group of people holding potted flowers at a community event

Our Community

The Community Outreach and Engagement team partners with communities to advance cancer prevention, research, and education.

What We Do

The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team works in a bidirectional partnership with our communities. We collaborate with community members, organizations, and leaders to understand their priorities related to cancer research, prevention, and care. By integrating these priorities with the center’s research programs and initiatives, we ensure that discoveries move from the lab to the community, and that community voices and needs shape the research we pursue and policies that benefit their health.

Our main goal is to reduce the cancer burden within our communities and beyond. Cancer does not affect all communities in the same way, and the COE team works to ensure that they benefit from prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship resources.

Community Events

Our team organizes and participates in educational workshops, health fairs, health council meetings, and local events. We share valuable information about cancer prevention, screenings, treatment, and clinical trial participation to help individuals make informed healthcare decisions.

Speakers Bureau

Our team connects communities with health educators, researchers, and cancer experts. Presentations are available across multiple languages and can be tailored to the needs of the community.

Community & Research

Our team partners with community members and organizations to ensure that their voices inform research priorities.

Navigation

Our team is dedicated to helping individuals and families access the resources they need. Because every person’s needs are unique, we provide personalized support, meeting people where they are, listening to their concerns, and helping remove barriers to care.

Community Grants

Our team provides funding opportunities for local organizations doing cancer-related work that addresses needs in the community.

Catchment Area

The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center cares for patients at one of our eleven locations from across all 50 states and around the world. As a comprehensive cancer center, our focus is on the communities most closely connected to our physical presence in Middle Tennessee and surrounding regions.

We analyze the demographics and health behaviors of individuals living in Tennessee, as well as select counties in Kentucky. By listening to and working alongside these communities, we ensure our research and resources meet the needs of those most affected by cancer.

A Map of Vanderbilt-Ingram Locations across Middle Tennessee

Cancer InFocus

Cancer InFocus is a tool developed by the Community Impact Office at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center to make it easier to understand the cancer burden in a geographic area.

Visit Cancer InFocus

2025 Impact Report

The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Office of Community Outreach and Engagement 2025 Annual Impact Report highlights our collective work with communities across the region and reflects the progress made throughout 2025 to advance cancer prevention, care, and research.

The report includes 2025 data and snapshots that illustrate the reach and impact of our outreach and education initiatives, screening navigation, research advocacy efforts, and meaningful community partnerships. These highlights reflect the importance of community-informed collaboration and how working together continues to drive sustainable impact.

Explore the Report

Cover of the VICC COE Annual Impact Report

Work with Us and Stay Connected

We stay engaged with our community through events, programs, and resources designed to reduce the cancer burden in our communities.

Partners

We work alongside community organizations to bring cancer education, prevention, and resources directly to those who need them most. We work alongside community organizations to bring cancer education, prevention, and resources directly to those who need them most.