Contributed by Laura Mangan
Health disparities were the focus of an innovative review of research at the University at Buffalo in June. Over 40 researchers at the University at Buffalo (UB) gathered one summer morning to participate in an interdisciplinary pilot program of mini-presentations, of only seven minutes each, designed to give an overview of the research and a glimpse into any issues or challenges the researcher faced. The unusual – and ambitious – event was a great success with the fast-paced presentations being punctuated by a three minute question and answer sessions before moving on to the next talk.
After a welcome by Dr. Tim Murphy, SUNY Distinguished Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Translational Research, the program moved energetically forward with Dr. Laurene Tumiel Berhalter as master of ceremonies. Dr. Tumiel Berhalter is Director for Community Engagement in the Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center, on faculty in the UB Department of Family Medicine, and also chaired the Faculty Advisory Committee of the Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative. She has 20 years’ experience in health disparities research and is a strong advocate for community-based participatory research.
At the end of the presentations and the following question time, Dr. Tumiel Berhalter, who is PI for UB’s NRMN Pilot Study, introduced NRMN, the resources and opportunities, to the assembled researchers. Dr. Adrian Juarez in the UB School of Nursing is the first of UB’s NRMN fellows and he was able to speak to the benefits of registering with NRMN and the value of mentoring to his career.
During the planning of this event, it became apparent that many more presenters were available than we could schedule. The enthusiastic response to this test event, has led the organizers to begin to plan a series to begin in the fall of 2016.
The three-hour event was organized by UB’s Civic Engagement and Public Policy Research Initiative (CEPP) and Community Engagement team of the Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC), and supported by the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) Pilot Study.
UB researchers after presenting at the Health Disparities Research Review, from left to right, Dr. Amy Hequembourg (UB Research Institute on Addictions), Dr. Adrian Juarez (UB School of Nursing & NRMN Mentoring Fellowship recipient), Dr. Elisa Rodriguez (Cancer Health Disparities Research, Roswell Park Cancer Institute).
“The strongest aspect of this event was learning about the breadth of research [on disparities] across disciplines”
“This event made me aware of disparities research that is ongoing and resources for further research”
“Presentations were excellent! Not too long, not too short.”
Health Disparities Research Review, June 22, 2016
University at Buffalo (UB), SUNY
The Program
Welcome
Tim F. Murphy, MD
Senior Associate Dean of Clinical Translational Research, Director of the Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center, SUNY Distinguished Professor of medicine, microbiology and immunology, and PI of the Clinical and Translational Sciences Award to UB.
“Cancer Health Disparities Research Review”
Deborah O. Erwin, PhD
Director, Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
“Opportunities for Multidisciplinary Collaborations & Unique Partnerships: Benchside, Bedside, and Community”
Elisa Rodriguez, PhD, MS
Director of Community Engagement, Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
“Research Issues when Working with Texas-Mexico Border Vulnerable Populations”
Adrian Juarez, PhD, MSN
Assistant Professor, UB Nursing
“Understanding Health Disparities among Gender and Sexual Minority Populations”
Amy Hequembourg, PhD
Senior Research Scientist, UB Research Institute on Addictions
“Narrative Exposure Therapy: Treating Violence Related PTSD among Low-Income, Urban Adolescents”
Ellen Volpe, PhD
Assistant Professor, UB Nursing
“Asthma Gender Disparity in Erie County, NY”
Jessica Castner, PhD, RN, FAEN
Assistant Professor, UB Nursing
“Perceived Reproductive Health Education Needs for Somali Bantu Women living in Buffalo, NY”
Kafuli Agbemenu, PhD
Assistant Professor, UB Nursing
“Care Perspectives of Asylum Seeker: Center for Survivors of Torture”
Kim Griswold, MD, MPH, RN, FAAFP
Associate Professor, UB Family Medicine
“Health Disparities Preparedness: Endurance, Fortitude, and Optimism”
Heather Ochs-Balcom, PhD
Assistant Professor, UB Epidemiology and Environmental Health
