Advisory Councils
The Duke Cancer Institute CAC's Vision for a More Equitable Future in Cancer Care
The Duke Cancer Institute Community Advisory Council (CAC)’s goal is to reduce the burden of cancer for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers, eliminate health disparities and advance cancer health equity among diverse populations and geographic areas within our catchment area:
Community Advisory Council
The Duke Cancer Institute’s Community Advisory Council (CAC) provides a platform for meaningful, intentional, and bi-directional relationships between communities in our catchment area and the DCI. Members represent diverse perspectives and geographic areas within our catchment area and provide an opportunity to build long-lasting connections that foster trust, inclusivity, transparency and openness. The CAC partners with DCI researchers to understand the cancer health needs in our catchment area, help foster trust with our local communities, collaborate on research studies, raise awareness through cancer education, early detection and outreach events, and partner in dissemination of results to various communities.
Team Members
CAC members represent diverse perspectives and geographic regions in our catchment area
- Durham County – 7 members
- Wake County – 3 members
- Robeson County – 1 member
- Wilson County – 1 member
- Edgecombe County – 1 member
- Columbus County – 1 member
- Mecklenburg County – 1 member
COEE Steering Committee
The DCI COEE steering committee, made up of experts across patient, community, and scientific groups, serves as an advisory board to the COEE program. The steering committee ensures that we actively engage multiple perspectives across DCI to reduce the burden of cancer in our community and beyond, and achieve health equity. The Steering Committee meets quarterly with the COEE program leadership.
COEE Liaisons
COEE liaisons are representatives from each DCI program and help facilitate COEE related activities with members of the respective DCI program. These individuals were identified by a collaborative process with Program leaders to find the best representative for their respective group.
Patient Advocate Council for Inclusive Research (PACIR)
To recruit, train and support a cohort of diverse cancer patients treated for cancer at DCI who are willing and able to serve as Patient Advocate Council for Inclusive Research (PACIR). We hope that this group of advocates not only contribute effectively to the development and implementation of cancer research projects at DCI, but aid in creating a network that promotes bidirectional knowledge and communication between scientists and the public.
Following the training period, PACIRs will:
- Ensure that perspectives from diverse patients informs all aspects of clinical research
- Serve as patient advocates on new and established clinical research studies
- Collaboratively design patient-centered communication, recruitment, and retention plans
- Assist with raising awareness about the benefits of clinical research to diverse patients and communities
- Support with development and review of clinical research trial proposals
- Assist with dissemination of study results to various communities, and return of results, as appropriate
Benefits of participating are:
- Share your experience to improve cancer outcomes for others like you.
- Collaborate with world-leading cancer clinicians and researchers.
- Network with other patient advocates in regional and national organizations.
- Contribute to stronger cancer research studies that benefit diverse patients.
- Learn more about the process of clinical trials and clinical research.
- Help educate your community on the importance of cancer research and clinical trials.
