The Connell-Jones Endowed Chair Diversity Research Scholars Program (DRS) was established by the Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research at Massachusetts General Hospital to support, educate and mentor culturally diverse nurses who are interested in research related to health equity and health disparities.

Health disparities are preventable differences in the burden of disease, access to health care, and quality of life experienced by some patients due to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, employment status, geographic location or a variety of other factors.

These disparities have been linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, infant mortality, stroke, cognitive impairment and asthma, and can significantly shorten life expectancy.

Unequal Treatment, a landmark report from the Institutes of Medicine in 2004 highlighted the importance of a diverse healthcare workforce in eliminating health disparities, as evidence has shown that diversity improves access to care for racial and ethnic minority patients and leads to greater patient choice and satisfaction, among other benefits.

“The goal of the DRS program is to increase the numbers of culturally diverse nurses who will actively consider research as part of their career path,” says Gaurdia Banister, RN, PhD, NEA-BC, FAAN, Director of the Munn Center for Nursing Research and the DRS Program Director.

“We hope to inspire clinical nurses to consider conducting research and raising clinical questions that help address the needs of diverse patient populations.”

Program Details

The DRS program is open to bachelor’s or master’s prepared nurses who identify as Latino/Hispanic, African American/Black, Asian, American Indian, Native Hawaiian or Native Alaskan.

Eligible candidates have two years of nursing experience, be employed as a nurse at Mass General or a Mass General entity and have leadership endorsement. There were eight scholars selected for the class of 2021.

The program consists of an eight-week didactic session where scholars learn about the role of nurse scientists and the basics of the research process. Topics include identifying funding sources, conducting a literature search, writing grants, study methodology, disseminating research results and more.

Scholars take a deeper dive into health disparities and social determinants of health, learning more about the negative impact that disparities have on patient well-being, what resources are available to help mitigate them, and how nursing research can be used to identify and eliminate disparities.

Each scholar collaborates with an academic mentor on a research project related to health disparities.

Participant and Faculty Perspectives

The first session of the program took place during the summer of 2021 with eight scholars and earned high praise from participants and mentors alike. Another cohort of DRS will be recruited later this spring.

“The faculty’s testimonials about their paths to becoming nurse scientists were eye-opening and encouraging,” said Ashley Kariuki, RN, a scholar in the class of 2021.

“I learned is that a career in nursing research is attainable and to have courage in furthering my education. I also learned there are people who will help mentor me along the way, and to not be afraid to ask for help.”

Kariuki added that the program increased her understanding of the importance of nursing research and the need for more people of color in the field.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful program and hope it will continue in the future so other nurses can have this experience.”

Faculty mentors also gave the program high marks. “The level of engagement and in-class participation of the scholars demonstrated that they did the required readings and came to class prepared, despite their [busy] schedules,” said Abraham Ndiwane, EdD, MSc, RN, CHES, an associate professor of nursing at the MGH Institute for Health Professions. “This was very rewarding and showed the scholars took the program very seriously.”

“I really enjoyed how my mentee asked insightful questions and seemed eager and appreciative every meeting, added mentor Tamryn F. Gray, RN, PhD, MPH of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. “I also enjoyed learning about her goals and overlapping interests as she continues to grow in her career.”

About the Munn Center
The Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital provides an infrastructure that promotes innovation and mobilization of resources, both funding and development, to support research initiatives that advance clinical practice and optimize quality patient-centered outcomes. Learn more.