Community Outreach Research and Education (CORE) Program

VCOM is building bridges to healthier communities through its Community Outreach Research and Education (CORE) Program, a student-driven research initiative developed in close partnership with community-based organizations (CBOs) and practicing physicians. 

The CORE program empowers students to:  

• Generate actionable, community-informed research that supports local health initiatives;
• Become lifelong advocates for community health and equity; and
• Deepen VCOM’s commitment to service, scholarship, and collaboration with underserved populations. 

Co-directed by Bernard Kadio, MD, PhD, MPH, chair of Preventive Medicine, and Jess Nicholson, MAT, MPH(c), director of community outreach and public health, CORE bridges the classroom with real-world community health efforts across Southwest Virginia. 

The CORE program supports communities and organizations across Southwest Virginia, with a primary focus on the New River Valley and surrounding areas, including Montgomery, Giles, Pulaski, Floyd, and Roanoke counties, as well as the city of Radford. Select projects also extend to regions such as Abingdon, Danville, and Rich Creek. 

At the heart of CORE is a strong commitment to community-based participatory research (CBPR)—a collaborative approach that centers community voices in the research process. By working alongside the many dynamic and impactful local organizations in the region, rather than approaching research as an external analysis, CORE ensures that findings are not only relevant and respectful but also responsive to the unique needs of the communities we serve. 

Students collaborate in small groups called CORE Teams, each consisting of: 

• Two spokespersons
• Two writers
• Two event coordinators 

Each team member serves as a co-investigator and co-author, contributing to yearlong research projects that are often part of larger, multi-year initiatives. While the overall projects span several years, each year students may engage in different phases of the research process.  

These projects are shaped by the evolving priorities and needs of our community-based organization (CBO) partners, ensuring the research directly addresses their most pressing challenges and supports their efforts to create meaningful change. 

CORE 

The CORE Program for the Class of 2028 launched in October 2024 with students first hearing directly from every partnering CBO. From there, they were matched into CORE Teams and met one‑on‑one with their CBO partners to build rapport, deepen their understanding of local challenges, and co‑develop research questions tailored to each organization’s needs.  

Throughout, teams have advanced through successive phases of data collection, analysis, and community engagement, culminating in the presentation of their findings at the VCOM‑VDH Community Health Symposium. 

CORE Research Themes 

Inspired by the needs of our communities, CORE teams will advance research across seven priority areas: 

• Mental health, trauma, and addiction: Addressing barriers to recovery, reducing stigma, and advancing harm reduction strategies
• Maternal, newborn, and child health: Nurturing healthy beginnings for families through accessible care, education, and resources for a strong start in life
• Environmental health and infectious diseases: Protecting wellness at the nexus of people and planet
• Healthy aging and chronic diseases: Empowering individuals to live vibrant, healthy lives at every stage of aging
• Access to care and health system reform: Breaking down barriers to equitable, patient‑centered care
• Nutrition and food insecurity: Designing sustainable solutions that nourish individuals and communities
• Homelessness and housing insecurity: Highlighting the vital connection between safe, stable housing and improved health outcomes 

Each theme will be explored by 2-4 CORE Teams, who will examine economic, geographic, social, and cultural dimensions of the issue and evaluate the impact of current programs and policies. Throughout, partnering CBOs will sharpen each team’s research questions to ensure every study delivers real‑world, community‑driven impact. 

CORE Community Partnerships 

Partnerships with physicians and CBOs are integral to the success of VCOM students in the CORE Program. Each team benefits from a three-tiered mentorship structure: 

1. Academic – Guidance and expertise from VCOM faculty
2. Practical – Insight and real-world knowledge from partnering CBOs
3. Clinical – Perspective and experience from practicing physicians 

CBOs play a pivotal role by providing students with practical guidance and local expertise through: 

• Helping define and refine research questions, ensuring they are aligned with community needs
• Offering mentorship and support throughout the research process
• Providing volunteer opportunities to give students hands-on experience with local initiatives and challenges 

Similarly, participating physicians offer invaluable clinical mentorship by: 

• Sharing clinical perspectives on the research topics
• Providing real-world insights and approaches to healthcare practice
• Assisting with clinical data collection, when applicable, and potentially serving as the principal investigator for clinical research components 

This collaborative mentorship framework ensures that students gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand while making meaningful contributions to their communities.