Rural Health Core Research: November Updates and Achievements

The Mayo Clinic’s Rural Health Research Core at the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS) continues to expand its network of rural health researchers and community partners. Driven by collaboration through the Midwest Rural Health Research Community Advisory Board (CAB), outreach initiatives, and strategic collaborations, the team is dedicated to identifying key health issues and finding innovative ways to improve healthcare access and delivery in rural communities.

Community Participation: Voices That Shape Research

At the heart of the Rural Health Research Core’s success is the active participation of the Midwest Rural Health Research CAB, which comprises 16 community members from rural areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Meeting quarterly, this group brings together diverse perspectives to discuss community health needs and activities, offering invaluable feedback to researchers presenting their work.

Over the past year, CAB members have provided insights on several important projects. These included a study examining the impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infections in older adults, the development and expansion of ALEX (Agent Leveraging Empathy for eXams)—an AI-driven health intervention designed to boost participation in clinical trials and health screenings—and updates on both the ASCENT clinical trial (focusing on optimal, culturally informed cancer pain management) and the Mayo Clinic Health System Rural Health Research Program.

Researchers emphasize that CAB input shapes many aspects of their studies, from design to implementation. For example, Trevor Krauer, Ph.D., highlighted how CAB members’ feedback was instrumental in preparing to expand the ALEX intervention to the Midwest, ensuring it would be feasible and culturally appropriate for the region.

Supporting Researchers: Fostering Innovation and Collaboration

The Rural Health Research Core team provides essential support to researchers, especially those working to address barriers such as digital access in rural healthcare. By offering resources about rural communities and connecting investigators with Core faculty, the team ensures each new project builds on previous successes.

A standout example is the annual appointment of a Kern Scholar. This year, Elizabeth Bermudez, M.D., from Emergency Medicine (Mayo Clinic Health System – Austin/Albert Lea), was named Kern Scholar. Her project seeks to establish a standardized definition of medical boarders, investigate the factors linked to Emergency Department (ED) medical boarding, evaluate the impact on patient safety and financial outcomes, and model the benefits of a telehospitalist role for managing ED medical boarders. Dr. Bermudez’s work, guided by Kern mentor Molly Jeffery, Ph.D., and Clinical mentor Nicole Varela, M.D., will be discussed with the CAB in 2026.

Grants and Projects: Research with Lasting Impact

Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) is a cornerstone for the Rural Health Research Core, ensuring lasting community benefits. A recent publication by LaPrincess Brewer, M.D., Ph.D., “Keeping the FAITH!: Psychosocial Factors and Healthy Lifestyle Among African-Americans During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” exemplifies this commitment. The FAITH! (Fostering African American Improvement in Total Health!) Program—an academic-community partnership with Minnesota’s African American churches—shifted focus during the pandemic to understand its effects on health behaviors. Dr. Brewer’s findings highlight how pandemic-related hardships made it more difficult to maintain healthy lifestyles. The research underscores the critical need to address social determinants of health in future public health responses and demonstrates the strength of community and faith-based partnerships in building resilience.

The study emphasized the toll of mental and emotional health challenges and pandemic hardships on healthy living, providing valuable insights for shaping future interventions focused on social determinants of health.

Outreach and Collaborations Connecting with Rural Communities

Throughout 2025, the Rural Health Research Core team visited numerous communities across the upper Midwest. Their presence at events—such as Cancer Conversations in Iowa, Juneteenth celebrations in Wisconsin, and community gatherings like Taste of Nations and the Steele County Fair in Minnesota—helped share research findings and encourage more rural residents to participate in research. These outreach efforts are crucial for ensuring that research reflects the lived experiences of rural populations.

Your Story Matters: Get Involved

Nearly one in five Americans lives in a rural area, yet rural voices are often left out of research. By sharing your experiences, you can help drive meaningful change in your community. If you have questions or ideas, reach out to ruralhealthcore@mayo.edu to learn about opportunities to get involved and make a difference.