The UR CTSI is dedicated to engaging the community at all stages of research to identify needs, establish research partnerships, and develop strategies to meet those needs. We train researchers and community members to work together and provide funding to support and advance these partnerships.
Teams & Programs
Community Advisory Council
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This council represents the voice of the community to guide and support education, research, patient care and community health efforts at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Population Health Coordinating Committee
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This interdisciplinary group collaborates with clinical and community service programs across the university to advance research and education programs in population health and community engagement.
Community Engagement Function Team
John Cullen, Ph.D., Community Engagement Function Leader, Professor in the UR CTSI and Center for Community Health & Prevention, Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the UR CTSI and Associate Director in the Susan B. Anthony Center
Theresa Green, Ph.D., M.B.A., Community Engagement Education Coordinator and Director of Community Health Policy and Education
Kathleen Holt, Ph.D., Community Engagement Senior Scientist
Silvia Sorensen, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Human Development in the Warner School of Education, Center for Community Health & Prevention and the Department of Ophthalmology
Laura Sugarwala, M.B.A., R.D., Director of Community Health Partnerships at the Center for Community Health & Prevention
Research Spotlight
URMC Taps Edith Williams to Lead the Center for Community Health & Prevention
Edith Williams, MS, PhD, who joined the UR CTSI as the founding director of the Office of Health Equity Research in 2022, has been tapped by URMC CEO Mark Taubman, MD, to serve as the next director of the Center for Community Health & Prevention. As she takes on her new role, she will continue to oversee the Office, which was established as part of URMC’s Equity and Anti-Racism Action Plan.
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Other Opportunities
Community Engagement in Research and Population Health Online Course
Explore the importance of engaging community as researchers, educators and managers to improve the health of the population. In this free, online course, participants will learn about the changing health system landscape, how delivery systems work together to plan health improvement, and how effective community-based participation in research and intervention is crucial to develop effective solutions. Visit Coursera to enroll.
Satcher Community Health Improvement Awards
The Dr. David Satcher Community Health Improvement Awards recognizes URMC faculty and staff for significant contributions to the health of the community through research, teaching, practice, and/or service programs. Learn more about the Satcher Awards.
Resources
Health Equity Research Priorities
In 2021, members of the UR CTSI worked with community partners to identify five top priority health issues and inequities impacting the Rochester and Finger Lakes region. Our goal is to address each of these issues through focused research.
Review the Priorities
Guiding Principles
The Guiding Principles for Community-Engaged Research were developed by the University of Rochester Medical Center's Community Advisory Board and were approved in 2008.