Debi Nelson Email and Phone Number

As Branch Head, I oversee three programs: Comprehensive Cancer, Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) and WISEWOMAN. I am responsible for operations, grants management, personnel and leadership for the branch. I am the Principal Investigator for two CDC grants.The purpose of the Cancer Prevention and Control Branch is to reduce the overall cancer burden in North Carolina. This is accomplished by: • Planning, directing, and supporting cancer control efforts through collaborations with prevention partners in state health agencies; federal agencies; academic institutions; and national, voluntary and private-sector organizations. • Reducing morbidity and mortality from breast and cervical cancers by providing screening services and follow-up as well as a link to treatment services for low-income uninsured and under-insured women in North Carolina. Currently serve over 13,000 women each year.• Develop, implement and evaluate the NC State Comprehensive Cancer Plan. Identify problems, needs and opportunities related to modifiable behavioral and other risk factors. Work with cancer survivors and issues related to the cancer continuum of care.• Recommend priorities for health promotion, health education and cancer risk reduction activities both for professionals and the public.I serve as the Executive Director for the Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control.I serve as the interim Executive Director for the NC Colorectal Cancer Roundtable.

As Assistant Branch Manager I served in a senior leadership role, providing administrative guidance and operational management to the overall HDSP Program. I was the Principal Investigator and in charge of the HDSP Basic Implementation Grant and responsible for one-half of the branch staff.

Served as the Interim Director of Office of Healthy Carolinians/Health Education (OHC/HE) for two years. Provided administrative leadership, direction and support to the OHC/HE and to the Chronic Disease and Injury Section. Assisted the Director of OHC/HE in short and long range planning, formulating and implementing policy and to assure consistency in the vision and direction of OHC/HE. Responsible for immediate supervision of the five home-based regional Health Education Consultants and worked with these consultants to assure that the expectations and deliverables of the Healthy Carolinians Partnerships, community health assessment, and health education workforce development are met. Served as the acting director for OHC/HE in the absence of the Director. Lead, guide and direct the consultants in meeting their responsibilities to the goals and objectives for OHC/HE. Additionally, coordinate OHC/HE consultant activities, formulation and management of consultant work plans, and planning for, delivering and meeting funded goals and objectives. Many tasks are related to fiduciary responsibilities and budgetary needs of OHC/HE, including formation of a program or grant budget (when needed), development and execution of RFPs, working with the Section Operations Manager and Budget Office on expenditures and closeout of state, federal and grant money.