From Our Community Outreach and Engagement Leadership

A message about our Community Outreach and Engagement efforts from Rebecca Jones, Ph.D.

Dear Community Members,

The Mays Cancer Center has proudly served South Texas for decades. Our community’s health needs are shaped by its unique characteristics and wide-ranging geography. Rates of certain cancers are significantly higher here than in other parts of the country, and many individuals must travel long distances to access care.

As the region’s only NCI-designated Cancer Center, we have a responsibility to extend our services beyond the walls of our facility. Through Community Outreach and Engagement, we are working with key partners to expand the availability and quality of cancer services across South Texas.

Our comprehensive efforts focus on education, research and the sharing of best practices. We are advancing this mission by:

• Monitoring cancer trends in the region
• Building strong relationships with community organizations
• Bringing community concerns and insights into our research programs

We collaborate with a range of local organizations, including health education centers, to increase awareness and improve access to cancer services. Our initiatives include community events, educational classes, screening opportunities, and support for cancer survivors. These efforts build on early successes and reflect our commitment to innovative approaches for enhancing access and outreach.

We connect our research faculty directly with communities, fostering collaboration that helps inform and shape future research. These connections are essential to improving cancer outcomes and tailoring care to local needs. Over time, we aim to share what we learn as a model for delivering high-quality, personalized cancer care in communities like ours.

We invite you to explore our programs, research and events. If you want to learn more or work with us, please reach out to us.

Sincerely, 

Rebecca Jones, PhD
Institute for Health Promotion Research
UT Health San Antonio