UT College of Nursing Faculty Awarded Grand Challenge Grants

The University of Tennessee, College of Nursing is at the forefront of groundbreaking research, with several faculty members recently awarded Grand Challenge grants.

These grants are part of the University of Tennessee System’s Grand Challenge program, which aims to tackle some of Tennessee’s most pressing issues, including Strengthening Rural Communities, Overcoming Addiction, and Advancing K-12 Education. By investing up to $5 million in innovative, community-focused research, the UT System seeks to foster lasting improvements in the quality of life for Tennesseans.

Bridging the Gap: Tailored Distance Education for Rural Addiction Counseling in Tennessee

Despite a significant portion of Tennesseans requiring substance misuse treatment, the majority receive no assistance. Carrie Bailey, clinical associate professor, serves as a co-PI for a project addressing the critical need for substance abuse treatment and counseling in rural Tennessee. Bailey and her team are developing a Level I Licensed Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor (LADC) Distance Education program designed specifically for rural communities.

“Current addiction counseling programs often overlook the unique challenges of rural areas and populations,” says Bailey. “We are creating a specialized training component within our program to help fill this gap and offer much-needed support in underserved communities.”

This project will not only expand training opportunities for addiction counselors but will also provide more accessible services to combat the growing addiction crisis in rural Tennessee.

Healing in Rural Appalachia: Identifying Individual, Family, and Community Factors Linked to Diabetic Foot Ulcer Healing Disparities

Patricia Roberson, assistant professor, is serving as PI on another critical project that focuses on improving diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) healing outcomes in rural Appalachian communities. DFUs, which are painful and slow to heal, are linked to severe complications such as amputation and sepsis. Roberson’s project seeks to identify the structural and psychosocial factors that contribute to disparities in DFU healing in these underserved regions.

“In Rural Appalachia, patients with diabetic foot ulcers face unique challenges that hinder healing,” says Roberson. “By understanding these factors, we aim to create a multi-level intervention that will significantly improve health outcomes.”

By addressing both medical and social determinants of health, the project aims to improve the quality of life for individuals in high-risk, rural communities.

Machine Learning Approach to Studying the Intersection of SDoH, Physiological Psychological Well-being, and Academic Performance, and Subsequent Holistic Intervention Development (TennWell Project)

Adolescence is a critical period for growth, development, and academic success, which is why Ji Youn Yoo, along with co-PI Anujit Sarkar and mentor Maureen Groer, have launched the TennWell Project. This project aims to understand how social determinants of health (SDoH) and physiological factors—such as the gut microbiome—affect academic performance and overall well-being in local adolescents.

By incorporating machine learning to analyze data from their expanded Adolescent Microbiome Study, Yoo and her team are making strides in optimizing holistic interventions that address the mental and physical health challenges facing today’s youth. By collaborating with Emerald Youth Foundation, this project will guide future interventions to promote academic success and well-being among adolescents.

These projects exemplify the innovative spirit of nursing faculty and their commitment to improving health outcomes for Tennesseans. Through the Grand Challenge grants, these researchers are addressing critical issues that affect rural communities, adolescents, and those struggling with addiction.

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CONTACT:

Kara Clark (865-974-9498, kmclark2@utk.edu)