Two-day event highlights advances in minority elder research

RCMAR CHIME and CTSI co-funded a poster reception session and community partner panel on June 19-20, 2019. The two-day event showcased RCMAR scientists' research and allowed attendees to meet with NIH representatives and the larger RMCAR community to discuss opportunities to reduce health disparities between minority and non-minority older adults.

During the event, RMCAR scientists gave podium and poster presentations to introduce or describe findings from their pilot research projects which address the reduction of disparities in healthcare, particularly in older, minority populations. Scientists also had the opportunity to have their draft manuscripts and grant proposals emanating from these projects reviewed by senior faculty, community partners and peers. Academic and career mentoring was also available. 

Among the RCMAR presenters, those who received CTSI support included:

• Sarah Choi, PhD, RN, FNP, "Diabetes Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Middle Aged and Older Korean Immigrants" (poster)
• Lourdes Guerrero, EdD, MSW, "Mixed Methods Evaluation of the Aging Mastery Program in Senior Community Sites Within the Greater Los Angeles Area" (poster)
• Sylvia Paz, PhD, MS, Med, "Development of Physical Functioning Items Based on the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) to be Used with Minority Elders" (poster)
• Yelba Castellon Lopez, MD, MSHPM, "Shared Decision-Making in Diabetes Prevention: A Pilot Pharmacist-Delivered Intervention Among Spanish Speaking Latinos in the Safety Net" (works in progress break out)
• Zvinka Zlatar, PhD, "Subjective Cognitive Decline and Neurocognition in Hispanics/Latinos: A Pilot Study" (works in progress break out) 
• Luisa Blanco, PhD, MBA, "Mobile Money Diaries and Mental Health (3M): Studying the Link Between Financial Behavior and Mental Health Among Hispanics" (works in progress break out)
• Kim Narain, MD, PhD, MPH, "Impact of Dual-Eligible Special Need Plan Regulations on Care Utilization" (plenary talk)

NIH leadership and project officers were also present and provided an overview of funding opportunities from different sectors of NIH and how to navigate the NIA system. RCMAR scientists obtained timely and important feedback from these experts to help advance their aging and community-based participatory research.

Attendees also networked with mentors and partners from RCMAR centers across the nation. Further, the event catalyzed new research opportunities, strengthening the RMCAR network of collaborators locally and across the country. 

The event was attended by 130 faculty and scientists. Attendees came from UCLA plus 17 other RCMAR centers across the country, with representatives from various institutions including: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Morehouse School of Medicine, Tuskegee University, University of Alabama, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, New York University, Princeton University, University of Florida, University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Wayne State University, Michigan State University, University of Colorado - Denver, Washington State University, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Washington State University, University of Southern California, University of South Carolina at Columbia, Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, Clemson University, Allen University, Claflin University, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Columbia University Health Sciences, University of California - San Diego, University of California - San Francisco, San Diego State University and Johns Hopkins University.  

Meeting evaluation surveys indicated that the overall meeting and the community partner session received high ratings with an above average to excellent rating. Further, poster and breakout session presenters indicated that they found the feedback and discussion of their work to be very helpful and that it was a unique opportunity to receive feedback from a wide range of faculty and scientists.

Image source: RCMAR/CHIME

Image caption: At top: Dr. Catherine Sarkisian, director of the Community Liaison Core for RCMAR CHIME, introduces the panelists for the session, “A Closer Look – Challenges & Payoffs” on June 20, 2019.
At bottom: RCMAR CHIME alumni and faculty reunite at the poster and reception session on June 19, 2019.