The West Virginia University Cancer Institute’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) is essential in aligning the Institute’s initiatives with the needs and perspectives of the communities it serves.
The CAB was established in early 2025 to facilitate communication between community members, state and community organizations, and cancer center leadership. The CAB informs the WVUCI strategic plan, research priorities, outreach efforts, education, community engagement, and shared understanding of community priorities. Board members from across West Virginia represent the voice of the communities and are partners in the cancer center’s quest to reduce the state’s cancer burden.
Our sixteen member CAB represents our service area population, as well as patients, community members, cancer survivors, faith-based leaders, local government representatives, non-profit organizational members, and community-based medical providers and clinicians. They serve to inform cancer research priorities, and actively participate in program development and data dissemination. The board is comprised of representatives from the diverse geographic areas, ethnicities, and cancer experiences across West Virginia.
Current members pictured below include Melanie Seiler, Amy Hannah, Liz Paulhus, Lisa Owens, Patty Davis, Keri Schmidt, Gina Wood, Brooke Swisher, Sidney Kushner, Ken Ramsey, and Scott Furey. Members not pictured include Betsy Elswick, Lisa Haddox-Heston, Rhonda Robinson, and Mariah Wickline.
