Sylvester Community Advisory Committee (CAC) engages key community stakeholders and leaders in continuous bi-directional meaningful dialogue that serves as a building block to long-lasting, impactful relationships and collaborations in our catchment area.
Meeting Information
Our committee convenes every quarter, offering the flexibility of both in-person and virtual meetings for your convenience.
Membership
Become a member today by completing the SCCC Community Advisory Committee Membership Form.
Meeting Minutes
Stay informed and engaged with our Meeting Minutes Archive, regularly updated with summaries from past meetings.
AGENDA
11:00 a.m.- 11:01 a.m.
Welcome and Statement of Recording
Valerie Bethel, PhD, MBA/HCM, BSW
67 present (49 virtual, 18 in person)
- Names and organization below
11:00 a.m.- 11:10 a.m.
Opening Remarks
11:10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
New Member Introductions
Introductions of new members present at the meeting.
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Social Justice Theatre
Jessica Bashline
Presented the concept of using theater for social justice and social change, particularly in public health and community outreach. The approach involves participatory street theater and storytelling to address barriers to participation in clinical trials and medical mistrust.
11:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Presentation- GO2 for Lung Cancer
Shanada Monestime PharmD, BCOP
Presented the 'Ready Lung' initiative, focusing on addressing lung cancer disparities in African American communities. The initiative aims to understand the readiness of African American communities to address lung cancer disparities across the continuum of care.
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Future of CAC
Rachelle Theodore, MBA, MPH, CSSBB
Discussions were held on creating new stakeholders in the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and correlating survey results to align with community goals.
- The focus was on identifying key initiatives and opportunities that would benefit the community over the next five years.
- Suggestions on making the agenda more community-driven, with community members directly involved in setting the agenda.
- Suggestion to involve more representatives from the clergy, disability advocates, local business owners, and transportation entities to help share ideas and collaborate with.
- Importance of hearing from patients navigating illnesses in real-time to identify gaps and disparities in accessing care.
- The impact of survivor feedback in understanding the challenges faced by patients and improving community resources.
- Establishment of subcommittees for community outreach and education, survivorship and wellness, research, and membership and connection.
- Development of a timeline for drafting a work plan, measuring outcomes, and monitoring and evaluating success.
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Presentation- Structural Racism in Cancer Care Settings Pilot Study
Emma Herbach PhD, MS
Amanda Rivera, MD
Samantha McCoy
Introduced a pilot study was to characterize the cancer care journey of impacted populations and develop patient-driven recommendations to address structural racism and inequality.
12:45 p.m. – 12:55 p.m.
New RFP for Health Foundation Grant
Tiffany Albury, MPH
Introduced new request for proposals (RFP) for data-driven projects addressing health and social issues in underserved areas of Miami
12:55 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Committee Member Updates
Valerie Bethel, PhD, MBA/HCM, BSW
CAC Members
- Members were asked to share via email their community updates.
1:00 p.m. Adjournment
- May 8th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- August 7th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- November 6th- 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
| Action Items | Responsible Party | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Social Justice Theater-Further discuss ideas for collaboration and project with SCCC strategic goals and CAC vision | Jessica Bashline, interested CAC members, Erin Kobetz, Valerie Bethel | 4/2024 |
| GO2 for Lung Cancer-Establishment of possible suggested locations for fun explore opportunities for SCCC to collaborate on lung cancer screenings. | Valerie Bethel, Erin Kobetz, Antonia Levitt, Shanada Monestine | 4/2024 |
| Establishment of subcommittees for community outreach and education, survivorship and wellness, research and clinical trials, membership and connection. | Valerie Bethel, Rachelle Theodore, Steven Nimer, Erin Kobetz, Brandon Mahal | 3/2024 |
| Development of a timeline for drafting a work plan, measuring outcomes, and monitoring and evaluating success. | Valerie Bethel, Rachelle Theodore, Steven Nimer, Erin Kobetz, Brandon Mahal | 3/2024 |
| Structural Racism in Cancer Care Settings Pilot Study-Committee members to share study participant suggestions with Emma and the study team via the QR code or email | Emma Herbach, Amanda Rivera, Samantha McCoy | 3/2024 |
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Tiffany Albury | SCCC |
| Pascale Auguste | Health Education Prevention & Promotion Inc |
| Lenise Banwarie | Florida Department of Health |
| Jessica Bashline | UM |
| Sara Batrony | SB Pro Writing Services |
| Jouveline Belizaire | SCCC |
| Seth Berkowitz | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |
| Valerie Bethel | SCCC |
| Gail Brown | MSMC CCC |
| Mateo Bruer | Aqua Foundation for Women |
| Olveen Carrasquillo | UM |
| Sandrah Chalmers | SCCC |
| Katherine Chung-Bridges | Health Choice Network |
| Shemir Dauphin | SCCC |
| Vaughn Edelson | SCCC |
| Nancy Elliott | SCCC |
| Wael El-Rifai | SCCC |
| Lizzy Endemano | Health Choice Network, Inc |
| David Eugene | Haitian Evangelical Baptist Church of Miami |
| Marianne Finizio | Community Health of South Florida, Inc. (CHI) |
| Daniela Flores Quetant | SCCC |
| Danielle Gabuzda | UM- Medical Student |
| Sophia George | SCCC |
| Patrick Glover | Lion Order Gold LLC |
| Yvette Gonzalez | Fl Dept of Health Broward |
| Dorothy Graves | SCCC |
| George Grills | SCCC |
| Emma Herbach | SCCC |
| Talia Hunter | Coral Springs Parkland Fire Department |
| Jasmine Jackson | SCCC |
| Johana Jimenez | BG Integrative Studio |
| Thomasena Johnson- Hudson | FDOH- Broward |
| Josette Josue | Haitian Neighborhood Center/SantLa |
| Erin Kobetz | SCCC |
| Antonia Leavitt | SCCC |
| Jessica MacIntyre | SCCC |
| Brandon Mahal | SCCC |
| Samantha Mccoy | The Pride Center |
| Tamia Medina | UHealth |
| Talli Menchion | Early Steps |
| Nipun Merchant | SCCC |
| Kahli Merck | Gildas Club South Florida |
| Shanada Monestime | GO2 for Lung Cancer |
| Beverly Montgomery | Southernmost Coast Early Steps |
| Stephen Nimer | SCCC |
| Dr. Tyrina Phillips | The Lord's Place |
| Deborah Pulido | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |
| Amanda Rivera | SCCC |
| Tamara Rodriguez | Island TV |
| Angelica Rueda | CTSI |
| Fritz Saint-Germain | SCCC |
| Candice Schottenloher | Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County |
| Khamai Simpson | SCCC |
| Evelyne Sylvain | Sant La |
| Rachelle Theodore | CLT Business Solutions, LLC. |
| Christella Therency | FDOH- Broward |
| Ysdaly Thielen | BG Integrative Studio |
| Richard Thurer | SCCC |
| Danna Torres | Guatemalan-Maya Center |
| Jonathan Trent | SCCC |
| Kim Truong-Vu | SCCC |
| Janae Turner | Break The Cycle |
| Georgette Valls-Delgado | American Cancer Society |
| Ramiro Verdun | SCCC/UM |
| Scott Welford | SCCC |
| Cassandra White | SCCC |
| Lauren Whitmore | SCCC |
Meeting Minutes
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Nicole Acuna | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tiffany Albury | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Pascale Auguste | Health Education, Prevention & Promotion, Inc (HEPP) |
| Natasha Avrilien | Unlisted |
| Cynthia Beaver | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Jouveline Belizaire | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Seth Berkowitz | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |
| Tiffinie Bratcher | Aetna Better Health of FL |
| Katherine Chung-Bridges | Health Choice Network |
| Tracey Crane | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Jennifer Dorce-Medard | Lakeside Medical Center |
| Nancy Elliott | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Corinne Ferrari | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Sara Fleszar-Pavlovic | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Danielle Gabuzda | MSOM |
| Sophia George | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Yvette Gonzalez | Florida Department of Health |
| George Grills | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Emma Herbach | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Talia Hunter | Coral Springs Parkland Fire Department |
| Jasmine Jackson | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Alison Kerr | Florida Department of Health Monroe County |
| Judy Kline | Miami Dade County School |
| Madeline Krause | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Till Krenz | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Antonia Leavitt | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Jessica MacIntyre | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Katherine Martinez | Camillus House |
| Trivel McKire | Florida Department Of Health |
| Talli Menchion | Easter Seals |
| Kahli Merck | Gilda’s Club South Florida |
| Marsha Mullings | Lauderhill Health And Prosperity Partnership |
| Lauren Nahodyl | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Islamiyat Nancy Adebisi | Florida Department of Health Miami-Dade County |
| Stephen Nimer | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Blanca Noriega Esquives | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Vickie Perez-Marrero | Health Council of South Florida, Inc/Southeast FL Cancer Control Collaborative |
| Amanda Rivera | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tamara Rodriguez | Island TV |
| Rachael Rodriguez | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Angelica Rueda | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Farshad Sadr | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Khamai Simpson | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tenecia Sproull | The Pink Queen Foundation, Inc. |
| Jon Trent | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Georgette Valls-Delgado | American Cancer Society |
| Scott Welford | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Lauren Whitmore | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Welcome and Statement of Recording
Rachelle Theodore, MBA, MPH, CSSBB – Committee Chair
- Rachelle called the meeting to order at 11:05 am and welcome everyone.
- Virtual: 36 participants, In-person: 13 participants, Total: 48
Opening Remarks
Stephen D. Nimer, M.D – Cancer Center Director The Cancer Center Support Grant application was submitted to renew the National Cancer Institute Designation, a five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health. Sylvester performed exceptionally well during the site visit. The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is crucial in cancer screening and detection efforts. The importance of research innovation was emphasized. Sylvester aims to identify and address barriers to quality cancer care.
New Member Introductions
New members were introduced at the meeting. They include:
- Tenecia Sproull, Executive Director of The Pink Queen Foundation in West Palm Beach
- Jennifer Dorce Medard, Lakeside Medical Center, West Palm Beach
- Vickie Perez-Marrero, Health Council of South Florida, Regional Coordinator Southeast Florida Cancer Control Collaborative
Review and approval of 02/20/2024 meeting minutes
There was a motion to approve the minutes of 02/20/24 by Dr. Nimer and a second by Sara Fleszar- Pavlovic.
Community Building Activity- Listening Circle
The community-building activity allowed committee members to communicate openly and practice reflective listening from community and research perspectives. In each group, one person shared an idea, challenge, or success related to connecting to the community. At the end of the session, committee members shared their feedback, and key insights from the activity were recapped.
Key Insights Gained:
- Recognizing education as a pathway to access to care
- The importance of a cancer center tailored to the entire community
- Emphasizing engagement with community champions
- Utilizing research payments for participant engagement
- Cultivating partnerships and embracing shared decision-making
- Prioritizing bilateral communication
- Valuing the authenticity and transparency of cancer center researchers
- Promoting data sharing to address stigma
- Leveraging ambassadors to disseminate health messages
- Adopting a broad definition of community
- Fostering engagement with the community and appreciating their unique skills and perspectives is crucial for successful collaboration
- Encouraging collaborative work
- Working with the community to understand what strategies are effective or ineffective
CAC Overview & CAC Subcommittee Selection
Rachelle Theodore, MBA, MPH, LSSBB
The CAC‘s objectives have been revised to six to better align with the SCCC's goals. The By-laws will be amended to reflect the revision.
Rachelle emphasized the vital role of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) as the bridge between the community and Sylvester to create an impactful community presence. The CAC's "Plan, Do, Evaluate" framework was discussed to outline the approach to achieving goals. Trust was highlighted as essential for effective community engagement, which researchers must build and maintain.
- Plan: The CAC engages its members to plan and structure initiatives focusing on community input.
- Do: The CAC subcommittees work towards the developed action items and implement those initiatives.
- Evaluate: The CAC evaluates and measures outcomes to identify successes and areas for improvement.
Community members were encouraged to join subcommittees addressing action items aligned with committee objectives: Community Outreach and Education, Research Innovation and Clinical Trials, Survivorship and Support Services, and Membership and Connection.
A survey link was shared so committee members could sign up and participate in these subcommittees.
Presentation- SCAN360 - Factsheet: HIV/AIDS-related malignancies
Lauren Nahodyl, MSc., Lead Research Analyst
Till Krenz, PhD, Manager, Research Data Science
Farshad Sadr, MS, UHealth Data Scientist
The SCAN360 team presented both previous and new fact sheets, which included:
- Vegetation Density and Cancer Incidence in Miami-Dade
- Cancer Trends in the Catchment Area, Florida, and the U.S.
- AIDS-Related Malignancies
- Cancer Risk Factors
These fact sheets provided an overview of cancer-related indicators for Sylvester’s catchment area. The presentation led to discussions on the importance of investing in green spaces in communities. Committee members were encouraged to explore cancer-related data at www.scan360.com.
Committee Member Updates
- Tamara Beliard Rodriguez, CFO and Vice President of Island TV
Tamara shared information about the “Be the Best You” Program, hosted in collaboration with Sylvester. Tamara also shared about the Creole Action Team with United Way of Broward. The Creole Action Team's mission is to provide access to mental health and drug prevention resources. - Daniella Gabuzda, 3rd-year University of Miami MD/MPH student
Danielle shared her potential collaborative projects on HPV-related cancers in South Florida and asked to collaborate with CAC community members on program initiatives. Interested CAC members were encouraged to contact Daniella Gabuzda at dfg51@miami.edu. - Seth Berkowitz, Director of Strategic Healthcare Partnerships, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS)
Seth shared LLS’s free blood cancer education program for Spanish speakers scheduled for May 18.
Next Steps
Committee members were encouraged to complete an evaluation survey to provide feedback for future meeting planning. They were also encouraged to email talbury@miami.edu if they were interested in co-leading a subcommittee.
Meeting Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 1:04 PM.
Upcoming CAC meetings are scheduled for:
- August 7th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- November 6th – 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Thank you for your time and commitment! We look forward to our next meeting.If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our CAC Liaison, Tiffany Albury, at talbury@miami.edu.
Meeting Minutes
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Alison Kerr | Florida Department of Health- Monroe |
| Amanda Rivera | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Angelica Agati | University of Miami - CTSI |
| Antonia Leavitt | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Armondo Carlo | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Beverly Montgomery | Early Steps - Southernmost Coast |
| Blanca Ceballos | United Homecare |
| Brooklyn Rogers | National Baptist Convention-USA Hope Health Ministry |
| Caridad Fulladosa | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Claudia Picado | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Corinne Ferrari | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Cynthia Beaver | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Danna Torres | Guatemalan-Maya Center |
| Dawn Fontus | Florida Department of Health-Miami Dade |
| Deborah Pulido | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |
| Dorothy Graves | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Emilia Solano | YMCA South Florida |
| Emma Herbach | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Erin Kobetz-Kerman | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Etienne Scaccino Canaparo | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Farshad Sadr | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Frank J Penedo | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Franklin Sotolongo Suarez | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Gabriel Diaz | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Georgette Valls-Delgado | American Cancer Society |
| Islamiyat Nancy Adebisi | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Jennifer Dorce-Medard | Lakeside Medical Center |
| Jessica MacIntyre | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Johana Jimenez | BG Integrative Studio |
| Jon Trent | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Jouveline Belizaire | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Juan J. Manzueta | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Judy Kline | Dorsey Technical College |
| Kahli Mercik | Gilda's Club South Florida |
| Kelly Williams | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Kim Truong-Vu | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Laura Thyssen | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Lauren Whitmore | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Laurie Varona | Florida Department of Health |
| Lenise Banwarie | Florida Department of Health |
| Marta Salazar | University of Miami - MSOM |
| Matthew Schlumbrecht | University of Miami - MSOM/SCCC |
| Natasha Avrilien | Health Care Network |
| Natasha Schaefer Solle | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Nattaliah Earle | Urban Health Partnerships |
| Nicolle Acuña | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Paola Rossi | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Patrick Glover | Lion Order Gold |
| Rachelle Theodore | CLT Business Solutions |
| Renee Podolsky | Florida Department of Health - Broward |
| Samantha L. Sookraj | South Florida Caribbean Conference |
| Sandra Delgado Corrales | YMCA South Florida |
| Sara Batrony | SB Pro Writing |
| Scott Welford | University of Miami - MSOM |
| Sergio Cardona | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Seth Berkowitz | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society |
| Shemir Dauphin | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Sophia George | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Stephen Nimer | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tamara Beliard Rodriquez | Island TV |
| Tamia Medina | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tenecia Sproull | The Pink Queen Foundation, Inc. |
| Tiffany Albury | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tiffinie Bratcher | Aetna Better Health of FL |
| Till Krenz | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tracy Crane | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Vasileios Stathias | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Wael El-Rifai | University of Miami - MSOM |
Welcome and Statement of Recording
Tiffany Albury, CAC Liaison called the meeting to order at 1:03 pm and welcomed everyone. Participants were reminded to monitor mics and encouraged to turn on cameras for our virtual meeting space. Zoom recording for transcription was acknowledged upon entry.
Opening Remarks
Rachelle Theodore, CAC Chair, Dr. Stephen Nimer, Cancer Center Director, and Dr. Erin Kobetz, Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement welcomed everyone to the meeting and expressed thanks to the members for their time and commitment to the CAC. All shared Sylvester’s goal of reducing the burden of cancer through impactful evidence-based initiatives and the aim of the CAC to create unique opportunities in the community by being able to speak about cancer prevention, treatment, and survivorship. Dr. Nimer expressed his thanks to Sylvester leadership, faculty, researchers, physicians and staff for participation on the call. Dr. Kobetz echoed Dr. Nimer’s sentiments about working collaboratively and thanked the CAC team members for their preparation in developing an interactive virtual meeting space.
New Member Introductions
Tiffany welcomed and acknowledged new members who were joining for the first time and other members who had not attended the CAC meeting since earlier this year. They include:
- Rev. Anthony Ancrum, Second Baptist Church Miami
- Brian Cockman, Director of Growth & Client Engagement, ICF Next
- Emilia Solano, Associate Vice President YMCA of South Florida
- Sandra Delgado Corrales, YMCA of South Florida - Director of Impact and Capacity Building
- Beverly Montgomery, Southernmost Coast Early Steps
Icebreaker Activity
Tiffany introduced the icebreaker activity using the Zoom Whiteboard feature that would be utilized during the breakout sessions. Six participants had an opportunity to write the best piece of advice they had heard or received.
Review and approval of previous meeting minutes
Motion to approve the minutes made by Rachelle Theodore and seconded Dr. Erin Kobetz. Participants voted to approve the minutes. The minutes passed unanimously.
CAC Progress
Rachelle provided updates on the progress of the CAC since the last May meeting.
- CAC 101 Orientation was held in July and will be scheduled on a quarterly basis for members to learn more about the initiatives that the CAC is working toward. The next orientation will be scheduled in October 2024. Members who are new or never participated in the 101 are encouraged to join.
- Subcommittee Co-Leaders have been selected and a brief bio of each person was shared:
- Community Outreach & Education (COE): Dr. Tracy Crane and Samantha Sookra (Founder & CEO of SF Caribbean Conference)
- Survivorship Support Services (SSS): Dr. Amanda Rivera (Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology) and Johana Jimenez (Field Outreach Leader BG Integrative Studio)
- Research Innovation & Clinical Trials (RICT): Dr. Jonatha Trent and Dr. Jeanette Martin (VP and Employee Wellness Program Manager, Bank United, N.A.)
CAC Updates
- Lauren Whitmore provided an overview of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC), a Sylvester staple event. Every year, Sylvester partners with the Miami Dolphins team to host one of the largest NFL fundraisers. All proceeds from DCC goes toward research at Sylvester. The event allows the community, the NFL, survivors and their families to come together for the purpose of furthering cancer research. The DCC will be hosted on February 22, 2025.
- Dr. Tracy Crane presented the ‘Believe in You’ Program that prepares cancer survivors and their dedicated support person(s) to participate in the DCC. This program is free of charge, presented in a hybrid format with physical locations in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. It will run from September to February and registration is now open until October 5th. The goal is to register at least 500 people. The program will launch on September 28th. If interested, people are encouraged to sign up using the interest link or contact Dr. Crane for more information.
- Dr. Emma Herbach provided an update on the Pilot Study: Manifestations of Structural Racism in Cancer Care Settings. Recruitment for the advisory board to review materials was successful. The study will begin the enrollment process for recruited participants soon. The goal is to go to the community and identify key ambassadors in areas where cancer survivors or their family members may be present and inform them of the study. Dr. Herbach welcomes any ideas for recruitment or participation.
CAC Engagement Activity – Subcommittee Breakout Session: Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
The community-building activity allowed committee members to participate in this structured method for group discussions. During these sessions, members shared their proposed ideas for subcommittee initiatives and discussed them within their group. Group members voted to identify the top ideas and returned to the main meeting room to present their decisions and discussion points.
COE Proposed Initiatives Discussion:
- Engage grassroots organizations, using Community Health Workers to decrease the stigma and fear when it comes to cancer education, early intervention, etc.
- Promote Sylvester-led classes to the community and work with community partners to host classes at facilities.
- Address social determinants of health and make screenings accessible / Utilize trusted voices/influencers to engage the community.
RICT Proposed Initiatives Discussion:
- Create a health symposium with a focus on clinical research to promote research in populations where there is a difficult reach.
- Develop a community-facing dashboard displaying key broad audience information. For example, creating a booklet on clinical research for the community in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole.
SSS Proposed Initiatives Discussion:
- Establish a comprehensive list of resources where survivors can gather more information about available services, particularly after treatment. Areas of focus may include financial, emotion and physical hardships.
- Lifestyle Behaviors: Early childhood education about food/nutrition, exercise, and whole health.
- Have survivors host education sessions in communal areas or their homes to continue to build trust and have a sense of true community.
- Provide education on the impact of high-risk features for cancer through family history assessment and genetic testing.
What’s Next: Subcommittee Meetings
Subcommittee members will receive an email notification with the date of their group’s next meeting. The subcommittees will have an opportunity to discuss these ideas further based on the decision matrix model that helps prioritize ideas and next steps.
Committee Member Announcements
Community members had an opportunity to highlight events that are coming up in the community. Flyers and information from the meeting shared with participants:
Brooklyn Rogers, HOPE Health Ministry, Southeast HOPE Regional Coordinator, Health and Human Services Partnership Go2 for Lung Cancer -Love Your Lung Event
- Informative Lung Health Dinner Workshop, Friday September 20, 2024, 6pm-8pm
- Free dinner provided
- A raffle and a $50 gift card for all participants
Samantha Sookraj, South Florida Caribbean Conference Healing Arts Institute of South Florida Gala
- Provides free mental health services for Broward County
- Join us for an evening of dancing, dinner, learning and celebrating
- Saturday, September 21, 2024, 3:30pm-8pm at the Conrad Ft. Lauderdale Beach
Emma Herbach, UM Post Doctorate Scholar LGBTQ+ Cancer Prevention, Detection & Wellness Summit Planning Committee This summit provides information and services for cancer prevention and detection. Dr. Herbach would love collaborations to provide services or screening at the next event and asks to contact her if you would like to be a part of the planning committee. Interest form shared.
Tamia Medina, UM Program Manager
UM Enrollment Navigation Program
- This program will help with Marketplace Insurance enrollment (Affordable Care Act).
- If there is a collaborative event opportunity for outreach and education through your organizations, contact Tamia. Share this information with members of your community so they can get access to care and the assistance needed.
Closing Remarks & Adjournment
- Members were reminded of the next CAC meeting that will hosted in person on November 7th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm. A link for the meeting survey was shared and participants encouraged to complete. The meeting adjourned at 3:01 PM.
Meeting Minutes
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Ashley Harmon | Lion Gold Inc |
| Blanca Ceballos | United Homecare |
| Brooklyn Rogers | National Baptist Convention-USA Hope Health Ministry |
| Caridad Fulladosa | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Cassandra White | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Edelise Endemano | Health Choice Network |
| Emma Herbach | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Erin Kobetz | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Fritz Saint-Germain | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Gail Brown | Mt. Sinai Medical Center |
| Georgette Valls-Delgado | American Cancer Society |
| Gisele Armour | Women's Cancer Association of UM |
| Gordon Henry | Nova Southeastern University |
| Jasmine Jackson | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Jonathan Trent | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Kelly Williams | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Lauren Whitmore | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Lenise Benwarie | Florida Department of Health |
| Martine Poitevien | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Mary Aquino | Florida Department of Health |
| Nadyne Fundora | Florida Department of Health |
| Nancy Elliott | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Patrick Glover | Lion Gold Inc |
| Rachelle Theodore | CLT Business Solutions |
| Rosemary Carrera | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Samantha Sookraj | South Florida Caribbean Conference |
| Tamara Rodriguez | Island TV |
| Tiffany Albury | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tiffinie Bratcher | Aetna Better Health Florida/CVS Health |
| Toni Leavitt | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tracy Crane | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Valerie Bethel | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Vasileios Stathias | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
Opening Remarks
CAC Chair, Rachelle Theodore expressed gratitude for in-person attendance, acknowledged Dr. Nimer and Dr. Kobetz for their leadership, and emphasized dedication to health equity and innovative cancer care.
Dr. Stephen Nimer highlighted the success of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, previewed Lung Cancer Awareness efforts, and noted strong attendance (~380 Friday, ~200 Saturday) at the SCCC Retreat.
Introductions
New Sub-Committee Co-Lead: Georgette Valls-Delgado (American Cancer Society) – elected for Research Innovation and Clinical Trials Subcommittee.
New Members: Gordon Henry (NSU), Giselle Armour (WCA of UM), Mary Aquino (FLDOH), Rosemary Carrera (305 Pink Pack).
Review and Approval of Minutes
Motion to approve 08/28/2024 minutes by Dr. Erin Kobetz, seconded by Tamara Rodriguez. Approved unanimously.
Sylvester NCI Designation
Dr. Erin Kobetz reviewed Sylvester’s NCI designation renewal (initially 2019, renewed 2024). Explained peer-reviewed process, significance as only NCI-designated center in South Florida, alignment with FL State Cancer Plan, and importance of community integration. Renewals occur every 5 years.
Highlights of the 2024 CAC Journey
- Creation of 3 subcommittees (Education & Outreach, Research Innovation & Clinical Trials, Survivorship & Support Services).
- Structured brainstorming introduced (silent idea sharing, round-robin, voting).
- Projects aligned with Sylvester’s strategic goals and community needs.
Updates from Subcommittees
1. Community Outreach and Education: Plans for Speed-Dating Resource Fair (Feb), digital profile system, centralized resource library, and upcoming events (Toy Drive Dec 8, Dolphins Challenge Cancer).
2. Research Innovation and Clinical Trials: Creating lay-friendly materials, increasing awareness, newsletter with Dr. Trent, developing community-facing dashboard in multiple languages, collaboration with marketing and Island TV.
3. Survivorship Services and Support: Focus on resources/collaboration, survivorship study on breast/gynecologic cancers, expanding community education, and technology accessibility initiative (donating tablets for survivors).
Committee Member Announcements
- Canes CARE Event – Broward County (partnership with Urban League)
- Go2 Lung Cancer Awareness Event – Nov 14
- South Florida Caribbean Toy Drive – Dec 8
- UM Health Talks – Nov 7 (Cancer Screening 101)
Open Discussion Points
- Partnership opportunities with PFAC
- New collaborations with Lion Order Gold Health
- Ideas for Gamechanger vehicles in future presentations
Closing Remarks
Rachelle Theodore emphasized the importance of partnerships, encouraged collaboration, and closed with: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Next Steps
- Finalize Speed-Dating Resource Fair
- Expand Resource Library
- Conduct Feedback Surveys
- Prepare for 2025 initiatives
- Share 2025 CAC meeting dates
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 1:08 PM.
Meeting Minutes
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Yvette A Gonzalez | FLDOH |
| Jessica Bashline | University of Miami |
| Sophia George | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Thomasena Johnson-Hudson | FLDOH Broward County |
| Tyrina Phillips | The Lord's Place |
| Lauren Nahodyl | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Joanette Brookes-George | Unmute Yourself Inc |
| Tenecia Sproull | The Pink Queen Foundation |
| Asma Aftab | UMAHEC, Family Medicine |
| Tiffany Albury | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Lenise Banwarie | FLDOH Miami-Dade County |
| Gerard Berrouet | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Rosemary Carrera | 305 Pink Pack |
| Karissa Coady | University of Miami |
| Rhonda Curry | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Corinne Ferrari | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Caridad Fulladosa | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Nadyne Fundora | DOH - FBCCEDP |
| Georgette Garrick | Start Off Smart, Inc. |
| Melissa Gomez | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tangela Guess | Overtown Youth Center |
| Cathy Hanson | UHealth - PFAC |
| Gordon Henry | Nova Southeastern University AHEC |
| Josette Josue | Haitian Neighborhood Center/SantLa |
| Dickran Kazandijan | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Deja Kearney | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Judy Kline | MDCPS D A Dorsey |
| Erin Kobetz | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Madeline Krause | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Padideh Lovan | University of Miami |
| Katherine Martinez | Camillus House |
| Denise McLeod | FLDOH Monroe County |
| Kahli Merck | Gildas Club South Florida |
| Joseph Mikhael | International Myeloma Foundation |
| Taisya Montes | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Stephen Nimer | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Vickie Perez-Marrero | Health Council of South Florida |
| Kim Praitano | Gildas Club South Florida |
| Deborah Pulido | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society |
| Lisa Quammie-John | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Lourdes Quintero Castaneda | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Tamara Rodriguez | IslandTV/CAC Chairman |
| Brooklyn Rogers | NBCUSA Southeast Region Hope Health Ministry |
| Fritz Saint-Germain | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Marta Salazar | University of Miami |
| Matthew Schlumbrecht | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Candice Schottenloher | FLDOH Miami-Dade County |
| Vicki Zou - Representative | FLDOH Miami-Dade County |
| Monica Smith | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Emilia Solano | YMCA South Florida |
| Samantha Sookraj | South Florida Caribbean Conference |
| Evelyne Sylvain | Haitian Neighborood Center "Sant La" |
| Ysdaly Thielen | BG Integrative Studio |
| Joi Tisdale | International Myeloma Foundation |
| Jon Trent | Sylvester Comp Cancer Center |
| Kim Truong-Vu | University of Miami |
| Georgette Valls-Delgado | American Cancer Society |
| Lauren Whitmore | Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Candace Williams | FLDOH Miami-Dade County |
Welcome and Introductions
Dr. Stephen Nimer opened the meeting, highlighting the importance of community feedback and ongoing initiatives like the Griffin Cancer Research Building and the Dolphin Cancer Challenge. Tamara Rodriguez was introduced as the new CAC Chair and shared her three priorities: strengthen ties, amplify voices, and prove impact.
Review and Approve November Meeting Minutes
Tamara Rodriguez led the approval of the minutes. All attendees approved with no objections.
Sylvester & Community Vision: We Are Gamechangers
Tiffany welcomed and acknowledged new members who were joining for the first time and other members who had not attended the CAC meeting since earlier this year. They include:
CAC Updates
Each Work Group provided updates:
- Survivorship and Support Services: Focused on community-based research and collaborations, highlighted the FIERCE study. Presented by Tiffany Albury (SCCC).
- Research Innovation and Clinical Trials: Discussed educational outreach on clinical trials, lay-friendly materials, and a dashboard to improve community understanding. Presented by Dr. Jon Trent (SCCC) and Georgette Valls-Delgado (ACS).
- Community Outreach and Education: Reported on U-Harmony event metrics (25 total connections, 4 follow-ups, 3 meetings, 2 collaborations, 1 active initiative). Highlighted the success and desire to replicate the model biannually. Presented by Samantha Sookraj (SFCC).
Lunch Break
Participants engaged informally while completing the Gamechanger board.
Sylvester Marketing Team Presentation
Melissa Gomez and Taisya Montes presented on Sylvester’s social media strategy. Engaged attendees with polls and previews of community content. Received suggestions on content visibility, format preferences, and potential collaborations with community partners. More collaboration is needed to ensure the voices of the community are being heard and their concerns about visibility addressed.
Which social media platforms do you use most frequently? (Select all that apply)
Instagram 41%
Facebook 21%
Other 14%
LinkedIn 10%
Tiktok 7%
X 3%
YouTube 3%
Nextdoor 0%
What type of content would be most valuable for your community? (Select all that apply)
Community health events and resources 50%
Cancer prevention tips and screening guidelines 27%
Patient and survivor stories 10%
Research and innovation at Sylvester 7%
Behind-the-scenes look of our programs and staff. 3%
Other 3%
What format do you prefer for educational content on social media?
Infographics and carousel posts 50%
Video testimonials 29%
Short text posts with key takeaways 13%
Interactive content (polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions) 8%
Other 0%
Dr. Diko Kazandjian – Multiple Myeloma Presentation
Provided background on multiple myeloma and shared strategies for community engagement. Invited feedback on outreach ideas, including events in Doral and Overtown. Dr. Joseph Mikhael emphasized the need to address late diagnoses in underserved populations.
Announcements: Community Event Highlights
- BRCAStrong Instagram Live Series – Every Wednesday at 12 PM on Instagram Live
- Live Now Health & Wellness Fest Recap – March 1, 2025
- Health Truck Rally - April 26, Downtown Doral
- Gamechanger Events Calendar now live
Open Questions Forum & Feedback Survey
Participants completed a short live survey to share meeting impressions. Responses showed strong connection to the CAC’s mission and appreciation for inclusive participation, even from those who did not speak.
Do you understand the CAC mission?
Agree – 96%
Disagree – 0%
Not Sure Yet – 4%
Do you feel connected to the mission and goals?
Agree – 86%
Disagree – 0%
Not Sure Yet – 14%
Did you feel your voice or perspective was represented or valued, even if you didn’t speak?
Agree – 73%
Disagree – 4% (It was indicated that this voter was referring to the sound issues during the meeting)
Not Sure Yet – 23%
Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Tamara Rodriguez closed the meeting, thanked the team and attendees, and reminded participants to consider hosting future forums.