Celebrating CHAMP Award Community Partners

The Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) CHAMP (Community Health Assessment and Improvement Measures Program) Awards are designed to strengthen community–academic partnerships in research. In 2025, we were fortunate to collaborate with outstanding community partners who played a vital role in ensuring the success of these projects during their first year. Two of these exceptional partners are Rochester Healthy Community Partnership (RHCP) and the Cambodian American Partnership of Minnesota (CAPMN). 

Dr. Jissy Cyriac and RHCP worked together to develop an intervention aimed at increasing cervical cancer screening among underserved individuals. RHCP is an organization to promote health and well-being of the Rochester community through community-based participatory research, education, and civic engagement. RHCP was instrumental in co-designing the community-based intervention, gathering perspectives from underserved populations, and tailoring educational materials to meet community needs. This critical work lays the foundation for 2026, when the team will implement the intervention in partnership with the community.

Dr. Nguyen Tran and CAPMN collaborated to design and distribute a survey aimed at identifying community needs related to cancer. CAPMN is dedicated to uplifting and preserving culture, arts, history, and health through strong community partnerships. Thanks to this collaboration, more than 500 community members completed the survey, sharing their concerns and interests around cancer. The findings were shared back with the community during a July 2025 Summit, ensuring transparency and continued engagement. This important work will continue into 2026 with additional focus groups and efforts to identify practical solutions for improving cancer screening in underserved communities. The success of this survey is a true testament to the trust and partnership CAPMN and Dr. Tran have built within the community.

Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce new community partners who will join the newest CHAMP Awardees in 2026 and beyond. These partnerships are essential to the success of the projects and ensure that projects truly reflect and respond to the needs of our communities.