# UAB Health Services Research (HSR) Training Program

> **NIH AHRQ T32** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2023 · $586,635

## Abstract

Abstract
We propose renewal of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) health services research (HSR) T32
training grant. UAB and our training program are situated in Alabama, in the heart of the U.S. Deep South
region with a disproportionate burden of disease, lagging health indicators, and deep-seated inequities. The
centerpiece of the UAB Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research and Education (COERE) training
portfolio since 2003, the UAB HSR T32 program is as important now as it has ever been. Federal and state
laws, hospital closures, and limited rural healthcare providers result in an environment with formidable barriers
to Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality mission-aligned priorities of making health care safer, higher
quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. In this context, our overarching objective is to equip diverse
cohorts of pre- and postdoctoral fellows with the health services research and professional skills to become
change agents in the healthcare research workforce. MPD/MPI Michael Mugavero, MD, MHSc and Emily
Levitan, ScD collaborate with 9 Core Faculty and 49 Participating Faculty Mentors buttressed by an $84 million
extramural funding research base to deliver rigorous didactic and experiential training via the following specific
aims: 1. Cultivate a dynamic, inclusive, and engaging training environment. 2. Foster the conduct of mentored
research projects. 3. Train fellows in health services and outcomes research methodology and professional
skills. 4. Sponsor Certificate, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees. 5. Facilitate participation in enrichment
programs. 6. Evaluate program effectiveness. Numerous training program innovations are proposed, informed
by systematic program evaluation with feedback from an Advisory Committee and Alumni Council. These
include an immersive training experience in newly renovated physical space, increased emphasis on health
equity research methods, and the addition of hands-on Career Development Workshops and Office Hours with
methodologists from diverse disciplines. With this renewal, we propose continuation of 4 predoctoral and 5
postdoctoral slots, noting all slots have been filled in the history of the program, with roughly 5 applicants per
available slot (20% acceptance). We are deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity, with 31% of
UAB HSR T32 fellow slots appointed to persons from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research in
the current reporting period. The performance of our trainees has been outstanding, with 100% program
completion, 125 fellow publications, and 6 alumni receiving extramural K awards in the current reporting
period. Overall, 79% of program alumni remaining in the healthcare research workforce. Institutional
commitments include newly renovated physical space housing the COERE and UAB HSR T32 training
program, and funding for training program faculty and staff salaries, an additional postdoctoral slot, and training
and...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10747005
- **Project number:** 2T32HS013852-21
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Emily B Levitan
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AHRQ
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $586,635
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2003-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10747005

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10747005, UAB Health Services Research (HSR) Training Program (2T32HS013852-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10747005. Licensed CC0.

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