Leading the newly established Workforce Development Initiative within the Office of Research Affairs at Rush University Medical Center, I am dedicated to building a diverse, robust, and sustainable workforce for the Rush Research Enterprise. As a team of one, my mission is to design and advance a program that aligns with the evolving needs of health-related research. I am responsible for defining the program’s vision, scope, and strategic direction while developing and executing a flexible project plan. This role involves strategic planning, the creation and implementation of both short- and long-term projects, and the ongoing evaluation and refinement of the initiative. Built from the ground up, this initiative focuses on cultivating a resilient, diverse workforce equipped to drive innovation and excellence in healthcare research.

Support strategic initiatives and partnerships across the Rush University System related to execution of complex research arrangements, agreements, and collaborations. Center on special research agreements (e.g. complex clinical trials) and collaborations (e.g. atypical intellectual property (IP) or data/materials ownership issues, terms and conditions). Interface with the Office of Legal Affairs, Sponsored Projects Administration, Research Regulatory Operations, Intellectual Property, Compliance, and all stakeholders as required to enable the research work scope that is compliant with research regulations as well all Rush policies.

Rush University Medical College - Division of Translational Science

Project Director - MindMoves Federally Funded multimodal biobehavioral interventions that will address prevention or delayed onset of memory loss in older adults. Initial phase is centered on women with cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to the disproportionately high risk.

* Broker collaborative science relationships and recruitment efforts across various RUSH research departments * Develop and organize active studies at Rush based on recruitment goals & provide Aid* Collaborate with RUSH Office of Research Affairs to monitor barriers, successes and enable rapid learning through monthly forums with researchers and staff* Share methodologies in Rush, Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM) and Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA)

As the Study Coordinator, I facilitate the coordination and operations of the Minority Aging Research Study. The study is geared towards recruiting volunteers who are healthy African-American 65 years or better, and have not been diagnosed with dementia by a doctor. Lisa Barnes, Ph.D. is the Principal Investigator of the study and is an Associate Professor and Cognitive Neuropsychologist. Her study is ground breaking in garnering African-American’s to volunteer to participate into longitudinal study.

Professional Summary - http://www.suhichicago.org/staff.htmlCharlene recently joined the Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI) in October of 2007 as the Project Coordinator for the Breathing Freedom (BF) Smoking Cessation Initiative in the North Lawndale community (her home for 13 years). SUHI identifies and creates effective approaches that improve the health of urban communities. BF is a community-based intervention funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health. As a former resident of North Lawndale, Charlene brings a wealth of personal and professional resources. Charlene is passionate about connecting and developing community-based initiatives to reduce the various disparities experienced by the residences of the North Lawndale Community. Per Charlene: In my role as the project coordinate, I spread the word of the FREE services (Smoking Cessation, Breast Cancer, & Childhood Asthma) SUHI offers in the efforts to combat the health disparities within the community.

Support ten research projects, organize grant planning and logistics, implement research protocol, facilitate program development, prepare and distribute communication materials, and administrator of the Accelerometer Library• Coordinated development and piloting of research projects to assess and increase physical activity in Chicago children• Re-established research project activity, optimizing progress within 60 days• Introduced fitness research project to park district manager; activity selection was implemented and increased use by targeted population• Compile and disseminate health information and physical activity opportunities; organize and manage internal projects; assist in document creation and editing

• Organized and managed community-based projects aimed at assessing and developing diabetes/asthma prevention programs• Contributed content and designed informative diabetes and asthma printed material• Coordinated community-based education meetings and seminars on diabetes and asthmaRepresented West District Health Council (one of 6 districts of the Chicago Cook County Community Health Council) at community meetings and events. Facilitated monthly WDHC meetings, volunteer committees’ meetings and projects. Coordinated legislator briefing to inform government/elected officials of priority health issues. Planned advocacy training workshop for members led by government relations experts. Researched legislation and wrote advisory alerts for WDHC membership. Developed partnership with three local chambers of commerce and coordinated jointly-sponsored major health fair and a seminar on affordable health coverage for small businesses. Created newsletter, brochures and other marketing publications. Arranged outreach events to increase enrollment in WDHC community-based organizations. Helped organize briefing for health-related research and health resources available to families within the West District Health Council service area.

• Implemented community-based research protocol and monitored participant compliance• Recruited participants and administered baseline, pre-post surveys; • Facilitated policy analysis and advocacy techniques to acquire daycare facilities for students

• Coordinated logistics of relief protocol, trained Disaster Action Team on relief protocol• Provided procedural assistance on a local, national, and global level• Assessed damaged to homes from natural and/or man made disasters that displaced families