A Message from the Cancer Center

Welcome to the February issue of our Community Connections newsletter!

This month, we're proud to introduce the newest members of our extended outreach team who are helping us reach more people across the region. We also highlight exciting cervical cancer screening research, share practical cancer prevention tips for Cancer Prevention Month and hear from Dr. Melinda Butsch Kovacic about her experience advocating for tobacco prevention in Frankfort.

This month also marked a significant milestone for the Cancer Center. Earlier this month, we announced that David Gius, MD, PhD, has been named our next director following a highly competitive national search. Dr. Gius will officially begin his tenure on July 1. Read more about Dr. Gius.

Be sure to check out the upcoming community events and ways to get involved. Thank you for being part of our community!

Featured Stories

New Faces in the New Year

As we start the new year, the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement is excited to welcome new members who are helping strengthen our work across the region. This group includes cancer survivors, community leaders, students and health professionals who bring valuable experience and new perspectives.

Our Health Champions help share cancer education, build local partnerships and connect with people in their communities. Our Community Advisory Board (CAB) brings together community voices to guide our work, making sure our research and outreach reflect real needs. We are also growing our team supporting the needs assessment, helping us better understand cancer trends and where support is needed most.

Together, these individuals help us connect with our communities, improve access to information and care, and work toward reducing the burden of cancer in our region.

Last Call for Nominations: PRAISE Awards

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) and Office of Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) collaborate annually to present the PRAISE Awards.

The PRAISE Awards recognize individuals who have led cancer-related projects or initiatives that address the cancer burden in our communities. 

Nominations are open to all students, community members, and researchers whose work aligns with partnerships, research, advocacy, innovation, service, or education (PRAISE).

3 PRAISE Award Categories:

Anyone is eligible for nomination. Nominations for the Spring 2026 cycle are due no later than Friday, February 27th at 11:59 p.m. Nominations submitted after the deadline will be included and reviewed in the next cycle. Awardees will be notified by the end of April and recognized at the 5th Annual Cancer Research Retreat.

Awareness and education are key to lowering cancer risk. In each issue of Community Connections, we share information about cancer prevention, screening and research, along with ways our Cancer Center is working in the community.

January was Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet thousands are diagnosed each year. The HPV vaccine prevents over 90% of HPV-related cancers, and regular screenings can detect cervical cancer early, when treatment works best. However, many people face barriers to screening, such as limited or discomfort with traditional exams

At the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, researchers like Leeya F. Pinder, MD, MPH, are working to make screening easier and more accessible. Her research focuses on self-collection HPV testing, which allows people to collect their own sample and send it to a lab. This approach may help more people get screened and catch cancer earlier, especially in underserved communities.

Expanding Cervical Cancer Screening

Dr. Pinder leads the LEAP study (Leveraging an Early Intervention Program to Increase Access to Cervical Cancer Screening), which looks at how self-screening and HPV vaccination can be offered through community-based programs. By partnering with community health resources, the study aims to reach people who may not regularly see a doctor.

She is also leading the SHIP Trial (Self-Collection for HPV Testing to Improve Cervical Cancer Prevention). This study compares HPV testing from self-collected samples to samples collected by clinicians to ensure the method is accurate and reliable. Because more than half of cervical cancer cases occur in people who are not screened regularly, self-collection may offer a more comfortable and convenient option.

By expanding screening choices and meeting people where they are, this research has the potential to reduce barriers and help prevent more cases of cervical cancer in our community.

Our flyer below tells you what you need to know about cervical cancer including symptoms, risk factors, and screening information.

February is Cancer Prevention Month

Prevention plays an important role in reducing cancer. Research shows that up to 40% of cancer cases are linked to preventable risk factors like smoking, excess weight, physical inactivity, and missed screenings. While not all cancers can be prevented, small steps can make a big difference over time.

At the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center, we support cancer prevention from multiple angles. Our researchers study what increases cancer risk and test new ways to improve prevention and screening. Our Office of Community Outreach and Engagement shares trusted, evidence-based health information and helps connect people to local resources, education, and screening opportunities.

We also partner with UC Health’s Osher Center for Integrative Health, located in the Blood Cancer Healing Center. The Osher Center combines traditional medical care with evidence-based approaches that focus on nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and the environment to support overall wellness. In March, the Osher Center will expand with the new Osher Wellness Suite and Learning Kitchen, offering hands-on cooking classes and wellness programs that help people build healthy habits in practical, everyday ways.

By combining research, community partnerships, and education, we are working to help people lower their risk and improve health outcomes across our region.

What can I do to lower my cancer risk?

Some risk factors can’t be changed, but many can. Focusing on small, everyday choices can help reduce your risk over time.

Modifiable risk factors include:

• Smoking or tobacco use (including vaping and chewing tobacco)

• Alcohol use

• Being overweight or physically inactive

• Diet and nutrition

• Environmental exposures (such as air pollution, radon, or asbestos)

• Staying up to date with recommended cancer screenings

Even small changes like moving more, eating balanced meals, limiting tobacco and alcohol, and keeping up with screenings can make a meaningful difference.

In the Community

Stepping Into Advocacy: My First Cancer Awareness Day

(Left to right) Melinda Butsch Kovacic, PhD, MPH, Associate Director of our COE team is pictured with Michael Gieske, MD, Center Director of Lung Cancer Screening at St. Elizabeth. / Group photos from ACS CAN Cancer Awareness Day in Kentucky.

By Melinda Butsch Kovacic, PhD, MPH, Associate Director

As a northern Kentucky resident and the daughter of someone lost to lung cancer after years of smoking, I joined advocates and survivors in Frankfort for my first ACS-CAN Cancer Awareness Day. Our focus was clear: three bills aimed at reducing lung cancer through stronger smoking prevention and cessation efforts, and opposing a proposal that would expand cigar and pipe smoking in public places.

With fellow northern Kentucky advocates, I met with legislators to share both data and personal stories, from loved ones who struggled to quit to teens vaping in school bathrooms. What struck me most was how open lawmakers were to hearing from community members. They asked thoughtful questions about environmental risks and listened to local efforts like Dr. Michael Gieske’s work on smoke-free ordinances, as well as Joe and Marsha Geraci’s survivor experiences.

I left energized and hopeful. As part of the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center’s catchment area, northern Kentucky plays an important role in advancing prevention and early detection. This experience reinforced how powerful community voices can be and why I will continue to stay engaged.

I encourage YOU to get involved in future policy efforts. 

Learn more about ACS CAN and how you can get involved in your state.

2nd Annual Healthy Together: Cancer Community Stakeholder Retreat

The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) recently hosted its second annual Healthy Together: Cancer Community Stakeholder Retreat, bringing together nearly 50 community stakeholders from 15 organizations across our region. The event created space for shared learning, open dialogue and collaboration focused on reducing the burden of cancer in our communities.

Cancer Center priorities and ongoing efforts were shared, while researchers highlighted current work across cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship. Just as importantly, community partners shared their perspectives, experiences and needs. Through guided discussions and small-group conversations, participants explored key topics such as access to care, prevention and screening, and opportunities to strengthen community-engaged research and outreach.

To continue the momentum, COE will host a virtual follow-up session:

We encourage you to join the conversation as we build on these insights and identify next steps together. 

If you missed the event or would like to revisit key discussions, you can also access the event recording and presentations below.

Lung Cancer Screenings with ALCSI at UC

The American Lung Cancer Screening Initiative (ALCSI) is dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer and lung cancer screening for high-risk individuals. With a national network of 56 collegiate chapters, ALCSI engages students in education and outreach efforts across the country. 

The University of Cincinnati (UC) is home to one of these chapters, led by public health undergraduate student Deepshika Kuchanpally. UC ALCSI regularly participates in community outreach events alongside the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center and other corporate partners, such as Lungevity. They have attended events like Kroger Wellness Fest and First Ladies for Health. Most notably, ALCSI partnered with the Cancer Center to host a “Lung Cancer Awareness Day” event in November 2025.

ALCSI at UC with Lungevity at Kroger Wellness Fest in August 2025.

In partnership with the Cancer Center's Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE), Kuchanpally and her team  have been trained to administer the lung cancer pre-screening: a brief form that assesses patient eligibility for a CT scan of the lungs. The results are confidentially shared with the Lung Cancer Screening Program at UC Health, and eligible patients are contacted for scheduling. In addition to providing education about lung cancer and screening, UC ALCSI is not only raising awareness, but going a step further to connect community members directly with screening services.

Check them out on Instagram!  @alcsi.uc

How to Get Engaged

Connect with the Community Outreach & Engagement Team

Community Outreach & Engagement works to establish and strengthen community partnerships throughout the region by connecting members of the community and community organizations directly to researchers and clinicians at the Cancer Center. Leveraging these partnerships, together we hope to better address the cancer-related challenges in our region, and over time, reduce the overall burden of cancer.

Interested in partnering with us? Reach out to the team at CancerOutreach@uc.edu.

Meet the Team

Community Liaisons

Community Liaisons serve as health champions and educators for Reducing Your Risk and other health outreach activities. Liaisons are trained to provide education on cancer prevention and screening.

Request Educational Materials

The Cancer Center has educational flyers and other materials available. Having a health-focused event? Email CancerOutreach@uc.edu to request educational materials.

Upcoming Community Events

Upcoming Events