On Friday, September 13, 2024, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center hosted the Healthy Together: Cancer Community Stakeholder Retreat. This event brought together nearly 60 community stakeholders from more than 25 organizations in the Cancer Center’s catchment area to connect, share knowledge and learn more about the communities as well as the current work being done.  

Presentations were given by Cancer Center experts Syed A. Ahmad, MD; Melinda Butsch Kovacic, PhD, MPH and Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH. Members of the recently established University of Cincinnati Cancer Center Community Advisory Board representing the Cancer Justice Network Steve Sunderland, PhD and Jada Davis also delivered a presentation. 

Speakers: 

Syed A. Ahmad, MD  Co-Director  University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

Melinda Butsch Kovacic, PhD, MPH  Associate Director, Community Outreach & Engagement  University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

Alique Topalian, PhD, MPH  Research Scientist, Division of Survivorship & Supportive Services  Department of Family & Community Medicine  University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

Steve Sunderland, PhD  Community Advisory Board Member  University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

Jada Davis  Community Advisory Board Member  University of Cincinnati Cancer Center

During the breakout sessions, groups came together to discuss, brainstorm and identify collaborative strategies to alleviate the cancer burdens and risk factors experienced by the communities in the Cancer Center’s ten-county catchment area. Strategies focused on: 

• Education and health advocacy.
• Building and leveraging key partnerships.
• Eliminating mistrust/stigma.
• Rethinking the “norm” to boost engagement.

The event also featured a networking lunch, which provided organizations the opportunity to share their goals, strategies and upcoming events with other attendees. The hope was that by bringing together community organizations in the region, the Cancer Center's priorities can be further aligned with those of the communities while also providing support where needed and collaborating on future initiatives.  

During the event, the P.R.A.I.S.E. Award was also introduced, which is given annually to individuals who have completed a cancer-related project or initiative that aims to alleviate or address the cancer burden experienced by the communities in the area. This individuals’ project must embrace partnerships, research, advocacy, innovation, service and education (PRAISE). All students, community members and researchers are eligible for nomination.