NRG Oncology Health Disparities Committee (HDC) Update (9/14/2020)

September 14 2020

The NRG Oncology Health Disparities Committee (HDC) was formed in the wake of the reorganization of the NCI Cooperative Groups in 2014. It has evolved over time to become an active, committed, and passionate group of investigators representing every NRG Oncology committee. Under the leadership of Dr Kate Yeager as Chair, and Dr Chanita Hughes-Halbert as Vice-Chair, the committee has undergone several recent changes of note.

Perhaps most significantly, the committee’s mission has expanded to include the development of primary research concepts. Committee leadership is actively soliciting new ideas at this time and is planning a “brain-storming”/concept-generating session for the near future.Other important changes include the creation of a series of Special Interest Groups under the umbrella of the HDC including Research Implementation, (Education/Training/Mentorship) led by Drs Kathie-Ann Joseph and William (Rusty) Robinson; Older Adult Research, led by Dr William Tew; Rural Research, led by Dr Yeager; and Research Concept Development, led by Dr. Hughes-Halbert. These groups will spearhead investigation/implementation in their respective areas.

The HDC is also working actively with the New Investigator Committee to establish and promote a new Mentorship/Collaboration program within NRG, with the intent of pairing junior investigators (“Mentees”) with a more experienced “Mentor” for the purpose of facilitating new concepts involving disparities, and encouraging investigators from under-represented groups to participate in the protocol development process. This program, as currently designed, will include a stipend to support protected research time for the mentee as well as training and support for the mentor. NRG leadership and the HDC are excited about this new program and would encourage interested group members to refer to the committee’s webpage and/or to contact committee leadership directly via email at NRGDisparities@nrgoncology.org

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