Karmanos Cancer Institute launches Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement with Oct. 10 reception

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Oct 04, 2018, 17:20 ET

DETROIT, Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, in partnership with Wayne State University School of Medicine, will welcome community members and stakeholders to a reception on Wednesday, Oct. 10, to launch the newly created Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE). The mission of the OCHECE 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.

Karmanos Cancer Institute, in partnership with Wayne State University School of Medicine, will launch the Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement at a reception of community stakeholders on Oct. 10. Faculty Director of OCHECE is Hayley Thompson, Ph.D., associate center director, Community Outreach and Engagement, Karmanos Cancer Institute, and Wayne State University. Staff include (L-R) Voncile Brown-Miller, Sara Kim, Dr. Thompson, Knoll Larkin, Carie Francis and Lezina Topciu.

OCHECE 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.

Faculty Director of OCHECE is Hayley Thompson, Ph.D., associate center director, Community Outreach and Engagement, Karmanos Cancer Institute, and associate professor, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine.

WHAT:	Launch of Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement at Karmanos Cancer Institute, in partnership with Wayne State University School of Medicine

WHEN:	Wednesday, Oct. 10
	1 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Program followed by reception.

WHERE:	Karmanos Cancer Institute
	4100 John R, Detroit, Mich., 48201 (Enter through main entrance off John R.)
	Wertz Auditorium, 2nd Floor

COST:	FREE

REGISTER:	Space is limited. Register at www.karmanos.org/OCHECE-launch. Registration is encouraged by Oct. 8. Contact Knoll Larkin at 313-576-9691 or email [email protected] for additional information and parking availability.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

	Community members, stakeholders, researchers and academic representatives.

SPEAKERS:	In order of appearance: Gerold Bepler, M.D, Ph.D., president & CEO, Karmanos Cancer Institute and chair, Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine; Hayley Thompson, Ph.D., associate center director, Community Outreach and Engagement, and faculty director, Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement, Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine; Madeline Bialecki, executive director, The Lake House; Patrick Lindsay, vice president, Government and Community Affairs, Wayne State University; Polly A. Hager, MSN, RN, Cancer Prevention and Control Section Manager, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; Pastor Jean Overman, Christ Temple of Refuge Church, and executive director, Operation Refuge; Cathy Bock, Ph.D., co-leader, Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program, and associate professor, Department of Oncology, Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine; and Madiha Tariq, MPH, deputy director, ACCESS Community Health & Research Center.

Learn more about the goals and initiatives of OCHECE, meet the staff and some of the community members partnering with Karmanos to support access to a full continuum of cancer care for all populations.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Karmanos Cancer Institute is headquartered in Detroit, with 15 locations throughout Michigan. As part of McLaren, Karmanos is the largest cancer care and research network in the state. It is among the nation's best cancer centers as one of the National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States and the only one located in metro Detroit. Karmanos cancer experts focus solely on cancer to prevent, detect and treat as well as eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit www.karmanos.org. Follow Karmanos on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.