NeuroCARES (Neurology Coalition for Advocacy, Resources, Education, and Support) is an organization within the UPMC Department of Neurology committed to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of our academic community, including faculty, residents, and trainees. We believe that a wide range of perspectives and experiences strengthens our ability to advance patient care, education, and research. Through collaboration and shared commitment, we strive to uphold excellence across all areas of neurology.
We aim to integrate the four foundational pillars of Education, Community Outreach, Faculty Growth/Retention, and Research into every aspect of our work, ensuring a meaningful and lasting impact on patients, healthcare providers, and the broader community.
1. Education
Education is a vital pillar, as it fosters awareness, critical thinking, and the skills needed to care for a variety of individuals and communities. In our department, this includes developing curricula and training programs that expose providers to a spectrum of perspectives and promote cultural competence. Educational initiatives can range from:
- Offering courses or workshops that build skills in empathy, communication, and patient-centered care
- Ensuring medical education materials, like case studies and research, reflect the varied backgrounds and experiences of the patients we serve
- Creating meaningful learning opportunities for faculty, residents, and trainees that emphasize the value of welcoming different viewpoints and lived experiences
Our goal is to create a learning environment where everyone feels supported, engaged, and well-prepared to serve the needs of all patients in the community.
2. Community Outreach
Community outreach focuses on extending the impact of neurology beyond institutional boundaries by engaging the broader community, fostering interest in neurological careers, and improving access to education and care. Key efforts may include:
- Collaborating with schools, community organizations, and healthcare institutions to promote awareness of neurology-related careers
- Providing mentorship and early exposure to neurology for high school, undergraduate, and medical students
- Participating in community events to provide educational resources to improve health literacy
Community outreach plays a vital role in building trust and raising awareness about neurological health. It empowers individuals from all backgrounds to explore careers in neurology while also equipping communities with the knowledge needed to make informed healthcare decisions. By fostering a more inclusive and educated healthcare landscape, outreach efforts help individuals take greater control of their neurological well-being.
3. Faculty Growth/Retention
The pillar of faculty growth and retention focuses on creating an environment where all faculty members feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow in their careers. This involves attracting talent from a broad range of backgrounds and ensuring that faculty have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive. Strategies include:
- Offering professional development programs that promote leadership, networking, and mentorship.
- Establishing structured and impartial systems to promote career advancement, tenure, and leadership roles.
- Removing barriers to retention by fostering a collegial, respectful, and supportive work environment.
- Implementing policies that support work-life balance, effective leadership, and flexibility in teaching approaches.
By focusing on growth and retention, this pillar aims to strengthen academic culture by broadening leadership representation, encouraging practices that support professional development, and fostering a stronger sense of connection among faculty members.
4. Research
Research is a cornerstone of academic progress and innovation. To drive meaningful impact, it must be representative of individuals from all backgrounds. It is crucial that a variety of populations are included in clinical trials and that studies address health disparities and the needs of communities whose health concerns have not been adequately explored. Key elements of research include:
- Bringing together researchers with different areas of expertise, while designing research questions that address the health needs of a wide range of populations.
- Prioritizing studies that examine health disparities and aim to identify solutions to reduce gaps in care.
- Promoting research practices that include participants from a wide range of backgrounds to better understand how social and environmental factors influence health outcomes.
- Providing mentorship, funding, and leadership opportunities to support researchers across all career stages and disciplines.
Research rooted in a broad range of perspectives and populations ensures scientific discoveries and medical advancements are more likely to benefit everyone, particularly those whose health needs have historically been underexplored.
Together, by embracing and advancing these pillars, we will foster a neurologic community that is innovative, collaborative, and dedicated to providing quality care to all members of the community.