Our Story
In Spring 2021, the Community Outreach and Engagement offices from North Carolina’s three National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers partnered with Tribal communities to address the cancer health-related needs of Indigenous peoples in our catchment areas.
Together, the three cancer centers created the Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP). The purpose is to understand and address the cancer-related health needs of American Indian communities in our catchment areas and beyond.
Leading this effort are the Associate Directors of Community Outreach and Engagement:
Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju, Duke Cancer Institute
Dr. Ronny Bell, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (Now at UNC Lineberger)
Dr. Stephanie Wheeler, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Our Mission
The Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP) is a unique collaboration initiated by the Community Outreach and Engagement teams at the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers at Duke, UNC Lineberger and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, with a focus on understanding and addressing the cancer-related health needs of American Indian communities in our catchment areas and beyond. The partnership offers culturally competent research, education and community engagement for American Indian tribal communities. Tribal and community organizations and leaders, as well as clinical and academic institutions are encouraged to be a part of our efforts.
About our logo.
The SAICEP cancer ribbon is representative of the 4 directions in the use of distinctive colors black, red, yellow, and white. The 4 directions can stand for the four medicines, stages of life, seasons of the year, aspects of health, elements of nature, animals and ceremonial plants (U.S. National Library of Medicine)