Vision
CHSU-COM provides opportunities and resources based on a wholistic Boyer's model that enable impactful research and scholarly pursuits for COM faculty, staff, students, and local physician residents. At CHSU-COM, faculty and eligible staff lead research projects wide ranging areas. The wide-ranging projects align with the goals and plans set forth by CHSU and will meet or exceed accreditation standards. The vision for CHSU-COM is to provide a supportive, positive, and welcoming environment for scholarship in order to increase the research impact defined wholistically.
Research Agenda
At CHSU-COM, research projects revolve around population health, clinical, educational, and foundational projects. As an osteopathic medical college, special attention toward osteopathic research is a key part of the agenda. Research projects are initiated by faculty and staff as primary investigators that work with various groups to fulfill the mission and vision of CHSU. Efforts by CHSU-COM will develop a faculty-led research agenda to develop prominent thought leaders in their disciplines based on research derived from the many types of projects.
The strategic plan will be implemented as follows. (1) CHSU-COM will undertake five separate initiatives that will lead to increased presentations at local, regional and national conferences and meetings, published manuscripts, and lead to intra- and extra-mural funding. (2) Each initiative will have clear aims to be implemented upon planning. (3) Clear metrics for success will be documented and occur midway (academic year 2026) and at upon completion (academic year 2028) of this strategic plan. (4) Each of the initiatives will explicitly show the appropriate alignment to the CHSU Strategic plan.
Development of the Research Strategic Plan
This strategic plan is the culmination of joint development by research stakeholders at CHSU. The stakeholders that provided input into the development of this plan include the following: (1) The Research and Scholar Committee; (2) CHSU Leadership; (3) CHSU-COM Office of the Dean; and (4) Chairs of CHSU-COM departments. This strategic plan reflects the research aims and success metrics of these groups.
Initiatives with Aims, Alignment, and Success Metrics
Initiative 1: Foster a Research Culture
Aims
Develop research foci around population health, osteopathic, and foundational research that meet, publish, and propose collaborative research. Grow the attendance and participation, number of involved institutions, and amount of disseminated research at CHSU Research Day.
- Alignment: This initiative aligns with CHSU Strategic Plan 2E.
Success Metrics
Midway: (a) The separate research foci have initiated research and (b) CHSU Research Day has continued to increase the number of presentations and local site participants.
Final: (a) The research foci have submitted external funding proposals and (b) Local graduate medical educational sites are represented in the planning of CHSU Research Day.
Initiative 2: Augment Current Research Strengths
Aims
Advance public health, population health, and osteopathic research.
Support research that solves problems in the Central Valley especially in underserved, rural communities.
Engage nearby partners to engage in existing projects.
- Alignment: This initiative aligns with CHSU Strategic Plan 2F.
Success Metrics
Midway: Population and public health research projects are continued between student cohorts leading to lasting relations with local clinics, presenting at local conferences, and publishing in relevant journals. Osteopathic research findings that are published in appropriate journals.
Final: An increase in funding and publication in both areas.
Initiative 3: Grow COM Research
Aims
Continuously provide COM funding for research investigators or foci that have established productive research.
Provide proposal and manuscript writing development sessions and direct mentorship.
Provide a framework for mentoring and development for faculty guidance in student-focused research that occurs in UME and GME years.
- Alignment: This initiative aligns with CHSU Strategic Plan 2G Success
Metrics
Midway: Increased publication and proposal submissions.
Final: Greater external funding success.
Initiative 4: Enhance Professional Develop for COM Researchers
Aims
Train faculty, staff, and students in all relevant safety protocols and requirements.
Obtain feedback and adapt processes to best suit the needs of CHSU-COM.
Develop professional development in research planning, management, and execution.
- Alignment: This initiative aligns with CHSU Strategic Plan 2F and 2G
- Success
Metrics
Midway: (a) a majority of faculty and staff will show positive satisfaction and perceived safety knowledge. (b) Certification of completed professional development by faculty and staff will be quantified.
Final: The fraction of faculty, staff, and students that participate in research will increase.
Initiative 5: Establish Foundational Science Research
Aims
Provide the safety and access framework to perform laboratory inquiry.
Direct the CHSU-COM cultural competency, health disparities, social determinants of health, and nutritional efforts toward foundational research
Establish the time and means for the performance of research by investigators.
- Alignment: This initiative aligns with CHSU Strategic Plan 2E.
Success Metrics
Midway: At least 2 research teams are engaged in experimental inquiry.
Final: Teams have established manuscripts and submitted proposals.