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

Kennya Alvarado, RN
Arlington Free Clinic

Derrick Butts
Prostate Cancer Awareness Alliance

Everett Dodson
Community Advocate

Jackie Dunmore-Griffith, MD
Doctors Hospital & Howard University Hospital

Victoria Girard
Professor of Law, Georgetown University

Reverend John Harmon
Trinity Episcopal Church

Astrid Jimenez
Executive Director
Nueva Vida

Thelma D. Jones
Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund

Alleyah Miner
Patient Advocate

Dilcia Molina
La Clínica del Pueblo

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

Rachel Ress, MSW, LICSW
Cancer Support Community

Brenda Richardson
Past CAC Chair
Former DC Council member Chief of Staff

Andrea Roane
Journalist

Tho Tran
Vietnamese American Services

Samuel Washinton, MPH
Community Advocate

Michelle Yi
Chinese Community Church