From the Clinic to the Living Room
2025 Webinars
Genetics and Melanoma: Understanding Genetic Testing and Its Role in Melanoma Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapy
Hosted by Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS with Guest Expert, Yana Najjar, MD
This informative 30-minute session explores critical topics about genetics and melanoma. Hosted by Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS, this “From the Clinic to the Living Room” webinar welcomes Yana G. Najjar, MD, as our special guest.
Dr. Najjar is a translational investigator and cutaneous oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, where she serves as an Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Clinical and Translational Research Center. She specializes in early-phase clinical trials and the treatment of advanced melanoma.
About our Guest: Yana G. Najjar, MD, is a physician-scientist and cutaneous oncologist at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Clinical and Translational Research Center. Dr. Najjar focuses on early-phase clinical trials, particularly for patients with advanced or treatment-resistant melanoma. Her research centers on overcoming resistance to immunotherapy by targeting tumor cell metabolism and hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. She has developed multiple investigator-initiated trials and leads a lab conducting correlative studies to advance the understanding of rare and immunotherapy-resistant melanoma subtypes.
Together, in this webinar, we’ll address key questions about the role of tumor genetics in melanoma, including:
- What is the role of genetics in melanoma?
- Are there specific genetic tests for different types of melanoma?
- Which genetic tests should patients discuss with their doctors?
- How do tumor genetics influence prognosis and recurrence?
- Can tumor genetics guide melanoma treatment decisions?
- What does the future of genetic testing in melanoma look like?
Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or healthcare provider, this session offers valuable insights into how genetics is transforming the way melanoma is diagnosed, monitored, and treated.
Melanoma and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Hosted by Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS with Guest Expert Dr. Jane M. Grant-Kels, MD, FAAD
This informative 30-minute session explores critical topics about melanoma and pregnancy. Hosted by Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS, this “From the Clinic to the Living Room” webinar welcomes Jane M. Grant-Kels, MD, FAAD as our special guest.
Dr. Grant-Kels is a Professor of Dermatology, Pathology, and Pediatrics, Vice Chair of the Department of Dermatology, and Director of the Cutaneous Oncology Center and Melanoma Program at the University of Connecticut. She is also the Assistant Residency Program Director.
About our Guest: Jane M. Grant-Kels, MD, FAAD, is Vice Chair of the Department of Dermatology, Founding Director of the Cutaneous Oncology Center and Melanoma Programs and Professor of Dermatology, Pathology and Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center. She is also founding chair emeritus of the Department of Dermatology, founding director emeritus of the dermatology residency program, and founding director emeritus of the dermatopathology laboratory. Jane attended Smith College and Cornell University Medical College. She then trained in pediatrics and dermatology at Cornell’s New York Hospital. Following her residency she completed a dermatopathology fellowship at New York University with A Bernard Ackerman. Jane serves on numerous editorial boards related to her field and was the founding editor in chief of the Journal of Clinical Medicine and the founding co-editor in chief of the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology. Presently she is Deputy Editor of J Am Acad Dermatol. She was a member of the Board of the Women’s Dermatologic Society and the Board of the American Academy of Dermatology and is presently Vice President of the AAD. She was also the recipient of the WDS Rose Hirschler Award in 2018, the AAD Professionalism Award in 2014, as well as AAD Presidential Citations in 2016 and 2017. Her areas of interest are pigmented lesions, reflectance confocal microscopy, dermoscopy and dermatoethics.
She has published over 325 manuscripts, 100 chapters, guest edited 20 journals, and edited or co-authored 6 books. She has also delivered over 600 invited lectures.
Together, in this webinar, we’ll address key concerns about melanoma and pregnancy, including:
- Is it normal for moles (nevi) to change during pregnancy?
- What should you do if a nevus changes?
- How often should you be seen during pregnancy if you’ve had melanoma in the past?
- Does pregnancy increase your risk of melanoma?
- Can melanoma behave differently during pregnancy?
- Is it safe to have a biopsy of a suspicious lesion while pregnant?
- Does pregnancy after melanoma impact your risk of recurrence?
Whether you’re pregnant, planning to be, or simply want to learn more, this webinar is essential for understanding how melanoma and pregnancy intersect and what steps you can take to protect your health.
About Our Host
Melissa Wilson, PA-C, MPAS, possesses an extensive background in supporting melanoma patients and their families. She remains abreast of the latest advancements in melanoma treatment and research. As a visionary in her field, Melissa has been a key contributor to the field of melanoma care, holding the role of NCCPA-certified senior physician assistant since 2005. She has collaborated closely with renowned melanoma expert Dr. John Kirkwood at the University of Pittsburgh’s Cancer Institute, within the Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine. Together, they have spearheaded treatment and research efforts that have set a benchmark for cancer care nationwide. Melissa currently leads as the principal physician assistant within the Melanoma Program at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Melissa has a passion for education and collaboration, working with a multidisciplinary team to enhance patient education. She serves as an adjunct faculty member and clinical preceptor at Chatham University, where she also lectures on melanoma care within their cancer care module since 2013.