At Fox Chase Cancer Center, we believe that our commitment to clinical excellence, research expertise, and community health starts with a foundation of inclusion and respect for our patients and each other. Although we pride ourselves on our expertise in treating every kind of cancer, our exceptional skill would mean little without our unparalleled compassion and an environment of true acceptance. From those involved directly in patient care to those who support the many other operations at Fox Chase, only through various voices, perspectives, and experiences are we able to continuously advance as an institution.
At the center of these efforts is the Fox Chase Office of Research Initiatives for Strategic Excellence (RISE). Our office works to promote a culture of excellence in engagement where Fox Chase faculty, staff, and trainees feel valued, empowered, and connected, driving professional growth, motivation, productivity, research innovation, and positive outcomes.
As a key aspect of our mission to prevail over cancer, we are deeply dedicated to promoting institutional practices that advance a collaborative and collegial environment, which in turn drives research excellence at Fox Chase Cancer Center. This commitment has led to groundbreaking discoveries, including Hepatitis B virus, which was recognized with a Nobel Prize, and the Philadelphia Chromosome, which paved the way for Nobel Prize winning advances in cancer research. Research like this, conducted in collaboration with national partners, not only enhances our understanding of cancer genetics and risk behaviors, but also leads to life-saving strategies in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. By fostering an inclusive, empowered, and research-driven environment, we continue to push the boundaries of cancer science, ensuring that every discovery is made stronger through diverse perspectives and a shared mission to improve lives.
Our Role in Advancing Research Excellence
RISE supports research excellence at Fox Chase by strengthening engagement, collaboration, and career development awareness among faculty, trainees, and staff. Our office helps drive institutional initiatives that lead to innovation, retention, and continued scientific advancement.
Objectives and Strategic Aims
We focus on three core objectives that guide our efforts to empower research professionals and support the institutional research mission:
- Aim 1: Establish strategies for identifying and empowering the most promising and meritorious future leaders by providing career navigation that advances research careers to Center Membership and Leadership.
- Aim 2: Increase retention of faculty, trainees, and staff by cultivating a sense of connectedness to promote research excellence through advanced team-building skills.
- Aim 3: Establish criteria for the monitoring and evaluation of progress.
Meet the RISE Team
Dr. Camille Ragin
Associate Director for Cancer Disparities Research and Research Integration; Lead of RISE Office
Dr. Camille Ragin is a Professor in the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center. She is an internationally recognized population science researcher with over two decades of experience leading peer-reviewed cancer research, mentoring, and workforce training programs. Dr. Ragin has directed large, multidisciplinary teams and advanced major institutional and national initiatives focused on cancer workforce development and health disparities. She is the MPI of the NCI-funded Temple-Fox Chase—Hunter College U54 CPACHE Program and serves as a member of the NCCN Advancing Cancer Care Access for All Forum.
Dr. Widza Bryant
Director, Institutional Engagement
Dr. Bryant brings a passion for organizational development and leadership. She joined Fox Chase following her role as Senior Leadership & Organizational Development Consultant at Temple University Health System. A Certified Professional Master Coach and DiSC Certified Facilitator, with a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership and Coaching, she co-founded Bryant & Bryant Consulting, LLC, and the Vladimir Bryant Foundation for children with disabilities. Her work centers on building inclusive, values-driven environments where people and performance thrive. With extensive healthcare consulting experience, she has led initiatives in strategic planning, operational efficiency, and quality improvement.
Terrance Harshaw
Manager, Institutional Engagement
Terrance Harshaw is a Certified Diversity Professional and Manager in the RISE office. He promotes inclusive engagement, workforce development, and organizational strategy. He partners with internal leaders to support employee resource groups and track engagement metrics. Terrance plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment that reflects both staff and community priorities.
Tanisha Maitre
Institutional Engagement, Program Coordinator
Tanisha Maitre is a Ronald E. McNair Scholar and graduate of Hampton University, where she earned a Master's in Biology. She supported over 90 undergraduate students through Student Support Services, helping them navigate the challenges of higher education. At Fox Chase, she continues to advance research training by coordinating RISE programs and enhancing institutional support for emerging scientists.
Erin Tagai
Faculty Scholar, Qualitative Analyst
Erin Tagai, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in Cancer Prevention and Control at Fox Chase Cancer Center and Temple University Health System. In collaboration with the RISE Office, she supports research and training initiatives focused on improving outcomes across the cancer continuum. Her work centers on clinic-based strategies, mobile health (mHealth) interventions, and implementation science to enhance patient-reported and clinical outcomes through both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Brian Egleston
Faculty Scholar, Qualitative Analyst
Brian Egleston is a Research Professor in the Biostatistician at Fox Chase Cancer Center, where he collaborates with the RISE Office on research initiatives supporting education, mentorship, and scientific advancement. His work focuses on causal inference and the analysis of real-world and clinical trial data, with publications in top journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Biometrics, and the Journal of the American Statistical Association. He is also exploring how statistical methods can enhance natural language processing and health services research.
Contact Us
For more information about the RISE Office, contact us at:
(267) 742-1601
[email protected]