BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
(Cancer related Activities)
GRACE L. BUTLER, PH.D.
National Cancer Institute:
Member - Sub-committee A of the NCI included review and in-depth evaluation of cancer centers across the nation. Most notably, was the perspective that I brought to researchers regarding the informed consent process and the importance of understanding cultural differences in securing informed consent of patients.
Reviewer
- NCI research grant applications, the breadth and depth of understanding regarding quality research would be brought to bear in working with young scholars.
Participant
- Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities (CARRA) program was an opportunity where the intricate details of trial designs and the honing of research skills were central throughout that experience. The application of this experience would be invaluable to the scholars.
Member
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) research concept review panel, NCI. The mission of CTEP is to improve the lives of cancer patients by finding better ways to treat, control and cure cancer. CTEP accomplishes this mission by funding an extensive national program of cancer research and by sponsoring clinical trials to evaluate new anti-cancer agents, with a particular emphasis on translational research to elucidate molecular targets and mechanisms of drug effects. During this period, I contributed to assessment of informed consent review and implementation.
Member
- the Director’s Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG) provided an opportunity for me to interact with experts from the field as well as advocates who are making a difference. The NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Group is a Federal Advisory Committee comprising advocate leaders, chosen for their expert understanding of the perspectives and dynamics of the cancer research community.
Baylor College of Medicine:
EDICT Project (Eliminating Disparities in Clinical Trials) sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine and the Intercultural Cancer Council.
Sub-Award Grant – “Community Collaboration to Empower the Medically Underserved for Cancer Prevention and Control” Funded $186,544 (3 yrs.)
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Appointed - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. Member - Steering Committee, Administered by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center that produced an “Action Plan on Colorectal Cancer for the State of Texas.” This strategic plan was adopted by the Texas Cancer Council to guide the direction of colorectal cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship for the state of Texas.
American Cancer Society Recipient - the American Cancer Society’s Harold P. Freeman Award for cancer service among underserved populations
Recipient – “Partners in Courage Achievement Award” for cancer survivors who make a profound positive impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families.
Johnson & Johnson Corp.
Member of a multi-discipline Advisory Board of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. a Division of Johnson & Johnson Corp;
State of Texas
Completed a Three- year appointment by Texas Governor Rick Perry to The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.
United States of America
Invited by the White House to speak with President George W. Bush at a Round Table discussion.
To my wonderful surprise in 2007, I received a telephone call from the White House inviting me to participate in a Round Table discussion with President George W. Bush along with heads of five U. S. government health agencies in the nation. This was in recognition of my work as a cancer advocate and its impact on medically underserved persons in our community. I was invited to speak about the success of Hope Through Grace and to ask President Bush to support increased funding of cancer prevention, treatment and research. Included in the roundtable were Dr. Francis Collins, NIH Director (formerly Gnome Institute Director), HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, NCI Director Dr. John Niederhuber, NIH Director Dr. Zerhouni and Becky Fisher, CIA, cancer survivor.
Featured in “The Nation’s Investment in Cancer Research Connecting the Cancer Community – An Annual Plan and Budget Proposal for FY 2009” U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2008, p 22.
Featured in “Living Beyond Cancer: Finding a New Balance.” President’s Cancer Panel 2003 Annual Report. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, 2004 pps., 26 & 72.
Other
Keynoter - MLK Banquet Address, Brazoria County, USA (sold out audience) Jan. 2013.
2008
Purpose Prize Fellow- designated by Civic Ventures (www.civicventures.org), a national think tank on boomers. The Purpose Prize is a $9 million program for people over 60 who are taking on society’s biggest challenges. Selected as a Purpose Prize
Fellow in recognition of her untiring efforts to assist the uninsured and medically underserved.
Honoree - the Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation, in recognition of her service to medically underserved, working poor in the Houston community.
Founding Board Member of the Camp For All Foundation (a camp designed solely for children with disabilities)
Member - Advisory Board of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center.
Manuscript Reviewer - The Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.
Higher Education
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
My career in higher education has been remarkable, having been cited by Texas A & M University, College Station, TX as the first African American to be promoted to full professor at that institution. Following my tenure at Texas A & M University.
University of Houston, Main Campus
Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, University of Houston (Research I University) where I was the first African American to hold that position.
Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston.
In closing, I believe the inclusion of ethnic minority and medically underserved individuals in clinical trials and the dissemination of information to their communities and health care providers are critical links connecting scientific innovations with improvements in health and health care delivery.
I enjoy the practice of teaching and learning; I appreciate addressing practical issues from the perspective of advocates – those whose concerns often are overlooked or simply not addressed. My participation on faculty brings a unique combination of experiences and perspectives from: that of an academician; that of a cancer survivor (13-year Stage III colon cancer survivor); and that of advocate (12 years as founder and executive director of a non-profit cancer prevention organization that serves the medically underserved).
For years, I have worked assiduously as an advocate for the reduction of Health Disparities, and have become a community health educator in order to understand and provide for the needs of people across the cancer continuum from prevention, early detection, to treatment and survivorship.
I have embarked upon a journey that established a non-profit organization – Hope Through Grace, Inc. – a non-profit organization that is designed to absorb the financial burden of colorectal cancer prevention, screening and early detection of the disease.
(Cancer related Activities)
GRACE L. BUTLER, PH.D.
National Cancer Institute:
Member - Sub-committee A of the NCI included review and in-depth evaluation of cancer centers across the nation. Most notably, was the perspective that I brought to researchers regarding the informed consent process and the importance of understanding cultural differences in securing informed consent of patients.
Reviewer
- NCI research grant applications, the breadth and depth of understanding regarding quality research would be brought to bear in working with young scholars.
Participant
- Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities (CARRA) program was an opportunity where the intricate details of trial designs and the honing of research skills were central throughout that experience. The application of this experience would be invaluable to the scholars.
Member
- Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) research concept review panel, NCI. The mission of CTEP is to improve the lives of cancer patients by finding better ways to treat, control and cure cancer. CTEP accomplishes this mission by funding an extensive national program of cancer research and by sponsoring clinical trials to evaluate new anti-cancer agents, with a particular emphasis on translational research to elucidate molecular targets and mechanisms of drug effects. During this period, I contributed to assessment of informed consent review and implementation.
Member
- the Director’s Consumer Liaison Group (DCLG) provided an opportunity for me to interact with experts from the field as well as advocates who are making a difference. The NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Group is a Federal Advisory Committee comprising advocate leaders, chosen for their expert understanding of the perspectives and dynamics of the cancer research community.
Baylor College of Medicine:
EDICT Project (Eliminating Disparities in Clinical Trials) sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine and the Intercultural Cancer Council.
Sub-Award Grant – “Community Collaboration to Empower the Medically Underserved for Cancer Prevention and Control” Funded $186,544 (3 yrs.)
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Appointed - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors. Member - Steering Committee, Administered by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center that produced an “Action Plan on Colorectal Cancer for the State of Texas.” This strategic plan was adopted by the Texas Cancer Council to guide the direction of colorectal cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship for the state of Texas.
American Cancer Society Recipient - the American Cancer Society’s Harold P. Freeman Award for cancer service among underserved populations
Recipient – “Partners in Courage Achievement Award” for cancer survivors who make a profound positive impact on the lives of cancer patients and their families.
Johnson & Johnson Corp.
Member of a multi-discipline Advisory Board of Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. a Division of Johnson & Johnson Corp;
State of Texas
Completed a Three- year appointment by Texas Governor Rick Perry to The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.
United States of America
Invited by the White House to speak with President George W. Bush at a Round Table discussion.
To my wonderful surprise in 2007, I received a telephone call from the White House inviting me to participate in a Round Table discussion with President George W. Bush along with heads of five U. S. government health agencies in the nation. This was in recognition of my work as a cancer advocate and its impact on medically underserved persons in our community. I was invited to speak about the success of Hope Through Grace and to ask President Bush to support increased funding of cancer prevention, treatment and research. Included in the roundtable were Dr. Francis Collins, NIH Director (formerly Gnome Institute Director), HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt, NCI Director Dr. John Niederhuber, NIH Director Dr. Zerhouni and Becky Fisher, CIA, cancer survivor.
Featured in “The Nation’s Investment in Cancer Research Connecting the Cancer Community – An Annual Plan and Budget Proposal for FY 2009” U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, 2008, p 22.
Featured in “Living Beyond Cancer: Finding a New Balance.” President’s Cancer Panel 2003 Annual Report. U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Cancer Institute, 2004 pps., 26 & 72.
Other
Keynoter - MLK Banquet Address, Brazoria County, USA (sold out audience) Jan. 2013.
2008
Purpose Prize Fellow- designated by Civic Ventures (www.civicventures.org), a national think tank on boomers. The Purpose Prize is a $9 million program for people over 60 who are taking on society’s biggest challenges. Selected as a Purpose Prize
Fellow in recognition of her untiring efforts to assist the uninsured and medically underserved.
Honoree - the Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation, in recognition of her service to medically underserved, working poor in the Houston community.
Founding Board Member of the Camp For All Foundation (a camp designed solely for children with disabilities)
Member - Advisory Board of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center.
Manuscript Reviewer - The Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.
Higher Education
Texas A & M University, College Station, TX
My career in higher education has been remarkable, having been cited by Texas A & M University, College Station, TX as the first African American to be promoted to full professor at that institution. Following my tenure at Texas A & M University.
University of Houston, Main Campus
Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, University of Houston (Research I University) where I was the first African American to hold that position.
Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston.
In closing, I believe the inclusion of ethnic minority and medically underserved individuals in clinical trials and the dissemination of information to their communities and health care providers are critical links connecting scientific innovations with improvements in health and health care delivery.
I enjoy the practice of teaching and learning; I appreciate addressing practical issues from the perspective of advocates – those whose concerns often are overlooked or simply not addressed. My participation on faculty brings a unique combination of experiences and perspectives from: that of an academician; that of a cancer survivor (13-year Stage III colon cancer survivor); and that of advocate (12 years as founder and executive director of a non-profit cancer prevention organization that serves the medically underserved).
For years, I have worked assiduously as an advocate for the reduction of Health Disparities, and have become a community health educator in order to understand and provide for the needs of people across the cancer continuum from prevention, early detection, to treatment and survivorship.
I have embarked upon a journey that established a non-profit organization – Hope Through Grace, Inc. – a non-profit organization that is designed to absorb the financial burden of colorectal cancer prevention, screening and early detection of the disease.