February 2024: Center Representation
February 2024:
Center Representation
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“D&I Conference
Research Scientist Laura Balis attended the 16th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) in Arlington, Virginia, from December 10–13. Co-hosted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and AcademyHealth, this annual conference convenes a growing network of peers in Washington, D.C. to explore the latest innovations in D&I science. The 2023 conference concentrated on capitalizing on methodological progress while also focusing attention on areas needing growth. On December 11, Balis participated in a panel discussion on Cooperative extension as a century-old implementation laboratory: An overview of extension training and infrastructure to improve health equity in rural population. During the Prevention and Public Health poster session, Balis presented on Building evaluation and dissemination capacity: An assessment of contextual factors to design technical assistance and Introducing ISAC: Implementation strategies adapted for communities.
Pictured above: Research Scientist Laura Balis presenting during the Prevention and Public Health poster session.
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“Implementation Strategies Meeting
Research Scientists Laura Balis and Bailey Houghtaling met with Louisiana State University (LSU) PhD Student Nila Pradhananga in St. George, Utah, from January 8–11. The trio has been collaborating on two projects, including creating implementation strategies for extension to scale rural healthy eating and active living policy, systems, and environmental interventions, and the Consortium for Cancer Implementation Science project. To support these projects, Balis, Houghtaling and Pradhananga worked on key deliverables, including manuscripts, reporting and brainstorming dissemination strategies, while in St. George.Pictured above (left to right): Research Scientist Bailey Houghtaling, Research Scientist Laura Balis and LSU PhD Student Nila Pradhananga exploring Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, Utah.
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“Food is Medicine Midwest Convening
Executive Director Amy Yaroch, Principal Research Scientist Carmen Byker Shanks and Principal Research Scientist Chris Long attended the Food is Medicine Midwest Convening in Topeka, Kansas, from January 24–27. Co-hosted by Food & Society at the Aspen Institute and Sunflower Foundation and funded by the Walmart Foundation, this convening brought together emerging and established leaders in policy, research and community initiatives rooted in Food is Medicine. On January 25, Yaroch facilitated an in-person session on the Role of Charitable Food System and Healthcare Safety Net in Food is Medicine Interventions.Pictured above (left to right): Elizabeth Keever, Chief Development Officer at the Heartland Community Health Center, Amy Yaroch, Center for Nutrition and Health Impact (formerly the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition) Executive Director, and Melanie McGuire, Senior Director of Programs at Houston Food Bank, discussing Food is Medicine interventions.
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Session discussants not pictured: Kim Prendergast, Vice President for Social Health at the Community Care Cooperative, and Davna Gould, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at HealthCore Clinic.
“On January 26, Long presented What Are We Learning from GusNIP Produce Prescription Projects?, which highlighted how produce prescriptions (PPR) work, the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) PPR landscape from 2022–2023, what the Nutrition Incentive Hub measures in GusNIP PPR and metrics that will define Food is Medicine in the future. Additionally, Byker Shanks virtually presented on the Realities of Food is Medicine in Frontier and Rural Communities panel where she discussed her experience with rural Food is Medicine programming and research, including on a local scale in Montana, a national scale with the GusNIP Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information (NTAE) Center and with the Center for Nutrition and Health Impact’s (formerly the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition) recent Share Our Strength policies, systems, and environments projectPictured above: Principal Research Scientist Chris Long presenting on GusNIP PPR projects at the Food is Medicine Midwest Convening.
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“IFPRI and Rockefeller Foundation Event
Research Associate Natalie Cizek attended the From Commitments to Impact: Analyzing the Global Commitments Toward Promoting Food Security and Healthy Diets event in Washington, D.C., on February 6. Co-hosted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and The Rockefeller Foundation, this event shed light on commitments already made, shared research results on the potential of current commitments to achieve a focused set of food and nutrition security goals, and fostered continued dialogue with global advocacy partners.”