Wilmot's COE team expands with the addition of Candice Lucas in a fresh leadership position.

The Wilmot Cancer Institute has announced the appointment of Dr. Candice Lucas as its new Chief Community Impact Officer. Dr. Lucas, who brings over 20 years of experience in community engagement and outreach, many of those years in the cancer space, will be leading the Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) work throughout Wilmot's 27-county catchment area.

Dr. Lucas, who previously served as Chief Community Engagement Officer for Monroe County, has demonstrated a strong commitment to working with diverse communities. Her extensive on-the-ground experience will be invaluable in her new role at Wilmot.

In her previous role, Dr. Lucas worked tirelessly to ensure equitable distribution of COVID testing and vaccines, and she also directed the Cancer Services Program of Monroe County, which provides access to, and pays for, cancer screenings for people who are uninsured or underinsured.

Dr. Lucas has also served as co-chair of Wilmot's Cancer Community Action Council (CCAC) for the past three years. She expressed enthusiasm about her new appointment, stating that she is looking forward to positively impacting Wilmot's cancer prevention and care initiatives.

Paula Cupertino, Ph.D., the Associate Director for Community Outreach & Engagement at Wilmot, expressed her excitement about the appointment of Dr. Lucas, stating that she will ensure the community's diverse voices are embedded in Wilmot programs, research, and clinical practices.

Dr. Lucas's new role will focus on ensuring that the community can feel the benefit from their perspective. She aims to ensure that community voice is centred in conversations, that community engagement is meaningful and relevant, and that there is measurable community impact.

The community outreach and engagement by Wilmot will take place in King County, specifically around the Wilmot Gateway Park area in Woodinville, Washington. This includes activities related to the Wilmot Park Boat Launch & Stage project that enhances recreational and cultural community events along the Sammamish River.

The new position of Chief Community Impact Officer aims to address the disproportionate impact of cancer in the communities within Wilmot's catchment area. Dr. Lucas will leverage her experience in developing, implementing, and managing programs in her new position to make a real difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.

Wilmot's COE team expands with the addition of Candice Lucas in a fresh leadership position.