In this episode adapted from the Community Conversations podcast with Community Clovia, we welcome Dr. Kim Rhoads, the associate director of community outreach and engagement at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Rhoads provides insight on pancreatic cancer following the tragic passing of Richmond legend D'Angelo, why pancreatic cancer is more common in certain populations and what people in the community can do to be proactive in their healthcare. Later Dr. Rhoads shares about the purpose behind community engagement and why she chose to come to VCU Massey.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

In this Community Conversations: The Black Health Wins episode, Miss Community Clovia Lawrence welcomes Dr. Robert Winn (VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center) and clinical social worker Freda Wilkins to talk about the holiday season’s emotional highs and lows when cancer is in the picture—whether someone is newly diagnosed, in treatment, surviving, or caregiving. They unpack why the holidays can amplify stress: disrupted routines, pressure to “show up,” fatigue from treatment, grief around empty seats at the table, and the painful spotlight of well-meaning comments (“you look different this year”). Freda offers practical language that helps—shifting from “Call me if you need anything” to specific, low-effort support like “I’m at the pharmacy—what can I pick up for you?” and asking “How are you feeling today?” to let the person guide the moment.

The episode then introduces Dr. Kim Rhoads, Associate Director of Community Outreach and Engagement at VCU Massey, who explains what an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center is—and why community engagement is not “extra,” but a required, scored part of how cancer centers are evaluated. Dr. Rhoads emphasizes humility in care, equity and justice for Black and brown communities, and the need for a two-way relationship (“reach out” that expects people to “reach back”). She also speaks candidly about the limits of the current healthcare system (15–30 minute visits) and why community engagement teams can become the “hand to reach for” when people have questions or need connection. The conversation closes with ways to connect with Massey’s community outreach efforts.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

In this episode of Real Cancer Talk, Dr. Robert Winn sits down with Dr. Julian Adams—President and CEO of Stand Up To Cancer and one of the world’s leading oncology researchers—for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of cancer science.

Dr. Adams reflects on his journey from a childhood fascination with invention to decades of drug development in HIV and cancer, and how that path ultimately led him to Stand Up To Cancer. Together, he and Dr. Winn explore why curiosity is the DNA of science, why collaboration—not competition—drives real breakthroughs, and how Stand Up To Cancer’s “Dream Team” model is reshaping research by breaking down silos between institutions.

The conversation also dives into a bold shift in strategy: focusing on early detection and cancer interception rather than late-stage disease. Dr. Adams shares how high-risk, high-reward research funded by Stand Up To Cancer has helped transform treatments—highlighting groundbreaking work in rectal cancer that has achieved 100% tumor regression in select patients.

Grounded in transparency, trust, and real-world impact, this episode reminds listeners that science is not at odds with communities—it’s working on their behalf. From rural America to global cancer care, this is a conversation about hope, teamwork, and why investing in science means more people living long enough to show up for graduations, weddings, and everyday life.

Lisa Manganello has been a librarian at South Brunswick High School for the past seventeen years, where she was recognized as Educator of the Year in 2015. An active member of the New Jersey Association of School Librarians, Lisa presents regularly on information literacy. Recent presentations include Now What?: Information Literacy Lessons for the High School Library, Diverse Readers, Diverse Books: New Titles to Build a Culture of Reading, and Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Information Literacy with your Librarian. In January 2024, she published an article titled “Information Literacy begins in your school library” in NJEA Review Magazine. Partnering with Dr. Joyce Valenza, Professor of Information Science at Rutgers University, Lisa helped to develop the New Jersey Open Library Tour (NJOLT) to give pre-service and practicing librarians opportunities to visit and learn from their colleagues throughout the state. She is passionate about sharing her information literacy lessons with other educators and spotlighting the value of school librarians. She has also served as a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, where she helped to develop a course on school library climate and culture. Lisa’s work with media literacy has been featured in reports on NBC and CNN. She lives in Monmouth Junction, NJ with her husband, Matt and their two children, Andrew and Nicholas.

FFF Website: https://www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays/

Massey Website: masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: / vcumasseycancercenter

Twitter: / vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 73 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

In this powerful episode of Community Conversations / Black Health Wins, host Miss Community Clovia sits down with Dr. Robert Winn, Director of VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center; Dr. Katherine Tossas, Associate Co-Director of Global Oncology; and Suzanne Brown of the Chickahominy Tribe—the catalyst behind the TRUTH Project (Trust, Research, Understand, Tell, Heal).

The conversation traces how a hand-drawn map created by local residents of Charles City County—marking cancer diagnoses and deaths in a small neighborhood—sparked a major community–academic partnership. Suzanne’s personal story of losing her mother to nonsmoking lung cancer inspired her to seek answers. Dr. Tossas and the Massey team responded, launching the TRUTH Project to investigate community concerns, conduct water testing, understand cancer perceptions, and build trust where medical mistrust has long existed.

Dr. Winn provides context on cancer disparities affecting Native communities nationwide, underscoring the urgency of prevention, early detection, and culturally informed outreach. The episode highlights how the TRUTH Project has grown beyond its initial research phase: training community health workers, hosting smoking-cessation workshops, expanding to all 11 Virginia tribal nations, and establishing the first Virginia Native Nations Against Cancer Coalition. The team also discusses their national publication on gaps in genetic nondiscrimination protections for Native Americans and what it means for access to cancer care and genomic medicine.

Grounded in grief, activism, and collaboration, this episode showcases how community wisdom, scientific partnership, and long-term commitment are reshaping cancer prevention and care in rural Virginia—and creating a model for tribal communities across the country.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

In this episode of Real Cancer Talk recorded at the annual convening of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials program, Dr. Robert Winn spoke with Winn CDA Cohort 3 scholars Maliha Nusrat, M.D., M.S., from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Blessie E. Nelson, M.M.B.B.S., D.M.R.T., from MD Anderson Cancer Center, about what they see as the most pressing issue in the realm of clinical trials and cancer research today. Dr. Nusrat and Dr. Nelson also go in-depth on their research into pearheading new decentralized trial designs at their institutions.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

In this episode of Real Cancer Talk, Dr. Robert Winn spoke with Dr. Oluwadamilola "Lola" T. Oladeru, Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic and 2024 Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Clinical Investigator Leadership Award winner, about the impact she is making in breast cancer and health equity as part of the first class on Winn Career Development Award scholars. Dr. Oladeru discusses her work in engaging historically marginalized communities like incarcerated patients, who she believes mirror what is happening in the local community. Later Later Dr. Winn and Dr. Oladeru talk about the rapidly changing landscape in cancer research and care and the inspirations in Lola's journey as a cancer researcher.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.

Dr. Shanita Brown is a speaker, board certified licensed clinical mental health counselor and educator that believes in fostering transformative and empowering dialogue about intimate partner violence, Black women and mental health wellness. With over 15 years of experience in the clinical mental health field, Dr. Brown is carving out an important dimension within counselor education, the Black community, and counseling profession by intersecting Black women, domestic violence, spirituality, and mental health. She is passionate to break the silence and empower change through education, empowerment and clinical services. She is a sought out expert in mental health wellness, domestic violence and Black women. She is a servant leader dedicated to disseminating her work in a variety of ways to increase awareness and influence the next generation of advocates and leaders. Dr. Brown’s extensive service includes work with the N.C. Domestic Violence Commission Taskforce, and most recently served on the, and National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Advisory Council. Dr. Brown has traveled throughout the country providing educational workshops and presentations to diverse audiences, including mental health professionals, collegiate campuses, advocates, faith leaders, and professional athletic organizations. She has received numerous awards, most recently the 2021 Jane E. Myers Counseling in Wellness Award by the North Carolina Counseling Association.

This episode originally aired on YouTube in October 2025.

Massey Website: https://masseycancercenter.org

Facts and Faith Fridays: www.masseycancercenter.org/facts-and-faith-fridays

Facebook: /vcumasseycancercenter

Instagram: @vcumassey

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 71 National Cancer Institute-designated institutions in the country that leads and shapes America's cancer research efforts. Working with all kinds of cancers, Massey conducts basic, translational and clinical cancer research, provides state-of-the-art treatments and clinical trials, and promotes cancer prevention and education. Since 1974, Massey has served as an internationally recognized center of excellence. It offers the most cancer clinical trials in Virginia and serves patients at multiple locations. Its 1,000-plus researchers, clinicians and staff members are dedicated to improving the quality of human life by developing and delivering effective means to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer. Visit Massey online at masseycancercenter.org or call 877-4-MASSEY for more information.