Research

Public Health Research Center Names 2014 Brown Scholars

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 8, 2014)-- The National Coordinating Center for Public Health Services and Systems Research (PHSSR) and Public Health Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) has announced the three recipients of the Dr. E. Richard “Rick” Brown Keeneland Conference Scholarships.

The scholarships were established to recognize the many lasting contributions of Dr. Brown, distinguished leader, scholar and teacher in public health and the founding director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. A true public health visionary, Brown touched the lives of tens of thousands of Americans with his unique blend of warmth, intelligence, tenacity and belief that public health data and information could be a powerful force for good. He passed away on April 20, 2012.

The annual scholarships that bear his name are awarded to doctoral students or postdoctoral scholars in a discipline relevant to PHSSR and who are from historically underrepresented research communities. The scholarships support the recipients, who are interested in learning more about and engaging in PHSSR, to fully participate as junior investigators in the Keeneland Conference, a premier national PHSSR conference held April 7-10 in Lexington, Ky. PHSSR examines questions that relate to the financing, organization and delivery of public health services and how those factors translate to population health. 

The recipients of the 2014 Brown Scholarships are:

  • J’Aime Jennings: Jennings is working toward a doctorate in health services administration with a focus on strategic management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is also working with her professors to establish a Public Health Practice-Based Research Network site in Alabama.
  • Dr. Fabienne Ouapou-Lena: Ouapou-Lena is working toward a doctorate in public health with a focus on leadership at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and also serves as a program reviewer with the Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Christian L. Williams: Williams is working toward a doctorate in public health with a focus on community and behavioral health at East Tennessee State University and also serves as the academic health department coordinator for the Sullivan County Regional Health Department in Blountville, Tenn.

The goal of the National Coordinating Center is to grow the field of PHSSR and PBRNs by coordinating current investments, supporting real-world applications, and strengthening the capacity of researchers and practitioners. The Center also works to determine the future direction of the field’s research initiatives; translate that research into practice; increase the visibility of the work; and attract other funders to the field.

For more information about the Keeneland Conference and the Brown Scholarships, visit www.keenelandconference.org or contact Kara Richardson at kara.richardson@uky.edu

MEDIA CONTACT: Mallory Powell, mallory.powell@uky.edu