Building trust starts with listening

Community leaders are important partners in identifying and addressing critical health and environmental issues a neighborhood might face. As residents, such advocates understand the culture of their community and have a vested interest in its growth and development. The CARES Center Community Advisory Board includes volunteers, leaders, and stakeholders from a variety of sectors, including: business, health and social services, government, faith, and education.

These leaders are the link between the community and the CARES Center, providing guidance on the health and wellbeing of their communities.

“We have the opportunity to work with community members to understand which interventions improve health-related behaviors, access to care, and ultimately reduce occurrence and impact of cancer in our designated areas. Ideally, we will be able to implement these successful programs and initiatives in other areas of Alabama.”

Maria Pisu, PhD
CARES Center Co-Leader

Members

Darlena Battle

Fountain Heights Resident

John Baldwin

New Beginnings United Methodist Church

Carl F. Hill, Jr.

Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church

Jasmine Gaines, M.D., Ph.D.

Chief Medical Officer

Bettina Byrd Giles

Civic Leader

Myeisha Hutchinson

Civic Leader

Patrick Chatman

Business Leader

Melanie Bouyer

Business Leader

Dr. Pauline Long

Meds Plus Consulting

Dr. Nadia Richardson

MHERC CAB

Toraine Norris

City of Bessemer

Maurice Muhammad

Bessemer Magistrate

Raquel Smith

Executive Director and Founder of PinkTopps Breast Cancer Organization