About Us

Mission

OCECHE’s mission is to serve as a bridge between community partners & the Cancer Center to facilitate bidirectional engagement that promotes equitable collaboration and eliminates disparities.

We strive to build community capacity, foster participatory research, disseminate evidence-based programs, and use data to advocate for underserved communities.

How

1. Monitor cancer burden in catchment area to prioritize research & outreach
2. Support partners in community-responsive research
3. Promote cancer education and control
4. Drive policy initiatives to promote sustainable change

History

The Comprehensive Cancer Center established the Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities (OCECD) in 2010 as part of a renewed and expanded commitment to serve local communities through research, education and outreach programs. OCECD was led by Dr. Karen Kim, who was joined by Nita Lee, MD, in 2015 as Faculty Director to help continue the expansion of community outreach and efforts. In 2019, the OCECD was rebranded and renamed the Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Health Equity (OCECHE).

The OCECHE has formed strategic alliances with UChicago units and other healthcare organizations, as well as community, ethnic, and faith-based groups to create innovative programs that will increase access to care, reduce risk factors for cancer, reduce tobacco use, increase participation in cancer research and improve the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.