CARE-Gleitsman Research Scholars Program
About
The Palliative Research Center sponsored programs from 2021 to 2024 which provided first-year medical students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine and from institutions without a palliative care program with mentored summertime research experiences in palliative care and supportive oncology. The programs worked to develop the future workforce in academic palliative medicine and supportive oncology by giving young medical students experience in conducting their own research. The program was known as the CARE-Gleitsman Scholars Program in 2024, and the Gleitsman Student Diversity in Palliative Care Research Award in previous years. Supporters of the program included the Palliative Research Center (PaRC), the Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics and the Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE) at the University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Inside the Program
PaRC research scholars were medical students pursuing research experience during their first summer of medical school. Scholars joined remotely and, paired
with faculty research mentors from the Palliative Research Center (PaRC), the Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics at the University of Pittsburgh, or UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and career mentors throughout the country. Scholars contributed to their mentor’s research projects, honed their research skills, received career guidance and a financial award, and many visited the University of Pittsburgh to gain clinical shadowing experience as well.
Impact
Twenty-five students successfully completed research projects under the mentorship of University of Pittsburgh faculty from the Section of Palliative Care and Medical Ethics and the Palliative Research Center (PaRC), delving into the impact of serious illness care research. Program scholars have advanced their research by publishing on their projects and presenting at national conferences. Explore select publications here.
Past Research Scholars
Scholar: Maria Balajadia, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
Topic: Evaluation of palliative care delivery and caregiver burdens in rural settings
Research Mentor: Hailey Bulls, PhD
Career Mentor: Charmaine A. McKie, PhD, MPH
Scholar: Robert Emeh, Howard University College of Medicine
Topic: Identifying Predictors of Poor Mental Health and Coping Among Caregivers of Children with Life-Limiting Illness
Research Mentors: Justin Yu, MD, Amy Houtrow, MD, PhD, MPH
Career Mentor: Jennifer Erves, PhD, MPH, MEd
Scholar: Helen Queenan, Howard University College of Medicine
Topic: End-of-life care for dialysis patients from underrepresented communities
Research Mentor: Jane Schell, MD
Career Mentor: Lorraine Graves, PhD
Scholar: Ashley Lyttle, Meharry Medical College
Topic: The Impact of Palliative Care Education on Black Medical Students and Residents
Research Mentor: Robert Arnold, MD, FAAHPM
Career Mentor: Shanika Lavi Wilson, DSW
Scholar: Sarah Laudon, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School
Topic: Evaluation of emotional support among caregivers of children with medical complexity
Research Mentors: Justin Yu, MD, Amy Houtrow, MD, PhD, MPH, and Scott Maurer, MD
Career Mentor: Claire Ing, DrPH
Scholar: Connor McCormick, Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School
Topic: Evaluation of a pharmacist-led transitions of care program with an embedded palliative care clinical pharmacy specialist
Research Mentor: Maria Lowry, PharmD
Career Mentor: Tameka Clemons, PhD
Scholar: Tameka Lawrence, Ross University School of Medicine
Topic: How does curricula training incorporated with simulated scenarios assist physicians in outpatient clinics with palliative care patients dealing with substance use disorders?
Research Mentor: Julie Childers, MD
Career Mentor: Lynn Ametewee, PhD
Scholar: Zavier Carmichael, Tulane University
Topic: End-of-life care for patients with primary psychiatric diseases
Research Mentor: Andrew Thurston, MD, FAAHPM
Career Mentor: Malika Faouzi
Scholar: Angeline Zhou, University of Hawai’i
Topic: Population characteristics, management outcomes, and patient perspectives of Palliative Recovery Engagement Program (P-REP), a novel, integrated palliative and addiction clinic in Pittsburgh
Research Mentors: Julie Childers, MD and Jessica Merlin, MD, PhD, MBA
Career Mentor: Darlene Santiago Quinones, PhD
Scholar: Jalyce Taylor, University of Houston College of Medicine
Topic: Evaluation of Spanish-language Palliative Care Training Resources
Research Mentors: Robert Arnold, MD, FAAHPM and Liliana Viera, MD
Career Mentor: Dua Rupak, PhD
Scholar: Mariana Rodriguez Diaz, University of Puerto Rico
Topic: Limitations of Life Sustaining Therapies in End-of-Life Care
Research Mentors: Douglas White, MD, MAS and Liliana Viera-Ortiz, MD
Career Mentor: Maupauna Antonio, DrPH
Scholar: Yvonne Maosa, University of the Incarnate Word, School of Osteopathic Medicine
Topic: Investigating The Role of Race on Palliative Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Care in Black Women and its Effect on Treatment Outcomes
Research Mentor: Margaret Rosenzweig, CRNP-C, AOCNP, FAAN
Career Mentor: Lourdes Guerrios Rivera, MD
Scholar: Chinaka Ukachu, University of the Incarnate Word, School of Osteopathic Medicine
Topic: Analyzing Social Determinants of Health Influence on Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Toxicity in Black and White Women in the United States
Research Mentor: Margaret Rosenzweig, CRNP-C, AOCNP, FAAN
Career Mentor: LaShawn Wordlaw, PhD
Meet our 2022 Scholars.
Scholar: Sandy Athenaise Durosier, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Topic: Development and Evaluation of a Curriculum for Responding to Patient Bias Towards Clinicians
Research Mentor: Julie Childers, MD, MS
Career Mentor: Tameka Clemons, PhD
Scholar: Chelsea Green, Morehouse School of Medicine
Topic: Patient-Provider Communication and Financial Hardship in the Context of Serious Illness
Research Mentor: Sarah Belcher, PhD, RN, OCN®
Career Mentor: Kimberly Curseen, MD
Scholar: Adam Whitsett, Morehouse School of Medicine
Topic: An Analysis of Caregiver Involvement and Its Impact on Patients and Caregivers in Primary Palliative Car
Research Mentor: Teresa Hagan Thomas, PhD, BA, RN
Career Mentor: Becky Yamarik, MD, MPH
Scholar: Justin Woolridge, Morehouse School of Medicine
Topic: A Descriptive Study of Surrogate Decision Makers’ Perceptions of Conflicting Information
Research Mentor: Lincoln Taylor, MD
Career Mentor: Alvin Reaves, III, MD, FACP, FAAHPM
Meet our 2023 Scholars.
Scholar: Sarah Khan, A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Topic: Description and Outcomes of a Palliative Care Intervention for Patients with Kidney Disease
Research Mentor: Jane Schell, MD, MHS, FNKF, FAAHPM
Career Mentor: Shellie Williams, MD
Scholar: Adaugo Okpareke, Morehouse School of Medicine
Topic: Development of a Curriculum for Palliative Care Clinicians to Communicate with Patients about Addiction and Opioid Use
Research Mentor: Julie Childers, MD, MS
Career Mentor: Kimberly Curseen, MD, FAAHPM
Scholar: Andrea N. Navarro Zambrana, Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine
Topic: Assessing the Quality of Documented Goals of Care Conversations by Race/Ethnicity
Research Mentor: Gina Piscitello, MD, MS
Career Mentor: Liliana Viera-Ortiz, MD
Scholar: Ashley Jones, Saint Louis University School of Medicine
Topic: Serious Illness Communication with Black, Latino, and Patients with Disabilities Supplement Research Mentors: Yael Schenker, MD, MS, FAAHPM; Kimberly Rak, PhD; Doug White, MD, MAS
Career Mentor: Alvin Reaves, III, MD, FACP, FAAHPM
Meet the 2024 Scholars.
Scholar: Delma Mbulaiteye, BS, BA, Howard University College of Medicine
Topic: Examining the Centralization of Non-Surgical Cancer Care
Research Mentor: Bruce Jacobs, MD, MPH
Career Mentor: Kimberly Curseen, MD, FAAHPM
Scholar: Akiera Palm, BS, MSc, Morehouse School of Medicine
Topic: Technology for Supportive Oncology Care
Research Mentor: Carissa A. Low, PhD
Career Mentor: Shellie Williams, MD, FAAHPM
Scholar: Stephania Luna, BS, Charles Drew University
Topic: Patient and Clinician Experiences with Opioid Pain Management in Cancer Survivorship: Qualitative Analyses
Research Mentor: Hailey Bulls, PhD
Career Mentor: Becky Yamarik, MD, MPH, FAAMPH
Scholar: Gabriella Forchion, BS, Ponce Health Sciences University
Topic: Patient and Clinician Experiences with Opioid Pain Management in Cancer Survivorship: Qualitative Analyses
Research Mentor: Yvonne M. Mowry, MD, PhD
Career Mentor: Alvin Reaves, III, MD, FACP, FAAHPM
Scholar Experiences
“I loved working with Dr. Mowery and in the future I hope to continue with this project as well as continue in sectors of medicine that allow me to work on social implications of medicine, that look at how to make medicine more accessible.... This program was absolutely essential. I recommended it to everyone, and I would not have learned as much as I did without it.” - Gabriella Forchion, Ponce Health Sciences University
“We had the opportunity to shadow at the Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh with the palliative care doctors and what that showed me was the multiple avenues of supporting patients and their families, whether it be pain management or mental health management and even discussing care plans.... What that really did for me was open the horizons of palliative care.” - Stephania Luna, Charles Drew University
“I enjoyed shadowing at UPMC because of how collaborative palliative care is. Before my trip to Pittsburgh, I never had a shadowing opportunity that allowed me to observe the roles different specialties play in the care of just one patient.” - Adaugo Okpareke, Morehouse School of Medicine
“The program has had a large impact on my confidence as a medical student and a future physician. I joined a community of intelligent, caring, and innovative providers who care about Palliative Care and research, and provide me with opportunities and resources to become better.” - Sandy Athenaise Durosier, A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona
“Through this experience, I learned that palliative care incorporates the patient’s family, community members, and loved ones impacted by the patient’s terminal illness treatment. As a compassionate individual, I was fascinated by how palliative care connected medicine and the human aspect of care. I learned the importance of quality of life and how asking a simple question like ‘what do you need?’ can be comforting and impactful to the patient.” - Chelsea Green, Morehouse School of Medicine