CTSI recently hired Kimberly Dehn in the newly developed Research Liaison role at the M Health Clinics and Surgery Center (CSC) where she will provide research information to patients and work to increase patient and staff research awareness.
Kim brings 12 years of experience in health research through study coordination of large-scale epidemiology studies for the University’s Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health. Previously Kim deployed her expertise in recruiting volunteers for research studies at the Research Triangle Institute and gained additional experience in all aspects of study management from protocol development through data collection and analysis. She attended the University of Iowa and graduated from Loras College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biological sciences.
The newly developed, full-time position is one of the many ways research is being integrated into the day-to-day activities of the recently opened CSC, which is a five-story 342,000 square-foot building in Minneapolis. It opened in February and includes an ambulatory surgery center, 10 operating rooms, three clinical floors, and a retail pharmacy.
"Providing this on-site research point of contact for providers, patients and staff is an innovative way we are creating a clinical environment that fosters research, and builds on CTSI and University of Minnesota Health’s efforts to strengthen the integration between research and clinical care" said Timothy Schacker, MD, Associate Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute. "The goal is to make research available to every person who visits the CSC, and the Research Liaison plays a pivotal role in connecting visitors with research information and opportunities."
In her new role as Research Liaison, Kim will be a resource for providers, staff and patients and will provide high-level information on research studies being conducted across M Health. Kim will connect patients with University research studies through StudyFinder, the CTSI-led health research tool, which is integrated throughout the CSC.
In addition, Kim will be responsible for:
- Collaborating with providers and CSC staff to identify potential trials for participants and facilitate connecting the patient with the study team.
- Answering questions regarding the conduct of research in the CSC and providing research information.
- Managing the research storage space in the CSC and assisting with obtaining new staff access to the CSC.
- Answering questions via the Liaison mobile phone and referring visitors to additional resources.
- Providing research information to patients, including explaining basic research concepts, and their importance in advancing health, and connecting patients to individual study teams so that they can screen and consent the individual for a specific trial.
- Assisting providers and patients with searching for studies through StudyFinder and ResearchMatch tools.
Kim can be reached at [email protected] or the Liaison phone number, 612-479-6491.