Community Advisory Board
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) of the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC) serves a variety of critically important roles in support of the Center’s mission to prevent and reduce the burden of health disparities on the overall quality of life among communities of the Southwest.
CAB Mission
To advise SIRC leadership and serve as a liaison between SIRC and the larger community.
CAB Goals
- To facilitate the communication and collaboration between university-based researchers and community based partners about health disparities.
- To improve outcomes of interventions and services through the implementation of research projects that foster innovation, sustainability and translations into real world settings and daily practice.
- To enhance public information, outreach and dissemination between community health representatives and healthcare providers, policy makers, the lay community and research investigators to develop appropriate research, education and delivery of programs.
CAB Meetings
The CAB meets four times a year in the SIRC office. Additionally, members are expected to participate on at least one of the four standing subcommittees listed below.
CAB Committees
Governance
Recruits and nominates potential Board members. Defines criteria for membership and reviews Board structure as indicated in the CAB Manual. Oversees the general direction of the CAB as well as implementation of the work plan described in SIRC’s Community Engagement and Dissemination Core. Ensures that CAB members understand the full range and scope of SIRC’s programs and projects. Membership is comprised of the CAB Chair, Vice-Chair and Subcommittee Chairs. Responsible for election of Officers and appointment of CAB subcommittee chairs.
Dissemination
Increases the visibility of SIRC in the local community by providing opportunities for collaboration, presentation and partnership for SIRC faculty, students and fellows. Reviews social media activities for the purpose of the dissemination of research findings. Reviews and comments on materials developed for local community, health care providers, policymakers and the media.
Strategic Planning
Develops a strategic dissemination plan which identifies stakeholders, dissemination pathways, appropriate activities and mechanisms to ensure the sustained impact of research findings locally and nationally. Responsible for the Board Alignment Survey and the Board Satisfaction Survey.
Research and Education
Identifies and recommends critical health-related topics suitable for Issue Forums and takes an active role in planning these events including identification of panelists, co-sponsors, audience, event locations. Participates in interviews at the Forum in order to disseminate information on social media which is useful to practitioners, policymakers and the general public.
Current Members
Shayna Diamond, MA, PMP (Chair)
Senior Manager, Cancer Support Strategic Partnerships
American Cancer Society
Jocelyn Beard, MA (Vice Chair)
Tribal Relations Manager
Arizona Department of Economic Security
Joylana Begay-Kroupa
CEO
Phoenix Indian Center
Michelle Cabanillas, LMSW
Director
School Safety and Social Wellness Unit
Arizona Department of Education
Kathleen Davis
Peer Representative
Arizona Women's Recovery Center
Rob Duggan
Asst. Fire Chief
Gilbert Fire & Rescue
Maggie Eng
Program Manager
City of Phoenix, Chinese Senior Center
Omar Fabian, LMSW
School Social Worker
Roosevelt School District
Merilee Fowler
Executive Director
MATFORCE & Community Counts
Zepporah Fuller, MHA/ED., CPHQ
Director of Technical Assistance
National Council of Urban Indian Health
Barbara S. Garden, BS
Director of Community Relations
Terros Health
Shomari Jackson, MPA
Program Coordinator
Sonoran Prevention Works
Tom Litwicki
CEO
Opening Doors to Housing & Recovery
Nora Lozano, BS, In
Community Health Worker Supervisor
Equality Health
Gregorio Montes de Oca, MPA
Community Investment Coordinator
Arizona Community Foundation
Jeanne Nizigiyimana, MSW, MA
Co-founder and Program Manager
Refugee Women's Health Clinic
Valleywise Health
Farhia Omar, MPH
Program Manager
Mayo Clinic
Zona Pacheco, LCSW
Housing Supportive Services Coordinator
City of Phoenix
Teresa Peña, MEd
Senior Director, Training and Diversity
Valle del Sol
Lena Spotleson, MA
Director, Corporate Relations
American Cancer Society
Lisa St. George
VP, Peer Support & Empowerment
RI International
Jennifer Weller, PhD
Research Director, Child Psychiatry
District Medical Group
Nicole Dupuis-Witt, MPH
Public Health Advisor
City of Phoenix
Emeritus Members:
Patti Hibbeler, MA (former Chair)
Eileen Eisen-Cohen
Yvonne Fortier, LPC, LISAC
Manuel Medina
Elizabeth Ortiz de Valdez, MD
RJ Shannon