The Science of Community Outreach with Jan Kitajewski, PhD

In this episode, host Shikha Jain, MD, speaks with Jan Kitajewski, PhD, about blending community need with scientific advancement, his role as the director of a cancer care center and more. •    Welcome to another exciting episode of Oncology Overdrive :58 •    About Kitajewski 1:08 •    The interview 2:59 •    Tell me about how you started and your pathway to this position. 3:26 •    You have a very diverse background in various fields of medicine. Was there something that drew you to lead a cancer center? 6:15 •    What are your thoughts on how institutions can shift their mindsets toward setting up research that is more inclusive of patient diversity in clinical trials?  9:44 •    Jain and Kitajewski on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, mistrust in the health care system, and how institutions can empower their communities. 14:00 •    What does a cancer center director do, and what are some things that people may be surprised to know about your position?  16:30 •    Jain and Kitajewski on the University of Illinois Cancer Center applying for NCI designation, and what the process entails.  22:05 •    Jain and Kitajewski on the challenges and successes that come with physician leadership when making changes at an institution. 29:28 •    What is your vision for the future of the University of Illinois Cancer Center? 34:16 •    If someone could only listen to the last minute of this episode, what would you want them to take away? 40:13 •    How to contact Kitajewski 40:55 •    Thanks for listening 41:35 Jan Kitajewski, PhD, is director of the University of Illinois Cancer Center and a professor and head of the department of physiology and biophysics. We’d love to hear from you! Send your comments/questions to Dr. Jain at [email protected]. Follow Healio on X, formerly known as Twitter, and LinkedIn: @HemOncToday and https://www.linkedin.com/company/hemonctoday/. Follow Dr. Jain on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ShikhaJainMD. Kitajewski can be reached via email [email protected]. Disclosures: Jain reports no relevant financial disclosures. Healio could not confirm relevant financial disclosures for Kitajewski at the time of posting.