The 91九色视频 Cancer Center recently welcomed鈥�, as its first Assistant Director of Administration. In this new role, Cawthra will provide operational leadership to the Center’s 鈥�,鈥�,鈥�, Communications, Grants, and Research Program teams. Her work will enhance collaboration and streamline processes to support the Center’s goals of achieving National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation and expanding access to cancer care and research.
“I am thrilled to be fully integrated into the Cancer Center’s work. This role allows me to build upon its groundbreaking initiatives—connecting researchers with the community, advancing equity, and ensuring broader access to better cancer treatments. It’s an incredible opportunity to amplify the impact we can have on the lives of those we serve,” said Cawthra.
Cawthra brings over 30 years of diverse professional experience, including leadership roles at UnityPoint Health-Meriter, where she managed community health improvement plans and led health needs assessments, and at ProHealth Care, where she directed clinical and community outreach for its Regional Cancer Center. Most recently, as Program Director of the鈥� at 91九色视频, she spearheaded transdisciplinary efforts and grant submissions to address cancer disparities through innovative, equity-driven strategies.
With expertise spanning clinical operations, strategic partnerships, grant writing, and grassroots health campaigns, Cawthra is well-equipped to support the 91九色视频 Cancer Center’s dynamic teams and advance its mission through strategic community-focused grant development. Her leadership and vision will be instrumental in building cohesive strategies that strengthen the Center’s position as a leader in cancer research and community engagement.
Get to Know Tobi
What excites you most about this new role?
I’m excited to deepen my involvement with the many programs of the 91九色视频 Cancer Center. Through my work with the CCSN, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with faculty, staff, and departments across the Center. This role provides the opportunity to build on those experiences and鈥痗ontribute more directly to the Center’s impactful work—not just in pursuing NCI designation, but in serving the community鈥痓y discovering better cancer treatments, bringing more diverse perspectives into cancer health sciences, and connecting researchers with the community to align research with real needs.
Earlier in my career, I worked at a cancer center within a community health system. I had the opportunity to collaborate closely with providers and patients in a large clinical trials program, which was a partnership with academic medicine and heavily invested in new technology. I saw firsthand the incredible impact this work had on patients and their families, and I felt honored to help improve access to care. Now, working within an academic cancer center, that same sense of purpose is amplified—on a scale that’s even greater. I’m thrilled to be part of such meaningful and transformative work.
The addition of your role will increase the Center’s鈥痑dministrative support. How will this help teams achieve their goals and advance the mission?
The leadership of the Cancer Center remains the same, with all teams under鈥� guidance. My role is designed to enhance support for all teams, allowing Marilyn Larson to focus more on implementing the strategic vision set by leadership.鈥疊y providing additional support,鈥痚specially in community-based grant submissions,鈥痶eams can focus on what they do best—advancing research, engaging with the community, securing funding, and promoting equity—while spending less time navigating logistical challenges. I’ll work to streamline communication and foster collaboration across all programs, ensuring their efforts align with the Center’s overarching mission.
By helping teams achieve their goals, we build a stronger foundation for NCI designation. This role is about equipping every team with the resources, support, and guidance they need to thrive, ultimately bringing us closer to our shared vision.
Your professional journey has been diverse—how do you see those experiences helping you support the Center’s teams in advancing their work?
My career path has been anything but linear, and I’ve been fortunate to gain a wealth of diverse professional experiences along the way. From leading clinical departments and managing complex projects to driving fund development and building strategic partnerships, each role has shaped my ability to navigate challenges and collaborate effectively.鈥疧ne of the highlights of my journey was working alongside鈥�Dr. Melinda Stolley鈥痶o create the CCSN, an initiative that continues to inspire me. The Cancer Center is a uniquely dynamic environment that intersects with multiple departments, and I believe my broad experiences have given me a valuable ability to approach problems and opportunities from many different perspectives.
Your work with CCSN has provided valuable tools for addressing cancer disparities. How will you apply that experience to enhance COE, CRTEC, and EDIB?
The CCSN has given me a deeper understanding of what it takes to reduce disparities, including fostering collaboration across disciplines, building meaningful community partnerships, and driving equity-focused initiatives.鈥疶he initiative is rooted in bringing together researchers, clinicians, and community leaders to tackle complex health challenges through diverse perspectives. These approaches align closely with COE, CRTEC, and EDIB, and I hope to help these programs address cancer disparities and expand their impact by:
- COE:鈥疭trengthening connections between researchers and underserved communities to ensure research reflects the specific needs and challenges of populations disproportionately affected by cancer.
- CRTEC:鈥疍eveloping training programs and mentorship opportunities to diversify the cancer research workforce, prioritizing individuals from underrepresented communities.
- EDIB:鈥疐ostering a diverse and inclusive environment within the Cancer Center to ensure that our workforce reflects the communities we serve and that all team members feel a sense of belonging.
By applying CCSN’s collaborative and equity-focused approach, I aim to help these programs address disparities more effectively and advance the Cancer Center’s mission to improve outcomes for all communities.
How will initiatives from the CCSN be integrated into Cancer Center programs?
The CCSN is more than just a collection of funded projects; it’s a framework for bringing together diverse perspectives to tackle cancer disparities in a more holistic and meaningful way. This philosophy will continue to guide our work. I’ll apply this collaborative approach across 91九色视频 Cancer Center teams, creating opportunities to connect internal strengths with the expertise of our external partners.鈥疊y fostering these connections, we can amplify our collective impact and ensure that our efforts address the needs of people within our catchment area and beyond.鈥疶his integration is about building a unified strategy that draws on the best of what we have to offer to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.
What’s something your new colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
Well, I can’t give away all my secrets—how else would I win at ‘Two Truths and a Lie’? But here’s one:鈥疘’ve been to six of the seven continents and hope to visit the seventh in 2025. Also, while many people assume I’m a Wisconsin native, I’m actually from Ohio. Before settling here for college, I lived in upstate New York (and I mean鈥痳eally鈥痷pstate), very rural Maine (in what might be the smallest town in the least populous county), and Illinois. My journey to Wisconsin has been as varied as my professional path, and each stop along the way has shaped who I am today.