Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

Meet Our Advisory Boards

Contact Us at 833-722-6237

Our Community Advisory Board

Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center's Community Advisory Board represents the diverse 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.

Community Advisory Board Members:

Rosangela Boyd, Ph.D.
Texas Christian University

Edgar Carmona
Consulate General of Mexico

Mercedes Cruz-Ruiz, CHW I
Aetna, HealthBridge4U

Tanya Downing
Hope Clinic

Pearl Garza Fracchia, Chair
Past Affiliation: Dallas ISD

Danny Garcia, Vice Chair
Cook Children’s Health Care System

Matt Garcia
Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce

Fernando Gonzalez
Past Affiliation: City of Fort Worth Fire Department

Belinda González Hampton
Past Affiliation: Tarrant County Health Department

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

Lakeye Hurd
American Cancer Society

Jeff Kitner
North Dallas Chamber of Commerce

Sunil Maini
US-India Chamber of Commerce DFW

Edward Moore
Garland City Council

DT Nguyen
Koan Health

Shelia Patterson
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship

Sydney Portilla-Diggs
Any Step Community Services

Joyce Tapley
Foremost Family Health Centers

Mimi Tran
Me Squared Cancer Foundation

Rev. Elizabeth Watson-Martin
Texas Health Resources

Roselyn White
Susan G. Komen

Bob Williams
North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition

"Our Community Advisory Board is an innovative partnership for two-way communication between UT Southwestern and the public to bring awareness to cancer resources in the DFW area, particularly in traditionally underserved areas. I’ve enjoyed collaborating with other community leaders in our efforts to promote the excellent work being done by Simmons Cancer Center."

– Jeff Kitner

Chief Operating Officer, North Dallas Chamber of Commerce

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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