The Institute for Patient-Centered Initiatives and Health Equity (formerly the GW Cancer Institute) at the GW Cancer Center was inaugurated in 2003, chartered by the university in 2004 and re-chartered in 2014-2019. Our mission is to foster healthy communities, prepared patients, responsive health care professionals and supportive health care systems through applied cancer research, education, advocacy and translation of evidence into practice.
Our vision is a cancer-free world and health care that is patient-centered, accessible and equitable. These organizational values anchor our work: credibility, transparency, inclusivity, innovation and a clear focus on patient-centered care.
We accomplish our mission by:
- Reaching out to the community in which we are located to raise awareness about cancer prevention, screening and treatment
- Working with local agencies to improve access to cancer care services
- Providing patient-centered support across the cancer continuum through patient navigation, patient education and post-treatment survivorship care
- Tracking cancer incidence and mortality locally to identify target populations for interventions
- Leading the way in the creation and implementation of survivorship programs for people with cancer
- Catalyzing collaborative research to reduce cancer health disparities and improve survivor wellness
- Providing technical assistance and support to comprehensive cancer control programs nationwide
- Serving as a leader in health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) individuals with the goal of becoming the cancer center of choice for LGBTQ individuals