Six students completed the Indiana University Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS) with Community Health Partnerships (CHeP) this summer. They got hands on experience with the principles of community-engaged research and applied them to their projects under the guidance of community-engaged researcher mentors. The research projects completed by the students included a clinic-based intervention to address food insecurity, an analysis of the reimbursement rates for community health workers in Indiana, an evaluation of a nutritional intervention with elementary-aged children, a review of nutrition incentive programs implemented by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and an exploration of the factors that influence Black women’s decisions to participate in breast cancer clinical trials.
The CHeP IMPRS program is a great way to provide experience and exposure to the benefits of partnering with patients and community organizations to address pressing health research questions. This type of work is something students may not normally have built into their school curriculum and is critically important for addressing our greatest health challenges such as health justice and equity.
See below for the list of project titles and click this link to view the posters summarizing the great work these students did this summer!
Indiana has among the lowest reimbursement rates in the country for community health workers.
Students: Kylie Wertz, Julia Amstutz
Mentor: Dr. Debra Litzelman
The Impact of Scratch Meal Services on Elementary Student Health Behaviors.
Student: Karmyn Kissling
Mentor: Dr. Tamara Hannon
A Review of SNAP Nutrition Incentive Programs
Student: Dylan Sogocio
Mentor: Dr. Dennis Savaiano
Interventions in the Clinic to Address Food Insecurity
Student: Toria Tucker
Mentor: Dr. Dennis Savaiano
Previously undiscovered legacy norm may be a driving factor in Black women’s decision to participate in breast cancer clinical trials
Student: Kaitlyn Reif
Mentor: Dr. Katherine E. Ridley-Merriweather
To learn more about these projects, or to connect with the student researchers directly email us at chep@iu.edu. If you are interested in being a community-engaged mentor, please submit your information at this link.
