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Diversity Recruitment

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If you are a researcher looking for guidance on recruitment methods (CRRA) or assistance in supporting these methods (CRL) in the community, you may email Sarah McNamara or call: 585 424-0824 for more information.

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Equity Research Core

The Equity Research Core (ERC) addresses a systemic gap in medical research — the lack of diversity among individuals who participate in clinical trials and other studies.

The ERC recognizes that some diseases disproportionately effect African Americans and Latinos, but that related studies may be based largely on middle aged white males. As such, the relevance of this research in developing treatments that are effective across diverse populations is uncertain.

The intent of the ERC is to understand and address potential barriers and strategies to support the recruitment and retention of diverse populations in research. SUNY Upstate Medical University’s ERC creates new mechanisms for directly engaging members of the community in the design of studies that will be attractive and feasible for diverse adults to participate in.

Community Research Recruitment Accelerator

The Community Research Recruitment Accelerator (CRRA) is one arm of the ERC, and is a multi-stakeholder group that works in an ongoing committee structure to advise researchers on effective methods for recruiting and retaining diverse participants in specific studies. This group is made up of diverse lay community members and leaders, researchers, caregivers and a Community Research Liaison (CRL).  

Community Research Liaison

The Community Research Liaison is the ERC's other arm. Kathy Royal, works to inform the community on healthcare and research opportunities effecting diverse communities. The CRL is a novel community-research professional role and has deep ties with this community.  The CRL is trained in matters of research, and serves as a bridge between the research community and the individuals who research is intended to benefit.

Community-Based Participatory Research

The ERC is an example of community-based participatory research (CBPR), which gives community members a voice in the research process, identifies research questions and approaches that are relevant to consumers, addresses health equity, and helps to engage a diverse spectrum of research participants, particularly those who may have traditionally been disenfranchised. SUNY Upstate brings experience in community-engaged research that stems from contracts with the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) since 2015, that have engaged patients and caregivers in identifying aging-related research goals and defining outcomes and methods. By this approach, there is assurance that research outcomes are meaningful and the community understands the role of recruitment in being able to answer the questions of shared importance. 

Kathy Royal

Kathy Royal, MS

Community Research Liaison

Ms. Royal has previous experience in administrative and outreach roles at the Center for Community Alternatives, Women's Opportunity Center, Access CNY, Catholic Charities, and the Salvation Army.

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Research Opportunities For Diverse Individuals

Familiar with black/brown communities of Syracuse, Kathy Royal can help answer questions about participating in research and help to walk you through it. By participating, you can make a big difference in medical care for your community.

Other Resources

'Ask the Expert': Health Disparities Dementia Research. 

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