Author: Manda Hufstedler

ASCENT Grand Rounds (November 12)

Posted on by Manda Hufstedler

Thursday, November 12 I 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET

Please register at this link.

Please join the next ASCENT Grand Rounds, “Where Do We Go From Here? Understanding Geographic Variation in Access to Care for Seriously Ill Individuals.”

The webinar, moderated by ASCENT Population-Based Data Core Co-Lead Dr. Melissa Garrido and featuring panelists Drs. Bianca Frogner, Emily Johnston, Johanna Thunell, and Jacob Whitman, will examine how investigators can bridge evidence gaps and scale resources in communities where specialty palliative care is scarce. Participants will learn about novel data sources and analytical tools designed to map area-level variations and will have an opportunity to ask questions during the live Q&A segment following presentations.

Rethinking Intervention Science: Highlights from the Inaugural ASCENT Grand Rounds 

Posted on by Manda Hufstedler

In the inaugural ASCENT Grand Rounds on October 8, moderator Dr. Ab Brody was joined by leading experts Drs. Katherine Courtright, Frank Puga, Abby R. Rosenberg, and Ana-Maria Vranceanu for an engaging discussion exploring next-generation approaches to palliative care research intervention science. Watch the full recording and access the presentation slides here to learn how innovative research strategies are reframing intervention science to better address the needs of seriously ill patients, their caregivers, and broader care networks.  

Stage Ib Feasibility/Pilot Study Guidance Document

Posted on by Manda Hufstedler

A key formative step in the development of an intervention is feasibility and pilot testing. This is performed at Stage Ib of the NIH Stage Model prior to full-scale efficacy testing. This document provides support to investigators developing rigorous Stage I testing.

View the full guidance document at this link.

The ASCENT Consortium: A New Resource to Support Palliative Care Science Across the Lifespan

Posted on by Manda Hufstedler

"The ASCENT Consortium: A New Resource to Support Palliative Care Science Across the Lifespan" describes the goals, organization, resources, programs and activities of the ASCENT Consortium. It intends to raise awareness about ASCENT and encourage engagement with, utilization of and collaboration with ASCENT. This article is authored by Jean S. Kutner, MD, MSPH, Melissa D. Aldridge, PhD, MBA, Abraham A. Brody, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chris Feudtner, MD, PhD, MPH, Kimberly Johnson, MD, MHS, Stacy M. Fischer, MD, Susan Lysaght Hurley, PhD, RN, Alexis Bakos, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, Elena M. Fazio, PhD, Karen A. Kehl, PhD, RN, FPCN, Sandra A. Mitchell, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, Elizabeth A. Necka, PhD, Brennan Parmelee Streck, PhD, RN, MPH, Chandra Keller, EdD, MPP, MPH.

Read the full article at this link.

Top Statistical Challenges in Serious Illness Research: A Prioritization Discussion (ABLN Webinar)

Posted on by Manda Hufstedler

This May 5, 2026 ASCENT Biostatistics Learning Network Quarterly Webinar explores Top Statistical Challenges in Serious Illness Research. This webinar is intended for palliative care scientists, collaborative biostatisticians, and other methodologists and is a space to discuss methodological challenges in palliative care.

Methods for Handling Informative Missingness in Palliative Care Research (ABLN Webinar)

Posted on by Manda Hufstedler

This September 8, 2026 ASCENT Biostatistics Learning Network Quarterly Webinar explores Methods for Handling Informative Missingness in Palliative Care Research. This webinar is intended for palliative care scientists, collaborative biostatisticians, and other methodologists and is a space to discuss methodological challenges in palliative care.