Community Engagement

The Aldrich Lab engages in collaborations with communities to improve lung cancer outcomes.

We collaborate to share our research findings and to inform our research priorities. We develop materials to disseminate to communities to raise awareness about lung cancer screening and the importance of early detection for lung cancer.

Learn more about lung cancer screening programs

Lung Cancer Screening Eligibility

Community Advisory Board

Jennifer Richmond, PhD, CAB Co-Lead

Dr. Richmond is an Assistant Professor at Wake Forest University in the Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy and former member of the Aldrich Lab. She is a researcher who cares deeply about helping people benefit from lifesaving health services like lung cancer screening.

Dr. Richmond joined the Community Advisory Board to partner with others who want to leverage their lived experience to ensure everyone gets the health care they need. She grew up in North Carolina and enjoys spending time with her loved ones. 

Joan Clayton-Davis, MA

Joan Clayton Davis is a retired Health Communication and Social Marketing professional with a focus on special populations, especially African American health.  She is a community volunteer educator/activist, Certified Cooperative Extension Master Gardener, and Managing Partner of family Century Farm. 

 

Asha Coleman, CPSP

Asha Coleman is a hospitality executive with over 20 years of leadership experience. She has built a career on connecting with people, driving results, and leading teams with empathy and purpose. Outside of work, she’s a proud wife – married for over 25 years to her incredible husband, who has been her biggest supporter throughout her personal and professional journey. Together, they have raised two amazing adult children. She finds joy in spending time at the beach, exploring new cultures through international travel, and giving back through community outreach. 

Coleman joined the lung cancer community advisory board to better understand the disease and help educate others on the importance of early detection. This is a natural extension of her lifelong passion for serving others and making a meaningful impact.

 

Tam Gordon

Tam Gordon, a two-time ovarian cancer survivor, performs outreach and special projects for the Human Resources Department of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. She joined the Aldrich Lab CAB following her cancer diagnosis and treatments to learn more about the disease and to become abreast of cutting-edge research as it pertains to all cancers. She proudly grew up in North Nashville’s 37208 zip code and she loves to read during her free time. 

 

Paula L. Hill, MS

Paula L. Hill is a breast cancer survivor who is enjoying life as a retiree. She worked at Meharry Medical College for 30 years in various positions, the last being Program Coordinator in Graduate Medical Education. She is an Army brat who grew up around the world and is a graduate of Howard University (BS) and Colorado State University (MS). She enjoys travelling and joined the Aldrich Lab CAB as she became interested in its objectives of expanding lung cancer screening to all populations. 

 

Ila McDermott, MEd

Ila McDermott is a community member, colon cancer survivor, and currently serves as a Co-Chair for the Meharry Vanderbilt TSU Cancer Prevention (MVTCP) Cancer Outreach Core Community Advisory Board. She received her Master of Education from Tennessee State University and Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Her work experience is diverse, ranging from working with the judicial court systems, research, education, counseling, and human resources. 

Kirti Vikash Surati, MSN, RN, CCRP

Kirti Vikash Surati obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Belmont University and a master’s degree in Nursing Leadership and Management from the University of Alabama Huntsville. She joined Vanderbilt University Medical Center in July 2020 and joined the research world in 2022 as a Research Nurse Specialist III. For the past eight years, she has served the community as the Youth Chair for the Gujurat Cultural Association. She enjoys traveling to different countries and spending time with her husband and two children, a 22-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter.

Sheila Dorse Winfield

Sheila Dorse Winfield is a native of Nashville and has served the community since 2007 in the SKYLINE Village Subdivision. She was an IT Consultant and retired from working for the state of Tennessee. She is a survivor of cervical and ovarian cancers and a founder of the Dorse Cancer Oasis Support Group.