# Community Engagement Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $285,566

## Abstract

ABSTRACT 
Community Engagement is viewed and institutionalized as a central part of Morehouse School of Medicine’s research 
portfolio. The institution is building on a long history and social mission of primary care and outreach to disenfranchised 
community residents, within the city of Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. Given this history, we have many 
community partnerships with local agencies and community based organizations that have been engaged in projects of 
mutual benefit. The Prevention Research Center (PRC) has one of the longest standing community coalitions board 
(CCB) which was launched in 1999. The PRC’s CCB will have an integral role in the proposed RCMI. The PRC will 
deploy its research review committee (RRC) comprised of lay citizens to interface with the five research project personnel 
and the other core personnel identified within this application. The Community Engagement Core (CEC) will serve as the 
host for numerous CE activities including student research mentoring, community forums, topical workshops and an IRB- 
like community review process of providing review and oversight of the planned research agenda. For the two RO1-like 
projects two project specific patient and family advisory committees (PFAC) will be established during the first quarter of 
year 01 to further assist these projects with trouble-shooting implementation issues throughout the life of the project. 
Leadership for the CEC will be provided by Ronald Braithwaite, Ph.D. He is an internationally recognized scholar in 
community based participatory research (CBPR) methods and health equity research. He will be assisted by Natalie 
Hernandez, Ph.D., an emerging scholar with a strong track record in maternal health and health equity research; and Ms. 
Adrienne Proeller, a community health worker with strong ties to Atlanta communities. She knows how to pound the 
pavement and make things happen with her “Boots on the Ground” approach. A CEC logic model will be developed 
during the first month of project implementation to identify short, intermediate and long term objectives consistent with 
the specific aims of the Core. The logic model will also identify key formative and summative evaluation questions to be 
used as a yardstick to measure CE successes and failures. The objectives of the CEC will be accomplished through these 
four specific aims: 
AIM 1. Transform Our Institution. To enhance the Prevention Research Center (PRC) review committee process 
wherein community consumers exercise input and review and oversight of the research projects. 
AIM 2. Transform the MSM Research Environment. Further develop, assist and promote technical assistance to the 
three research projects and pilot studies as it relates to community engagement. 
AIM 3. Transform the Community of Scientists. Develop the capacity among the research study projects to interface with 
community consumers in a genuine and meaningful manner. 
AIM 4. Transform Our Commun...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10163702
- **Project number:** 5U54MD007602-34
- **Recipient organization:** MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** RONALD Lloyd BRAITHWAITE
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $285,566
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-07-07 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10163702

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10163702, Community Engagement Core (5U54MD007602-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10163702. Licensed CC0.

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