Healthy Idaho Clinical and Translational Research Development Program Professional Development Core

PROJECT SUMMARY – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PD) CORE The Healthy Idaho CTR-D Professional Development (PD) Core will develop and implement innovative professional development activities and strategies that will strengthen the capacity to successfully conduct high-quality clinical and translational (C&T) research within Idaho. Our overall goal is to provide workforce development throughout our participating organizations and healthcare communities within Idaho. The PD Core activities are uniquely designed by investigators from academic and healthcare institutions to meet the diverse needs of each type of institution. Effective mentoring and training are central to rigorous C&T research. We will support investigators to develop and enhance skills to successfully engage in C&T research by providing comprehensive professional development opportunities through the following aims: (1) Establish the organizational and management structure of the PD Core; (2) Develop tailored professional development activities for CTR-D investigators across our partner institutions; and (3) Evaluate the PD Core activities to inform future programming. The PD Core includes a lead, an associate lead, an advisor, and a consultant from both academic and healthcare organizations within Idaho who are uniquely qualified to develop and implement meaningful professional development activities to overcome the barriers of C&T research within a rural state. This team will work together with the other Healthy Idaho CTR-D Cores to provide targeted opportunities to build the C&T workforce in Idaho. The innovative, personalized and flexible professional development opportunities offered by the Healthy Idaho PD Core include expert mentoring, mentor matching, support for long-term mentoring relationships, tailored individual development plans, quarterly training seminars, networking opportunities, expert grant review prior to submission of extramural grants, and educational resources. Through our website portal, investigators will be able to access mentoring request forms, individual development plans, and asynchronous training and educational materials for career development and advancement that are tailored to their career stage, research trajectory, and institutional environment. The Healthy Idaho CTR-D Professional Development Core is an innovative program that targets the unique barriers associated with training a workforce to conduct C&T research within a rural state. Our programming is designed to provide targeted and strategic activities to enhance the overall capacity and competitiveness to conduct impactful C&T research for a healthy Idaho.