Perspectives of an NCI T32 Training Program Designed to Train a Diverse Workforce in Cancer Health Equity Research.

With cancer health disparities on the rise in the United States (USA), there is an increased need for novel approaches to address these challenges. One such approach that may help address these disparities is increasing diversity in the biomedical research workforce. The Cancer Health Equity and Career Development Program (CHECDP) embodies this approach by recruiting and training underrepresented minorities in cancer research to develop the skills and training needed to be competitive for independent research careers, thus diversifying the biomedical research workforce. The training model that CHECDP employs is unique with its funding through the NCI training mechanism, its strong institutional support, and its participant-driven curriculum. The curriculum includes educational, career, and leadership opportunities that are continuously evaluated for sustained impact. The program has been comprised of mostly under-represented minorities that have been propelled to independent careers with a high rate of funded career development awards. Our T32 program serves as a model of success for other programs seeking to diversify the biomedical research workforce and reduce cancer health disparities.

Sexual Orientation and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Cisgender Women.

Importance: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations face barriers accessing health care in Chicago, Illinois. Objective: To describe the prevalence of up-to-date cervical cancer screening among lesbian, gay, and bisexual vs heterosexual cisgender women in Chicago. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective, cross-sectional, population-based study of cisgender women residing in Chicago was completed from 2020 to 2022 using data from the Healthy Chicago Survey, which is conducted annually by the Chicago Department of Public Health. Participants included cisgender women aged 25 to 64 years with no history of hysterectomy. Respondents who self-identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual or other than straight, lesbian, or bisexual were coded as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). Respondents who self-identified as straight were coded as heterosexual. Those who reported having a Papanicolaou test within the past 3 years were considered up-to-date with cervical cancer screening. Data analysis was performed from June to October 2023. Exposures: The primary exposure was sexual orientation. Covariates included age, income level, race, ethnicity, having a primary care practitioner (PCP), and insurance coverage. Main Outcomes and Measures: Prevalence ratios (PRs), log-based regression models, and interaction analysis were used to describe the association of sexual orientation with up-to-date screening. Results: The sample included 5167 cisgender women (447 LGB and 4720 heterosexual), aged 25 to 64 years, with no history of hysterectomy. Among LGB cisgender women, 318 (71.14%) reported previous cervical cancer screening compared with 3632 (76.95%) heterosexual cisgender women. The prevalence of up-to-date screening was 10% lower in the LGB group compared with the heterosexual group (PR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-1.00). In regression analysis, having a PCP (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.29-1.59) was associated with up-to-date screening. In interaction analysis, LGB cisgender women with a PCP were 93% more likely to be up-to-date compared with those without a PCP (PR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.37-2.72). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of cervical cancer screening rates between the heterosexual and LGB populations in Chicago, up-to-date cervical cancer screening was associated with having a PCP, regardless of sexual orientation, but this association was greater for LGB individuals. Although LGB populations were less likely to be screened, this disparity may be reduced with more consistent health care access and established care with PCPs.

A qualitative study of primary care clinician's approach to ending cervical cancer screening in older women in the United States.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that cervical cancer screening end in average-risk patients with a cervix at 65 years of age if adequate screening measures have been met, defined as having 1) at least three normal consecutive cytology (Pap) tests, or 2) two normal cytology tests and/or two negative high-risk human papillomavirus tests between ages 55-65; the last test should be performed within the prior 5 years. Up to 60 % of all women aged 65 years and older who are ending screening do not meet the criteria for adequate screening. The objective of this study was to understand the process and approach that healthcare clinicians use to determine eligibility to end cervical cancer screening. In 2021 we conducted semi-structured interviews in San Francisco, CA with twelve healthcare clinicians: two family medicine physicians, three general internal medicine physicians, two obstetrician/gynecologists and five nurse practitioners. Thematic analysis, using inductive and deductive coding, was utilized. Three major themes emerged: following guidelines, relying on self-reported data regarding prior screening, and considering sexual activity as a factor in the decision to end screening. All interviewees endorsed following the USPSTF guidelines and they utilized self-report to determine eligibility to end screening. Clinicians' approach was dependent in part on their judgement about the reliability of the patient to convey their screening history. Sexual activity of the patient was considered when making clinical recommendations. Shared decision-making was often utilized. Clinicians voiced a strong reliance on self-reported screening history to end cervical cancer screening.

An Exploration of Black Men's Attitudes and Experiences Communicating with Dentists about Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Poor oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) survival among Black men is partially due to their limited knowledge about OPCs, which is exacerbated by dentists' limited training and discomfort in discussing OPC risk factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes and experiences that Black men have communicating with dentists about OPCs. METHODS: To qualitatively assess these attitudes and experiences, a focus group guide and recruitment strategy were developed using a community engagement approach. Data were analyzed using grounded theory. RESULTS: Twenty-three self-identified Black men participated in three focus groups through the Zoom platform (mean age of 46.1 years). Four main themes emerged, which identified that participants: (1) had little knowledge of OPCs; (2) felt that addressing OPC risk among Black men was not a priority for dentists; (3) stressed the importance of dentists acknowledging the complexity of how race and gender affects Black men's healthcare experiences; and (4) expressed a benefit to receiving information from multiple social networks. CONCLUSION: The focus groups provided context for how dentists might engage with Black men in discussions about OPC prevention and treatment.

Assessment of Institutional Implementation Research Capacity of the National Institutes of Health D43 Network.

Implementation science enhances the efficient practice of solutions from research to real-world application. Low- and lower- to middle-income countries may benefit significantly from implementation research given their limited resources. The National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center D43 network consists of partnerships between foreign and U.S.-based institutions and aims to strengthen global health research. This paper assesses the D43 network's implementation research focus and training capacity. A survey was distributed to 387 program directors of ongoing and completed D43 projects. Preliminary results show 51.7% of respondents describe "increasing implementation research capacity" as a "high priority." Only 24.8% of faculty in implementation science received formal training, and 60.3% of D43 programs lacked an implementation research training program. Results show there is an increasing need for implementation research but that more can be done to develop implementation research capacity and training. The low response rate of 18% is a limitation of this study.

A community-based participatory protocol to improving communication with Black men about oral and pharyngeal cancers: Research protocol.

Black men are disproportionately impacted by oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) mortality. This is in part due to a lack of information received about OPCs and their associated risk factors during health encounters. Discussions between dentists and Black men may improve Black men's knowledge, screening, and treatment uptake. Yet, dentists do not commonly communicate with Black men about OPCs due to their own discomfort. This paper describes the protocol for our research project, which proposes an initiative, grounded in community-based participatory research, to adapt a culturally-specific OPC communication tool. This tool will be adapted using a mixed-methods approach to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of Black men discussing OPCs and associated risk factors with dental providers. The tool will then be assessed for feasibility and acceptability among Black men, as well as dental students and dental providers in community-based clinical settings.

Association between adverse childhood experiences and later-life allostatic load in UK Biobank female participants.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences during key developmental periods have been shown to impact long-term health outcomes. Adverse childhood experiences may include psychological, physical, or sexual abuse; neglect; or socioeconomic factors. Adverse childhood experiences are linked with an increase in poor health behavior such as smoking and alcohol consumption, and may also influence epigenetic changes, inflammatory response, metabolic changes, and allostatic load. OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore associations between adverse childhood experiences and allostatic load in adult female participants in the UK Biobank. DESIGN: The UK Biobank is a multisite cohort study established to capture lifestyle, environment, exposure, health history, and genotype data on individuals in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Adverse childhood experiences were assessed from the Childhood Trauma Screener, which measures abuse and neglect across five items. Biological measures at enrollment were used to construct allostatic load, including measures of metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular function. Females with a cancer diagnosis prior to enrollment were removed as it may influence allostatic load. Poisson regression models were used to assess the association between adverse childhood experiences and allostatic load, accounting for a priori confounders. RESULTS: A total of 33,466 females with complete data were analyzed, with a median age at enrollment of 54 (range = 40-70) years. Among the study sample, the mean allostatic load ranged from 1.85 in those who reported no adverse childhood experiences to 2.45 in those with all adverse childhood experiences reported. In multivariable analysis, there was a 4% increase in average allostatic load among females for every additional adverse childhood experience reported (incidence rate ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.05). Similar results were observed when assessing individual adverse childhood experience components. CONCLUSION: This analysis supports a growing body of evidence suggesting that increased exposure to early life abuse or neglect is associated with increased allostatic load in females.

Knowledge, attitudes and mental health of sub-Saharan African migrants living in Tunisia during COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic potentially impacted the mental health of migrants. Our objective was to measure the prevalence of psychological distress among a group of sub-Saharan African migrants living in Tunisia, and its association with knowledge about COVID-19. The Questionnaire of Knowledge towards COVID-19 (QK-COVID-19) was used to evaluate the level of Knowledge about COVID-19. The participants were asked about their attitudes for seeking information and healthcare services related to the pandemic using a multiple-choice questionnaire. The Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL-25)) was used to screen for anxiety and depression. A logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds of having psychological distress across levels of QK-COVID-19 score. Among the 133 participants, 34.6% (95% CI: 26.5, 42.67) had psychological distress, 91% were unemployed and 96% uninsured. Of the respondants, 20% had low QK-COVID-19 score , and 44.36% had medium score. The adjusted odds of psychological distress for those with high and medium QK-COVID-19 scores were respectively 3.9 (95% CI: 1.08, 14.13) and 6.39 (95% CI: 1.79, 22.9) times that of those with low scores. Screening and early treatment of anxiety and depression among migrants during outbreaks is an imperative. Further investigations of the determinants of mental health of sub-Saharan African migrants are needed.

Qualitative Analysis of Multiple Sources and Dimensions of Stigma Among Older Adults Living With HIV Infection Released From Corrections.

While sources of stigma associated with HIV, incarceration, and aging have been explored separately, the concurrent effects of these multiple sources have been understudied. We conducted in-depth interviews with 48 older adults over 50 years of age with HIV infection who were returning from correctional settings concerning their experiences of stigma. Participants described HIV-related stigma substantially more often than incarceration-related stigma and a greater number of stigma experiences as time passed from release. Anticipated stigma experiences were frequently associated with HIV. Enacted stigma was often related to incarceration. Internalized stigma was associated with both HIV and incarceration. However, participants often described aging as a positive experience of gaining wisdom and control over their life. The findings indicated that multiple sources of stigma affect different dimensions of stigma. Postrelease interventions may benefit from addressing increasing experiences of stigma in the rapidly growing population of older adults living with HIV with a history of incarceration.

The association between neighborhood conditions and weight loss among older adults living in a large urban city.

To elucidate the role of neighborhood walkability and crime on weight loss, we examined data from older adults residing in Chicago who participated in a randomized controlled trial lifestyle intervention. Controlling for individual demographic characteristics and the intervention assignment, the neighborhood homicide rate was significantly associated with weight change. Participants who resided in neighborhoods above the 50th percentile of homicide rate actually gained weight between pre- and post-intervention. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between the level of walkability and weight loss. Our findings suggest that the social environment related to neighborhood crime may play a more important role in weight loss than the built environment, such as walkability. Urban characteristics related to walkability, such as sidewalks, may increase physical activity, however, interventions aiming to increase physical activity to promote weight loss will benefit by addressing the neighborhood social environment that determines how people navigate space.

Gender neutral HPV vaccination programs: Reconsidering policies to expand cancer prevention globally.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is responsible for many cancers in both women and men. Cervical cancer, caused by HPV, is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, even though it is one of the most preventable cancers. Prevention efforts include HPV vaccination, however these programs remain nascent in many countries. In 2020 the World Health Assembly adopted the Global Strategy for cervical cancer elimination including a goal to fully vaccinate 90% of girls with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15. However, very few countries have reached even 70% coverage. Increased vaccine availability in the future may allow the opportunity to vaccinate more people. This could add to the feasibility of introducing gender-neutral HPV vaccination programs. Adopting a gender-neutral HPV vaccine approach will reduce HPV infections transmitted among the population, combat misinformation, minimize vaccine-related stigma, and promote gender equity. We propose approaching programmatic research through a gender-neutral lens to reduce HPV infections and cancers and promote gender equality. In order to design more effective policies and programs, a better understanding of the perspectives of clients, clinicians, community leaders, and policy-makers is needed. A clear, multi-level understanding of these stakeholders' views will facilitate the development of target policy and programs aimed at addressing common barriers and optimizing uptake. Given the benefit of developing gender-neutral HPV vaccination programs to eliminate cervical cancer and address other HPV associated cancers, we must build knowledge through implementation research around this topic to inform policy-makers and funders for future policy shifts.

Mediation of Racial and Ethnic Inequities in the Diagnosis of Advanced-Stage Cervical Cancer by Insurance Status.

Importance: Black and Hispanic or Latina women are more likely than White women to receive a diagnosis of and to die of cervical cancer. Health insurance coverage is associated with diagnosis at an earlier stage of cervical cancer. Objective: To evaluate the extent to which racial and ethnic differences in the diagnosis of advanced-stage cervical cancer are mediated by insurance status. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective, cross-sectional population-based study used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program on an analytic cohort of 23 942 women aged 21 to 64 years who received a diagnosis of cervical cancer between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2016. Statistical analysis was performed from February 24, 2022, to January 18, 2023. Exposures: Health inusurance status (private or Medicare insurance vs Medicaid or uninsured). Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was a diagnosis of advanced-stage cervical cancer (regional or distant stage). Mediation analyses were performed to assess the proportion of observed racial and ethnic differences in the stage at diagnosis that were mediated by health insurance status. Results: A total of 23 942 women (median age at diagnosis, 45 years [IQR, 37-54 years]; 12.9% were Black, 24.5% were Hispanic or Latina, and 52.9% were White) were included in the study. A total of 59.4% of the cohort had private or Medicare insurance. Compared with White women, patients of all other racial and ethnic groups had a lower proportion with a diagnosis of early-stage cervical cancer (localized) (American Indian or Alaska Native, 48.7%; Asian or Pacific Islander, 49.9%; Black, 41.7%; Hispanic or Latina, 51.6%; and White, 53.3%). A larger proportion of women with private or Medicare insurance compared with women with Medicaid or uninsured received a diagnosis of an early-stage cancer (57.8% [8082 of 13 964] vs 41.1% [3916 of 9528]). In models adjusting for age, year of diagnosis, histologic type, area-level socioeconomic status, and insurance status, Black women had higher odds of receiving a diagnosis of advanced-stage cervical cancer compared with White women (odds ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.08-1.29]). Health insurance was associated with mediation of more than half (ranging from 51.3% [95% CI, 51.0%-51.6%] for Black women to 55.1% [95% CI, 53.9%-56.3%] for Hispanic or Latina women) the racial and ethnic inequities in the diagnosis of advanced-stage cervical cancer across all racial and ethnic minority groups compared with White women. Conclusions and Relevance: This cross-sectional study of SEER data suggests that insurance status was a substantial mediator of racial and ethnic inequities in advanced-stage cervical cancer diagnoses. Expanding access to care and improving the quality of services rendered for uninsured patients and those covered by Medicaid may mitigate the known inequities in cervical cancer diagnosis and related outcomes.

Assessing the interrelationship between stigma, social influence, and cervical cancer prevention in an urban underserved setting: An exploratory study.

In the US, incidence and mortality from cervical cancer disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities and low-income women. Despite affordable access to primary and secondary prevention measures at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and screening rates are low, suggesting the presence of non-financial barriers to uptake in this population. This explanatory sequential mixed-methods study sought to explore factors that influence the acceptability of cervical cancer prevention services among parents and legal guardians of vaccine-eligible girls attending an urban FQHC and to assess social influences related to cervical cancer prevention. Participants included eight mothers, one father, and two grandparents/legal guardians. Nine participants self-identified as Black/Afro-Caribbean, or African American, two as Latinx, and one as Native American. The quantitative data suggested discordance between participants' cervical cancer prevention knowledge and their practices. Most indicated that their daughters had received the HPV vaccine but were unsure about HPV transmission modes. Qualitative data revealed that participants were comfortable disclosing information on HPV infection and vaccination status, and most women were likely to share information related to cervical cancer testing and diagnosis. Few comments indicated personal stigma on the part of participants, but there was frequent expression of perceived public stigma (shaming and blaming women), gender differences (men are indifferent to risk), and distrust of the healthcare system. Findings highlight several concepts including the disharmony between knowledge and practice, prevalent perceived public stigma, cumbersome attitudes on the part of men regarding HPV and cervical cancer, and distrust of the healthcare system.

Structural Racism and Cancer: Calls to Action for Cancer Researchers to Address Racial/Ethnic Cancer Inequity in the United States.

As leaders with the American Society of Preventive Oncology (ASPO) Cancer Health Disparities Special Interest Group, we describe the role of structural racism in perpetuating cancer health inequity historically, and potential implications of COVID-19 in exacerbating the effects of structural racism on patients with cancer seeking screening, diagnostic care, treatment, and survivorship support. As a strategy to reduce cancer inequities in the United States, we provide the following calls to action for cancer researchers to help alleviate the burden of structural racism: (i) identify and name structural racism while describing its operation within all aspects of scientific research; (ii) comprehensively integrate discussions on structural racism into teaching, mentoring, and service activities; and (iii) understand and support community actions to address structural racism.

DNA Double-strand Break Signaling Is a Therapeutic Target in Head and Neck Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is common worldwide. Given poor outcomes for patients with HNC, research into targeted therapies is needed. Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is a DNA damage kinase which is activated by double-strand DNA breaks. We tested the effects of a novel ATM inhibitor on HNC cell lines and xenografts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: p53-Binding protein 1 and phosphorylated ATM were localized in cultured cells by immunofluorescence microscopy. Protein expression was determined by western blot. Tumor xenografts were established by injecting HNC lines into immunocompromised mice. Tumor sections were characterized by immunohistochemistry. Apoptotic cells were determined by terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. RESULTS: ATM inhibition increased double-strand DNA breaks at replication foci in HNC cell lines. ATM inhibition affected cell-cycle regulatory protein expression, blocked cell-cycle progression at the G2/M phase and resulted in apoptosis. CONCLUSION: ATM inhibition may be therapeutically useful in treating HNC.

Stigma and cervical cancer prevention: A scoping review of the U.S. literature.

Cervical cancer is preventable through HPV vaccination and screening however, uptake falls below national targets. A scoping review was conducted to describe stigmas related to HPV infection and vaccination and cervical cancer and screening in the US. Results were organized into the domains proposed by Stangl and colleagues' Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework. Common drivers of stigma were fear of social judgement and rejection, self-blame, and shame. Positive facilitators included social norms that provided motivation to receive HPV vaccination and screening. Gender and social norms were notable negative facilitators of stigma. HPV infection and cervical cancer resulted in stigma marking through the belief that both result from incautious behavior-either multiple sexual partners or failing to get screening. Stereotyping and prejudice were stigma practices attributed to HPV infection and cervical cancer through these same behaviors. Stigma experiences related to HPV infection, cervical cancer, and abnormal screening results included altered self-image based on perceived/anticipated stigma, as well as discrimination. This review advances understanding of the multiple dimensions of stigma associated with these outcomes in the US population. Three areas warrant additional consideration. Future studies should 1) assess how stigma dimensions affect uptake of cervical cancer preventions efforts; 2) focus on US women most affected by cervical cancer incidence and mortality to identify potential differences in these dimensions and tailor interventions accordingly; 3) include women from geographic areas of the US with high rates of cervical cancer to adapt interventions that address potential regional variations in resources and need.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas among males of the three largest Asian diasporas in the US, 2004-2013.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) have not been fully examined in the Asian diasporas in the US, despite certain Asian countries having the highest incidence of specific HNSCCs. METHODS: National Cancer Database was used to compare 1046 Chinese, 887 South Asian (Indian/Pakistani), and 499 Filipino males to 156,927 Non-Hispanic White (NHW) males diagnosed with HNSCC between 2004-2013. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association of race/ethnicity with two outcomes - site group and late-stage diagnosis. Temporal trends were explored for site groups and subsites. RESULTS: South Asians had a greater proportion of oral cavity cancer [OCC] compared to NHWs (59 % vs. 25 %; ORadj =7.3 (95 % CI: 5.9-9.0)). In contrast, Chinese (64 % vs. 9%; ORadj =34.0 (95 % CI: 26.5-43.6)) and Filipinos (47 % vs. 9%; ORadj =10.0 (95 % CI: 7.8-12.9)) had a greater proportion of non-oropharyngeal cancer compared to NHWs. All three Asian subgroups had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed by age 40 (14 % Chinese, 10 % South Asian and 8% Filipino compared to 3% in NHW; p < 0.001). Chinese males had lower odds of late-stage diagnosis, compared to NHWs. South Asian cases doubled from 2004 to 2013 largely due to an increase in OCC cases (34 cases in 2004 to 86 in 2013). CONCLUSION: Asian diasporas are at a higher likelihood of specific HNSCCs. Risk factors, screening and survival need to be studied further, and policy changes are needed to promote screening and to discourage high-risk habits in these Asian subgroups.

Race and Gender Differences in Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests and Guidelines Among Recently Diagnosed Colon Cancer Patients in an Urban Setting.

The purpose of this study was to first characterize the prevalence of recall, recognition, and knowledge of colon cancer screening tests and guidelines (collectively, "awareness") among non-Hispanic black (NHB) and NH white (NHW) urban colon cancer patients. Second, we sought to examine whether awareness was associated with mode of cancer detection. Low awareness regarding colon cancer screening tests and guidelines may explain low screening rates and high prevalence of symptomatic detection. We examined recall, recognition, and knowledge of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests and guidelines and their associations with mode of cancer detection (symptomatic versus screen-detected) in 374 newly diagnosed NHB and NHW patients aged 45-79. Patients were asked to name or describe any test to screen for colon cancer (recall); next, they were given descriptions of stool testing and colonoscopy and asked if they recognized each test (recognition). Lastly, patients were asked if they knew the screening guidelines (knowledge). Overall, awareness of CRC screening guidelines was low; just 20% and 13% of patients knew colonoscopy and fecal test guidelines, respectively. Awareness of CRC screening tests and guidelines was especially low among NHB males, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, and those diagnosed at public healthcare facilities. Inability to name or recall a single test was associated with reduced screen-detected cancer compared with recall of at least one test (36% vs. 22%, p = 0.01). Low awareness of CRC screening tests is a risk factor for symptomatic detection of colon cancer.

Using a group development framework to maximize leadership strategies in the inaugural session of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute.

The 2016-2017 Inaugural Class of the Society of Behavioral Medicine Leadership Institute (SBM LI) debuted to an eager team of 36 mid-career fellows led by energetic mentors, professional coaches, and career development experts. Fellows were divided into learning communities of eight participants for deeper engagement. Our "Green Team" learning community bonded quickly and actively committed to our collective progress and projects. Upon returning home from the in-person sessions, our activities included monthly team conference calls and consultation with our mentors and selected coaches. The Green Team regularly communicated throughout the year, giving feedback to each other about our projects to be presented at the 2017 SBM Annual Meeting. We also discussed our mentoring and coaching experiences, leadership skills put to use at our institutions, and personal development. Contact continued via social media, email, teleconferencing, and collaborations at other professional meetings. The Green Team utilized the Tuckman and Jensen model of small group development to describe how we developed into a high-functioning group that maximized the resources afforded by the SBM LI to yield successful leadership outcomes. This commentary will offer an example of how a productive SBM LI team works collaboratively to utilize its mentors and resources for professional development.