From September 20-21st, 2023, the Utah Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) held the annual Consortium of Rural States (CORES) meeting at Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah. CORES consists of eight participating institutions: the Utah CTSI, the University of New Mexico Clinical and Translational Science Center, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Translational Research Institute, the University of Kansas Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the University of Kentucky Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, and Dartmouth Synergy Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Through community engagement, conducting advancements in translational research through emerging technologies, career building and mentoring, multi-center pilot research programs and integrated education, training and career development, participating institutions hope to scientifically innovate in their local region and share their activities within the consortium to make an impact on a national level.
The annual meeting included sessions on the outcomes of the CORES pilot program, best practices in tracking and evaluation, and innovations in rural community research engagement. The presenting institutions provided insight such as community consultation, data driven approaches, and enhancing research participation in rural communities. The Utah CTSI held a poster session featuring the activities of its cores, services, and education and training programs. The sessions and associated networking helped CORES identify new opportunities for collaboration in coming years.
