Community Advisory Council

The Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities Research work in collaboration with the Community Advisory Council that is comprised of members representing the Wards of the District with a particular focus on those areas East of the River, neighborhood residents, community- based physicians, non-profit and community organizations, churches, media and government officials. With input from our council members, we are able to conduct focus groups and needs assessments to ensure that the community needs are accurately depicted and understood regarding their health experience so that appropriate scientific research is taken.

Melanie Nix
CAC Chair

Chiranjeev Dash, MBBS, PhD, MPH
Academic Co-Chair

Shuron Abdullah
Musjid Muhammad

Luis Aparicio
Catholic Charities

Jacqueline Beale
National Ambassador, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

Rev. Kendrick E. Curry, PhD, MDiv
Pennsylvania Ave Baptist Church

Don Edwards
Justice & Sustainability Associates

Victoria Girard
Professor of Law, Georgetown University

Kimberly Higginbotham
Howard University Hospital

Kenya “Garçon” Hutton
Center for Black Equity

Angela James, MBA, LMSW, MEd, OSW-C, OPN-CG
Lungevity

Thelma D. Jones
Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund

Ify Anne Nwabukwu, BSN, RN
African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association

Rachel Ress, MSW, LICSW
Cancer Support Community

Senkuta Riverson, MPH
DC Department of Health

Andrea Roane
Journalist

Tho Tran
Vietnamese American Services

Robin Williams, MD
Howard University

Michelle Yi
Chinese Community Church