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.
Our aims
AIM 1
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.
Aim 2
Engage the community as partners to reduce the cancer burden
through dissemination of evidence-based interventions and translation of research findings into policy and practice across the cancer continuum.
Aim 3
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.
understanding the population we serve
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reducing barriers to care
Mobile Cancer Screening Connector
With a $1.5-million grant awarded through University of Florida President Ben Sasse’s strategic funding initiative and matching funds from the UF Health Cancer Center, a mobile cancer screening unit will be outfitted with leading-edge technology to bring a range of cancer screening and health care services directly to the community.
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.
Fostering Collaborations
Citizen Scientists at the UF Health Cancer Center
Citizen scientists collaborate with researchers to ensure community perspectives are incorporated throughout the research continuum, from topic identification to study design and dissemination of findings.
STAY CONNECTED
Join the CONNECT registry
Join CONNECT to learn about research studies you may be eligible to participate in and receive information about community events in your area and health promotion activities focused on cancer prevention and screening.
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.
