Community Outreach

The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) works to build and strengthen relationships between our regional community and the researchers and clinicians at the Cancer Center. By working together, we aim to solve cancer-related challenges in our area and, over time, reduce the impact that cancer has on our lives.

Data shows that cancer is easier to treat—and cure—when it is found early. Because of this, our education programs focus on four key areas:

• Prevention: Helping people reduce their cancer risk.
• Screening: Using tests to find cancer in its earliest stages.
• Early Detection: Identifying symptoms before they become serious.
• Survivorship: Supporting patients during and after their treatment journey

To reach our goals, we focus on these specific actions:

1. Analyze Regional Data: Share insights and data between the community and the Cancer Center to better understand how cancer affects the people living in our ten-county region.
2. Share Research Results: Make sure that "evidence-based" research—meaning findings proven by science—is shared back with the public.
3. Support Advocacy: Provide opportunities for people to learn about cancer and speak up for the health needs of their neighborhoods.
4. Train Researchers to Listen: Teach our researchers how to effectively listen to and work with the community. It is vital that research is shaped by the needs of the people it impacts.
5. Form Community Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations to make sure education and feedback are constantly flowing between the Cancer Center and the community.

Program Aims

• Track Regional Cancer Trends: Monitor cancer rates—including how many people are diagnosed and the number of deaths—across our 10-county area. By following these numbers over time, the Cancer Center makes sure our research focuses on the specific health challenges facing our local neighborhoods.
• Lead Strategic Programs: Manage the planning and success of three main areas:
• Education: Providing the community with the latest health facts.
• Advocacy: Helping people find their voice in the healthcare system.
• Research: Searching for new ways to prevent and treat disease.
• Improve Health Outcomes: Work to close gaps in the health outcomes by conducting research that involves the entire community. Our goal is to make sure medical studies include participants from every background and every neighborhood so that new treatments work for every person we serve.
• Build Strong Community Connections: Create and grow helpful relationships with local leaders and organizations. By working together, we make it easier for people to access education, share their ideas, and find new research opportunities.

Catchment Area The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center focuses its research, care, outreach and engagement efforts across a 10-county region in southwest Ohio and northern Kentucky, the area where more than 80% of our patients live. Using regional data, we identify priority cancer types and key risk factors to guide programs, partnerships and prevention efforts aimed at reducing cancer burden and improving outcomes. Learn more and explore the data in our catchment area dashboard. View the catchment dashboard

To learn more about specific cancers, check out our educational resources available for download.

Programs & Events

Healthy Together: Cancer Community Stakeholder Retreat

• Download the Healthy Together Digital Catalog.
• Download the 2025 Healthy Together presentation.
• Watch the 2025 Healthy Together event recording.

To maintain the momentum from this event, we will be hosting virtual follow-up meetings to continue the conversations sparked during the retreat. These meetings will serve as touchpoints to assess community priorities, explore future initiatives and strengthen the partnerships that will help improve cancer outcomes throughout our region.

Cancer Community Stakeholder Retreat Debrief #2: Strategically Shaping Community Engagement on ​Thursday, March 5, 2026 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Register now.

Cancer Awareness Day 2026

October, Date TBD

Would you like COE to host an educational community event? Fill out the COE Event Interest Form.

COE Leadership
	Melinda Butsch Kovacic, MPH, PhD Associate Director for Community Outreach & Engagement

The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement efforts are also supported by dedicated staff, community liaisons and health champions who help build partnerships, support outreach initiatives and connect our work directly to the communities we serve. Meet the team.

The Cancer Center also partners closely with its Community Advisory Board (CAB), a group of community stakeholders who provide guidance and help ensure our outreach, engagement and research efforts reflect the needs and priorities of our region. Learn more about the CAB.

 

Contact us by emailing canceroutreach@uc.edu.