by Rachel Berthiaume
The Paul A. Godley Health Equity Research Symposium, an annual CHER event since 2020, was reimagined in 2023 to provide more opportunities to highlight health equity research and promote new collaborations. Shifting from a single day with a keynote presentation and a research presentation, it was expanded to four days of sessions from June 5-8.
Faculty, staff and students presented five sessions on a wide range of research projects that included cancer care improvements, lessons on recruitment and retention for hard-to-reach communities, an implementation science study, and structural ways to reduce racial disparities in juvenile justice.
A special presentation spotlighted the innovative cross-university research collaboration of the Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership (SAICEP) with researchers from UNC, Duke University and Wake Forest University.
Three panels featured different perspectives from those involved in health equity research – community partners, research staff and university administrators.
With most attendees who shared feedback saying that their attendance at HERW was worthwhile and that they would be happy to recommend the event to their colleagues, HERW 2024 promises to be even more engaging and inspiring event for health equity researchers!
Recordings of many presentations and panels are now available. They’ll be linked on the HERW page through August 18.