Associate Director, John M. Ruiz, PhD, leads the University of Arizona Cancer Center's Office of of Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA). This office works within the Cancer Center to ensure that plans for recruitment and retention encourage the development of a diverse team of faculty, staff and trainees. They work collaboratively with other offices such as Community Outreach and Engagement, Human Resources, and Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination to establish and maintain an environment within the Cancer Center that is supportive, inclusive and accessible and engages the community in ways that are relevant and beneficial to its diverse population. IDEA is charged with developing, maintaining and advancing a plan for achieving these goals using methods that are measurable, accountable and engaging with stakeholders while promoting institutional change that provides opportunity to all. These goals are in lock step with the University of Arizona Cancer Center's 2020-2025 Strategic Plan: Bear Down on Cancer, which aims to reduce health disparities surrounding cancer among minorities within the Cancer Center's catchment area. The inaugural IDEA office at the Cancer Center was established in February of 2023.
