The mission of The Sun Bus is to reduce the burden of skin diseases, including cancer, through effective screening, education, and research programs.
The Sun Bus
The Colorado Melanoma Foundation raised seed funds to acquire The Sun Bus. May 2019 marked the official launch of The Sun Bus, dedicated to delivering free skin checks and promoting sun safety and skin cancer awareness.
In addition to our educational endeavors, our public health research aims to improve screening strategies and promises to significantly combat skin cancer.
VISION
The vision of The Sun Bus is to create a future where skin cancer is not only preventable but also readily detectable and treatable for all individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographical location. Through its mobile services and educational outreach, The Sun Bus aims to empower communities with knowledge about sun safety, facilitate early detection of skin cancers, and ultimately reduce the burden of skin cancer-related morbidity and mortality.
The Sun Bus Staff
Tamara Terzian, PhD, MS
Executive Director, The Sun Bus
Visiting Scientist, Lubbock Christian University
admin@thesunbus.org
Jill Penafiel, BA
Community Engagement & Education Manager
Jill.Penafiel@thesunbus.org
The Sun Bus Newsletter Team
Dr. Aliya Rogers
Editor, Skin Savvy Monthly, The Sun Bus Newsletter
Resident Physician, Ascension, Chicago, Illinois
Originally from Chicago, Dr. Rogers attended Rush Medical College for medical school and will be starting dermatology residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2026. She has interests in dermatology education, mentorship, and skin of color dermatology.
Darren Lynn, MD
Editor in Chief, Skin Savvy Monthly, The Sun Bus Newsletter
Patient Education, Trinity School of Medicine
Medical Writer
Rasa Baceviciene, MD - Writer
Jonique Depina
- Writer
Osteopathic Medical School year 2
Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Kiley Hassevoort - Writer
Osteopathic Medical School year 3
A.T. Still University Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine
Lola Oladinni - Writer
Medical School year 4
A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona
Keana Khodadad - Writer
Research Year Fellow
Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University
Sydney Ambrose - Writer
Medical School year 3
Lousiana State University
Mariam Trichas - Writer
Medical School year 2
Rutgers University
Dawnica Nadora - Writer
Medical School year 4
California Northstate University College of Medicine
Margaret Mercante - Writer
Medical School year 3
University of Virginia School of Medicine
Victoria Asuquo - Writer
Medical School year 3
Morehouse School of Medicine
Bianca Patel - Writer
Medical School year 2
Morehouse School of Medicine
Trey Orndorff - Writer
Medical School year 1
Medical College of Georgia
Stephanie Ezeoke - Writer
Medical School year 1
Upstate Medical University
Benazir Merchant - Writer
Medical School year 1
Medical College of Georgia
Vanessa Villacate - Writer
Osteopathic Medical School year 3
Midwestern University
Edwin Coulanges - Graphic Designer
Medical School year 4
Medical College of Georgia
Aaron Szymonik - Graphic Designer
Medical School year 1
American University of the Caribbean
The Sun Bus Research Team
Ramiro Rodriguez, MD
Dermatology Resident
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Rasa Baceviciene, MD
Sun Bus Research
(2019-present)
Marina Schlaepfer, MS
PhD Student
Logan Ellwood, MS
Mobile Dermatology
Operation Manager,
The Sun Bus
Rafael Homer, MSIII
Candidate class of 2027
University of Washington School of Medicine
Laramie, Wyoming
Candice Mason,
MPH Student
Community Health Leadership
Class of 2026
University of Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
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