Date Completed: 2/29/08
Faculty Name: Mary Evans
UAB Department: Center for the Study of Community Health
UAB School: School of Public Health
Campus Address: 1081 Liberty National Building
Campus Zip: 0001
Telephone: 975-8387
Email Address: mevans@uab.edu
Fax: 996-6539
Research Program Area: Cancer Control and Population Science
Project Title: CARES: Congregational Advocates Reaching and Empowering Survivors
Project Status: Already up-and-running
Proposed Start Date: April 14
Proposed End Date: August 29
Number of Weeks of Internship: 16
Number of Interns: 1
Other faculty, staff, or graduate students who may help supervise intern: Linda Goodson
Expected Number of Work Hours Per Week: 10 hours
Expected Work Schedule for Intern: Flexible, intern can largely set his or her own schedule
Category of Research: Community-Based or Field Research; Faith-based community education and outreach
Cancer Research: Multiple Cancer Sites
Project Description: The CARES project works with Congregations for Public Health (CPH), a nonprofit of African American churches located in Birmingham's oldest and poorest neighborhoods. CARES aims to educate and empower cancer survivors (from diagnosis) with knowledge, skills, and tools to navigate healthcare and support systems, communicate with healthcare personnel, and participate in decision-making, from diagnosis through treatment and followup, including remission, cure, and end of life. We train lay health advisors to work in their church and the broader community (1-mile radius) to provide information, educational programs, and one-on-one assistance to support a broad range of needs, both cancer- and non-cancer-related. The project is funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Alabama Department of Public Health.
Intern's Anticipated Duties:
Duty 1: Developing/editing training materials for lay health advisors regarding a broad range of cancer survivorship issues (informational and support)
Duty 2: Developing/editing survivorship educational messages for the public, regarding information, skills (finding appropriate information, communicating effectively with caregiver, being an advocate for yourself and loved ones, etc.), and resources related to survivorship
Duty 3: Developing a training program on using cancer (and other) web resources
Preceptor will provide intern with access to the following: office or desk space; computer and printer; equipment needed to complete project; supplies needed to complete project
Likelihood of authoring publications: Possible
Background, education, experience, or expertise preferred: Just the willingness to learn; Health literacy/communication; Layout/design; General all around competence; Enthusiasm; Any other special skills welcomed
This faculty member will be a CaRES Preceptor for the first time.
Intern 1: open