Office of Community Engagement and Outreach

Cancer can affect anyone, at any time. We believe that everyone should have an equal chance of surviving cancer. The Comprehensive Cancer Center's Office of Community Engagement and Outreach (OCEO) is comprised of teams based in both Winston Salem, NC and Charlotte, NC. Together, we believe that where you live shouldn’t determine how you fight cancer. Through our community collaborations, partnerships, and programs, we’re working to improve health access and improve health throughout all communities.

Our Mission

To advance community engagement, clinical care and research focused on improving outcomes for everyone in our communities. The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach (OCEO) is passionate about:

Community outreach engagement and education
Increasing health access across the cancer continuum
Providing cancer navigation appropriate to both language and culture
Helping improve access in clinical trials
Supporting research in our thriving communities
Training staff and faculty about the principles of community engagement
Building community capacity to improve health and well-being

We Are Committed to Conquering Cancer

Let us know how we can partner. We offer:

Health fairs
Cancer education sessions
Staff/faculty training
Research support
Cancer clinical trials

To learn more about the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach or to schedule an education or training session, contact our Winston Salem-based team at: 336-713-3665 or our Charlotte-based team at: 980-442-3075.

Our Programs and Initiatives

The Office of Community Engagement and Outreach 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.

Community Partners

A critical strategy for reducing the burden of cancer in underserved communities is the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach’s extensive network of partnerships with community organizations. These partnerships include faith-based organizations such as churches, synagogues and mosques, health centers and community clinics, and are non-profits that care for the residents of the AHWFB Comprehensive Cancer Center.

High School/Undergraduate

Office of Community Engagement and Outreach Internship Program provides high school and undergraduate students with a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience in a friendly work environment. This program exposes students to several areas of interest in research participation, community outreach, and healthcare access. Students work with OCEO faculty and staff through one-on-one learning sessions, shadowing and participation in clinic and community activities.

AHWFBCCC and the Department of Cancer Biology created the Cancer Research and Training Education Coordination program. This summer research opportunity aims to develop and implement structures that enable students to study cutting-edge cancer treatments and technologies and to become better prepared for successful professional work in cancer research.

Graduate/Medical School

OCEO offers fourth-year students at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine (in an elective research block), as well as graduate students, the opportunity to gain deeper understanding on how to increase health opportunity and access.
This experience introduces students to cancer outreach and engagement and the importance of hearing the voice of our communities. Students gain exposure to increasing clinical trial participation, community outreach, and access to care.

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