Calvin Robinson is currently the Executive Director of Oncology Services at Decatur Memorial Hospital in Decatur, Illinois, where he has spent the past 4 years leading the operational and strategic visioning for a comprehensive cancer center and nationally recognized oncology research program. In addition, Calvin is currently an active board member for the Cancer Support Community of St. Louis. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, his wife and 2 daughters routinely joined him as volunteers at Cancer Support Community fundraising and outreach events.

Calvin has his certification as a Diversity Executive from the Institute for Diversity Certification. He is currently leading CSC St. Louis’ initiative to becoming a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization for its members and the communities it serves. He is also one of the primary architects in the development of the Memorial Health system-wide DE&I division. He has also lead Diversity Counsels for SSM St. Louis and Mercy St. Louis.

Calvin is a St. Louis native and has secondary business ventures in St. Louis, MO. He is committed to improving the lives of the residents of St. Louis City and its surrounding counties. The goal is to ensure that everyone inflicted with a diagnosis of cancer has an equitable opportunity for quality and safe cancer care and support.

Karissa Rates has been with Cancer Support Community Central Indiana (CSCCI) for the past 7 years. She began as the Special Events & Program Coordinator and shortly thereafter transitioned to the role of Marketing & Communications Manager, where her top priority has always been making sure that participants and their family members get connected with the information they need to find help and hope during their cancer journey.

Karissa has also transformed the brand of the CSCCI affiliate by single-handedly executing a complete redesign of the print and digital marketing collateral for the organization and its programs and events. Karissa has recently accepted the new role as Director of Marketing, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, in which she has been working to create a DEI action plan for the organization and has been integral in the implementation the new Community Navigation Program that will focus on outreach to under-resourced communities of color in and around the Indianapolis area.

Dr. Gary Puckrein is the founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF), a nonprofit health care research, education, and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The mission of NMQF is to reduce patient risk by assuring optimal care for all. NMQF conducts evidence-based, data-driven initiatives to eliminate premature death and preventable illness. NMQF’s vision is an American health services research, delivery, and financing system whose operating principle is to reduce patient risk for amenable morbidity and mortality while improving quality of life.

Dr. Puckrein received his doctorate from Brown University.