s State and Regional Affiliate Program produced a series of funded research and quality improvement projects beginning in the mid-2000s, including studies on rural oncology care, barriers to clinical trial participation, and the integration of palliative care into oncology practice. These seed-funded initiatives became the foundation for several of NNECOS’s current programs, including the Research Funding Program.
Expanding the Team
In 2009, NNECOS established travel grants to reduce barriers for allied health participation in the Annual Meeting. In 2012, the Nursing and Allied Health Professional Advisory Committee (NAHPAC) was formally established, driven by members who had built a rich portfolio of programming and wanted a dedicated voice within the organization. In 2015, the Student Project Grant Funding Program was launched, and Fellow Board Liaisons were established in 2016, deepening NNECOS’s commitment to the next generation of oncology professionals. In 2019, an at-large Executive Committee position for allied health was created.
Strategic Growth
In 2019, NNECOS launched a formal strategic planning process. The following year, the Patient-Focused Philanthropy Program was established, partnering with practices and nonprofits to address emergency needs for patients with cancer across the region. As part of the strategic plan’s implementation, term limits were introduced for board members, bringing clearer succession and leadership development to the organization. The Honorary Council was established alongside term limits, creating a formal structure to keep retired and former board members engaged with NNECOS’s mission, programs, and activities. Growing task forces, expanding member engagement, and increasing organizational capacity have continued to strengthen NNECOS’s structure and reach.
NNECOS Today
More than thirty-five years after its founding, NNECOS remains the professional home for oncology care teams across Northern New England. The membership spans every discipline of the oncology care team, the programming spans education, research, philanthropy, and advocacy, and the commitment to the highest quality care for patients with cancer and blood disorders in the region remains unchanged.