O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Magazine | Page 24

■❚ COMMUNITY OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT

The O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center ’ s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement held its annual Community Dissemination Institute August 21 – 23 at the Auburn Marriott Opelika Resort & Spa at Grand National .

“ Let ’ s Talk About It : Academic and Community Partners Working Together to Improve Health Equity in Cancer Education , Screening and Treatment ” was the title of the event , which attracted nearly 200 community health advisors ( CHAs ), 21 researchers and clinicians , as well as many members of the Community Advisory Board , staff , partners and guests .

The Dissemination Institute is an annual opportunity to facilitate bi-directional communication between the O ’ Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center ’ s faculty and CHAs . The CHAs , who are “ natural helpers ,” are charged with providing cancer education and awareness initiatives to medically underserved populations in Alabama and Mississippi with the ultimate goal of eliminating cancer health disparities . Attendees at this year ’ s Institute focused on access to care and learning more about the role of clinical trials in cancer treatment . As a call to action , attendees were charged with empowering themselves and their communities to address health equity in a number of ways . “ What an educational event this was for me ,” said Community Advisory Board member Scott McQueen , a first-time attendee of the institute . “ I ’ m still processing what I learned .”

“ This was my first experience at the Institute . Being in a room with hundreds of people carrying the same mission is a rarity ,” said Community Outreach & Engagement Associate Director Timiya Nolan , Ph . D . “ It was my absolute pleasure to witness and be a part of the energy and renewed commitment to reduce the cancer burden and disparities in Alabama . The Institute has always been a curated space to bring community members together with academicians , health care providers , and others to have conversations that lead to new ideas , programs and research . This bi-directional communication is essential in our pursuit of closing disparity gaps .”

Organized by the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement , the event included many generous sponsors , who provided funding for CHA lodging , meals and transportation assistance .

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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