Florida Division Hosts Spanish language ACSU in Miami

The Florida Division hosted Miami's first Spanish language American Cancer Society University (ACSU), inviting cancer control leaders from throughout Latin America. Incoming Florida Board President Dr. Mario Mendez and board members Ms. Lilliam Machado and Ms. Janie Rodriguez were among the talented team who led the training. Division staff members on the training team included Vice President for Finance and Accounting Tanya Pavlik; Community Services Representative Jose Pinera; Community Services Representative Diane Maldonado; Area Patient Services Representative Cheri Brauer; Area Executive Director, Miami-Dade, Berta Rios; and Regional Field Operations Director Arleen Uria-Speed. The program included visits to the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Jackson Memorial Medical Center, where scholars learned more about the Florida Division's outreach efforts and the Society’s collaboration with these institutions. Scholars were also interviewed on Society President-Elect Dr. Elmer Huerta’s daily talk radio program, El Consultorio Comunitario, to discuss the impact of cancer on their respective countries. This ACSU was also attended by representatives from Bristol Myers Squibb, which is generously underwriting seed grant support to ACSU scholars that will enhance innovative cancer control interventions in Latin America. Florida Division Chief Executive Officer Don Webster and Chief Operating Officer Ralph DeVitto attended the ACSU and provided opening and closing remarks, respectively.