Positions

Overview

  • I grew up in Ohio and completed my undergraduate, medical school, and residency training at The Ohio State University. I then went on to complete my fellowship training in gynecologic oncology at UCLA and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. I moved to Birmingham to work at UAB because of the amazing multi-disciplinary cancer care team that we have. The UAB health system and Cancer Center are dedicated to being at the cutting edge of providing high quality and well coordinated cancer care.
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title Altmetric
    2023 Financial toxicity: A practical review for gynecologic oncology teams to understand and address patient-level financial burdens.Gynecologic Oncology.  170:317-327. 2023
    2023 Factor Analysis of Health Care Access With Ovarian Cancer Surgery and Gynecologic Oncologist ConsultationJAMA Network Open.  6:E2254595. 2023
    2023 Healthcare Access Domains Mediate Racial Disparities in Ovarian Cancer Treatment Quality in a US Patient Cohort: A Structural Equation Modelling AnalysisCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.  32:74-81. 2023
    2022 Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Healthcare Access Measures among Women with Ovarian CancerCancers.  14. 2022
    2022 Identity-related experiences of Asian American trainees in gynecologic oncologyGynecologic Oncology Reports.  44. 2022
    2022 Race, Affordability and Utilization of Supportive Care in Ovarian Cancer PatientsJournal of Pain and Symptom Management.  64:537-545. 2022
    2022 Healthcare Access Dimensions and Guideline-Concordant Ovarian Cancer Treatment: SEER-Medicare Analysis of the ORCHiD StudyJournal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN.  20:1255-1266E11. 2022
    2022 Ineligible, Unaware, or Uninterested? Associations between Underrepresented Patient Populations and Retention in the Pathway to Cancer Clinical Trial EnrollmentJco Oncology Practice.  18:E1854-E1865. 2022
    2022 Associations between insurance status and the cancer clinical trial enrollment process.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  40:85-85. 2022
    2022 Interest and enrollment in clinical trials by race and ethnicity, rurality, and insurance status in patients with ovarian cancer.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  40:83-83. 2022
    2022 Moderate to severe distress in half of ovarian cancer patients undergoing treatment highlights a need for more proactive symptom and psychosocial managementGynecologic Oncology.  166:503-507. 2022
    2022 Navigating job and cancer demands during treatment: A qualitative study of ovarian cancer patientsGynecologic Oncology.  166:481-486. 2022
    2022 Comparing financial hardship (FH) assessment tools among gynecologic cancer patients (491)Gynecologic Oncology.  166:s243. 2022
    2022 Paying the highest price: Financial toxicity of gynecologic oncology patients undergoing treatment in the deep south (282)Gynecologic Oncology.  166:s149-s150. 2022
    2022 Safety and feasibility of an HPV therapeutic vaccine (TA-CIN) in patients with HPV16 associated cervical cancer (458)Gynecologic Oncology.  166:s228-s229. 2022
    2022 Associations of Healthcare Affordability, Availability, and Accessibility with Quality Treatment Metrics in Patients with Ovarian CancerCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.  31:1383-1393. 2022
    2022 Piloting use of an out-of-pocket cost tracker among gynecologic cancer patientsGynecologic Oncology Reports.  41. 2022
    2022 Effect of misoprostol on type 3 transformation zone of the cervix among Cameroonian womenGynecologic Oncology Reports.  40. 2022
    2022 Missing the target: The oncology care model treatment pricing scheme is prohibitively reductive for gynecologic malignanciesGynecologic Oncology.  165:11-13. 2022
    2022 Misoprostol and estradiol to enhance visualization of the transformation zone during cervical cancer screening: An integrative review 2022
    2022 Navigating financial toxicity in patients with cancer: A multidisciplinary management approachCA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians2022
    2021 Gynecologic oncology patients are ready for telemedicine in routine care: Results from a pre-COVID surveyGynecologic Oncology Reports.  38. 2021
    2021 Ovarian Cancer Epidemiology, Healthcare Access and Disparities (ORCHiD): Methodology for a population-based study of black, Hispanic and white patients with ovarian cancerBMJ Open.  11. 2021
    2021 Measuring Financial Distress and Quality of Life Over Time in Patients With Gynecologic Cancer-Making the Case to Screen Early in the Treatment CourseJco Oncology Practice.  17:e1576-e1583. 2021
    2021 Perceptions of barriers to patient financial hardship screening differ by provider role within gynecologic oncology outpatient care.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  39:317-317. 2021
    2021 The oncology care model and the future of alternative payment models: A gynecologic oncology perspective.Gynecologic Oncology.  162:529-531. 2021
    2021 Evaluating Meaningful Levels of Financial Toxicity in Gynecologic CancersObstetrical and Gynecological Survey.  76:474-476. 2021
    2021 Impact of implementation of a nutrition support program in ovarian cancer patientsGynecologic Oncology.  162:s179. 2021
    2021 Pathology findings among women with alterations in uterine bleeding patterns in cameroonGynecologic Oncology Reports.  37. 2021
    2021 Abstract 22: Screening and Treatment of Female Sex Workers for Cervical Precancers in CameroonCancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.  30:22-22. 2021
    2021 Evaluating meaningful levels of financial toxicity in gynecologic cancersInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer.  31:801-806. 2021
    2021 Type 3 Transformation Zone of the Cervix and Risk of Missed Lesions during Cervical Cancer Screening with Visual Methods: A Case Report from Cameroon 2021
    2021 The financial burden of PARP inhibitors on patients, payors, and financial assistance programs: Who bears the cost?Gynecologic Oncology.  160:800-804. 2021
    2021 Total and out-of-pocket costs for PARP inhibitors among insured ovarian cancer patientsGynecologic Oncology.  160:793-799. 2021
    2020 Estimating the time and travel costs for gynecologic cancer care – more than just moneyGynecologic Oncology.  159:e4. 2020
    2020 Employment concerns experienced by ovarian cancer patients and caregivers.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  38:69-69. 2020
    2020 Exploring the three domains of financial hardship experienced by ovarian cancer patients.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  38:71-71. 2020
    2020 Ovarian cancer patients’ perspectives on facilitators and barriers to accessing financial assistance.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  38:64-64. 2020
    2020 Characterizing patient-reported outcomes as standard of careGynecologic Oncology.  159:271. 2020
    2020 Financial toxicity begins early in the treatment course and correlates with gynecologic cancer patients’ quality of life and self-reported health statusGynecologic Oncology.  159:244-245. 2020
    2020 Improving the surgical experience in gynecologic oncology patients with use of patient engagement technology: A prospective cohort studyGynecologic Oncology.  159:296. 2020
    2020 Inpatient chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer: When is it worth it?Gynecologic Oncology.  159:317-318. 2020
    2020 Interventions targeting work-related concerns and linkage to appropriate financial resources are needed for gynecologic cancer patients starting a new line of treatmentGynecologic Oncology.  159:250. 2020
    2020 Moderate/severe distress in half of ovarian cancer patients undergoing treatment highlights a need for more proactive symptom and psychosocial managementGynecologic Oncology.  159:311. 2020
    2020 Shorter interval to subsequent therapy following a PARP inhibitor is associated with poor tolerance of the subsequent therapy (post-PARPi therapy)Gynecologic Oncology.  159:114-115. 2020
    2020 How, when, and with whom should cost of care conversations occur? preferences of two distinct cancer survivor groupsJco Oncology Practice.  16:E912-E921. 2020
    2020 Moderate/Severe Distress in Half of Ovarian Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment Highlights a Need for More Proactive Symptom and Psychosocial ManagementGynecologic Oncology.  158:e11. 2020
    2020 Society of gynecologic oncology future of physician payment reform task force: Lessons learned in developing and implementing surgical alternative payment modelsGynecologic Oncology.  156:701-709. 2020
    2020 Extensive financial hardship among gynecologic cancer patients starting a new line of therapyGynecologic Oncology.  156:271-277. 2020
    2019 Evaluating the early impact of adding a financial counselor to an Oncology Care Model pilot program.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  37:67-67. 2019
    2019 Evaluating uptake and patient satisfaction with an out-of-pocket cost tracker for gynecologic cancer patients undergoing treatment.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  37:101-101. 2019
    2019 Clinical outcomes in ovarian cancer patients receiving three versus more cycles of chemotherapy after neoadjuvant treatment and interval cytoreductive surgeryInternational Journal of Gynecological Cancer.  29:1156-1163. 2019
    2019 Corrigendum to “Financial toxicity – An overlooked side effect” (Gynecologic Oncology (2018) 150(1) (3–6), (S0090825818308990), (10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.05.012))Gynecologic Oncology.  154:449. 2019
    2019 Low knowledge of coverage benefits and insurance characteristics do not increase the risk of financial toxicity in the gynecologic cancer populationGynecologic Oncology.  154:167. 2019
    2019 More severe financial toxicity correlated with worse quality of life in gynecologic cancer patients on treatmentGynecologic Oncology.  154:165. 2019
    2019 Resource utilization in the final 30 days of life for Medicare patients with ovarian cancer: An opportunity for improvementGynecologic Oncology.  154:219-220. 2019
    2019 The cost of treatment: Financial toxicity and opportunity costs among gynecologic cancer patients starting a new line of treatmentGynecologic Oncology.  154:6. 2019
    2019 The value of financial and time costs to ovarian cancer patients when making decisions about their careGynecologic Oncology.  154:167. 2019
    2019 Perspectives on conversations about costs of cancer care of breast cancer survivors and cancer center staff: A qualitative studyACP journal club.  170:S54-S61. 2019
    2019 Targeted composite value-based endpoints in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancerGynecologic Oncology.  152:445-451. 2019
    2019 Emerging From the Haze: A Pilot Study Evaluating Feasibility of a Psychoeducational Intervention to Improve Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Gynecologic Cancer Survivors.Journal of Palliative Care.  34:32-37. 2019
    2019 Prognostic role of pathologic response and cytoreductive status at interval debulking surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer 2019
    2018 Time to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer: Compliance with ovarian cancer quality indicators at a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.Gynecologic Oncology.  151:501-505. 2018
    2018 Treatment of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma in a nulligravid womanGynecologic Oncology.  151:6-9. 2018
    2018 Financial toxicity – An overlooked side effectGynecologic Oncology.  150:3-6. 2018
    2018 Bevacizumab, TKI, or PARPi? A targeted approach using composite value-based endpoints and biomarkers to individualize care for platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (PSROC)Gynecologic Oncology.  149:10-11. 2018
    2018 Do patients care who is paying for their ovarian cancer treatment? Patient perspectives on value-based assessmentsGynecologic Oncology.  149:124. 2018
    2018 Pelvic exenteration for cervical cancer: An endangered skill?Gynecologic Oncology.  149:80. 2018
    2018 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Future of Physician Payment Reform Task Force report: The Endometrial Cancer Alternative Payment Model (ECAP).Gynecologic Oncology.  149:232-240. 2018
    2018 Cancer Genetic Counseling and Testing: Perspectives of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients and Gynecologic Oncology Healthcare ProvidersJournal of Genetic Counseling.  27:177-186. 2018
    2017 ASCO Value Framework Highlights the Relative Value of Treatment Options in Ovarian Cancer.Jco Oncology Practice.  13:e1030-e1039. 2017
    2017 Follow-up study to assess durability of a nursing protocol to improve postpartum inpatient HPV vaccinationGynecologic Oncology.  145:163-164. 2017
    2017 Pathologic response differs between and within tumor sites at the time of interval debulking surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancerGynecologic Oncology.  145:104. 2017
    2017 Prospective patient-elicited value assessments of options in the primary treatment of ovarian cancerGynecologic Oncology.  145:45-46. 2017
    2017 Time to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer: Compliance with ovarian cancer quality indicators at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centerGynecologic Oncology.  145:152-153. 2017
    2016 Antibiotic Use Negatively Influences Survival in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Case for Studying the MicrobiomeGynecologic Oncology.  143:204. 2016
    2016 Genetic Counseling and Testing in Ovarian Cancer From the Patient PerspectiveGynecologic Oncology.  143:220. 2016
    2016 Glasgow Prognostic Score Associated with Lower Rates of R0 Cytoreduction in Women with Stage III Serous Ovarian CancerGynecologic Oncology.  143:219. 2016
    2016 Antibiotics and the commensal microbiota: Impact on survival in women with epithelial ovarian cancerGynecologic Oncology.  141:61. 2016
    2016 Need for additional training in genetic counseling among gynecologic oncology providersGynecologic Oncology.  141:77. 2016
    2016 Pathologic response at interval debulking surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy predicts improved survival in women with ovarian cancerGynecologic Oncology.  141:148-149. 2016
    2016 Patient preference-weighted assessments using the ASCO value framework in recurrent, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.Journal of Clinical Oncology.  34:6630-6630. 2016
    2015 Robotic Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer in Obese Patients With Comorbidities: Evaluating Postoperative Complications.International Journal of Gynecological Cancer.  25:1271-1276. 2015
    2015 Setting the bar: compliance with ovarian cancer quality indicators at a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.Gynecologic Oncology.  138:689-693. 2015
    2015 Setting the bar: Compliance with ovarian cancer quality indicators at a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC)Gynecologic Oncology.  137:41-42. 2015
    2015 Predicting inpatient stay lasting 2 midnights or longer after robotic surgery for endometrial cancer.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.  22:583-589. 2015
    2014 Risk of complications after robotic hysterectomy for endometrial cancer in obese patients with preoperative comorbiditiesGynecologic Oncology.  133:157. 2014
    2014 Training the next generation of robotic surgeons using guided mentorship: a randomized controlled trial.Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology.  21:1075-1079. 2014
    2013 Reducing readmissions after robotic surgical management of endometrial cancer: a potential for improved quality care.Gynecologic Oncology.  131:508-511. 2013
    2013 Predicting patients requiring prolonged hospitalization after robotic surgery for the management of endometrial cancer: An opportunity for improvementGynecologic Oncology.  131:250. 2013
    2013 Reducing readmissions after robotic surgical management of endometrial cancer: A potential for improved quality careGynecologic Oncology.  131:272-273. 2013
    2011 Use of a nanoporous biodegradable miniature device to regulate cytokine release for cancer treatment.Journal of Controlled Release.  151:239-245. 2011
    2008 Giant breast tumors: surgical management of phyllodes tumors, potential for reconstructive surgery and a review of literature.World Journal of Surgical Oncology.  6:117. 2008
    2008 Biphasic anaphylactic reaction to blue dye during sentinel lymph node biopsy.World Journal of Surgical Oncology.  6:79. 2008
    2007 Current immunotherapeutic strategies in breast cancer.Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America.  16:841-ix. 2007
    2006 High-Temperature Thermosetting Polyimide Nanocomposites Prepared with Reduced Charge OrganoclayHigh Performance Polymers.  18:71-82. 2006

    Research Overview

  • I am interested in studying the out of pocket costs that gynecologic cancer patients face while undergoing diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. These costs can lead patients to experience financial distress and decrease in quality of life.

    I am working to develop ways to provide:
    - universal screening for financial distress
    - improved communication about the anticipated costs of care
    - resources to identify assistance programs and decrease this financial burden on patients
    - education for patients to help them plan and make informed decisions with their health care providers
  • Investigator On

  • Comprehensive Cancer Center Core Support Grant  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • Comprehensive Cancer Center Core Support Grant - Expanding Distress Screening To Optimize Identification Of Cancer Patients Experiencing Financial Hardship To Enhance Delivery Of Financial Navigation Services  awarded by National Cancer Institute/NIH/DHHS
  • ECOG-ACRIN Purchase Service Agreement  awarded by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group
  • Emotional Well-Being and Economic Burden Research Network  awarded by NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE HEALTH/NIH/DHHS
  • Feasibility & Impact of A Comprehensive Telehealth Program on Reducing Geographic Barriers to Treatment and Improving Symptom Management in Rural Patients with Advanced Ovarian Cancer  awarded by NATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE CANCER NETWORK
  • NRG Oncology Member Institution Clinical Trial Fixed Price Subaward Agreement  awarded by NRG ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
  • OB/GYN Faculty Research Career Development Program  awarded by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/NIH/DHHS
  • Private Grant  awarded by ABBVIE INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by TESARO, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMMUNOGEN, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by TAPIMMUNE, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Private Grant  awarded by ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP
  • Private Grant  awarded by GENMAB
  • Private Grant  awarded by CELSION CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by TESARO, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by AGENUS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERCK & COMPANY, INC. ^
  • Private Grant  awarded by ASTRAZENECA PHARMACEUTICALS LP
  • Private Grant  awarded by Leap Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Private Grant  awarded by SEAGEN INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by FAETH THERAPEUTICS, INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMMUNOGEN, INC.
  • The Role of Multilevel Access Dimensions in Ovarian Cancer Disparities  awarded by Duke University
  • Therapeutic Use of HPV L1 Vaccine in Anogenital Neoplasia: VIVA Trial  awarded by Hutchinson (Fred) Cancer Research Center
  • UAB 1764:The Targeted Agent and Profiling Utilization Registry (TAPUR) Study  awarded by American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • UAB 18107 - A Phase 2, Single Arm Study of Atezolizumab + Bevacizumab in Women with Advanced, Recurrent or Persistent Endometrial Cancer  awarded by University of Oklahoma
  • UAB NRG Oncology Master Institution Purchased Service Agreement  awarded by NRG ONCOLOGY FOUNDATION
  • Education And Training

  • The Ohio State University, Residency
  • UCLA, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Full Name

  • Margaret Liang