An Academic-Community Partnership to Improve Health Care Workforce Diversity in Greater Cincinnati: Lessons Learned

Area of Science:

• Health Equity
• Workforce Development
• Community-Academic Partnerships

Background:

• University of Cincinnati's participation in a learning collaborative.
• Focus on preparing a culturally sensitive, diverse, and prepared health workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development, accomplishments, and lessons learned.
• To improve health care workforce diversity and address health disparities in the Greater Cincinnati region through an academic-community partnership.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a Community Advisory Board (CAB) with university, community, and health system representatives.
• CAB addressed gaps in workforce diversity data and catalyzed new regional partnerships.
• Development of a multipronged strategy for improving health workforce diversity and health disparities.

Main Results:

• Enhanced academic-community partnership through CAB composition and diverse partner inclusion.
• Cultivation of cultural humility, trust, respect, and shared goals among partners.
• Expanded engagement and influence of academic researchers on community issues through shared decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Academic-community partnerships are crucial for advancing health equity.
• Community Advisory Boards effectively bridge gaps in data and foster collaborative strategies.
• Shared decision-making strengthens the impact of academic research on community health challenges.