Partner in Focus

"As a health consultant for the IHS California Area, my focus is to provide, advocate for and facilitate coordinated strategies that strengthen cancer screening, education and navigation capacity across Tribal and Urban Indian Health Programs. This role functions at the intersection of clinical quality, public health, workforce development and community engagement with an emphasis on sustainable Tribal-informed solutions.

My first inpatient experience in nursing was working in oncology, and it was there I was instilled with the real impact a cancer diagnosis has on an individual and a family. As a Family Nurse Practitioner, I carried forward my passion for screening and early detection to my patients. Now as a state-wide consultant I am well positioned to have a positive impact in supporting the forty-two Tribal and Urban Indian Health Programs in California to work to enhance cancer prevention, screening and early detection throughout the state. CDOC has provided me with the opportunity for meaningful connection and engagement with the necessary individuals that can support the very important work that I do.

As a cancer survivor, I enjoy opportunities to increase cancer awareness and raise funds to support cancer research and patient programs. In August, I participated in the ACS Swim 5 Miles in August challenge. “

"I am so honored to be selected for CDOC’s Partner in Focus. My name is Christie Mangir - I’m a cancer survivor, former caregiver, patient advocate, and public health professional. My role with CDOC is on the Treatment and Survivorship Subcommittee, and this past year I contributed to the development of the cancer plan.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and facing a grueling 2 years of treatment and recovery, I shifted my career as an organization development consultant toward a new purpose - to help people facing cancer access affordable, guideline-concordant, and person-centered care. As a public health consultant with Rhizome, I have the privilege of supporting nonprofit patient advocacy groups, professional societies, and healthcare systems through education, advocacy, research, and quality improvement. Our name is inspired by rhizomes in nature, whose roots grow in strong, interconnected networks that nourish and support its system. I value volunteering with CDOC for the same reason I love working with Rhizome and our partners - we can only achieve our shared goals of improved outcomes and quality of life through collaboration.

Before joining Rhizome in 2022, I led provider education and advocacy programs with the Association of Cancer Care Centers, served on the National Navigation Roundtable, contributed to multiple cancer advocacy initiatives around clinical research and real-world evidence, and co-founded a non-profit to fund cold capping for cancer patients in the Washington, DC metro area.

I moved to Fairfax, CA from Washington, DC in 2020, and joining CDOC has deepened my understanding of the strengths and gaps in cancer care in my community and across the state. I love traveling to visit friends and family in Santa Monica, Reno, DC, and Philly, and when I’m home I love exploring Marin’s trails with my husband Cem and our two black labs - Jack and Tux." 

"It is an honor to be this month’s CDOC Partner in Focus. My name is Bridget Freeley, and I serve as the Vice Chair of CDOC and Associate Director of State Partnerships at the American Cancer Society. In this role, I work closely with state-level partners across California, including cancer coalitions and health plans, on efforts that span the entire cancer continuum. My work focuses mostly on cancer prevention and early detection, with an emphasis on HPV vaccination, as well as colorectal and lung cancer screening. I am a member of both the California HPV Vaccination Roundtable’s Parent Workgroup and the CDOC/ACS Lung Cancer Screening Workgroup, where I help lead the development of the California Lung Cancer Story Map.

I’ve spent most of my career in public health, with experience in quality improvement and cardiology. I joined the American Cancer Society in 2021.

This work is personal to me. My mom is a breast cancer and three-time ovarian cancer survivor. Growing up watching her battle this disease has been my driving force in my work to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

I grew up in the Boston area and now live in Santa Monica with my partner, William, and our rescue dog, Squiggy. In my free time, I enjoy writing, running, surfing, and spending time at the beach and going on road trips with my little family."