An NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is recognized as a leader for excellence in cancer research, treatment, and patient care. We ensure access to cutting-edge therapies and innovative clinical trials.

Good nutrition is a vital part of cancer care. At VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, we are committed to caring for the whole person.

Our Story

On October 1, 2024 - Funding from the McKesson Foundation commenced to support the development of In Cancer Care, Food is Medicine, an inaugural initiative at VCU's Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. This initiative is dedicated to advancing cancer research related to food and nutrition, as well as enhancing patient services to alleviate food insecurity. We believe lack of access to food should not be a barrier to receiving life-saving cancer treatment.

Mission Statement: In Cancer Care, Food is Medicine aims to be a national role model, dedicated to pioneering evidence-based research, advancing nutrition education, and promoting health and wellness to address food insecurity among cancer patients.

Our Funders

Meet The Team

Robert Winn, MD

Director and Lipman Chair in Oncology

Dr. Robert Winn is the director of VCU Massey Cancer Center and senior associate dean for cancer innovation at the VCU School of Medicine. A renowned expert in cancer care and health disparities, he is committed to advancing cancer research and improving outcomes for underserved populations, particularly through innovative, patient-centered approaches.

Susan Hong, MD, MPH

Cancer Survivorship Program Director

Dr. Susan Hong holds the RGC Professorship in Cancer Research and serves as an associate professor in the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Palliative Care. Dr. Hong is focused on improving long-term outcomes for cancer survivors, advancing survivorship research, and integrating evidence-based nutrition interventions into clinical care at VCU.

Livingstone Aduse-Poku, PhD

Research Scientist

Dr. Livingstone Aduse-Poku received his degree in Cancer Epidemiology from the University of Florida and brings 7 years of experience in cancer research, epidemiology, and data analysis. He has previously worked with institutions, including UF Health Cancer Center and Henry Ford Cancer Institute, to drive impactful cancer research initiatives.

Cindy Avila, MBS

Senior Program Manager

Cindy brings more than a decade of research and academic healthcare administrative experience to VCU, serving as a leader in the Food is Medicine initiative. Cindy is a proud U.S. Navy veteran and is passionate about high-quality research, having authored a book chapter and publishing extensively in medically peer-reviewed journals.

Chelsey McGill, PhD

T32 Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. McGill is a postdoctoral fellow in the NCI-funded T32 Cancer Prevention and Control Cancer Health Equity Training Program in the Department of Psychiatry and Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. Her research interests include a focus on primary and secondary cancer prevention in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and minority communities.

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Eliot Turoff

Patient and Family Support Coordinator, Integrative Health

Elliott Turnoff plays a crucial role interacting with patients and distributing food boxes as part of the Food is Medicine initiative. With previous experience as a coordinator at both the YMCA and Walt Disney Company, Elliott brings strong organizational skills and a passion for community service to her work.

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Ayani Milligan

Volunteer

Ayani Milligan is a sophomore at the Maggie L. Walker Governors School where he serves as the Chesterfield county regional director for the nonprofit STEMinate. Ayani has previous experience volunteering in the Dr. Bos’s tumor research lab at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. He is interested in food is medicine health policies and hopes "to gain more knowledge on the relationship of nutrition to illnesses."

Robert Cambell

Volunteer

Robert (Rob) Campbell is a 2024 University of Virginia graduate working as a Clinical Research
Coordinator at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. As a 2024-2025 medical school
applicant, Rob aspires to be a physician and is passionate about incorporating preventative medicine and achieving long-term outcomes for future patients.

Our Community Partners

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Additional Patient Support Services at Massey

Integrative Health

Integrative health at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center combines conventional cancer treatments with evidence-based complementary therapies to support patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The center offers personalized care plans that include nutrition counseling, mind-body therapies, and wellness practices to enhance overall quality of life during and after cancer treatment.

Cancer Survivorship Program

The Cancer Survivorship Program at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is dedicated to supporting individuals after cancer treatment, focusing on their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. Through personalized care plans, the program provides resources for managing long-term health, addressing side effects, and promoting a healthy, fulfilling life beyond cancer.

Nutrition & Lifestyle Resources

The Nutrition and Lifestyle Resources page at VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center offers a range of support services designed to help cancer patients optimize their nutrition and overall health during and after treatment. The center provides personalized guidance, including dietary counseling, wellness programs, and strategies for managing treatment-related side effects to enhance patients' quality of life.