Community Cancer Outreach
The PHSU-MCC Partnership is a collaboration between Tampa's Moffitt Cancer Center and Puerto Rico's Ponce Health Sciences University to improve cancer outcomes in our catchment areas. As part of its initiatives, the PHSU-MCC Partnership's Outreach Core is focused on increasing awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and research among people in our catchment areas.
To achieve this goal, the Outreach Core offers free educational events for people in the catchment areas of the South and Southwest areas of Puerto Rico, the greater Tampa Bay area, and in Central Florida that focus on community engagement, cancer education, and capacity building. Event topics include how to reduce your risk of cancer by engaging in healthy lifestyle choices, information about specific cancer topics, and information about participating in cancer research. Events are delivered in English and/or Spanish.
Our events are enhanced by the collaboration of our Community Health Educators (CHEs) who work directly with community members and community-based organizations in both Puerto Rico and Florida. The community health educators directly link community members with the Partnership's cancer research initiatives and other cancer educational information. Their presence helps ensure that the information shared meets the educational needs and is specific to community members in each catchment area. Please contact our CHE, Brenda Ramos, for any information on community events or any cancer education needs.
The Community Health Educators also work with a Community Advisory Panel (CAP) in both Puerto Rico and Florida ensuring the communities' views are represented. The CAP assists in designing programs and educational events conducted under the Partnership. Each CAP is composed of community members who represent a variety of perspectives (patients, survivors, family members, caregivers, healthcare providers and community-based organizations). These individuals work closely with the community health educators to deliver educational events which are successful and engaging within communities. Aside from assisting in program design and educational events, the CAP provides guidance in the recruitment and retention of research participants.
| Moffitt | Role | Ponce | Role |
| Shannon Christy, PhD | Co-Leader | Julio Jiménez, MD | Co-Leader |
| Brian Gonzalez, PhD | Co-Investigator | Eida Castro, PhD | Co-Investigator |
| Susan T. Vadaparampil, PhD, MPH | Co-Investigator | Nicole Muñoz, DrPH, MPH, CPH | Co-Investigator |
| Maria Alejandra García | Community Health Educator | Lynette Ruiz, PhD | Co-Investigator |
| Arline Vela, AA | Program Coordinator | ||
| Brenda Ramos Gonzalez, MPHE | Community Health Educator |
Join us in our efforts to improve cancer outcomes in Puerto Rico and Florida by participating in our free educational events and learn more about cancer control and prevention and cancer research!
Please click here if you would like to be notified of upcoming events in Puerto Rico (south and southwest areas) and/or if you would like to schedule a cancer education event for your group/organization in Puerto Rico.
Please click here if you would like to be notified of upcoming events in Tampa Bay and Central Florida and/or if you would like to schedule a cancer education event for your group/organization in Florida.
