Research Education Core

Abstract/Summary – Research and Education Core The Research Education Core (REC) of the University of Michigan E-STaR Center (MEL-STaR) builds on the high-quality infrastructure of didactic and experiential learning in the first-of-its-kind Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS). The REC will capitalize on the successes of the ARHQ competency-based Health

Infrastructures and Learning Systems (HILS) MS and PhD program(s) that are embedded in DLHS. Initiated in 2016, HILS remains the 1st and only masters and doctoral program in learning health systems in the country. The overarching goal of the REC is to provide a training and mentoring mechanism leading to enduring careers

for LHS scientists with a specific emphasis on novel approaches to promote equity and inclusion in the LHS workforce. More specifically, we will support LHS scientists to work and collaborate with local, regional, and national groups to build coalitions and leverage existing socio-technical infrastructures necessary for

transformations in health systems, community organizations, and broader policies. Cohorts of diverse scholars from multiple disciplines will learn together and focus on the skills and content knowledge needed to promulgate careers as learning health scientists. For MEL-STaR predoctoral scholars, the REC

will support matriculation through the 36-credit hour HILS PhD program, incorporating didactic and experiential leaning, rapid cycle, student-centered mentoring and feedback, and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. For MEL-STaR postdoctoral scholars, the REC will utilize the well-tested and

effective infrastructure of the DLHS Medical Education Scholars Program (MESP), an internationally acclaimed annual program that trained over 300 faculty and fellows at the University of Michigan. The REC will provide the infrastructure for early career faculty and fellows to develop as leaders in LHS by providing didactic and

experiential learning opportunities through HILS and the embedded MEL-STaR labs. The overarching goal of the REC will be accomplished through promoting four main components of effective patient-centered, cross- sectoral research and infrastructure: 1) mentorship for rapid cycle research in learning health systems; 2)

engagement with systems, community, and stakeholder partners; 3) mechanisms to leverage grant funding from federal and non-federal agencies; and 4) use of existing information systems and emerging data to support PCOR/CER.