information on what’s happening in the area so that our community physicians can really take the lead,” Dr. Ueno states. The center employs approximately 340 direct faculty and staff members and collaborates with an additional 200 affiliated faculty, all working together to address cancer from multiple angles. The backbone of the center’s efforts is its strong research activity, encompassing both population science—which includes epidemiology and cancer prevention—and cancer biology, focused on understanding the disease, developing new drugs, and leading into clinical trials. This dual approach ensures that insights from the laboratory are swiftly translated into practical applications, while also considering the broader environmental and lifestyle factors that impact cancer rates. A cornerstone of the center’s philosophy is its robust community outreach and engagement. Recognizing that cancer prevention is the most effective outcome, the center actively reaches out to communities to educate the public with essential knowledge about cancer and its prevention. This outreach is particularly vital, given the immense geographic area the center serves. More importantly, this outreach directly addresses the diverse population the center serves. Due to Hawaii’s profound diversity, this complex tapestry means that while everyone matters, specific disparities still exist. For example, Dr. Ueno highlights that native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipino communities experience significantly higher rates of cancerrelated deaths compared with white or Far East Asian populations. Therefore, there is a real need to provide research and healthcare that are deeply attuned to the cultural practices and ethnic biology of the individuals affected by cancer. “One of the most important things is understanding the context and background of the people. Because simply sending someone like me and saying,‘I’m the director,’ doesn’t always resonate,” Dr. Ueno explains. To create that connection, instead of a top-down approach, the center employs community field officers who embed themselves within local gatherings, like church or community gatherings. These officers learn from and educate community leaders, recognizing that messages are often best 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
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