The Next South Carolina Cancer Plan Is Taking Shape
More than 100 community members, healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates, and public health leaders have been working together since February 2026 to develop South Carolina's 2027-2031 State Cancer Plan. The plan serves as the state's roadmap for reducing the burden of cancer and improving outcomes for all South Carolinians and their families.
Strategy and Evaluation Consultant Dr. Vinita Leedom has been supporting seven workgroups as they meet regularly to review data, identify priorities, and develop strategies that will guide cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, survivorship, genetics, pediatrics, and community health, policy, and advocacy efforts over the next five years.
On May 15, workgroup members gathered at the Girl Scout Leadership Center in Columbia for a day-long planning session focused on collaboration, discussion, and visioning for the future. Representatives from healthcare organizations, community groups, public health agencies, academic institutions, and advocacy organizations worked together to refine objectives and identify opportunities to improve cancer outcomes across South Carolina.
The South Carolina Cancer Alliance extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated volunteers serving as workgroup chairs, co-chairs, and members. Their expertise, leadership, and commitment exemplify the strength of South Carolina's cancer community and are helping shape the next chapter of cancer prevention and control in our state.
Cancer Plan Workgroup Leadership
Prevention
Chair: Dr. Marvella Ford
Co-Chair: Selena Lowery
Early Detection
Chair: McKenzie Speed
Co-Chair: Macy McFarland
Diagnosis and Treatment
Chair: Annie Thibault
Co-Chair: Dr. Harley Davis
Survivorship
Chair: Whitney Wright
Co-Chair: Lee Moultrie
Genetics
Chair: Dr. Amy Messersmith
Co-Chair: Dr. Karen Wickersham
Pediatrics
Chair: Dr. Anna Hoppmann
Co-Chairs: Tessa Roberts and Dr. Anca Dumitriu
Community Health, Policy and Advocacy
Chair: Beth Johnson
Co-Chair: Karen Mace
Cancer Plan Workgroup Members
Prevention
Amanda Hendrix, Beth Poore, Brian Orr, Claudia Barrett, Dr. Marvella Ford, Glenn Hickman, Hallie Heffner, Kelvin Gadson, Macy Helton, Natalie Copeland, Selena Lowery, Sheila Squire, Sonya Younger, Tracy Smith, Tracie Lewis, Trisha Amboree, and Zack King.
Early Detection
Anna McKenna, Annie Thibault, Anthony Poole, Christina Paul, Eric Wallen, Kalyani Sonawane, LaTasha Johnson, Macy McFarland, McKenzie Speed, Nicole Echols, Nicole Williams, Stacey Williams, Tara Morris, Tayshiana Pressley, Tracie Lewis, and Valerie Diaz.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Annie Thibault, Ashley Cothran, Benjamin Stone, Dr. Harley Davis, Gloria Foster, Kalyani Sonawane, Mark Harris, Nicole Echols, Ricardo Padilla, Stephanie Chiodini, and Tyron Wilson.
Survivorship
Aisha Jones, Alma Busby-Williams, Andrea Darden, Annalise Sansouci, Anne Puckett, Asya Hart, Beth Harris, Cheryl LeCroy, Cindy Erb, Eliza Boulware, Falecia Miller, Jason King, Julia Humphries, Kiara Baylock, Lee Moultrie, Michelle Mollica, Nicole Echols, Niyana Thorpe, Sonya Younger, and Whitney Wright.
Genetics
Allison Bellomo, Amy Messersmith, Anne Hutchinson, Annie Thibault, Bridgitt Aufmuth, Dr. Karen Wickersham, Glenn Burrell, Kelly Kashmer, Nicole Echols, Sonja Rasmussen, and Vinita Leedom.
Pediatrics
Amy Anderson, Anca Dumitriu, Aniket Saha, Anna Hoppmann, Bezawit Kase, Brenda Thorpe, Caitlin Sullivan, Grainne Owen, Michelle Hudspeth, Stephanie Chiodini, Stuart Cramer, Tessa Roberts, and Tony Alberg.
Community Health, Policy and Advocacy
Alisa Blanchard, Annie Thibault, Beth Johnson, Danna Thompson, Eric Schlueter, Karen Mace, Katie Free, Kiara Baylock, Maclain Gutkin, Meg Stanley, Michael Norris, Suzanne Sanders, Theresa Boston, and Tracie Lewis.
The South Carolina Cancer Alliance looks forward to unveiling the 2027-2031 South Carolina Cancer Plan at the 2026 South Carolina Cancer Alliance Annual Meeting.
