In addition to his clinical and research roles, Carrizosa is the medical director for the disparities and outreach program for patients. As the associate program director for the hematology/oncology fellowship program at LCI, he recently won the mentorship award from the School of Medicine.
Carrizosa is dedicated to ensuring that underserved communities have access to high-quality cancer care and resources. His work includes developing and implementing outreach initiatives that address the unique needs of diverse patient populations to reduce barriers to care, improve patient outcomes and promote health equity. Through his leadership, the program has been able to reach a broader audience and provide essential services to those who might otherwise lack access to cancer care.
What research projects you are working on, and what are their primary objectives?
Our research has made significant contributions to the field of cancer research, including my involvement in the CRESTONE trial, which evaluated the efficacy of seribantumab in patients with NRG1 fusion–positive, advanced solid tumors. The research found that seribantumab had potential as a treatment option for these patients and he was the primary presenter of the study data at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.
I am also the community liaison for the practice changing Pragmatica-Lung trial (SWOG S2302) that is comparing a chemotherapy-free option to standard of care chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who lost response or did not have a prolonged response to first-line immunotherapy.
Can you share any significant findings or breakthroughs from your recent studies?
Pragmatica-Lung trial is changing the paradigms in how research is conducted by allowing less onerous data collection while still meeting the base requirements to get medications approved by the FDA. I have taken the lead in describing how this pragmatic study design, along with a targeted multi-level recruitment plan, has allowed the Pragmatica-Lung study to improve on historically low representation of underrepresented minorities/ethnicities and enroll a much higher number of diverse patients on the trial.
The initial information was presented at a poster session at the most recent American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting. There is so much excitement in the field of oncology as there are constant breakthroughs that are making those battling cancer have more hope in longer and better lives and even for a possible cure. This desire to improve outcomes and experiences for patients is a main reason I am active in research looking at new cancer therapies and in trials that work on increasing equity and access to these therapies.
How do you address equitable access to cancer care in your research?
Outside of clinical research, I study equitable access to cancer care and am the primary investigator of a study looking at mobile lung cancer screening in a population of younger patients who meet low-dose CT screening guidelines due to tobacco exposure but are unable to be screened due to their younger age. I am dedicated to ensuring that underserved communities have access to high-quality cancer care and resources. These initiatives aim to reduce barriers to care, improve patient outcomes and promote health equity.
Can you share your involvement in community outreach and engagement?
I am the assistant director for community outreach and engagement for the cancer center and the medical director for the disparities and outreach program for patients at the Charlotte campus. Under my leadership, the program has been able to reach a broader audience and provide essential services to those who might otherwise lack access to cancer care. Through education, access to screening, and by just opening doors to equitable care, I hope that our community outreach and engagement program will help all members of the community and help create trust and pride in our cancer center and hospital system.
What is your role in medical education, and how do you contribute to it?
My involvement with the fellowship has allowed me to ensure that patients receive excellent and compassionate care throughout their cancer journey. Beyond the hematology/oncology fellows, I have also been an educator outside the cancer center and have been active in providing information to the LatinX community through programs sponsored by Atrium Health. I feel close ties to my Colombian heritage and, being first-generation, understand the importance of providing a welcoming environment to those new to our great country.
Can you tell us about your educational background and career journey?
I received my Bachelor of Science in Engineering and my Master of Science from Duke University. I received my medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I also completed my residency in internal medicine and fellowship in hematology/oncology. I have been with Atrium Health since I completed my fellowship in 2007 and have been with LCI since its creation. I live in south Charlotte with my wife on our small farm.
