Heart Disease Innovation Program
Purpose: To help health systems improve their capacity to track and address hypertension and high cholesterol, particularly with respect to race, ethnicity, and language (REaL) data.
Summary: Key activities include:
- Assessment of Health Systems: Conducting in-depth evaluations of health systems' electronic health records (EHRs) and policies, focusing on the use of standardized measures to monitor hypertension control by REaL factors.
- Optimization of EHR Systems: Working with health centers to improve their EHR systems, including integrating modules to identify cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related disparities, specifically related to hypertension and high cholesterol. This includes developing tracking systems for referrals to social services.
- Improving Coordination of Care: Assessing how health systems use clinical data from EHRs or health information technology (HIT) to improve communication among care teams, ensuring better coordination of care for patients with hypertension and high cholesterol.
Faculty and Staff
Maria E. Fernandez, PhD (UTH-SPH) - Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI)
Susan Fenton, PhD, RHIA, ACHIP, FAMIA (UTH-SBMI) - Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI)
Natalia I. Heredia, PhD, MPH - (UTH-SPH) Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI)
Roshanda Chenier, Ed.D. - (UTH-SPH) Program Manager
Megan Crossan (UTH-SBMI) - Program Manager
Ella R. Garza, MPH (UTH-SPH) - Research Coordinator III
Tracy Judd, RHIA (UTH-SBMI) - Quality Improvement Advisor
Damita Hines (UTH-SBMI) - Support Staff Member- Program Manager
Ileska M. Valencia-Torres (UTH-SBMI) - Support Staff Member- Research Coordinator II
Acknowledgment
This work was supported by a cooperative agreement with the Texas Department of State Health Services through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC-RFA-DP-23-0005 The Innovative Cardiovascular Health Program, 2023-2028].
