Community Outreach and Engagement

Indiana University Indianapolis, Indianapolis IN

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

In 1999, the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) became an NCI-designated cancer center, with the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (OCOE) formalized in 2018. A Health Quality Advisory Committee (HQAC) that included leaders of organizations focused on populations experiencing higher cancer burden was developed as part of the OCOE. Dr. Victoria Champion was appointed the first Associate Director. With her leadership, the COE received a score of Outstanding and IUSCCC was awarded comprehensive status. When Dr. Lee became Director of IUSCCC in 2021, Champion was charged with developing an enhanced OCOE structure that would meet the current and future needs of our catchment area. A committee was appointed to discuss an OCOE structure that would address the 2019 site visit recommendations and the current cancer burden and risk factors in Indiana. The new OCOE structure includes enhanced COE resources and supports active collaboration between community partners and researchers. In the new structure, three outreach branches were created to address major risk factors in our catchment area: 1) Tobacco Control, 2) Prevention and Screening, and 3) Survivorship and Recruitment. Supporting all branches are a COE Communications and Program Support team and a COE Data Analytics team. Four faculty liaisons were added to the OCOE structure to facilitate collaboration and information sharing between researchers and the community. The new structure emphasizes coordination with the Cancer Research Training and Education Core (CRTEC) and builds on the IUSCCC strategic plan of integrating efforts among community, and training. Nine full-time staff were hired, and a dedicated physical space was assigned to the OCOE. A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and a Research Advisory Committee (RAC) were created to complement the existing HQAC. By the end of 2022, the OCOE had acquired and trained all staff and branch leaders and developed and prioritized goals for 2023. Led by a logic model, a COE Data Analytics team established metrics to assess COE activities including intermediate and long-term outcomes.