SJCI Melanoma Symposium, November 2025

Welcome

The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute and the Melanoma Research Foundation invite you to an educational event on melanoma. This year’s event will be held at the RAND Corporation, a government facility located at the intersection of Main Street and Civic Center Drive in Santa Monica.

Attend in Person (Registration form below)

• Saturday, November 22nd 2025
• From 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM PST
• Held at the RAND in Santa Monica
• 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401-3208 (see Google Maps)
• Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments will be provided.

RAND is an operating government facility that is unaffiliated with the event facilitators. Security protocols for the property, including pre-identification, remain in effect for this event. Please arrive early. To gain access to the RAND property, attendees must register for in-person attendance and provide additional information.

Click here for additional information regarding RAND and security requirements for all attendees as well as driving and parking instructions.

Or watch via ZOOM

You can also attend virtually via ZOOM, which is provided by the Melanoma Research Foundation.
Click here to register for virtual attendance via Zoom.

Discussion Topics and Speakers*

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM - 9:10 AM - Welcome and Announcements Richard Essner, MD Co-Director, The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program Saint John’s Cancer Institute
Kim Margolin, MD, FACP, FASCO Medical Director The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program Saint John’s Cancer Institute
9:10 AM - 9:20 AM - Melanoma Research Foundation Welcome Debbie Churgai, MA Education Program Manager Melanoma Research Foundation
9:20 AM - 9:40 AM - Sunscreens and Skin Care in Cancer Treatment Sonia Batra, MD Batra Dermatology Santa Monica, CA
9:40 AM - 10:00 AM - Can we use Blood Tests to Predict Outcome in Melanoma Richard Essner, MD Co-Director, The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program Saint John’s Cancer Institute
10:00 AM - 10:10 AM - Morning Break
10:10 AM - 10:30 AM - Recognition and Management of Lymphedema in Melanoma Patients Emmaline Mauritson, NP Nurse Practitioner Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center
10:30 AM - 10:50 AM - Diet and Nutrition in Melanoma Care and Skin Cancer Prevention Ashley Salazar, RDN Registered Dietitian Providence Saint John's Health Center
10:50 AM - 11:10 AM - Surgery for Small-Volume Metastatic Melanoma—When and If? Hans Schoellhammer, MD City of Hope Duarte, CA
11:10 AM - 11:30 AM - Using the Immune System to Defeat the Toughest Cases of Melanoma Yan Xing, MD City of Hope Duarte, CA
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM - Lunch Break
12:00 AM - 12:20 PM - Vaccine Therapy in Melanoma Kim Margolin, MD, FACP, FASCO Medical Director The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program Saint John’s Cancer Institute
12:20 AM - 12:40 PM - Genetic Testing for the Patient and Family in Melanoma Molly Frankle, LCGC Genetics Counselor Saint John’s Health Center
12:40 AM - 1:00 PM - Patient Panel: My Experience with Melanoma—Family and Friends
1:00 PM - 1:10 PM - Closing Remarks Richard Essner, MD Professor of Surgical Oncology Co-Director, The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program Saint John’s Cancer Institute
Kim Margolin, MD, FACP, FASCO Medical Director The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program Saint John’s Cancer Institute
1:30 PM - Adjourn

*Speakers, topics, and times may change. Please check back for updates.

Register for In-Person Attendance

Register today to join the discussion, November 22nd, 2025. Seating is limited.

A confirmation email will be sent to the email provided. Please remember to bring your governement-issued photo ID.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Dowload and share our event flyer!

PDF: Together Against Melanoma – A patient and caregiver symposium focused on education, research,and healing

Event Facilitators

The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute

The Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program focuses on melanoma, skin, and soft tissue tumors, combining state-of-the-art research with individualized and compassionate patient care.  By applying innovative treatment methods and best-practice models that demonstrate improved outcomes for patients, the Borstein Family Foundation Melanoma Program aims to elevate treatment and outcomes through a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to oncologic care. Visit saintjohnscancer.org/melanoma

Melanoma Research Foundation

The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the largest independent organization devoted to melanoma. Committed to supporting medical research in finding effective treatments and, eventually, a cure for melanoma, the MRF also educates patients and physicians about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of melanoma. The MRF is an active advocate for the melanoma community, helping to raise awareness of this disease and the need for a cure. The MRF’s website is the premier source for melanoma information seekers. Visit melanoma.org.