Community serving through outreach and engagement
By partnering with local community members, health systems, patients and their families, the UF Health Cancer Center is reducing the burden of cancer in the 23 counties we serve — from prevention to survivorship. The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement forms partnerships with the community and scientists, conducts outreach, provides education and increases access to evidence-based cancer screening services to address catchment needs and disparities.
WHO WE ARE
Meet the Team
Our staff and faculty are committed to reducing cancer-related health disparities and the cancer burden faced in our communities by developing and using novel community outreach and engagement strategies, promoting evidence-based screening and linking patients to care and cancer research opportunities.
GOVERNANCE
Community Advisory Board
The Community Advisory Board gathers quarterly with the COE team to discuss outreach opportunities and ongoing research and to build partnerships with local organizations that share the goal of reducing the cancer burden in the community.
Fostering Collaborations
Community Scientists
Community scientists collaborate with researchers to ensure community perspectives are incorporated throughout the research continuum, from topic identification to study design and dissemination of findings.
Partnering for a Greater Impact
Community Partners
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement works closely with a variety of community organizations to strengthen its impact.
understanding the population we serve
Assess and monitor the cancer burden, including disparities in incidence mortality and risk factors
in the catchment area using clinical, census tract and community members’ reported outcomes.
who we serve
Our Catchment Area
The UF Health Cancer Center serves diverse communities in North Central Florida, providing exceptional care, engaging in groundbreaking research and fostering collaboration. It is our goal that everyone residing within our catchment area — from the farmlands of Live Oak, to the coastal waters of Apalachicola Bay — has access to world class cancer care.
Cancer Control Interventions
Disseminate and implement evidence-based interventions
to reduce the cancer burden and translate research findings into policy and practice across the cancer continuum by engaging community partners.
Reducing barriers to care
Mobile Cancer Screening Connector
The Mobile Cancer Screening Connector is outfitted with leading-edge technology to bring a range of cancer screening and health care services directly to the community.
INTERVENING TO IMPROVE CARE
Community screening navigation
We are working with local communities and clinics to increase access to high-quality cancer prevention, detection and treatment services.
Educational Events
Cancer Connections
Cancer Connections is an educational and networking event that brings together cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and health care professionals. Presentation topics include leading-edge cancer research, treatment options and health care services, explained in an easy-to-understand way.
Helping Shape Health Policy
Cancer Policy Internship
The Cancer Policy Internship immerses students in the life of a legislative aide in Washington D.C., the heart of federal policy and legislative action. For four months, UF students play an integral role in supporting the university’s agenda on a national level, ensuring UF is a leading expert voice on important issues.
Support Group
Beautiful Gate Breast Cancer Support Group
The UF Health Cancer Center partners with The Beautiful Gate Cancer Support & Resource Center to host a virtual breast cancer support group on the last Thursday of every month.
Research Impact
Enhance the impact of UF Health Cancer Center research on the catchment area
by involving the community in setting the UF Health Cancer Center research agenda, aligning research with the catchment area cancer burden, linking UF Health Cancer Center members with the community and facilitating improved enrollment of diverse, underrepresented community members in interventional trials.
Collaborating for Greater Impact
Community-Engaged Research
Community engagement is a framework that describes collaboration between researchers and community members throughout the research process.
Supporting Researchers
Front-door services
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement offers numerous services for researchers across all phases of studies. Each plays an important role in facilitating collaboration, providing expertise and fostering meaningful engagement.
Reducing Health Disparities
Community-Partnered Cancer Disparities Research Collaborative (CDRC)
The CDRC consists of a group of eight Black churches, an interdisciplinary team of culturally sensitive researchers, and a health disparities research support staff working collaboratively to conduct community-based participatory research to help prevent and/or reduce cancers among Blacks and others who live in the East Gainesville community in Gainesville, Florida.
Advocating for Equal Access to Care
Transportation & Lodging for Care (TLC) Service
The Transportation & Lodging for Care (TLC) service is designed not just to assist, but to rethink how we support patients along their cancer journey. TLC coordinators can help arrange lodging at local hotels, provide meals during patients’ stay, offer assistance with gas costs, and even organize rides if needed.
News & Updates
NEWS & UPDATES
Follow our news and updates
Read our latest news and feature stories and subscribe to our newsletter.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
Contact Us
Reach out to the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement to learn more about our services and initiatives.
