How Anna Kharzhevskaia Is Transforming Oncology CME Learning at Binaytara

What happens when expertise in theater production, educational pedagogy, and psychology meets large-scale conference management? That combination is what defines Anna Kharzhevskaia, the Assistant Manager of Education Programs at Binaytara.

Anna brings a rare blend of educational insight and logistical mastery to her role at Binaytara. She is the driving force behind the development of OncoBlast. OncoBlast is the organization’s oncology-focused, game-based app that allows healthcare professionals to earn MOC points and CME credits for free. Since stepping into her role, she has helped design and implement multiple CME courses, elevating OncoBlast to an innovative and comprehensive learning management system.

Her journey, from organizing massive online conferences in Moscow, Russia, to managing in-person medical education events in the United States, highlights her adaptability and passion for connecting people through learning.

We sat down with Anna to explore her educational background, professional journey, and vision for the future of medical education technology. In this interview, she shares insights on cross-cultural adaptation, educational innovation, and the collaborative spirit that fuels Binaytara’s mission.

Anna at Binaytara’s Best of ASCO, Boise 2025 conference

Question | Binaytara: Can you tell us about your educational background and professional experience before joining Binaytara?

Answer | Anna:

"I have a very diverse educational background. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, a Master's degree in Pedagogy and Psychology, and a PhD in Pedagogical Sciences with double specialization in Teaching & Education and Educational Psychology (Digital Learning Environments). In Russia, I worked in many different fields, including as a theatrical producer and operations manager, and spent my last three years there as a project manager creating online education programs. We organized large online conferences, sometimes lasting five days, with 100 speakers and up to 11,000 participants across the country. During the pandemic, we truly mastered reaching people through technology, teaching educators and librarians how to use digital platforms."

Question | Binaytara: What skills from your diverse background do you think are most valuable in your current role?

Answer | Anna:

"I think my experience organizing large-scale conferences really prepared me for this work. In Russia, I closely worked with my PhD advisor on organizing conferences, sometimes as a volunteer, and I also worked at festivals and concerts. My research background from my PhD work helps me systematize and organize information effectively. The combination of event management, research skills, and understanding how to work with technology platforms all come together in what I do here at Binaytara."

Question | Binaytara: What does a typical day look like for you at Binaytara?

Answer | Anna:

“Every morning, I start by checking my emails and updating agendas based on any changes. I spend a lot of time in planning meetings with conference chairs, and after those meetings, I create detailed minutes and handle all logistical coordination: agenda planning, speaker communication, and figuring out which speakers will present in which sessions. On a daily basis, I manage education program assistants, onboard new team members, and conduct interviews. I also work on OncoBlast, editing templates and checking references. I use my research background to ensure all the information is accurate and properly formatted. Recently, I have also been handling Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) credits for pharmacists and communicating with accreditation bodies. And of course, my workday during conferences and events will be completely different but very exciting and educational.”

Question | Binaytara: You mentioned transitioning from mostly online conferences to in-person events. How has that experience been?

Answer | Anna:

"It has been really exciting to communicate with people from different places, such as doctors and researchers, and to learn something new from each interaction. I have been to at least four conferences so far, and even though I don't have a medical education, I can understand the research framework because of my background. I really enjoy learning from our team members and from Dr. Shah and Bhawana about how they conduct meetings and communicate. For me, it is always exciting to study and learn something new."

Question | Binaytara: How did you become the lead on OncoBlast development?

Answer | Anna:

"It happened because of my previous experience with research and my ability to systematize information. When I came to Binaytara, we needed to develop OncoBlast, and there were already a lot of great materials that had not been put into courses yet. Dr. Shah and I work closely on reviewing content and determining which topics are most important. Step by step, I organized the information, edited references, and worked with course authors to adjust materials to our templates or create new ones. Now we have around 27 courses on OncoBlast."

Question | Binaytara: What's your vision for the future of OncoBlast?

Answer | Anna:

"I want to bring my experience from online learning platforms to make it truly digital and engaging. The first step was systematizing information, but I also worked closely with the marketing team to create special covers for each course. We now have color coding based on cancer types, so people can easily understand what each course covers. In the future, I envision much more interactive content, not just questions, but pictures, maybe podcasts, integrated into the platform. We are working with the IT team to add visual learning materials, so when someone opens a question, they might see relevant images or diagrams."

Question | Binaytara: How has it been working with the CME team, which is the largest team at Binaytara?

Answer | Anna:

"It's great to communicate and work with them. I learn a lot from our Director of Education, Bhawana Srivastava. As a team, we support each other. For example, in planning meetings, we help each other formulate the right questions to guide our discussions toward creating exceptional events. The communication is excellent, even though English is my second language. Everyone is very supportive and collaborative."

Question | Binaytara: What's something people might not realize takes so much care in your work?

Answer | Anna:

"The systematization and organization of educational content requires a lot of attention to detail. Making sure all references are correct, that learning objectives align with the target audience, and that everything is properly formatted. Also, coordinating with speakers to ensure their materials fit our templates can be challenging."

Question | Binaytara: To wrap up, how would you describe your experience at Binaytara in one word or phrase?

Answer | Anna:

"Innovation and connection. There is a lot of belonging here, bright emotions, and important work for future generations. This company works at the intersection of new technology, such as AI development, and medical education. It is a completely new approach. I feel like we are working on something that will shape the future."

Learn with Us and Drive Meaningful Impact

As a leader in global oncology, Binaytara continues to innovate in medical education through platforms like OncoBlast and comprehensive CME conferences. Our multidisciplinary programs are designed for physicians, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals committed to advancing cancer care. We believe that targeted CME and cross-institutional collaboration are essential to expanding the reach and impact of novel cancer treatments. Learn more about upcoming regional and national hematology/oncology conferences and initiatives at the Binaytara Education Academy.