Welcome

David L. Wood, M.D., M.P.H.
Medical Director


Lori A. Bilello, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.H.S.
Associate Director

The Center for Health Equity and Quality Research (CHEQR) is an important research resource for UF&Shands Jacksonville. The mission of CHEQR is to conduct applied research on clinical care and health disparities among populations served by UF&Shands in Jacksonville. CHEQR is built on the principles of 1) optimal health for all individuals and the elimination of health disparities and 2) Promoting change through quality research and education.

CHEQR core faculty include multiple M.D.s, Ph.D.s and masters trained staff with training in epidemiology, biostatistics, health education and evaluation research, health services and outcomes research and mental health services research. CHEQR faculty and staff are expert in the use of a wide range of research methods including community evaluation research, community-based participatory research, quality of care and outcomes research, clinical trials and translational research. A primary goal of CHEQR is to build the research infrastructure and capacity of UF&Shands in Jacksonville by:

• Providing research design and analysis consultation services to faculty, residents and fellows including help with Institutional Review Board (IRB) preparation and submission, development of protocols, grant development, data collection, data analysis and report generation.
• Assisting UF faculty in the development of research teams through collaborations with investigators from UF Gainesville and other institutions.
• Providing education to faculty, residents and fellows on biostatistics, research design and epidemiology through annual lecture series and on-line courses.
• Providng mentoring on research and project management support for fellows to help develop the next generation of faculty at UF&Shands Jacksonville

CHEQR has successfully competed for grants and contracts to expand its capacity in the three years it has been in existence. We currently collaborate with multiple departments, including surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics and emergency medicine, in addition to the college of pharmacy, college of nursing and others, on research projects by faculty, fellows and residents. This website gives an overview of our accomplishments.

David L. Wood, M.D., M.P.H.
Medical Director, Center for Health Equity and Quality Research; Program Director, COM International Medical Education Programs; Medical Director, Jacksonville Health and Transition Services

Lori A. Bilello, Ph.D., M.B.A., M.H.S.
Associate Director, Center for Health Equity and Quality Research