Community service is a priority for the Department of Biochemistry. Biochemistry faculty, staff, and students provide leadership for the Vermont Cancer Coalition (Vermonters Taking Action Against Cancer), they provide leadership for the development and implementation of the Center for Disease Control-funded Vermont Cancer Plan which is a partnership between the University of Vermont, the Vermont Department of Health, and the American Cancer Society with contributions by several cancer advocacy groups.
Recently, Biochemistry Department members have provided leadership for task forces in the Vermont Cancer Coalition to address the challenges of sustaining progress in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship that patients and healthcare professionals have encountered with the necessity for safe practices and restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the prevention, treatment, and survivorship programs were “put on hold” or experienced delays. They are providing guidance for “catch-up” to resume progress that has been made in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship as we emerge from a pandemic. There is a necessity to maximize our available capabilities to accelerate the reduction in the burden of cancer and restore the momentum for making cancer a preventable and treatable disease. For the Biochemistry Department, this is a priority locally, regionally, and beyond. Biochemistry faculty are working with colleagues to explore strategic initiatives for restoring initiatives in the prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship of prevalent chronic diseases that include cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, cancer, and substance disorders.
Providing leadership for the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network, Biochemistry faculty are implementing a program that addresses the unique challenges encountered with rurality for health and healthcare in northern New England with Maine Medical Center leadership as a partner. Engaging in leadership for the Northern New England Practice and Community-Based Research Network, Biochemistry faculty are supporting engagement of primary care practices in addressing the challenges encountered with clinical investigation and clinical trials in rural northern New England in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
With a commitment to community engagement and patient-centric communication, Biochemistry faculty recognize the necessity to engage in rural primary care practices in translational and clinical research initiatives. In response to the health and healthcare requirements in rural Vermont communities and in rural communities throughout northern New England, Biochemistry faculty, as members of the Board of Directors for the Northern New England CO-OP Practice and Community Based Research Network, are working with colleagues to: 1) strengthen the programs in alignment with unique and shared requirements of rural northern New England communities and; 2) development and implementation of collaborative projects that include the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network and the Northern New England CO-OP Practice and Community Based Research Network to address HPV vaccination hesitancy for adolescents and adults with education programs to reinforce the importance of vaccination to determine “messages for overcoming vaccine hesitancy” with approaches and “language” that resonates with unique community requirements that are identified through bi-directional planning with regional communities.
Biochemistry faculty, staff, and students frequently participate in American Cancer Society community events, and work with cancer advocacy groups to increase understanding of options and opportunities for reducing the burden of cancer. They meet with legislators and thought leaders at the state, national, and community levels to emphasize that accelerating advances in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship is not an option, but a responsibility. Biochemistry faculty provide support for American Heart Association Cardiovascular Disease initiatives.