ATSU professor receives research grant to develop better solutions for TBIs
Posted: January 8, 2018
James Michael Menke, PhD, associate director of the Still Research Institute at A.T. Still University (ATSU), recently received a Tier-A Pipeline to Proposal award of $49,999 from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Tier-A awards provide seed money to develop capacity, partnerships, and infrastructure for patient-centered healthcare research ideas. The funding will support Dr. Menke’s research on traumatic brain injury (TBI), including patient needs, resources, and best treatment options for all patients, including veterans.
Dr. Menke’s work will address patient values and personal goals for recovery, filling gaps in what is currently known about TBI diagnoses and psychological care. Through his research, he hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of combat veterans, among others who suffer from TBIs, developing solutions tailored to the unique needs of each population.
“The grant opens new and important opportunities to demonstrate ATSU’s core mission in whole person healthcare and better serve combat veterans,” says Dr. Menke. “Patient-centered care is achieved through understanding patient values, as well as caregiver needs and community support resources. By adopting an individualized approach to care, rather than a one-size-fits-all diagnosis and treatment protocol, we should get much better outcomes, while reducing unnecessary medical costs and side effects. Patient-centered care is the next step in healthcare research, and ATSU can and should take a leadership role in this arena.”
Tamara Valovich McLeod, PhD, ATC, FNATA, ATSU’s director of athletic training programs and national expert on sports-related concussion, is co-principle investigator. Gene Van Den Bosch, MPA, MA, development specialist in Sponsored Programs, facilitated the proposal submission process.