About Community Outreach and Engagement

The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (OCOE) at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center is committed to building trust, advancing health and reducing the cancer burden in our region. Our primary role is to facilitate bidirectional feedback between the communities we serve and the Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center.  

Mission

We empower and engage community members in the fight against cancer, ensuring that outreach, education and research initiatives are driven by the same communities that need resources most, thereby reducing the local cancer burden.

Vision

We envision a future of reduced disparities in cancer outcomes, where every community member has fair access to cancer prevention, treatment and research.

Who We Serve

Our catchment area includes eight counties across southeast Texas: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Galveston, Brazoria, Liberty, Jefferson and Chambers . 

Our Goals

Doctors_revieiwing_scans
Understand
Understand the cancer burden in our eight-county catchment area.
Doctor_Community_Service
Build
Build communication between researchers and the community.
Cancer_Screening
Reduce
Reduce cancer incidence and mortality in our region through prevention, screening and early detection.
Community_Outreach
Support
Support and engage targeted populations in cancer research, clinical trials and other cancer center activities.
Nurse_talking_Elderly_Group
Share
Share evidence-based information and programs with health care systems, local and state agencies and community groups to promote health equity.

Our Advisors

Our Community Advisory Board (CAB) represents a powerful support network of cancer survivors, researchers and health leaders who ensure our initiatives reflect community values and strengthen region-wide partnerships.

Current CAB Members:

 

  • Jessica Duckworth - Chair
  • Rita Washington - Co Chair
  • Paige Burges
  • Ashley Dedmon
  • LaShaune P. Johnson
  • Karen Kennar
  • Lyndsay Levingston
  • Pedro Pereira
  • Kristy Smith
  • Betty N. Stewart
  • Carolyn Stone
  • Jack Winn

Improving Lives Through Connection, Education & Service

Strategy & Impact

Community engagement is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why our team meets people where they are to provide lifesaving education and support. In addition to making cancer research more inclusive and accessible, we increase awareness and understanding of clinical trials and help connect people to opportunities that may benefit them or their loved ones.

 

We have connected thousands of residents to vital screenings and education that they may not have received otherwise. We measure our impact in lives touched and services delivered.

 

We also support collective goals beyond our catchment area. We share effective program and research findings to other regions and audiences through community forums, training sessions, data dashboards and presentations. By sharing our experiences, we can help ourselves and others improve outreach strategies to continue advancing toward health equity.

 

 

1,093

Screenings

50

Communities Served

4,932

CPRIT C CUR Grant


2,310

Patients Screened in the Community
Breast Cancer Screening Initiative

270

Newly Diagnosed Oncology Patients
Legacy Community Scholars

100

Community Outreach Events

Programs & Resources

Programs grounded in local needs and guided by shared values.
Research

Research

  • C-CUR Screening and Education Program
    Offers free or low-cost breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings, along with education and navigation support to ensure residents can access complete care.

 

  • American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
    This initiative expands colorectal cancer screening in underserved communities through outreach, education and assistance.
     
Community Engagement Science Training

Community Engagement Science Training

  • Community Ambassador Program Trains local leaders to share cancer information, connect neighbors to resources and serve as trusted messengers within their own communities.
  • Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Program Prepares individuals to serve as trusted health advocates in their own neighborhoods by learning about cancer prevention, screening guidelines, health communication and how to connect people to services.
  • Community Scientist Training Program Teaches community members how to engage in research, ask critical questions and serve as liaisons between scientists and the public.
Partnerships

Partnerships

Together, we design programs that reflect real needs, honor local strengths and expand access to cancer care. Collaborators include: 

 

  • Federally qualified health centers, such as Legacy Community Health
  • Local health departments and nonprofit clinics, including The Rose
  • Academic and research institutions
  • Churches, civic groups and grassroots coalitions
  • National organizations such as The American Cancer Society
  • Community ambassadors, health workers and advisory board members
Resources

Resources

Use this public dashboard to view real-time data on cancer trends, screening rates and contributing health and social factors across our region. It helps residents, researchers and partners better understand local needs and opportunities for action.

 

Lay Abstract Assistance for Researchers

Supports researchers in making their study summaries clear, respectful and understandable to community members, increasing transparency and trust.

Cancer Screenings & Prevention

Screenings

Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center is committed to increasing access to timely, high-quality cancer-screening services across our communities. Through trusted partnerships and outreach efforts, we help connect individuals to recommended screenings, promote early detection and support follow-through when additional care is needed. Our goal is to make screening more accessible, more coordinated and more responsive to community needs.

Prevention Efforts

At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, cancer prevention begins with listening to the communities we serve and translating that insight into meaningful action. We work to reduce cancer risk through education, community partnerships and evidence-based strategies that bring prevention resources closer to where people live, work and receive care. Our approach is grounded in improving access, addressing barriers and advancing health equity across the catchment area.

Survivorship and the HERO Network

The Neal Cancer Center provides comprehensive survivorship care that supports patients beyond active treatment, addressing the physical, emotional and social needs that arise throughout the cancer journey. Through programs like the HERO Network (Hope, Empowerment, Resilience and Outreach) and integrated community engagement initiatives, the Neal Cancer Center ensures survivors have access to peer support, navigation resources and evidence-based interventions that promote long-term health and quality of life across Greater Houston. Please complete this form to be someone’s hero.

Our Community Presence & Upcoming Events

Our Community Presence & Upcoming Events

At Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, we maintain a strong presence in our communities by bringing cancer prevention, screening and support services directly to those we serve. Our efforts focus on understanding the burden of cancer, reducing cancer risks through education, increasing access to timely preventive screenings and ensuring individuals are connected to the care they need.

 

Upcoming events:

  • April: Research Presentation, Society for Public Health Education Annual Conference Presentation
  • April: Research Presentation, American Association for Cancer Research

 

Past events:

  • February: Speaker, SCI Café Where Science and Communities Interact
  • February: Research Presentations, Advancing Cancer Research for Latinos and All Populations 2026 Conference
  • November: Outreach Event, 2025 Lung Cancer Awareness Walk at Rice University
Explore Our Clinical Trials Explore Our Research

Contact Us

Office of Community Outreach and Engagement

Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center
6550 Fannin St.
Houston, TX 77030
Email: ocoe@houstonmethodist.org
Phone: 346.238.4636