Making a Connection to Improve Latino Health
Posts tagged CTRC
Job Opp: Cancer Behavioral Researcher in San Antonio
04 months ago
In a joint recruitment effort, the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR; the team behind SaludToday) and the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (UTHSCSA) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in behavioral science at the associate or full professor level, with experience and extramural funding history in cancer prevention and control research, especially health-related quality of life (QoL) research among cancer patients and cancer survivors.
Research activities at the IHPR, CTRC, and their host institution (UTHSCSA) provide varied and exciting opportunities for behavior research studies. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with faculty from other UTHSCSA schools, the UT School of Public Health’s San Antonio Regional Campus, and UTHSCSA’s Regional Academic Health Center campuses in Harlingen and McAllen, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Qualifications:
1) completed doctoral degree (MD or PhD equivalent);
2) track record of independent, peer-reviewed grant funding;
3) record of peer-reviewed publications in the area of cancer and behavioral sciences;
4) ability to serve as principal investigator on externally funded projects and as co-investigator with multi-disciplinary research teams; and
5) contribution to the educational mission through teaching and advising graduate students and/or mentoring early-career scientists.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Candidates should e-mail a letter describing their qualifications and interests along with their curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references to Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, Chair, Behavioral Faculty Search Committee, ramirezag@uthscsa.edu.
All Faculty appointments are designated as security sensitive positions. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Study: Liver Cancer in Latinos Linked to Diabetes, Obesity
01 year ago
Liver cancer rates among South Texas Latinos are higher than in other U.S. Latinos, as are their rates of obesity and diabetes—and the relationships between these ailments are being mapped by researchers at the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the team behind SaludToday.
In a study published April 18, 2012, in the journal PLoS ONE, the researchers looked at overall liver cancer rates among U.S. Latinos and compared this to a Texas sample and a South Texas subset from 1995-2006.
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez
They also compared prevalence among Latinos of lifestyle-associated factors that contribute to liver cancer: heavy alcohol use, smoking, obesity and diabetes.
They found that from 1995 to 2006, annual age-adjusted liver cancer incidence increased among all populations – but was highest in South Texas Latinos over the entire period. The increase among South Texas Latinos was also significantly greater than all Texas Latinos, who in turn had significantly higher levels of liver cancer than the U.S. national sample.
While obesity and diabetes increased among all three groups, obesity rates were higher in Texas Latinos and highest in South Texas Latinos. Neither heavy alcohol consumption nor cigarette smoking increased.
“Regarding risk factors, we found remarkably similar and significantly increasing rates of obesity and diabetes in our study groups, with higher obesity prevalence in Texas and particularly South Texas Latinos,” said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, the study’s lead author and director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the Health Science Center.
The study warrants further exploration if there is a relationship between diabetes, obesity and liver cancer so that researchers can look at the problem from the standpoint of prevention, said Ramirez, who also is a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the Health Science Center’s School of Medicine and associate director of health disparities at the Health Science Center’s Cancer Therapy & Research Center.
“Both obesity and diabetes are preventable and/or treatable,” she said, “so reducing obesity and diabetes may be an important for lowering Latinos’ risk for liver cancer, too.”
New Project to Offer Cancer Screening to Underserved Latinos in San Antonio
01 year ago
Two University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio researchers today were awarded a total of $4.7 million by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
These awards for cancer prevention, along with $2.9 million to University Health System, make San Antonio the largest recipient of funds in this CPRIT funding cycle—28% the $26.3 million awarded.
Dr. Cynthia Mojica of the Institute for Health Promotion Research at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Dr. Cynthia Mojica, assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics in the Institute for Health Promotion Research at the UT Health Science Center, will use a $2 million award to partner with federally qualified health center CentroMed and community organizations to offer breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening to San Antonio residents otherwise unable to afford them.
“This grant allows us to greatly expand what we’ve been doing in terms of giving people in underserved populations the opportunity to be screened,” Dr. Mojica said.
A $2.7 million grant to Dr. Gail Tomlinson, interim director of the Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute (GCCRI), allows her team to help health-care providers map out their patients’ cancer risks and to share information with the community about the importance of understanding family history. They will work with CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System and other groups. The grant will also support screening services for people at high risk who might not otherwise have access.
“A family history can yield strong clues to understanding a person’s risk for cancer,” Dr. Tomlinson said.
The awards reflect the kind of work that goes on at the Health Science Center, said Dr. William L. Henrich, president of the Health Science Center.
“Extending better cancer screening opportunities and the latest expertise in genetic counseling to the people at greatest risk here in South Texas is the perfect expression of our mission at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio,” Dr. Henrich said.
CTRC director Dr. Ian M. Thompson Jr. noted that this is not the first time CPRIT has supported both researchers.
“Prevention is one of the most important ways to fight cancer,” said Dr. Thompson, professor of urology in the School of Medicine at the Health Science Center. “Dr. Tomlinson’s genetic research will give us the capability to bring a person’s potential cancer risk into sharper focus, helping them make decisions in advance to prevent the disease. Dr. Mojica’s community outreach will give our friends and neighbors the opportunity to be screened for cancers for which early diagnosis can mean a cancer cure. I am delighted that CPRIT continues to help them both help San Antonio and Texas.”
Dr. Ramirez’ White House Blog: ‘Giving Latinas a Chance Against Breast Cancer’
01 year ago
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez
Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the team behind SaludToday, was recently named a “Champion of Change” by the White House for her contributions to ending suffering from breast cancer.
Now Dr. Ramirez has written a blog post for the White House.
The inspirational post, “Giving Latinas a Chance Against Breast Cancer,” highlights Latinas’ cancer issues and discusses ways to overcome barriers:
Prevention is the key, and timely screening, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care are critical if Latinas are to survive cancer and sustain a good quality of life.
That’s why my Institute for Health Promotion Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, in partnership with the Cancer Therapy and Research Center and agencies like Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, is doing research that engages the community to help them make better health choices and break down cancer barriers.
Read the full post here.
White House Names San Antonio’s Dr. Amelie Ramirez a ‘Champion of Change’
01 year ago
by admin
in Latino Cancer
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez
Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, the team behind SaludToday, is among a handful of people named “Champions of Change” by the White House for their contributions to ending suffering from breast cancer, the leading cancer diagnosed in women today.
Each week the White House highlights “Champions” who are making an impact in their communities and helping to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
“I am honored to be named a ‘Champion of Change.’ I hope it puts a spotlight on breast cancer, the No. 1 cancer killer of Latinas,” Dr. Ramirez said. “We must conduct research to discover new and efficient methods to help Latinas overcome critical barriers to breast cancer screening and assure that Latinas across the nation and international can receive timely, high quality and comprehensive cancer treatment, and go on to live long and fruitful lives.”
Dr. Ramirez, who also is associate director of health disparities at the Health Science Center’s Cancer Therapy & Research Center and a board member for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, has directed many research programs focused on human and organizational communication to reduce Latino cancer health disparities in cancer risk factors, clinical trial recruitment and healthy lifestyles. Her projects have led to unique health communication models and interventions that have contributed to the reduction of Latino breast cancer rates and the increase of screening among Latinos, including testing the effectiveness of patient navigation in decreasing Latinas’ lag time between an abnormal mammogram and confirmatory diagnosis and treatment initiation.
Ramirez was nominated as a Champion of Change by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
She and four others nominated by Komen were announced Sept. 27 and represent the full range of Komen’s work to end breast cancer, from public policy advocates to researchers and clinicians who advise Komen on the direction of research to bring treatments and answers to patients in the shortest period of time.
Other Komen-nominated champions were Elyse Gellerman of Denver, Dr. Anne Marie Murphy of Chicago, Dr. Ann Partridge of New Bedford, Mass., and Robin Prothro of Baltimore.
“These women are on the front lines of breast cancer every day as leaders of research, clinical practice and advocacy for women facing this disease,” said Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, in a statement. “We are delighted that they are being recognized for their passion, talent, and significant work for women and men facing breast cancer.”
Cancer Survivors Help Test Which Exercise is Best to Reduce Recurrence
01 year ago
This study will test how different types of exercise—like Yoga, shown here by Nydia Tijerina Darby of Nydia’s Yoga Therapy in San Antonio—will impact cancer survivors.
In response to rising obesity and breast cancer mortality rates, a new local study is testing how different types of exercise—like yoga—best improve cancer survivors’ fitness, quality of life and molecular indicators of future cancer risk.
The project, Improving Mind and Physical ACTivity (IMPACT), is led by the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio.
Over the yearlong IMPACT study, 90 breast cancer survivors will be randomized to participate at least three times a week in: 1) a comprehensive exercise “prescription” featuring an individualized aerobic, strength-training and flexibility program; 2) a yoga exercise program; or 3) general exercise chosen at will.
Study recruitment is underway. For eligibility, call 210-593-2669.
“We expect comprehensive and yoga-focused participants to have better fitness outcomes, less stress and improved biological indicators of future risk of secondary cancers,” said study co-principal investigator Dr. Daniel Hughes of the IHPR. The study, funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is led by IHPR Director Dr. Amelie Ramirez and features Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) translational scientists.
Participants in all three groups will take a fitness test and undergo measurements at the start and end of the study, and also fill out surveys and exercise logs.
The study team also is testing exercise’s impact on survivors at the molecular level.
Read more about the study on Page 5 of the IHPR’s new E-newsletter, or see this video or this video:
IHPR’s Amelie Ramirez Adds New Leadership Roles
01 year ago
by admin
in Research/News
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez
Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has taken a pair of leadership roles that will further her efforts to study cancer and improve the health of residents in South Texas and beyond.
Dr. Ramirez joined the national advisory committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Healthy & Society Scholars Program, effective July 1.
She also was elected director-at-large by members of the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO), which advocates for cancer prevention and control research.
“I’m very excited to take on these new positions because it will allow me to further my goal to increase not only the health of disadvantaged populations, but also to increase the pipeline of doctors and researchers dedicated to helping those populations,” said Dr. Ramirez, who also is associate director of health disparities at the Health Science Center’s Cancer Therapy & Research Center.
Read more about Dr. Ramirez and her new positions here. Dr. Ramirez’ IHPR is the team behind SaludToday.
VIDEO: Community Members, Researchers Team to Tackle Minority Health Problems
01 year ago
by admin
in Latino Cancer
Dr. Meredith Minkler
Dr. Meredith Minkler, a cancer researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, spoke about the impact of “community-based participatory research (CBPR)” on May 5, 2011, at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) in San Antonio as part of the SALSI/CTRC Health Disparities Lecture Series.
CBPR is a technique that brings community members onto academic health research teams as equal partners in a research study or intervention.
Community members help design programs that best address their specific community’s health problems and needs.
Watch video of Dr. Minkler’s talk about CBPR here.
The SALSI/CTRC Health Disparities Lecture Series, sponsored by the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI) and the CTRC, brings some of the top U.S. health disparities experts to San Antonio to offer the latest trends, tools and advancements in the fight against cancer health disparities. The series is a joint project of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and UT San Antonio.
The series launched in October 2010. Watch all the lectures here.
Lecture on 8/11/11: “What Every Latino Man & Woman Should Know About Cancer”
01 year ago
by admin
in Latino Cancer
Hispanics, who make up 60 percent of Bexar County’s population and almost 40 percent of Texas’, face special cancer risks.
Minimizing those risks is the subject of a free public lecture to be held at 6 p.m. CST Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011, on the fourth floor of the Grossman Building at the Cancer Therapy & Research Center of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7979 Wurzbach Road.
“In the Hispanic population, we tend to put off prevention because we don’t think it’s going to happen to us,” said Dr. Amelie Ramirez, director of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at the UT Health Science Center. “And cancer’s one of those things we don’t like to talk about.”
For instance, Dr. Ramirez said, about 40 percent of Hispanic women do not have yearly mammograms. And skin cancer is often diagnosed at later stages in Hispanics than in non-Hispanic whites.
Those statistics are often due to socioeconomic factors and access to care, Dr. Ramirez said, but there are other cancer questions that have yet to be resolved.
“In Texas, we are noticing a higher rate of liver cancer in the Hispanic population,” she said. “We’re not sure why yet, but there is some possibility of an obesity-diabetes link.”
The best defenses against these illnesses are a good understanding of risks and knowledge of available prevention strategies and treatment options, she said.
Dr. Ramirez will be joined by another faculty member of the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center: Alfredo A. Santillan-Gomez, M.D., M.P.H., clinical assistant professor of surgical oncology.
The Aug. 11 presentation will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
This is the ninth in a series of free monthly public lectures on cancer prevention and treatment sponsored by the CTRC. For more information, call 210-450-1152.
VIDEO: ‘Are We Moving the World in Cervical Cancer Prevention?’
02 years ago
Watch Video of a Speech by cancer expert Dr. Isabel Scarinci.
Dr. Isabel Scarinci, a cancer prevention expert at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, spoke about ways to improve cervical cancer prevention on March 17, 2011, at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC) in San Antonio as part of the SALSI/CTRC Health Disparities Lecture Series.
Scarinci’s talk highlighted her innovative work in cervical cancer prevention among low-income, Latina and African American, and immigrant women.
Watch video of her talk here.
The SALSI/CTRC Health Disparities Lecture Series, sponsored by the San Antonio Life Sciences Institute (SALSI) and the CTRC, brings some of the top U.S. health disparities experts to San Antonio to offer the latest trends, tools and advancements in the fight against cancer health disparities. The series is a joint project of the Institute for Health Promotion Research (IHPR) at The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio and UT San Antonio.
The series launched in October 2010 with disparities expert Rena Pasick. Other past lecturers include Lloyd Potter and Paula Braveman.
The next lecture features E-health and disparities expert Dr. Vish Viswanath of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at 4 p.m. April 21, 2011, at the Mabee Conference Room on the 4th floor of the CTRC, 7979 Wurzbach in San Antonio.
Watch all the lectures here.
Shreya
Hey, thanks for sharing such a wonderful post. Ya, Latino families have more access to fast food & snack centers than that of healthy food. […]
3 days ago
Hector Flores
I happen to see this blog for the first time and I am looking to see the spanish version of this blog including the videos. I considered […]
1 month ago
Neda Padilla
how can we get a copy of the slides?
2 months ago
Gerald Ohta
10:30 Central Daylight is 5:30 AM Hawaii Standard Time. Presuming your time is Daylight not Standard. If it is Standard, then it's 6:30 […]
2 months ago
Janet
I think it's great to make our schools healthier for children! It promotes lifelong health and decreases risks of problems as an adult!
2 months ago