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Discover how collaboration with communities impacts rural health studies, improves cancer care, empowers local professionals, and ensures research focuses on the real needs of rural populations in this month’s Rural Health Research Core Research updates.
Recent Publications
A brief report describing WomenWise was recently published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. WomenWise is a collaborative project that partners with community members to develop curriculum and build capacity for future research. Supported by a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Engagement Award (EACB-35102) and the Rural Health Research Core, WomenWise exemplifies how community engagement drives meaningful research. Learn more.
Recent Grant Activity
Cancer Awareness, Resources, and Education
Dr. Pravesh Sharma has received the inaugural Robert A. Winn Career Development Award: Community Innovation Grant in Oncology, funded by Gilead Sciences. As Principal Investigator, Dr. Sharma will work with a multidisciplinary team to lead the WE-CARE project, aimed at addressing differences in breast cancer screening among rural and underserved communities in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The initiative focuses on education around risk factors, survivor storytelling, and patient navigation to boost clinical trial participation in understudied populations.
New Studies
Exploring Natural Supplements for Diabetes Prevention
The Mayo Clinic Health System is launching a new study to evaluate whether green tea catechins and berberine can improve glucose levels and help prevent the progression to type 2 diabetes—a condition affecting over 35 million Americans. With a focus on rural communities, this feasibility study will enroll 40 adults with prediabetes at various sites in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive one of the supplements daily for 90 days, with researchers monitoring changes in blood sugar and other health markers.
This research is led by Dr. Brian Lynch, Dr. Sagar Dugani, and Dr. Sumit Bhagra, who bring expertise from pediatrics, internal medicine, and endocrinology. Their goal is to find low-cost, scalable diabetes prevention strategies that can reach individuals before the disease develops. If successful, this study could pave the way for larger trials and offer new early intervention tools, especially for rural populations with limited access to clinical research.
Upcoming Opportunities for Education and Training
Transforming Rural and Community Health Symposium, Oct. 27-28
This fall, Mayo Clinic Health System will once again host its annual symposium for healthcare professionals, community health partners, educators, nonprofit leaders, and students. The two-day event will focus on transformative approaches to rural health challenges, workforce sustainability, and innovations to improve outcomes in areas like cancer care and behavioral health. Find the full program and registration info here.
- Recognize transformative approaches to address key healthcare challenges facing rural America
- Identify collaborative strategies and partnerships to sustain workforce and improve health outcomes in rural communities
- Assess innovative approaches to advance optimal health for rural communities, cancer care, and behavioral health
Communities of Practice
This fall, Mayo Clinic CCaTs will partner with the C2DREAM Community Engagement Core to host several Communities of Practice (CoPs) via Zoom. These sessions are a great opportunity to build community-academic partnerships and share best practices. You can attend as many sessions as you like:
- Building Strong Community-Academic Partnerships Community of Practice CoP | Tuesday, October 14 and Thursday, October 16, 9:00–11:00 AM CT
- Participatory Analysis for Qualitative Data Community of Practice CoP | Tuesday, November 18 and Thursday, November 20, 9:00–11:00 AM CT
Interested? Use this form to learn more and indicate your interest. Feel free to share with colleagues! For questions, email graff157@umn.edu or c2dream-engage@umn.edu.
C2DREAM Monthly Series: “Community Roots, Digital Routes: A Collaborative Path to Quitting Smoking”
Dr. Annie Rusk, a specialist in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Mayo Clinic, will present on collaborative, community-based approaches to smoking cessation on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, from 12:00–1:00 PM CT (online via Zoom). Dr. Rusk cares for patients with severe pulmonary disease and brings a unique perspective on digital and community interventions. Learn more.
About Mayo Clinic's Rural Health Research Core
Led by Christi A. Patten, Ph.D., Mayo Clinic's Rural Health Research Core (RHRC) is committed to promoting healthcare access and delivery in underserved rural populations. RHRC has a core faculty, a group of collaborators, and a Midwest Rural Health Research Community Advisory Board. All of these people contribute to the review and refinement of research that is deployed in rural communities in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
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