TUFCCC/HC Regional Comprehensive Cancer Health Partnership

Temple Univ Of The Commonwealth, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The Synergistic Partnership for Enhancing Excellence in Cancer Health (SPEECH) is a highly collaborative and mutually beneficial Partnership between Temple University/Fox Chase Cancer Center (TUFCCC) and Hunter College (HC) and the only NCI-funded U54 CPACHE in PA and NJ and one of two in NYC. Our established robust research infrastructure has made significant contributions to addressing substantial gaps in cancer research that affect patient health and outcomes across the United States. In the past five years, SPEECH directly supported 84 investigators, mentored 180 trainees, funded 56 cancer disparities projects, facilitated 93 publications and directly stimulated $45 million externally funded grants. Additionally, 14 ESIs received career advancement, we engaged 50 neighborhood-based organizations, trained 41 lay health workers and educated 1200 members of local neighborhoods to provide cancer prevention services at the local level. Leveraging this momentum of success our Vision is to “Promote excellence in cancer research, education, local engagement, and strengthen infrastructure and capacity building for long-term impact.” Through exceptional institutional commitments, two full projects, a pilot project and integrated cores of Administrative, Research Education, Biostatistics/Bioinformatics, Planning and Evaluation, and Outreach, we propose to achieve the following specific aims. Aim 1: Accelerate TUFCCC-HC Partnership transdisciplinary cancer research collaborations and advance cancer health across the spectrum of basic, clinical and population sciences. Aim 1a: build, strengthen and sustain cancer research capacities and infrastructure at HC. Aim 1b: advance cancer research to maximize impact at TUFCCC. Aim 1c: foster community-driven research to address unmet needs in cancer research and health across the PA-NJ-NYC region. Aim 2. Train the next generation of cancer scientists and workforce leaders, building a pipeline of students equipped to contribute to the nation’s cancer research efforts, providing them with multidisciplinary cancer research education experiences and mentorship, and career development opportunities through the implementation of enhanced Summer Cancer Research Institute and newly established Hunter/Temple HEAL Program. Aim 3. Recruit, mentor and retain ESIs, to enhance career development and facilitate their transition to independent investigators. Aim 4. Use bidirectional community-engaged approaches with local stakeholders to implement a robust outreach program that builds bridges between stakeholders and researchers to support: a) cancer education and interventions, b) cutting-edge impactful cancer research projects and c) key research competencies for investigators and trainees. Aim 5. Conduct a mixed-method evaluation aimed at monitoring progress, providing feedback and summative impact data on all Partnership programing for promoting sustainable solutions to improved cancer health excellence.