Candice Lucas Assumes New Leadership Position within Wilmot's COE Team

New Chief Community Impact Officer at Wilmot Cancer Institute to Address Cancer Disparities

The Wilmot Cancer Institute has appointed Candice Lucas as its new Chief Community Impact Officer for the Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) Office. This appointment is expected to significantly impact Wilmot's cancer prevention and care initiatives, particularly in addressing cancer disparities in communities disproportionately impacted by the disease.

Lucas, who holds an Ed.D. and an M.B.A., brings a wealth of experience in community engagement and outreach, much of it in the cancer space. Prior to her current role, she served as Chief Community Engagement Officer for Monroe County. In this position, she worked tirelessly to ensure equitable distribution of COVID testing and vaccines.

In her new role at Wilmot, Lucas will co-lead COE work throughout the institute's 27-county catchment area. She will leverage her extensive experience in developing, implementing, and managing programs to ensure community voice is centred in conversations and there is measurable community impact.

Lucas' goal is to ensure diverse voices are embedded in Wilmot programs, research, and clinical practices. She aims to ensure that the community can feel the benefit from their perspective in Wilmot's community outreach and engagement efforts.

Paula Cupertino, Ph.D., the Associate Director for Community Outreach & Engagement at Wilmot, expressed her excitement about the appointment. She will continue to work alongside Lucas, who has served as co-chair of Wilmot's Cancer Community Action Council (CCAC) for the past three years.

Lucas' most recent role was the direction of the Cancer Services Program of Monroe County, which provides access to, and pays for, cancer screenings for people who are uninsured or underinsured. Her work in this role underscores her commitment to ensuring equal access to cancer care for all.

The Wilmot Cancer Institute Community Outreach & Engagement Office is confident that Lucas' appointment will help address cancer disparities in communities disproportionately impacted by cancer. Her extensive experience in working with diverse communities will undoubtedly contribute to the institute's mission of improving the lives of those affected by cancer.