Chapel Hill, NC - A new Patient and Family Advisory Board of the N.C. Cancer Hospital met for the first time on November 16 in Chapel Hill. The Board includes patients and families representing different North Carolina geographic regions and a range of cancer diagnoses. The hospital is the clinical home of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The 19-member Board was created to strengthen the collaboration between patients, family members and caregivers and the NC Cancer Hospital’s health care team to provide the highest quality of comprehensive, safe and compassionate health care. 

Board members are: Lillie Atwater, Carrboro; Stephanie Brigman, Fayetteville; David Gardner, Angier; Nancy Graham, Advance; Robert Harrison, Clayton; Virginia Hill, Pittsboro; Jason Huckaby, Raleigh; Catherine Huffman, Cary; Ray Hutchins, Jr., High Point; Lisa Jones, Chapel Hill; Charles McDonald, Beaufort; Ashley Osment, Chapel Hill; Rosalina Rodriguez, Raleigh; Sarah Poole Russell, Wilson; Glenda Stone, Durham; William Wagner, formerly of Chapel Hill; Debra Jo Williams, Hubert; Claire Parker Wilson, Pittsboro; and Wanda Wooten, Wake Forest.

Front Row (left to right): Loretta Muss; Debra Jo Williams, Claire Parker Wilson; Charles McDonald; Sarah Russell; Nancy Graham; UNC LCCC GI nurse navigator Judy Maloney; Virginia Hill; N.C. Cancer Hospital N.C. Cancer Hospital patient business associate Vanessa Blackwell; Wanda Wooten; UNC BMT nurse Angela Spruill; Lillie Atwater; UNC Hospitals chaplain Patricia Cadle; Dave Gardner; Robert Harrison; Glenda Stone; Catherine Huffman; Comprehensive Cancer Support Program director Dr. Don Rosenstein; Stephanie Brigman Second row (left to right): UNC Health Care associate vice president, oncology services Dr. Ian Buchanan; Ray Hutchins; Jason Huckaby; Lisa Jones

Loretta Muss, coordinator of the Advisory Board, explained, "As the cancer hospital for the people and state of North Carolina, we strive to offer optimal services to our patients and their families and caregivers. This Board is one way we can receive community feedback to help us continually improve and develop programs, policies and services that best address the many challenges facing patients, families and caregivers with a cancer diagnosis."

The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and the N.C. Cancer Hospital are creating the new face of cancer research and treatment in North Carolina. An unprecedented effort to make strides against cancer and the suffering it causes is fueled by collaboration across the population, basic and clinical sciences.

The state's only public cancer hospital, the 315,000 square foot facility was funded by an $180 million authorization of funds from the N.C. General Assembly. The new hospital triples the previous patient care space and significantly increases the number of patients that can be served.