Administrative Core

Abstract/Summary The Administrative Core (AC) will provide oversight and infrastructure for MEL-STaR scholars and other members of the MEL-STaR community to advance LHS research with the goal of improving health and health equity. Specific Aim 1 of the AC is to provide overall executive management and operational governance for the Center. These functions will reside in the Center Leadership Team and the Operating Committee. The Operating Committee will include the Co-Directors of the Research and Education (REC) and Research and Data Analysis (RDAC) Cores, as well as the Co-Leads of the Patient Engagement and Health Equity Catalyst (PEHEC) and the Co-Leads of the Program Evaluation Unit. The Operating Committee will collaborate across all components of the Center to ensure that MEL-STaR fulfills all administrative requirements. The LHS Collaboratory Steering Committee, comprising the embedded research labs, will play an advisory role to the program leaders in shaping the activities of MEL-STaR. Specific Aim 2 of the AC is to conduct coordination and communication functions essential to the program’s success. The Leadership Team will communicate with the AHRQ and PCORI program staff as informed by the Operating Committee. An annual in-person “All MEL- STaR” Symposium will bring together the entire Center. The Symposium will include: current and past Scholars, all personnel associated with the Center and its Cores and other operating units; and all members of the LHS Collaboratory Steering Committee. Specific Aim 3 of the AC is to ensure that all didactic and experiential activities are conducted in accord with principles of health equity, patient engagement, and the LHS Core Values. The PEHEC will ensure that all aspects of the MEL-STAR program include authentic, ongoing stakeholder engagement, patient-centeredness, and an intentional focus on advancing health equity. The PEHEC, a diverse group representing multiple perspectives, will work closely with the REC and the RDAC to achieve its mission. AC Specific Aim 4 is to conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation of program activities. The Program Evaluation Unit will conduct studies throughout the project period, operating in annual cycles, with each cycle terminating at the MEL-STaR Symposium where study results and proposed adaptations will be presented, further discussed, and refined by all program participants at the Symposium. As MEL-STaR is profoundly linked to the mission of the Department of Learning Health Sciences (DLHS), the existing External Advisory Committee to DLHS will also serve as the External Advisory Committee for MEL-STaR. AC Specific Aim 5 is to integrate MEL-STaR activities with those of the LHS Collaboratory. The LHS Collaboratory serves as a hub for LHS activity across the entire University of Michigan campus. All Collaboratory activities are also open to the general public, and all public facing activities of the Collaboratory will be co-branded with MEL- STaR. The REC’s educational services and the RDAC’s research support services will also be available to Collaboratory member projects.