Associate Director for Population Sciences, University of Arizona Cancer Center, and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Arizona

Vice-Chair, ACS NCCRT Steering Committee

Gloria Coronado, PhD, is an epidemiologist, health disparities researcher, and Associate Director for Population Sciences at the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Arizona. She has more than 20 years of experience developing and testing community- and practice-based innovations and leading health disparities research programs in multiple healthcare settings. A key focus of her research centers on leveraging electronic health record information and using risk-stratification tools to deliver appropriate preventive care services, including colorectal cancer screening and follow-up, to patients who may benefit the most. Through this research, she has built successful collaborations with integrated delivery systems, federally qualified health centers, Medicaid health plans, and rural practices. A hallmark of Dr. Coronado’s research is its focus on underrepresented racial and ethnic populations. She has tested digital tools and visual approaches to raising awareness of colorectal cancer and the need for screening. Her team’s wordless instructions for stool-based tests have been shared with over 200 health systems across the United States. Dr. Coronado is a member of the Board of Scientific Advisors for the National Cancer Institute, and she previously served on the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine Committee on Improving Representation in Clinical Trials and Research.

Senior Vice President of Prevention and Early Detection, American Cancer Society

ACS Permanent Representative, ACS NCCRT Steering Committee

Laura Makaroff, DO, is a family physician and Senior Vice President of Prevention and Early Detection at the American Cancer Society. She oversees a broad portfolio of cancer prevention and early detection initiatives including health equity, cancer screening, HPV vaccination, tobacco control, comprehensive cancer control, and other national partnerships. Prior to joining ACS, Dr. Makaroff served as a Senior Clinical Advisor for the Bureau of Primary Health Care at the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA). Dr. Makaroff completed a fellowship in health policy at Georgetown University and The Robert Graham Center in Washington, DC. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Colorado Hospital and was previously in solo, private practice outside of Denver, CO.

Senior Scientific Director, Surveillance Research, American Cancer Society (ACS)

Rebecca Siegel, MPH, is a descriptive epidemiologist at the America Cancer Society in Atlanta where she is Senior Scientific Director of Surveillance Research and lead author of the annual Cancer Facts & Figures and Cancer Statistics article. She has published research across the spectrum of cancer surveillance with an emphasis on racial disparities and colorectal cancer, especially early-onset disease. Her work in this area includes empirical and modeling evidence to support lowering the age to begin screening from 45 to 50 by the American Cancer Society in 2018 and the US Preventive Services Task Force in 2021.  

Director of Diversity, Cancer Patient, Advocate, Man Up to Cancer

Bill Thach is a Stage 4 neuroendocrine carcinoma patient, dad, and cancer advocate whose life was upended by a rare rectal cancer diagnosis at 33 and nine lines of treatment, including 4 clinical trials and an 18-hour surgery resulting in two permanent ostomies. He serves as Director of Diversity for Man Up to Cancer and holds national research advocacy roles with organizations including Fight Colorectal Cancer, the Department of Defense Rare Cancer Research Program, American Association for Cancer Research, MD Anderson’s Community Scientist program and multiple advisory board/committee positions with industry organizations. Drawing on his background in pharmaceuticals, oncology, and medical devices and lived experience
Bill uses his voice through story telling to ensure that men, especially men of color and AYA patients never have to face cancer alone.

Jonathan Gardner has over 25 years of professional experience in Information Technology, with more than 20 years engineering, administering, and maintaining healthcare information systems and providing and maintaining healthcare-related technical solutions. In his current position with Quality Heath Associates of North Dakota he provides data analysis and technical assistance for multiple quality improvement projects, as well as maintains the infrastructure used to collect, store, and process quality healthcare data. Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys reading science fiction, traveling, and relaxing at the lake. He has a wife of 22 years, two grown children, a grandchild, and three family dogs.

Nikki Medalen, MS, BSN, CPHQ, is a seasoned nurse with more than 30 years of experience and a deep passion for public health, vulnerable populations, and nursing education. As a Quality Improvement Specialist, she plays a key role in North Dakota’s cancer prevention efforts through her work with ScreeND and the North Dakota Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative (NDCRCSI). Nikki partners with clinics, health systems, and community organizations to implement evidence based strategies that strengthen colorectal cancer screening and advance health equity statewide.
Recognized for her strengths in coaching, data driven improvement, and high quality professional outreach, including a leadership role in the annual Turn ND Blue Photo Contest to raise statewide awareness for colorectal cancer prevention. Nikki’s career reflects her commitment to improving population health, supporting frontline caregivers, and ensuring accessible, high quality care for all North Dakotans.

Carolyne Tufte, LPN, has now found a passion for improving healthcare and patient outcomes through quality. She joined Quality Health Associates of North Dakota in June of 2022 and has been active in multiple projects including improving colorectal cancer screening, improving breast and cervical cancer screening, mental health first aid certification and patient enrollment services for uninsured and under insured individuals of North Dakota. Being married to a farmer has brought her to rural settings prior to quality improvement work. These rural settings allowed her to cross train in multiple departments including clinic, acute care and surgical services. Time outside of work is filled by volunteering back to community, church and raising three daughters, Olivia, Isabel, and Emma.