Program Eliminates Cancer Disparity, Honors Community Members

Each day, 3,400 people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer and another 1,500 die from the disease. And while these numbers are disturbing, they also harbor a fundamental inequity: racial and ethnic minority groups form a larger percentage of these totals than their proportions in the general population.

The Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine has implemented successful strategies in reducing such disparities in cancer care through its Program for the Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD). PECaD is directed by Katherine Mathews, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at WUSM and Dione Farria, MD, radiologist at the Breast Health Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine.

PECaD monitors Siteman''s research, clinical and policy initiatives as well as overseeing outreach programs – all in the name of helping the underserved. The program gave out its first annual PECaD Awards Wednesday, September 28 at the Center for Advanced Medicine. "We wanted to honor community members that play a big part of our mission," said Dr. Mathews.

Winners of the Community Leadership Awards were Sherrill Jackson, MHSA, CPNP, RN, certified pediatric nurse practitioner for Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers and the special coordinator for People''s Health Centers, and Tom Bailey, president of the Missouri Black Expo. The Community Spirit Award was given to Martha Ballentine, clinical financial specialist at Siteman, while the Research into Action Award was given to Mario Schootman, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology and medicine and acting director of prevention and control at Siteman.