JACKSONVILLE, Fla. ― Mayo Clinic in Florida has opened its Community Health Collaborative in downtown Jacksonville. The office aims to understand the healthcare needs of Mayo Clinic's neighbors and share health education and biomedical research that supports their needs.

"Expanding Mayo Clinic’s footprint into downtown Jacksonville with a dedicated space for community engagement and Mayo Clinic research teams, allows us to fully explore innovative solutions that address the communities' most pressing health issues," says Kent Thielen, M.D., CEO of Mayo Clinic in Florida. "This is truly an exciting time for our teams, and we look forward to reaching more of our community."

The site, in the Edward Ball Building near City Hall, is nearly 3,100 square feet of office space and dedicated areas for community health education, clinical trial participation, outreach and more. Mayo Clinic will not provide medical care at this location.

"The Community Health Collaborative is a positive step toward addressing health disparities and building health equity in our community," says Folakemi Odedina, Ph.D., enterprise co-director, Health Equity and Community Engagement Research. "Using an approach that meets people where they are, the downtown site will serve as a 'hub' where we’ll work with community organizations and others throughout the city for the health of the people."

"We’re excited to bring our local community in downtown Jacksonville expanded access to everything Mayo Clinic research offers to help improve health outcomes," says Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, M.D., dean of research at Mayo Clinic in Florida. "We’re working with our neighbors to collaborate on research studies that directly address the needs of the community and help us discover more possible treatments and cures. Our researchers also will gain valuable insight from the people we serve so we may continue our commitment to address healthcare issues important to populations in the areas we serve."

The Mayo Clinic Community Health Collaborative will offer the following:

Mayo Clinic Community Engagement (CE) Studios

The CE Studios program helps researchers work directly with community members. Community experts sign up to participate and meet virtually with Mayo Clinic researchers to provide consultation, guidance and advice on reaching community members. The benefits of this process are mutual, as researchers gain specific insights, and community members learn firsthand about research that may affect them and others with similar experiences.

Mayo Clinic Community Research Registry

The registry is a database of diverse people who have consented to be contacted for biomedical research opportunities including clinical trials and biospecimen research. The goal of the registry is to reduce the disproportionate effect of disease in racially and ethnically diverse communities. About 250 members of the Jacksonville community are currently enrolled in the registry.

Community Scientist Program

This program is made up of "community scientists," or community members who collaborate with medical researchers to improve the health of those in their communities. Members participate in activities such as providing input on study designs, reviewing study recruitment materials for cultural appropriateness and giving community presentations to advocate for research. The program supports biomedical research advocates in local neighborhoods and helps them build trust between Mayo Clinic and their neighbors.

Community-Engaged Research Advisory Boards

Community Advisory Boards are groups of community members who volunteer to consult with researchers. Board members are from a variety of backgrounds, meet regularly, and have broad scientific and local cultural knowledge. Board members also may work with community partners to develop activities to address community health needs.

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About Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to innovation in clinical practice, education and research, and providing compassion, expertise and answers to everyone who needs healing. Visit the Mayo Clinic News Network for additional Mayo Clinic news.

Media contact:

• Kevin Punsky, Mayo Clinic Communications, newsbureau@mayo.edu

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