Combat Cancer TA
healthy hometowns:
Combat cancer technical assistance
University of Iowa College of Public Health and University of Iowa Health Care are expanding support of rural health care as part of Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation Program and the Healthy Hometowns initiative.
Kickoff Webinar on June 29th
The University of Iowa and Iowa Health and Human Services will host a kickoff webinar on Monday, June 29 from 9 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. CST to share an overview of Iowa’s Rural Health Transformation Program and the Combat Cancer Technical Assistance (TA) project. The event will cover:
- Overview of Iowa’s rural health transformation
- Explain the goals of the Combat Cancer TA project
- How to get engaged and what assistance will be available
We welcome and encourage attendance from all Iowa groups who support rural cancer prevention and care including: rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, rural primary care clinics such as Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, independent practices, oncology providers and cancer centers, behavioral health and substance use providers, public health departments, community-based organizations and nonprofits, pharmacies, aging and disability service organizations, Community Action Agencies, rural coalitions, and other relevant healthcare and social service entities involved in cancer prevention, screening, treatment, or survivorship.
What We Do
Throughout the five-year grant, the Combat Cancer TA project will help Iowa Department of Health and Human Services implement a hub-and-spoke network for coordinated cancer prevention, early detection, and care.
The Combat Cancer TA project will support the development, implementation, and sustainability of rural hub-and-spoke models of cancer prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship care. The goal is to improve access, quality, and coordination, of high-quality and sustainable cancer care for rural populations by strengthening regional partnerships between “hub” organizations and community-based “spoke” providers. This expands the University of Iowa’s existing work supporting hospitals across the state through the I-CAN network and county-level prevention initiatives through the University of Iowa Cancer Partnership.
Learn more about the Healthy Hometowns Initiative here: University of Iowa to expand support of rural health care through Iowa HHS’ Healthy Hometowns Initiative | UI Health Care
Events & Resources
Contact Us
Meet the team
Mark Burkard, MD, PhD
Co-Principal Investigator
Mark Burkard, MD, PhD directs the Holden Comprehensive Cancer and is Associate Dean for Cancer in the Carver College of Medicine, of the University of Iowa. He completed MD-PhD training at the University of Rochester followed by residency at Cornell-New York Hospital and Medical Oncology Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is an active physician with experience in medical care, NIH-funded research, and biomedical training programs. Prior to joining the University of Iowa, he led a state-wide precision medicine initiative in Wisconsin.
Vickie Miene, MS, MA, LMHC
Co-Principal Investigator
Vickie Miene, MS, MA, LMHC is the Executive Director of the Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy and Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. She earned an MA in Applied Psychology and an MS in Healthcare Delivery Science from Dartmouth College. She leads initiatives that connect public health practice, research, and policy to improve population health. Ms. Miene has over 25 years of experience building and evaluating effective community-based healthcare delivery models. She directed large-scale system transformation efforts including directing a nationally recognized, federally funded System of Care across 10 counties in Northeast Iowa, nationally pioneering an integrated, team-based model that bridged medical and social support services for pediatric patients. Ms. Miene has led multiple statewide initiatives, including training and technical assistance for Iowa’s pediatric as well as adult integrated health care models and other large-scale quality improvement efforts. Her research includes qualitative studies of public health systems, most recently assessing Iowa’s Rural Vitality Project to study the utilization and scalability of the Wealth Capitol Framework. Contact Vickie.
Ingrid Lizarraga, MBBS, FACS
Rural Cancer Care Consultant
Ingrid Lizarraga, MBBS, FACS currently holds many positions including Clinical Professor of Surgery – Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Program Director of the SSO-Certified Breast Interdisciplinary Fellowship, Arlene Holden Professorship in Breast Cancer Surgery, Medical Director of the Breast Health Center, and Medical Director for the Iowa Cancer Affiliate Network. Dr. Lizarraga earned her MBBS at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, completed a residency in General Surgery at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and completed a fellowship in Multidisciplinary Breast Surgical Oncology at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Sofie Dollison, MPH, CHES
Combat Cancer TA Program Manager
Sofie Dollison, MPH, CHES, is a Program Manager at the Institute for Public Health Practice, Research and Policy at the University of Iowa. She currently works on multiple projects including the Combat Cancer Technical Assistance project aiming to improve rural cancer care using a hub and spoke model, the evaluation of the Iowa Rural Vitality Pilot Project aiming to improve rural health through holistic strategic planning, and the organization of and case writing for the IPHPRP Global Health Case Competition. Sofie also has experience as a Research Associate and Program Coordinator for the program evaluation of a statewide lead-in-water testing program, the administration of the Iowa Public Health AmeriCorps program, and the coordination of the Communicating Data training series for public health professionals across Iowa. Contact Sofie.
Will Fedders, MBA
Strategy Consultant
Will Fedders, MBA is a Strategy Consultant in Hospital Administration at University of Iowa Health Care. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Wisconsin School of Business. In his current role and in prior roles as a Decision Support Report Analyst, Database Marketing Analyst, and Logistic Analytics Manager, Will has focused on problem solving, strategic planning, business development, and leadership.
Rachel Kirchner, MHA
Hospital Administration Consultant
Rachel Kirchner, MHA is an experienced hospital administrator with a demonstrated history of working in the health care industry. Skilled in Healthcare Consulting, Operations Excellence, Data Analysis, Physician Relations, and Working with Physicians. Extensive experience in operational and budget oversight, ambulatory space design and development, leading acquisitions and operational transitions, leadership development and change management.
Kirsten Hanrahan, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, FAAN
Nurse Manager Consultant
Kirsten Hanrahan, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-PC, FAAN is the Director of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice and a Nurse Scientist at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, a Certified pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Adjunct Faculty at University of Iowa College of Nursing. Hanrahan is well-versed in EBP and clinical research. She is an author of the Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care© and the Iowa Implementation for Sustainability Framework©. She has authored evidence-based guidelines and implemented multiple EBP changes in the clinical setting.
Abigail Stock, MPH
Learning Management System Support
Abigail Stock, MPH, is an Admin Services Specialist for the Institute of Public Health Practice, Research and Policy at the University of Iowa. She serves as a coordinator for the Communicating Data Training Series. As a coordinator for the Communicating Data series, she leads in the marketing, content planning, and technical support for each online training. On the Combat Cancer TA project, Abigail maintains the learning management system. She graduated with her MPH in Epidemiology, with a focus on infectious disease, from the University of Iowa College of Public Health.
FAQs
How do I contact the Combat Cancer TA team?
Click the button below to contact the Combat Cancer TA team.
How do I sign up for the Kickoff?
Click the button below to register for the Combat Cancer TA project Kickoff on Monday, June 29th from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Who should attend Combat Cancer TA sessions?
We welcome and encourage attendance from all Iowa groups who support rural cancer prevention and care including:
- Rural hospitals
- Critical access hospitals
- Rural primary care clinics such as Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, independent practices, oncology providers and cancer centers
- Behavioral health and substance use providers
- Public health departments
- Community-based organizations and nonprofits
- Pharmacies
- Aging and disability service organizations
- Community Action Agencies
- Rural coalitions
- Other relevant healthcare and social service entities involved in cancer prevention, screening, treatment, or survivorship.
How do I access the Learning Management System?
The LMS link will be added here when the system is launched.
What will be included on the Learning Management System?
Educational and training content for the Combat Cancer TA project will be available through the Learning Management System, Thinkific.
Participants will be able to access the following:
- Past recorded webinars
- On-demand courses
- Support tools and templates
Who can access the Learning Management System?
Anyone can access the learning management system. We welcome and encourage all Iowa groups who support rural cancer prevention and care to use our resources including:
- Rural hospitals
- Critical access hospitals
- Rural primary care clinics such as Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, independent practices, oncology providers and cancer centers
- Behavioral health and substance use providers
- Public health departments
- Community-based organizations and nonprofits
- Pharmacies
- Aging and disability service organizations
- Community Action Agencies
- Rural coalitions
- Other relevant healthcare and social service entities involved in cancer prevention, screening, treatment, or survivorship.
CMS Disclaimer
This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling approximately $209,040,063.71 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.