Who is saicep?

Group of diverse women and men standing together in a lobby, smiling for the photo, at the AIANNH Cancer Consortium.
Group of diverse women and men standing together in a lobby, smiling for the photo, at the AIANNH Cancer Consortium.

In Spring 2021, the Community Outreach and Engagement offices from North Carolina’s three National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers partnered with Tribal communities to address the cancer health-related needs of Indigenous peoples in our catchment areas.

Together, the three cancer centers created the Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP). The purpose is to understand and address the cancer-related health needs of American Indian communities in our catchment areas and beyond.

our mission

The Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership (SAICEP) is a unique collaboration initiated by the Community Outreach and Engagement teams at the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Centers at Duke, UNC Lineberger and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, with a focus on understanding and addressing the cancer-related health needs of American Indian communities in our catchment areas and beyond. The partnership offers culturally competent research, education and community engagement for American Indian tribal communities. Tribal and community organizations and leaders, as well as clinical and academic institutions are encouraged to be a part of our efforts.

learn about the communities we serve

Key Moments in Our History

  • Photo of founding leaders, three people smiling in front of a decorated Christmas tree in a living room.

    THE START OF SAICEP

    Community Outreach and Engagement leaders from North Carolina’s three NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers came together to form SAICEP in 2021.

    Our Founding Leaders:

    • Dr. Tomi Akinyemiju, Duke Cancer Institute

    • Dr. Ronny Bell, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (now at UNC Lineberger)

    • Dr. Stephanie Wheeler, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • Close-up of the Lumbee flag from the Powwow in 2024.

    EARLY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

    In 2022, SAICEP focused on building relationships with Tribal leaders, community members, and partner organizations through listening, collaboration, and trust. These early partnerships helped shape future education, research, and outreach efforts.

    Key Focuses: Relationship Building, Community Listening, Trust, & Collaboration

    Participants: Tribal Leaders, Community Members, & Partner Organizations

  • PubMed Article Screenshot

    First Peer-Reviewed Journal Article

    SAICEP published its first peer-reviewed journal article in 2025, highlighting the partnership’s community-driven model for advancing cancer health equity in American Indian communities.

    Title: Understanding and Addressing Cancer Disparities Among American Indians in North Carolina: SAICEP

    Lead Author: Ronny A. Bell, PhD, MS

    Read Abstract Here

  • Logo for the V foundation with the slogan 'Victory Over Cancer' written in red.

    FIRST GRANT

    SAICEP received its first grant from the V Foundation in 2024 to launch a youth and young adult cancer prevention initiative in partnership with the NCNAYO.

    Grant Partner: The V Foundation

    Project: Youth and Young Adult Cancer Prevention Initiative

    Community Partner: North Carolina Native American Youth Organization (NCNAYO)

  • Group of diverse people outdoors, smiling, posing for a photo in front of green trees and a brick building.

    First SAICEP Strategic Planning Retreat

    SAICEP held its first strategic planning retreat in 2024, bringing together leadership, community members, and partner organizations to define priorities, strengthen partnerships, and shape a shared vision for the future of cancer health equity.

    Participants: SAICEP Leadership, Community Members, & Partner Organizations

  • Group of diverse people standing together in an indoor setting, smiling at the camera.

    Formation of the CAB

    In 2025, SAICEP established its first Community Advisory Board (CAB), bringing together Tribal and community representatives to help guide the partnership, strengthen community engagement, and ensure its work reflects the priorities of American Indian communities.

    Purpose: Guide SAICEP’s priorities, strengthen community engagement, and elevate community voices.

  • Three individuals standing behind chairs at a conference or event, with a presentation screen in the background. They are wearing formal attire with name tags and appear to be posing for a group photo. The bottom of the image shows part of a logo for the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of North Carolina Pembroke.

    LOOKING to the future

    With trusted partnerships and community voices guiding the way, SAICEP is preparing for its next chapter by expanding research, education, outreach, and collaboration to advance cancer health equity.

    Looking Ahead

    • Expand research initiatives

    • Strengthen community partnerships

    • Advance education and outreach

    • Improve cancer health equity

Our team

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center

  • A photo of Nadine Barrett, PhD, MS, MPH, with long black hair, wearing glasses and a dark blazer, smiling at the camera against a neutral background.

    Nadine Barrett, PhD, MS, MPH

    Professor

    Social Sciences and Health Policy, Public Health Sciences (Winston-Salem)

    Learn more
  • A photo of Rachel Denlinger-Apte, PhD MPH, with long dark hair smiling, wearing hoop earrings, a gray t-shirt, and a red blazer against a gray background.

    Rachel Denlinger-Apte, PhD MPH

    Associate Professor

    Social Sciences and Health Policy, Public Health Sciences (Winston-Salem)

    Learn more
Learn more about atrium wake forest

Duke Cancer Institute

  • A photo of Meira Epplein, PhD, MS, MA, with curly dark hair, wearing earrings, a necklace, and a blue shirt, against a plain gray background.

    Meira Epplein, PhD, MS, MA

    Professor in Population Health Sciences, Professor in Medicine

    Member of the Duke Cancer Institute, Co-Leader, Cancer Risk, Detection and Interception

    Learn more
  • A photo of LaSonia Barnett, MA, with long black hair and a friendly smile, dressed in a black blazer and white shirt, standing in front of large windows in an office setting.

    LaSonia Barnett, MA

    Certified Community Facing Navigator Lead

    Duke Cancer Institute

    Learn more
  • A photo of Jennifer Freedman, PhD, with short, dark brown hair smiling at the camera against a plain gray background.

    Jennifer Freedman, PhD

    Associate Professor

    Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement

    Learn more
  • A photo of Sydnee Crankshaw, MPA, with long gray hair and glasses outside near a building with white window frames.

    Sydnee Crankshaw, MPA

    Research Practice Manager

    Operations, Community Outreach and Engagement

    Learn more
  • A photo of Gwendolyn Shaw, smiling, wearing glasses, a pink top, and a pearl necklace, sitting in an office chair.

    Gwendolyn Shaw

    Program Coordinator, Community Outreach and Engagement

    Duke Cancer Institute

    Learn more
Learn more about duke cancer institute

UNC Lineberger comprehensive Cancer Center

  • A photo of Ronny Bell (Lumbee), PhD, MS, in a blue suit with a tribal badge on his shirt collar, smiling at the camera.

    Ronny Bell (Lumbee), PhD, MS

    Chair of Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy

    Deputy Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement

    Learn More
  • A photo of Stephanie Wheeler, PhD MPH with brown hair smiling outdoors, wearing earrings and a dark jacket.

    Stephanie Wheeler, PhD MPH

    Professor

    Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement

    Learn more
  • A photo of Barbara Alvarez Martin, DrPH MPH, with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, smiling, wearing gold hoop earrings, a dark blazer, and a necklace, standing outdoors with a blurred building background.

    Barbara Alvarez Martin, DrPH MPH

    Assistant Director

    Population Sciences and Community Outreach and Engagement

    Learn more
  • A photo of Marc Emerson (Navajo/ Diné), PhD, wearing glasses, a gray blazer, and a light blue shirt, smiling at the camera.

    Marc Emerson (Navajo/ Diné), PhD

    Assistant Professor

    Department of Epidemiology UNC Gillings School of Public Heatlh

    Learn more
  • A photo of Andrew Dodgson, DPT, with short brown hair, wearing glasses, a dark suit, blue shirt, and patterned blue tie, smiling with a blurred cityscape background.

    Andrew Dodgson, DPT

    Continue Education Specialist

    UNC Lineberger Cancer Network

    Learn more
  • A photo of Ryan Dial (Lumbee), MCLS MLS (ASCP) CM, with short dark hair, a beard, and light brown eyes wearing a white shirt and a yellow beaded brooch with a green leaf detail on his collar, outdoors with a blurred background.

    Ryan Dial (Lumbee), MCLS MLS (ASCP) cm

    Project Manager, American Indian Health

    Community Outreach and Engagement

    Learn more
Learn more about UNC lineberger

Student interns

  • Silhouette illustration of a woman in dark teal against a plain light yellow background.

    Natalie Renay Locklear

    Current Graduate Student Intern

  • Silhouette illustration of a woman in dark teal against a plain light yellow background.

    Hailey Jones

    Previous Undergraduate Student Intern

  • A photo of Cayden Hammonds (Lumbee) with curly hair, light skin, and green eyes, wearing a white polo shirt and silver chain necklace, standing in front of leafy green bushes.

    Cayden Hammonds (Lumbee)

    Previous Undergraduate Student Intern

  • A photo of Erica Fennimore (Tlingit) with shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile, wearing a black blazer over a white shirt, standing in front of a blurred warm-toned background.

    Erica Fennimore (Tlingit)

    Previous Undergraduate Student Intern

Logo for the Southeastern American Indian Cancer health Equity Partnership with the acronym SACEP, featuring a stylized ribbon in black, white, yellow, and red, and text in teal and gray.

MEANING BEHIND OUR LOGO

Rebranded in 2026, the SAICEP logo was designed to feel strong, modern, and welcoming while honoring the partnership’s connection to Southeastern American Indian communities. The bold typography reflects clarity, stability, and forward movement in cancer health equity, research, outreach, and education.

The SAICEP cancer ribbon incorporates the four directional colors often associated with medicine wheel teachings: black, red, yellow, and white. These colors can represent many interconnected concepts, including the four directions, stages of life, seasons, aspects of health, elements of nature, animals, and ceremonial plants. The ribbon symbolizes balance, interconnectedness, resilience, and the importance of community-centered care and collaboration. 

The use of a cancer ribbon also reinforces SAICEP’s ongoing commitment to cancer awareness, education, and support for Indigenous communities.

get in touch

Have questions about our organization? Get in touch, we’d love to connect!

contact us

Stay Connected with SAICEP

Be the first to hear about upcoming events, new resources, research highlights, and community news.

sign up