The WVU 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 WVU Cancer Institute leadership.
The CAB informs the WVU Cancer Institute’s strategic plan, research priorities, outreach efforts, educational programs, 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 Institute’s quest to reduce the state’s cancer burden.
The 16-member CAB represents our service area population and includes patients, community members, cancer survivors, faith-based leaders, local government representatives, non-profit organization members, and community-based medical providers and clinicians. The members serve to inform cancer research priorities and actively participate in program development and data dissemination. The board is comprised of representatives from diverse geographic areas, ethnicities, and cancer experiences across West Virginia.
Current members include Melanie Seiler, Amy Hannah, Liz Paulhus, Lisa Owens, Patty Davis, Keri Schmidt, Gina Wood, Brooke Swisher, Sidney Kushner, Ken Ramsey, Scott Furey, Betsy Elswick, Lisa Haddox-Heston, Rhonda Robinson, and Mariah Wickline.
