The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, in partnership with Wayne State University School of Medicine, will welcome community members and stakeholders to a reception Oct. 10 to launch the newly created Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement.
The mission of the office is to eliminate cancer health disparities in Michigan by promoting community-engaged research and supporting fair access to the full continuum of cancer care for all populations.
The office encourages targeted cancer research that is relevant to diverse populations within Karmanos' statewide, 46-county area; engages community stakeholders in research as collaborators and decision-makers; and advocates for health policy that reduces the burden of cancer.
Hayley Thompson, Ph.D., associate professor of Oncology for the Wayne State University School of Medicine and leader of the Population Studies and Disparities Research Program for KCI, serves as faculty director of the new office.
The reception will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Wertz Auditorium at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, 4100 John R, Detroit (enter through the main entrance off John R).
Space is limited. Register at www.karmanos.org/OCHECE-launch. Contact Knoll Larkin at 313-576-9691 or email larkink@karmanos.org for additional information and parking availability.
The event is open to community members, stakeholders, researchers and academic representatives.
Speakers will include Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of KCI and chair of the WSU Department of Oncology; Hayley Thompson, Ph.D., associate center director for Community Outreach and Engagement, and faculty director of the Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement for KCI and the WSU School of Medicine; Madeline Bialecki, executive director of The Lake House; Patrick Lindsay, vice president of WSU Government and Community Affairs; Polly Hager, M.S.N., R.N., Cancer Prevention and Control Section manager, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Pastor Jean Overman of Christ Temple of Refuge Church and executive director of Operation Refuge; Cathy Bock, Ph.D., co-leader of the Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program and associate professor of WSU Oncology and Madiha Tariq, M.P.H., deputy director of the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center.