Hosts:

Coral Omene, MD, PhD (Rutgers Cancer Institute)

Ryan Nguyen, DO (University of Illinois Cancer Center)

Featured Guest:

Jerome Adams, MD, MPH, FASA

Former U.S. Surgeon General (2017–2021); Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives, Purdue University; Former Indiana State Health Commissioner

Episode Summary:

Dr. Jerome Adams joins Dr. Coral Omene and Dr. Ryan Nguyen for an in-depth discussion on health equity, leadership, and lessons learned from serving as the nation’s 20th U.S. Surgeon General during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Adams reflects on his journey practicing medicine, advancing health equity initiatives, and his experience as the United States Surgeon General.

Together, they explore how clinicians, researchers, and community partners can work together to reduce disparities in health outcomes.

Topics Covered:

• What inspired Dr. Adams’ path to medicine and public health
• Lessons learned as Indiana State Health Commissioner and U.S. Surgeon General
• Defining “health equity” across clinical, governmental, and academic roles
• Purdue’s Health Equity Initiatives and the HEAL Center’s community impact
• Communicating science and building public trust during crises
• How collaborations like the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium can address disparities nationwide

Resources Mentioned:

• Center for Community Health Empowerment and Learning (HEAL)
• Purdue University Health Empowerment Initiatives
• Surviving COVID: A Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Your Family, Your Community, and Yourself Safe - by Dr. Jerome Adams
• Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Spotlight on Opioids
• Big Ten CRC Health Equity Resources
• Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium

Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Dr. Ryan Nguyen, DO, of the University of Illinois Cancer Center join Lisa Hayes, breast cancer survivor and Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities, for a powerful conversation about the realities of facing cancer as a Black woman. Lisa shares how her diagnosis reshaped her life’s purpose and why inclusive, community-driven clinical research is essential. Tune in for an inspiring and eye-opening discussion on survivorship, equity, and patient advocacy.

Featured Guest:

• Lisa Hayes, Executive Director, Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities; former director of women’s health, Gennesaret Free Clinic; Patient Advocate

Topics Covered:

• Lisa’s 18-year journey as a breast cancer survivor
• The importance of warm handoffs and trusted community resources
• A landmark neuropathy study designed with and for Black women
• Pink-4-Ever’s “Survivorship as a Lifestyle” program
• What early-career researchers can do to build trust in communities

• Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium
• Big Ten CRC Health Equity Resources
• IU research targets debilitating side effects for Black breast cancer patients: IU News
• Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities

Dr. Coral Omene from Rutgers Cancer Institute talks with Tina Butts, a breast cancer survivor, about her experiences as a Black female patient in a clinical trial. Listen as Tina shares her journey, discussing the unique challenges of facing cancer as a Black woman. Tune in for an illuminating and touching conversation about resilience, faith, and the emotional realities of navigating life with cancer.