Darcy Burbage: Advancing Survivorship Care Through Education and Collaboration

October 18, 2026 - 02:55

Darcy Burbage is working to change how survivorship care is delivered, placing education and teamwork at the center of her efforts. Her work focuses on the period after active cancer treatment, when patients often face ongoing physical, emotional, and practical challenges that can go unaddressed without coordinated support.

Burbage argues that survivorship care cannot rest on a single clinician or specialty. Instead, it requires deliberate collaboration across advanced practice providers, oncology teams, primary care, and rehabilitation services. She points to education as the foundation of that effort, noting that many providers receive limited training on the long-term effects of cancer treatment and the specific needs of survivors. By building stronger educational programs, she aims to close that gap and equip clinicians with practical tools they can use in daily practice.

Her message has particular relevance for advanced practice providers, who frequently serve as the first point of contact for survivors navigating follow-up care. Burbage encourages these providers to take an active role in care planning, symptom management, and transitions between treatment and primary care. She also emphasizes the value of shared decision making with patients and families, ensuring that survivorship plans reflect real priorities rather than generic checklists.

Burbage has brought these ideas to broader audiences, including discussions tied to quality improvement efforts in oncology. Her approach stresses measurable outcomes, clear communication, and sustained follow-up rather than one-time handoffs. She believes that collaboration among institutions and disciplines can spread effective practices faster than isolated programs.

Looking ahead, Burbage calls for continued investment in survivorship education and stronger partnerships between clinical teams and community resources. Her work underscores a simple point: survivors do best when the people caring for them are informed, connected, and working from the same plan.