The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Announces New Minority Advisory Council Members for 2005-2006
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Announces New Minority Advisory Council Members for 2005-2006
Thought Leaders, Innovators From Around the Nation Provide Input to Komen Foundation on Addressing Breast Health Needs of Minority and Medically Underserved Communities
DALLAS - June 29, 2005 - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a global leader in the fight against breast cancer, has announced new members of its three minority advisory councils for 2005-2006. The African American National Advisory Council (AANAC), the National Hispanic Latina Advisory Council (NHLAC) and the Asian American Pacific Islander National Advisory Council (AAPINAC) assist the Komen Foundation in meeting its goals of providing breast health and breast cancer information, educational resources, and access to quality care, including screening and treatment services, to minority populations, many of whom are medically underserved.
Each year, three to four new members are added to each minority advisory council to replace members who have completed their three-year terms.
Komen Asian American Pacific Islander National Advisory
The Komen Foundation's Asian American Pacific Islander National Advisory Council this year named the following new members for 2005-2006:
- Nia Aitaoto, Papa Ola Lokahi, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Rebecca Keenfan Sze, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, New York City
- Sala Mataali, Samoan National Nurses Association, Torrance, California
- Sora Park Tanjasiri, California State University, Fullerton, California
Komen African American National Advisory Council
The Komen African American National Advisory Council announced the following new members for 2005-2006:
- Sherrill M. Jackson, Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Center, St. Louis, Missouri
- Marva Mizell Price, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina
- Cassandra E. Simon, Ph.D, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Komen National Hispanic Latina Advisory Council
The Komen National Hispanic Latina Advisory Council (NHLAC) added the following new members for 2005-2006:
- Elvira Ramos, American Water Works Association, Denver, Colorado
- Martha Carillo Brewer, Latinas Contra Cancer, San Jose, California
- Carmen I. Paris, Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
In addition to reviewing the Komen Foundation's education and outreach programs, messaging, imaging, personnel and grants practices, members of each of the Foundation's minority advisory councils provide insight into the breast health and breast cancer needs in the communities and population groups they represent. The overall goal of each advisory council is to ensure that the Foundation effectively advances the goal of its mission, which is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screening and treatment programs.
"One of our nation's most important public health objectives is addressing and reducing the disproportionately high cancer burden among minority populations," said Cheryl Kidd, M.P.H, director of education for the Komen Foundation, who also serves as the coordinator for its three minority advisory councils. "Komen's minority advisory council members bring a wealth of cultural and community knowledge to our discussions and to our planning, enabling us to anticipate and meet the unique needs of populations who are sometimes overlooked and underserved by the medical profession. Advisory council members, along with our Komen Affiliates, provide us with critical information we need to carry out our mission."
Becoming an advisory council member
Each fall, the Komen Foundation places calls for nominations in professional journals and news outlets across the nation, seeking new advisory council members. Prospective members are selected in the spring based on a number of criteria: knowledge of their respective communities and cultural background; knowledge of breast cancer; level of commitment to the breast cancer cause; demonstration of their leadership potential; and evidence of their commitment to patient advocacy.
Each minority advisory council includes representation from the fields of government, academia, business, research, communications, patient advocacy, community activism and health care. Breast cancer survivors are also encouraged to apply for seats on any one of the Komen minority advisory councils. Advisory council members serve on a volunteer basis for a period of three years. To read about Komen Foundation minority advisory council members, visit www.komen.org/councils.
