Nonprofit University Partnership to Foster Public Health Leaders: The RISE (Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement) Program at Kennedy Krieger Institute

Public health research opportunities for students from under-represented racial and ethnic minority (URM) groups are of paramount importance to eliminate health disparities. Healthcare, training, and research nonprofit institutions can champion this effort by developing partnerships with Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs). As the largest Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program in the U.S., the Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI), a non-profit university affiliated program with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), traditionally trains students and professionals in the care of individuals with disabilities. The Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement (RISE) Program at KKI was funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prepare recent post-baccalaureate, medical, and graduate students from URM groups for public health careers. A Research Training Consortium was established with three Baltimore-Washington HBCUs (Coppin State, Morgan State, and Howard Universities). Students receive a stipend, mentored research experiences with faculty from KKI, JHU (Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Public Health), lectures, and American Public Health Association membership. Since funding began in 2005, 66 students trained in the RISE Program. Student presented 47 research abstracts at national and international scientific conferences, gave 20 community public health presentations, and published three peer-reviewed manuscripts and one book chapter. To date, 100% of post-baccalaureate students entered graduate, medical, or post-baccalaureate programs, 22 students obtained masters' degree, five students obtained doctoral degree, five students completed medical degrees, two students participated in post-doctoral training programs, and 17 students are pursuing public health careers. The RISE Program is a model research training program conducted at a nonprofit healthcare, training, and research institution. Nonprofit institutions, as well as universities, may effectively work to promote diversity among future public health leaders.