When Wendy Brewster, MD, PhD, passed from pancreatic cancer in July 2023, UNC Lineberger lost more than an exceptional clinician, faculty member and advocate for health equity. The cancer center also lost someone who “always knew what to do, was right and was fair, even if difficult choices needed to be made,” said Vickie Bae-Jump, MD, PhD, director of gynecology oncology at UNC School of Medicine and UNC Lineberger member.
Bae-Jump shared her touching and emotional tribute to her colleague during the opening remarks of the inaugural Wendy R. Brewster Distinguished Lectureship in Cancer Health Equity, held on May 15 in the Pagano Conference Room.
The lectureship, which will bring leading experts in health disparities to the cancer center to share their knowledge and innovations, was established in Brewster’s name to “ensure that Wendy’s mission to improve cancer care and address health disparities lives on in her memory,” Bae-Jump said. “This lectureship is dedicated to Dr. Brewster and her unwavering vision of advancing the field of excellence in cancer care for everyone, with the ultimate goal of ending cancer disparities — a vision that she strived for every day.”
Jeffrey F. Hines, MD, a long-time friend and colleague of Brewster, said he was honored when he was asked to be the first to present the lecture. “It was a quick yes.”
Abenaa Brewster, MD, MHS, offered some humorous memories about her sister, Wendy, during her remarks introducing Jeffries Hines, MD, who presented the inaugural Wendy R. Brewster Distinguished Lectureship in Cancer Health Equity.
The interim vice president and chief diversity officer for the University of Connecticut and the chief diversity officer for UConn Health, Hines presented his talk, “Intentionality in Addressing Health Inequities and the Current Federal Landscape,” before an audience that included faculty and staff from departments and programs from across UNC’s main and medical campuses, as well as Wendy’s sister, Abenaa Brewster, MD, MHS, brother Rod Brewster, and dearest friend, Diana Yamada, MD.
Hines discussed UConn Health’s strategies for identifying and addressing health disparities within its catchment area. He emphasized the importance of building authentic, on-the-ground relationships with communities, highlighting the value of cultural humility over cultural competency.
“Competency has a ceiling. You reach it, and then you’re done,” he said. “But humility and intelligence are ongoing efforts—something you practice not just with your colleagues but with the community you serve. What are the strategic investments we need to make to continue this work? How do we co-create with communities?”
He also explained how dashboards that track patient safety, equity, and revenue cycle metrics can be used to uncover disparities and support the business case for addressing them. For instance, UConn Health found that some racial and ethnic groups with a low case mix index (indicating lower clinical complexity) had unexpectedly long hospital stays. By improving case mix documentation, they were able to identify and address issues contributing to longer stays, which led to better patient outcomes and financial performance.
In addition, Hines described efforts to support faculty in crafting grant language that highlights the importance of health equity while aligning with funding criteria. “We’re working with researchers who are in the process of submitting grants,” said Hines, who is also a gynecologic oncologist and faculty member in obstetrics and gynecology and public health sciences at UConn’s School of Medicine. “We can help with language that allows them to continue the work and still get funded.”
A reception followed the lecture, giving the attendees a chance to reflect on what Wendy meant to them, the cancer center and her patients. While there were some tears, there were also smiles and laughs, tributes which Brewster would have appreciated.
The lectureship and reception were organized by the planning committee, which included Bae-Jump, Ronny Bell, PhD, Felicia Champ, Chassidy Dixon and Lauren Matthews.