Community partnerships to overcome unequal cancer burdens
The University's Program in Health Disparities Research, led by Masonic Cancer Center researcher Kolawole Okuyemi, M.D., M.P.H., was established to develop and implement programs to address unequal health burdens among minority and underserved populations.

Closing the gap through research
Low participation of minority and underserved participants in clinical cancer research detrimentally increases cancer disparities. Kolawole Okuyemi, M.D., M.P.H., is focusing tobacco cessation research primarily among underserved populations in order to close that gap.

A Dialogue for Action
The Minnesota Intertribal Colorectal Cancer Council spent almost a year building relationships, gathering support, and planning details for the first Dialogue for Action focused specifically on American Indian colorectal cancer disparities. The Masonic Cancer Center participated in this important initiative.

Training the next generation of researchers
Part of the mission of the Masonic Cancer Center is to train future cancer researchers. Cancer Center faculty mentor graduate students and postdoctoral associates who work on research projects in their laboratories. Among these trainees are Lisa Jasperson and Jeannette Zinggeler, who decided to obtain both an M.D. and a Ph.D. degree.

Building community relationships
The Masonic Cancer Center strives to build community relationships to spread the message of cancer education and prevention. An example is the Pastors' Wives Project. Supported by the Minnesota Cancer Alliance and funded by the Masonic Cancer Center and American Cancer Society, the project bridges health disparity gaps by providing support and resources to African-American women. Benita Robinson coordinates the project.

University, Israel medical exchange program in gynecologic cancer treatment, research provides enriching educational experiences
Gynecologic oncology physicians and nurses with the University of Minnesota, its Cancer Center, and Poriya Government Hospital in Israel have built a dynamic exchange program of medical and nursing education, mentorship, and outreach that enriches everyone involved.

Bridging health disparities
One goal of the Masonic Cancer Center's Outreach and Education Program is to help bridge health disparity gaps. Sandra Rivera (left) and Megersa Kumbi, Ph.D., community program associates with the Masonic Cancer Center, promote education and prevention within communities exceedingly affected by cancer.

'Now I know what I'm going to do'
High school student Kadija Mussa worked at the Masonic Cancer Center in the laboratory of John Kersey, M.D., as a summer intern and not only learned how to identify, count, and stain cells, but that relationships are one of the most important things one can build at work. Feeling at home in the lab has helped her become confident about her goal to pursue a career in science.

Learning about cancer
High school senior Sarah Bruemmer wants to "figure things out." That's why she spent the summer elongating DNA strands and examining protein antibodies in the laboratories of the University of Minnesota Cancer Center. Bruemmer, who won a competitive research internship, learned about pediatric leukemia. Cancer recently hit home for Bruemmer when a friend was diagnosed with four tumors.