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Announcing Two New Advancing Diversity in Implementation Leadership Awardees!

Omonyêlé Adjognon, ScM, DrPH candidate, of HSR’s Center for Healthcare Optimization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), is working on the ADIL project “Disseminate Outcomes to Non-Research Partners to Sustain the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program—Collaborative Care Model (BHIP-CCM).” The BHIP-CCM is an evidence-based practice in VA to improve outcomes for Veterans with complex behavioral health conditions, especially those at high risk for suicide. Key knowledge about BHIP-CCM has been shared in peer-reviewed publications, but these publications are not always easily understood by non-research audiences. In partnership with Behavioral Health QUERI, Ms. Adjognon’s project collaborates with Veterans and their mental health providers to translate and disseminate BHIP-CCM knowledge using the providers’ and Veterans’ preferred language, format, and media channels. This work aligns with the dissemination expertise that Ms. Adjognon is gaining as she pursues a PhD in public health. Ms. Adjognon is being mentored by Jennifer Sullivan, PhD, of HSR’s Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports for Vulnerable Veterans (LTSS).

Tiffany Riser, MSN, MPH, RN, ANP-C, of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, is working on the ADIL project “Predicting Risk of Long-term Institutionalization Plus Leveraging Use of Social Data” (PLI PLUS). PLI (Predicting Risk of Long-term Institutionalization) is a tool that pulls together demographic, medical, and utilization data to identify older Veterans at elevated risk for long-term nursing home placement. PLI PLUS is evaluating the use of social data to improve PLI to identify Veterans at high risk for long-term nursing home placement and those in need of home and community-based services. Knowing the prevalence of social risk factors—social and economic conditions associated with poor health—among older Veterans is an important step in addressing this population’s unmet care needs at home. This goal honors Veterans’ preferences for non-institutional long-term care as it directs Veterans at high risk for adverse or undesired outcomes toward appropriate interventions. Ms. Riser is being mentored by Robert Burke, MD, MS, of HSR’s Center for Health Equity and Research Promotion (CHERP).