Community Engagement Core

The Community Engagement Core (CEC) of the Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparity Research Center (RGV-CHDRC) leads comprehensive outreach, education, community engagement, and patient navigation efforts throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Our mission is to reduce cancer health disparities in Hispanic/Latino, rural, and low socioeconomic status communities by building trust, engaging communities through culturally tailored education, supporting patient navigation, and translating research findings into action. Through this work, we identify community health priorities, promote meaningful participation in research, and support the recruitment and retention of study participants while assisting patients in navigating cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care.

Building on strong partnerships established through the Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) and their Community Advisory Boards, the CEC strengthens long-term relationships with community-based organizations, leaders, and residents. We collaborate closely with researchers, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, and cross-sector partners to ensure resources and support are accessible when individuals and families need them most. By fostering trust and developing coordinated referral networks, we help remove barriers to care and improve access to prevention and screening services.

Central to this work is our team of Community Health Workers, who serve as the bridge between research, healthcare systems, and the communities we serve. As trusted members of the region, they play a key role in connecting individuals to resources and services while providing culturally tailored, evidence-based education and patient navigation support. Members of our team are Certified Oncological Patient Navigators through the American Cancer Society Leadership in Oncology Navigation Program, bringing specialized training in cancer care navigation and patient support. We also have Community Health Worker Instructors (CHWIs) on staff who provide training and professional development to other Community Health Workers, strengthening workforce capacity across the region. Through their sustained engagement, our Community Health Workers help ensure that research findings are communicated clearly and translated into practical improvements in community health.