Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Meet Our Advisory Boards

Our Community Advisory Board

Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center's Community Advisory Board represents the various populations and organizations of Dallas-Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Through their unique perspectives and talents, board members advise Simmons on the development of successful cancer education and outreach strategies for our area.

The board also helps Simmons align research priorities with the community’s highest needs, and it mobilizes civic partnerships so that everyone can join forces in the fight against cancer.

Members:

Amanda Arizola
Asset Funders Network

Rebekah Chenelle
Dallas Regional Chamber

Mercedes Cruz-Ruiz, CHW I, Chair
Aetna, HealthBridge4U

Tanya Downing
Hope Clinic

Mostafa Elsakka, M.D.
ELIXIR Wellness & Family Care

Martha Fernandez
Dallas College

Rev. Clarence Ford, Vice Chair
Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME Church

Jeana Foxman
Temple Emanu-El

Kimberly Fulda
Nortex Communications, University of North Texas Health Science Center

Jennifer Gibson-Dias, Ph.D.
The University of Texas at Arlington

Fernando Gonzalez
Past Affiliation: City of Fort Worth Fire Department

Hala Halabi
ICNA Relief USA

David Hennessy
North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition

Lakeye Hurd
American Cancer Society

Denise Roque Johnson
Museum of Asian Texans

Mervil Johnson
Tarrant County Workforce Solutions, Fatherhood Coalition of Tarrant County

Mateo Magdaleno
IDQ Group, Inc.

Sunil Maini
US-India Chamber of Commerce DFW

Edward Moore
Garland City Council

Rabbi Andrew Paley
Temple Shalom Dallas

Aideé Granados Peña
SuperVive

Sydney Portilla-Diggs
Any Step Community Services

Jackie Rakowski
Woven Health Clinic

Cristal Retana
Children's Health

Nick Shroff, M.D.
American Prostate Cancer Foundation

Roselyn White
Susan G. Komen

Former Board Members

Carole Baas, Ph.D., National Cancer Institute

Janie Bordner, Community Council of Greater Dallas

Rosangela Boyd, Ph.D., Texas Christian University

Edgar Carmona, Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas

Joe Carpenter, University of Texas at Arlington

Tom Dillon, North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition

Becky Earlie-Royer, Ph.D., Texas Department of State Health Services

Lynda Ender, The Senior Source

Oscar Espinosa, Entercom Media

David Faltys, Past Affiliation: Carroll ISD

Pearl Garza Fracchia, Past Affiliation: Dallas ISD

Danny Garcia, Community Activist

Matt Garcia, Dallas Regional Chamber

Belinda González Hampton, Tarrant County Health Department

Brianna Hinojosa-Smith, Microsoft

Matt Houston, Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce

Philip Huang, M.D., Dallas County Department of Health and Human Services

Jeff Kitner, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce

Ashok (AK) Mago, Mago & Associates

Stacey Malcolmson, The Senior Source

Leonor Marquez, Los Barrios Unidos Community Clinic

Mike McKay, Past Affiliation: U.S. Peace Corps, Resource Center of Dallas

Natasha Mmeje, Susan G. Komen

DT Nguyen, Koan Health

Catherine Oliveros, Ph.D., Texas Health Resources

Rick Ortiz, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Shelia Patterson, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship

Dale Petroskey, Dallas Regional Chamber

Michele Rippey, Lockton Companies

Sheena Robertson, American Cancer Society

Judy Rorrie, North Dallas Shared Ministries

Rabbi Ari Sunshine, Congregation Shearith Israel

Joyce Tapley, Foremost Family Health Centers

Kelsel Thompson, Paul Quinn College

Mimi Tran, Me Squared Cancer Foundation

Rev. Elizabeth Watson-Martin, Texas Health Resources

Bob Williams, North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition

Our Patient and Family Advisory Council

Simmons’ Patient and Family Advisory Council was created and developed with generous support from Kim and Jeff Chapman to address the wide-ranging needs of patients and their caregivers. Members of the council meet regularly to share their views on all aspects of the cancer journey. Their input guides Simmons’ efforts to create an uplifting care environment, offer patient-centered services, and enable access to clinical trials.

To learn more about the Patient and Family Advisory Council, please contact Alex Huffman at SCCCSupport@utsouthwestern.edu.

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Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

We are the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in North Texas.

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