Interview with Ruth O'Regan: Addressing Diversity in Depth

The Wilmot Cancer Institute, located in Rochester, is looking to the future with a renewed focus on education and diversity. One of the key initiatives is outreach to community oncologists for educational sessions, with speakers from esteemed institutions such as Roswell Park joining the discussion.

The Institute recognises the importance of a diverse population in its educational programmes, and efforts are being made to recruit a wide range of individuals for its new curriculum. This is crucial, as one of the challenges faced by the Institute is a lack of diversity in predominantly white regions, including Rochester.

To address this issue, the Institute is striving to secure as many training grants as possible, such as T32 grants. These grants offer protected research time and salary funding for physicians and PhDs in their early career stages, which can help attract and retain a diverse workforce.

Dr. Ruth O'Regan, the associate director for the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) program at Wilmot Cancer Institute, is leading these efforts. She is working with the state medical society to build relationships with other oncologists and spread the word about what Wilmot Cancer Institute is doing.

The Institute's educational initiatives extend beyond traditional oncology. It offers a Deaf internship program for high school students, providing them with time with cancer physicians and a week in a lab for a science perspective. This program has been inspiring, with positive responses from the students who have participated.

In addition, Wilmot Cancer Institute has been fortunate to obtain the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) summer internship grant. This programme has been very rewarding for the students who have taken part, and the Institute plans to continue it when ASCO no longer sponsors it.

As Wilmot Cancer Institute looks to the future, it is determined to steer its strength in education into new areas. The Institute is developing a new curriculum with a cancer biology focus, aimed at bringing new students into an academic cancer research career.

In conclusion, the Wilmot Cancer Institute is committed to diversity and education, working tirelessly to attract a diverse population and secure the necessary grants to support its initiatives. With its forward-thinking approach and dedication to excellence, the Institute is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the field of cancer research and treatment.