The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (AHWFBCCC) is dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer through trusted education, strong community partnerships, and expanded access to clinical research and trials. Through our community collaborations, partnerships, and programs, we aim to improve health and access throughout all communities.
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement is comprised of teams based both in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, we believe that where you live shouldn’t determine how you fight cancer.
To learn more about the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement or to schedule an education or training session, contact our Winston Salem-based team at: 336-713-9898 or our Charlotte-based team at: 980-442-3075.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission: We are committed to reducing the burden of cancer through education, prevention, screening, and early detection. By building trustworthiness and engaging communities through two-way collaboration, we work to improve outcomes and support the health of those we serve.
Vision: The Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center aims to be a multi-campus (single catchment area) leading innovative research, advancing training, and delivering compassionate care across prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship- always guided by The Loved One Standard.
Community Engagement
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) is dedicated to building strong connections between the Cancer Center and the communities it serves. COE uses a robust community-engagement infrastructure to promote collaboration, share knowledge, and improve cancer care across the continuum.
Through data-driven insights, COE works to understand the unique needs and challenges within its catchment area, including cancer burden and barriers to care and research. By partnering with an expansive network of stakeholders, community organizations, and researchers, COE fosters meaningful, two-way communication and creates opportunities for research and outreach collaborations.
This collaborative approach strengthens community partnerships and supports evidence-based programs that address factors contributing to cancer disparities. With strategic leadership and innovative programming, COE continues to expand its impact, advancing research, amplifying community voices, and driving transformative change across the region.
Our Programs and Initiatives
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement strives to reduce the burden of cancer on communities. The programs listed here are ongoing initiatives to help address gaps in cancer awareness, knowledge and outcomes.
Cancer Screening Navigation Programs
The Cancer Screening Navigation Program helps individuals from underserved communities' access essential cancer screening services and follow-up care if needed. Our goal is to reduce barriers that prevent early detection and improve outcomes through timely, community-centered support.
Our Screening Navigators play a key role in ensuring patients receive follow-up care. They manage referrals, helping patients move smoothly from screening to diagnosis when needed.
Who We Serve
Our program supports individuals who may face challenges accessing cancer screening, including:
- Underrepresented communities
- Adolescents and young adults at risk
- Uninsured and underinsured individuals
What We Do
Our Screening Navigators guide eligible patients through the entire cancer screening process—from understanding when and where to get screened, to ensuring follow-up care after abnormal results. As of 2026, we have screened more than 35,000 people and saved over $1.5 million patient dollars. We focus on screenings for cancers such as:
Prostate Cancer Screening Program
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men—and when detected early, it’s highly treatable. Our free prostate cancer screening program is designed to help men at higher risk take proactive steps toward protecting their health.
What the Screening Includes
Participants receive a comprehensive blood test that checks:
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels
Who Is Eligible?
This free screening is available to uninsured men who are considered high-risk, including those with:
- A family history of prostate cancer
- African American or Indigenous heritage
- Occupational exposure or other risk factors (such as veterans, firefighters, and farmers.)
Why It Matters
Early detection can save lives. Our screening program helps remove financial and access barriers so more men can get the care they need—before symptoms appear.
Colorectal Cancer Screening Programs
Since 2022, our Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening Program has been made possible through a strong partnership with the American Cancer Society. This initiative focuses on increasing access to colon cancer screening for uninsured patients, helping detect cancer early and improve outcomes.
Through Community Collaboration, we work closely with:
- Atrium Health Mobile Health Clinic
- Downtown Health Plaza (DHP)
These partnerships provide FIT/FOBT kits (non-invasive stool tests) to uninsured patients via the Mobile Health Clinic.
Breast Cancer Screening Program
3P Program: Positive, Pink, Power Fund
Founded in 2016, the Positive Pink Power (3P) Fund offers low-cost or free screening and diagnostic mammograms to eligible uninsured community members.
We partner with the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Outpatient Imaging Center and the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Mobile Clinic to expand access to breast screenings. Through this collaboration, imaging services are available at four locations within Forsyth and Guilford Counties.
Skin Cancer Screening Program
Skin cancer is the most common—and one of the most preventable—types of cancer in the United States. Early detection through regular skin checks can significantly improve outcomes.
We offer free skin cancer screenings to help individuals stay proactive about their skin health. Screenings are available across multiple counties and are open to both insured and uninsured individuals.
Why Get Screened?
- Skin cancer is the fastest-growing cancer in the U.S.
- Annual skin checks can catch early signs before they become serious
- Early detection leads to more effective treatment and better outcomes
What to Expect: Our screenings are quick, non-invasive, and performed by trained professionals who examine the skin for unusual moles, spots, or changes that may indicate skin cancer.
Head and Neck Cancer Screening Program
Tobacco use and heavy alcohol consumption are two major risk factors for head and neck cancers. While there are currently no national screening guidelines, regular oral exams by a dentist or primary care provider are recommended for early detection.
We offer free head and neck cancer screenings to help identify potential concerns early, especially in high-risk individuals.
What the Screening Includes
Our comprehensive screening involves:
- A physical examination of the oral cavity and oropharynx
- Palpation of the neck to check for abnormal lumps or swelling
- Visual inspection of the skin on the face and neck
These quick, non-invasive exams are performed by trained professionals and can help detect early signs of cancer when treatment is most effective.
Who Should Get Screened?
Screenings are especially recommended for individuals who:
- Use tobacco products (current or former users)
- Consume alcohol heavily
- Have a history of HPV or other risk factors
How We Help
Navigators provide:
- Education about recommended cancer screenings
- Assistance with scheduling appointments and referrals
- Support with transportation, insurance, and financial concerns
- Culturally and linguistically appropriate communication
- Follow-up coordination for diagnostic testing and specialty care
By offering personalized, community-centered support, our program helps ensure that more people receive life-saving cancer screenings—on time and with confidence.
Lung B.A.S.E.S. 4 Life (Bringing Awareness, Screening & Education to improve Survivorship) improves access to cancer screenings, treatment and education in rural populations across our region.
The Mobile Lung Screening Program is the nation’s first mobile lung cancer screening program, offering a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to lung health. This innovative program brings free lung cancer screening, education, and tobacco cessation services directly to underserved communities across North and South Carolina.
As the only disease-specific therapeutic partner in the consortium, our role includes conducting a comprehensive Site Maturity Assessment to identify and leverage our expertise in clinical trial operations. We are also establishing a Faith and Community Leaders Network to strengthen community engagement and facilitate access to research opportunities.