FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Contact: Dave Wellman, Director of Communications, (304) 696-7153

Community-based research expert visits Marshall April 21-22

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Dr. Carolyn Jenkins from the Medical University of South Carolina, a well-known investigator utilizing community-based participatory research, will visit Marshall University’s Huntington campus April 21-22 to discuss her research.

Jenkins, the Ann Edwards Endowed Chair with Medical University’s College of Nursing, will share her expertise through two presentations which are free and open to anyone who wants to learn more about community-based research. Her visit is presented by Marshall’s College of Health Professions.

“We are delighted to sponsor Dr. Jenkins’ visit. Her work with communities in reducing the burden of diabetes could serve as a model for our region,” said Dr. Shortie McKinney, dean of the college.

Jenkins’ presentations will take place as follows:

Monday, April 21, noon to 2 p.m., Drinko Library 402: Jenkins will present “Community-Based Participatory Research and Chronic Care.”  During this presentation, she will share her experiences in working with the REACH program in South Carolina. Her presentation will include tips on how to begin a community-based participatory research project; maintaining community involvement after the “thrill” is gone; and the role chronic care plays in participatory research.  She also will discuss the pros and cons of this style of research and the implications for the future. 

Tuesday, April 22, 10 a.m. to noon, Drinko Library 402: Jenkins will share her experiences working with Southern African Americans in the presentation “Reducing disparities for Southern African Americans with Diabetes.”  She will outline her approach and some of her successes and failures as she developed the REACH program in South Carolina

Dr. Chuck Hossler, associate dean of the College of Health Professions, worked with Jenkins before he came to Marshall. He believes her research techniques would work for almost any project and not just for health-related ones.

“We are really excited about her willingness to share her expertise in community-based participatory research with us,” Hossler said. 

Jenkins has more than 25 years of experience working with community-based research.  Her work focuses on improving health outcomes related to diabetes and its complications, reducing racial disparities, and creating effective academic community partnerships. 

Two major initiatives led by Jenkins are the statewide South Carolina Diabetes Initiative and Charleston’s Enterprise/MUSC Neighborhood Health Program which she founded in 1995.  Both initiatives included three-pronged approaches of care delivery, research and education.

For more information on Jenkins’ visit to Marshall, contact Marilyn Fox with the College of Health Professions at (304) 696-2620 or via e-mail at foxm@marshall.edu.

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