Sydney’s Role in Advancing Lung Cancer Policy

GO2 for Lung Cancer’s Manager, Economics & Health Policy, Sydney Burchell, advocates for lung cancer to receive equal priority as other cancers in the state’s Comprehensive Control Plans. We sat down with Sydney to learn what inspires her to do this work and why she is passionate about the disease.  

What was your professional background before coming to GO2? 

Before joining GO2, I worked at TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, supporting the CFO and COO offices. While obtaining my degree in public health, I interned with the Tennessee Legislature, serving the House Insurance Committee and its subcommittees. This experience deepened my understanding of Medicaid and the legislative process. In addition, I have held roles in family support services, offering classes, support, and resources to families involved in the justice system. 

What drew you to GO2 as an organization? 

I grew up in Northeast Tennessee, in the Appalachian Mountains, where I witnessed the impact of lung cancer and the challenges rural communities face in accessing high-quality healthcare. This fueled my desire to find a people-centered role where I could create meaningful and lasting change for the betterment of my friends, neighbors, and community. 

My passion for serving others and seeing lung cancer’s impact on my community led me to GO2. Throughout the interview process, it became evident that the organization and its people are deeply committed to the mission. Their dedication to health equity and proactive approach to making tangible improvements resonated with me. 

I was thrilled to be invited to join such a well-rounded, compassionate team that values its people and community, fights tirelessly for a cause, and is a leader in the lung cancer space. 

What is your favorite part of working at GO2? 

There’s so much to love about GO2, but the people truly stand out to me. Whether it is my colleagues, who are incredibly passionate and dedicated, who inspire me every day with their commitment to our community and drive for a more just world, the patients we serve who remind me why I chose this profession in the first place, or the providers and coalition partners who deliver high-quality healthcare to our diverse community—people are at the center of what we do, and that is worth fighting for.  

Tell me a little bit about the policy work you do.  

Our policy team focuses on coverage, reimbursement, and regulatory issues impacting our community while monitoring key state policies. The project I lead centers on state Comprehensive Cancer Control (CCC) plans, which serve as strategic guides for states in addressing cancer within their populations. After an in-depth review, I’ve compiled best practice guidance to support states in developing their CCC plans. Given that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, states must prioritize it on the same levels as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. 

States play a vital role in combatting lung cancer. To support this, I’ve partnered with state coalitions in Mississippi, Tennessee, and West Virginia, advocating for comprehensive goals and objectives related to prevention, screening, early detection, treatment, health equity, and quality of life. 

We recently presented this initiative to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are now working on developing a comprehensive resource site to assist states in creating their CCC plans. 

What do you like to do in your free time?  

I’m an avid reader and passionate crafter, always seeking ways to bring my quirky ideas to life. Whether sewing something creative or diving into a new DIY project, I love seeing what I can create. This year, I ventured into a new creative outlet by starting my own virtual newsletter, where I delve into my love for writing and exploring graphic design. So far, it’s been an exciting journey of self-expression, and I’m learning as I go! Outside of crafting, reading, and writing, I’m always eager to travel, explore new places, try fresh experiences, and lie down for a rest.  

Is there anything else you would like to share? 

I lead several employee-focused initiatives at GO2 through our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee, including the “Employee Spotlight” series, which is sent to staff bi-weekly and features 3 team members. This adds a personal touch of connection to our virtual workplace. I also manage another internal communication that celebrates our achievements and shares personal milestones. Both of these initiatives are now in their second year and are fun emails for our staff to receive.