The Cancer Disparities Curriculum for
​Research and Community Scholars

Click here to watch an interview with the initiative's co-leaders, Rev. Dr. Deb Thomas and Dr. Carol Williams,
​to learn about why they created the Research and Community Scholars Program.

*Online applications for our 2023-2024 Cohort will be posted HERE in April. Check back to apply. 
Contact Alexis Krause (akrause@mcw.edu)  for more information.

The Research and Community Scholars Program creates a space for fair and trusting relationships to develop between community members in Metro-Milwaukee and biomedical researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

Diverse perspectives can create innovative solutions to complex problems, such as cancer disparities. However, we know that misunderstanding and mistrust are frequent barriers to effective community and academic partnerships. ​This is why CCSN created The Cancer Disparities Curriculum for Research and Community Scholars (known as Research and Community Scholars program). 

The program meets on a bi-weekly basis on Wednesdays from September to May in a hybrid format.  In this program, research and community scholars participate together in a curriculum focused on cancer disparities, factors influencing disparities, communicating with diverse audiences, understanding different perspectives, and building equitable partnerships. 

The curriculum includes:

• Lectures
• Small and large group discussions
• Personal exploration and reflection
• Opportunities to apply learning through small team assignments and projects
• Sessions hosted at various Milwaukee organizations

Sessions are facilitated by research and community experts.

Curriculum content will build foundational knowledge on:

• Bias, race, and structural racism
• Social determinants of health
• Cancer disparities
• Research and research protections
• The cancer care continuum
• Impacts of biomedical research on health and quality of life
• Approaches to build successful biomedical and community research partnerships
• Communication of cancer science with different audiences​​

Who are our scholars? 

People who are curious problem solvers with an interest in diminishing cancer disparities. 

Community Scholars: 

• Metro-Milwaukee community-based organizations
• Actively involved with the community network to share their learnings

Research Scholars:

• Investigators including graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, MD/PhD students, clinical fellows, or assistant and associate professors from the Medical College of Wisconsin
• Demonstrate interest in incorporating community perspectives into their research​​​​ 

​Research and Community Scholars Leadership

Rev. Deborah Thomas, D.D.
Community Co-Leader

​Founder and Pastor,
House of Grace Kingdom Ministry
​Retired Faculty,
​Milwaukee Area Technical College

 Carol Williams, PhD
Academic Co-Leader 
​
​​Joan K. Van Deuren Professor
​in Breast Cancer Research
​Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology
​Medical College of Wisconsin

Alexis Krause, MPH
​Program Coordinator
​
Medical College of Wisconsin

For more information on The Research and Community Scholars program, please contact Alexis Krause, akrause@mcw.edu