Three Idaho institutions have partnered to form a program focused on working with health systems and community health centers throughout the state thanks to a sizable grant.
The National Institutes of Health awarded a five-year $10.7 million grant to aid the formation of the Healthy Idaho Clinical and Translational Research Development (CTR-D) program. Boise State University, Idaho State University, University of Idaho and the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center have all partnered to create the program.
The need for the CTR-D program is due to Idaho not having a public medical school, having “geographically dispersed universities and health systems,” and having disparities between urban and rural health care. The program “will build a foundation that supports clinical and translational research, workforce development and infrastructure enhancements to address the health needs of Idahoans,” a release stated.
Cheryl Jorcyk, the lead for BSU in the program, a professor of biological sciences and the director for clinical and translational research expressed excitement over the statewide reach of the new program.
“Together, we can establish Idaho’s first practice-based research network, as well as a safe, secure and HIPAA-compliant environment at Boise State to handle sensitive health data,” she said. “We will be able to support professional development around clinical research, and to fund research by granting pilot awards for exciting clinical research projects around the state.”
CTR-D was described by the partnership as being a “pivotal next step” in the health care needs of the state. Karl Maderal-Kelly, co-lead with Jorcyk in the program and a professor and infectious disease expert with ISU, stated current research being done has limited clinical context.
“Currently, Idaho’s universities do have extensive interaction with health care systems through placement of student trainees and clinical faculty affiliated with healthcare-related degree programs, but produce graduates with minimal experience in clinical research,” Maderal-Kelly said. “Building collaborations and research infrastructure across academic and health care systems is essential to translate basic discoveries in Idaho’s universities into the health care practices of tomorrow.”
Nancy Glenn, BSU’s vice president for Research and Economic Development, said such partnerships and the grant will help to advance health innovation.
Advancing Idaho’s clinical and translational research trajectory through collaboration with such valued partners and National Institutes of Health support is crucial to meeting the health needs of Idahoans across the state,” Glenn said. “We are proud to help ensure that Idaho’s research directly advances the health and well-being of communities across the state.”
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