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 catchment area cancer burden and disparities

We are using linked clinical social determinants of health and data reported from community members.

Aim 2

Engage the community as partners

Through outreach and education, we are engaging the community as partners in adopting evidence-based strategies for cancer prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship.

Aim 3

Enhance the impact of UF Health Cancer Center research

We are involving the community in Cancer Center research agenda setting, aligning research with the catchment area cancer burden, linking Cancer Center scientists with the community and facilitating access to interventional trials, particularly for the traditionally underrepresented.

AIM 4

Engage others in advocacy and policy development

We are engaging faculty, trainees and the community in advocacy and policy development.

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

Project CONTINUITY

Project CONTINUITY is 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.

A man in a red shirt speaks with a woman in a black shirt at a table with a window behind them.

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.