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Dr. Shana Ntiri speaking with a patient.

The University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) shows its commitment to the Maryland community by providing a team-based approach to care, innovative clinical trials, education and support services, and free cancer screenings through the Baltimore City Cancer Program (BCCP). Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) was created to further expand upon the UMGCCC's effort in promoting cancer health equity.

Our goal is to apply COE strategies to inform UMGCCC research and make an impact along the cancer continuum in the catchment area, with a particular focus on eliminating cancer disparities. The aims of COE are to:

  1. Describe the UMGCCC catchment area using a data-driven approach
  2. Conduct evidence-based and impactful cancer control activities serving those in the catchment area
  3. Apply COE strategies to inform research and support integration of COE throughout UMGCCC Programs

Populations We Serve

UMGCCC serves Baltimore City and the 10 surrounding counties in Central Maryland; about 5.4 million people. Our population has a high percentage of residents disproportionately impacted by cancer, concentrated areas of poverty and gentrification. About 80% of our analytic tumor registry cases come from this area.

Lung, prostate and head/neck cancers have significantly higher mortality here than nationally. Community outreach and education activities serve people in our service area.

Learn about our cancer support groups.

A depiction of the different counties in Maryland serviced by UMGCCC

The Community Outreach and Engagement Core Team

Cheryl L. Knott, PhD – Associate Director

Dr. Knott is a Professor in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health and Community Health in the University of Maryland School of Public Health, Co-Director of the Population Science Program at the UMGCCC, and founding Director of the Community Health Awareness, Messages, and Prevention (CHAMP) research lab, which focuses on cancer-related disparities, particularly those impacting African Americans. Dr. Knott has more than 20 years' experience in community-based cancer control research, with a strong emphasis on eliminating cancer disparities.

Email Dr. Knott: cholt14@umd.edu

Shana Ntiri, MD, MPH – Senior Medical Advisor

Dr. Ntiri is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Family & Community Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She also serves as Medical Director for the Baltimore City Cancer Program, a community-based initiative of UMGCCC focused on breast, cervical, and colorectal. She has a demonstrated history of working in the academic medical setting in primary care, community engagement, health disparities and cancer control research.

Email Dr. Ntiri: SNtiri@som.umaryland.edu

Briana Hudson, MPH – Program Manager

Briana earned her B.S. in Public Health from East Carolina University, followed by a Master's of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health and Behavioral Health from East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine. Briana is committed to improving behavioral and community health through community outreach and advocacy. She strives to promote health and wellness to alleviate health disparities in efforts to achieve health equity. Briana's passion for research and community health has led to multiple scientific publications, including those in cancer disparities and minority health.

Contact Briana: Bdhudson@umd.edu

Jhoselyn Rodriguez – Program Assistant

Jhoselyn Rodriguez earned her B.S. in Exercise Science with a minor in Psychology and Health from Salisbury University. Jhoselyn is a proud first-generation Latina and Montgomery county native. Her commitment to serving the community and improve health outcomes led her to pursue career opportunities in the public health sector as a community health worker and community organizer. She is dedicated to educating the community about health and wellness to increase patient autonomy.

Request for Materials and Speakers

Is your organization in need of cancer-related materials or in search of speakers to present to your community?

The UMGCCC Community Outreach and Engagement team can help. Please see our Materials and Speaker request form.

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