Recognizing the promise of LHS requires building capacity through training scientists well versed in LHS competencies. The Boston HEALHS Scientist Training Program provides early to mid-career research faculty with support over two years as embedded LHS scientists, under mentorship of Boston HEAHLS investigators and other researchers from across BMC, to:
- Acquire skills in AHRQ-defined LHS competencies through a tailored learning program that includes seminars, courses, and immersion in mentored LHS research projects
- Lead at least one Patient Centered Outcomes Research/Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) project
- Participate in relevant career development programs and experiential learning opportunities throughout Boston Medical Center Health System (BMCHS) and Boston University
- Following training, return to their respective Departments with new skills and become local leaders with the capacity to participate in and pursue funded LHS initiatives
- Interact with other current LHS scientists and research trainees across the institution. Following the program, LHS scholars are expected to become leaders in health system-focused CER research at BMCHS
Current Scholars
Naima Joseph, MD, MPH
Project Title: Equity in Maternal Health: Antenatal Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring
Naima Joseph MD, MPH will evaluate the effectiveness of remote blood pressure monitoring on mitigating adverse pregnancy outcomes using a target trial emulation approach, an observational causal inference approach that seeks to emulate a hypothetical clinical trial using observational data when a prospective randomized clinical trial is not possible. Birthing patients of color are at disproportionately increased risk for maternal death, severe maternal morbidity and adverse perinatal outcomes, which are mostly driven by hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. The OB-GYN clinic implemented a remote (home) blood pressure monitoring system to better monitor patients at increased risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In year 1, Dr. Joseph will compare the effectiveness of this remote blood pressure monitoring initiative to usual care for improving perinatal outcomes. In year 2, Dr. Joseph will identify patients who are most and least likely to benefit from the remote blood pressure monitoring to inform subsequent cycles of LHS implementation.
Amy Yule, MD
Project Title: Population Health: Complex Care Management
Dr. Amy Yule will be conducting a mixed methods explanatory sequential design study focused on adults in complex care management with a substance use disorder. She will be comparing the effectiveness of complex care management to usual care for adults with substance use disorders. She will use the findings from the comparative effectiveness study to inform a qualitative study to better understand why individuals with a substance use disorder do and do not respond to the complex care management intervention.
Applications for 2025 scholars will open in early 2025, submission deadline TBA. The 2025-2026 program will begin on July 1, 2025.
Who should apply? Clinician- or non-clinician scientists (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD, or similar degree) within the BMC/BU system with a strong interest in a research career that involves LHS work in safety net settings. Applicants should be Assistant or early Associate Professors who have previously completed research-focused fellowships or similar research training (e.g., masters-level training in epidemiology, health services research, etc.). We anticipate that most applicants will be at the early-career stages but will consider mid-career applicants seeking to refocus their professional activities towards embedded LHS research.
How much time is devoted to the training program? LHS scholars will commit 50% FTE to the program. The effort devoted to activities outside of the training program (including clinical work, administrative work, or other research projects) cannot exceed 50% time.
What support is included for the training program? LHS scholars receive 50% FTE support (up to the NIH salary cap). Department/Sections must demonstrate a commitment to support the balance of salary to permit 50% FTE commitment to the training program. Scientists also will receive funding to travel to one conference, project supplies and resources to complete their LHS research projects, and support for publication fees.
Criteria for Selection
- Career development focus on LHS research
- Current areas of research interest, skills, and goals for new skills
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility experiences, goals, and priorities
- Department/Section’s commitment to and investment in the applicant’s research career development
What is needed for the application?
- NIH Biosketch
- A letter of support from Section Chief and/or Department Chair outlining:
- Strengths of candidate for the LHS training program
- Commitment to covering any salary gap between NIH max and actual salary to permit LHS scholar to commit 50% FTE to program
- How applicant will spend non-protected time (% clinical, administrative, teaching, etc. outside of program time).
Please contact Lori Henault at Lori.Henault@bmc.org with any questions.