Community Outreach Director Receives Award for Exceptional Contributions in Community Health Equity Through Cardiometabolic Research

Alex Solano-Umana, Director of Community Outreach at the Lourie Center, was recognized with the 2024 Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Exceptional Community Partner in Research Award for her outstanding contributions to the Mid-Atlantic Center for Cardiometabolic Health Equity (MACCHE) Healthy for Two (H42) study. Solano-Umana played a critical role as the liaison between the H42 study and the Lourie Center’s home visiting program, recruiting participants and actively engaging in community-based research.

Solano-Umana’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing a meaningful relationship between The Lourie Center and H42. As co-chair of the H42 coordinating council and a co-author on the H42 protocol paper, she has made significant contributions to the study. Kelly Bower PHD, MSN/MPH, BS, RN, a co-Principle Investigator for H42, nominated Solano-Umana for the award and highlighted her pivotal role in shaping the intervention design and recruitment strategies of the study.

In March 2023, Solano-Umana participated as a panelist on the community partnerships panel at the launch of MACCHE. She shared insights on sustainability and success in community-based research while emphasizing collaboration and continuous feedback to achieve positive outcomes. During her presentation, she encouraged researchers to allow for mistakes, provide time for learning, address questions, and welcome feedback.

Thanks to Solano-Umana’s leadership and dedication to community-based research, The Lourie Center’s partnership with H42 has thrived. This well-deserved recognition honors Alex Solano-Umana for her exceptional contributions to community health equity objectives.

As director of community outreach at The Lourie Center in Philadelphia PA., Alex solano Umana is well known throughout mid Atlantic region as an expert on health equity issues that affect communities disproportionately impacted by poverty and social determinants of health disparities. Under her leadership ,The lourie center has been able to establish strong collaborations with various partners across different sectors including government agencies , non profits organizations , hospitals , universities ,and other stakeholders . Her expertise in creating effective partnerships has helped bridge gaps between different stakeholders groups that were previously not working together effectively.

Solano Umanas work with MACCHE’s Healthy For Two (H42) study is one such example where her skills have been put into practice. As director of community outreach at lourie center ,solanou mana serves as a liaison between h42 study and louries home visiting program . Through this role she plays an essential part in recruiting participants actively engaging in community based research . She also serves as co chair of h42 coordinating council which is an important milestone towards achieving our shared goals.

In addition ,solanou manas contribution to h42 protocol paper will be recognized as a significant contribution towards achieving our goals . Kelly Bower PhD MSN/MPH BS RN A co principal investigator for h42 nominated solanou mana for this award acknowledging her pivotal role shaping intervention design recruitment strategies.

Furthermore solanou manas expertise is evident through her participation at march 2019 launch event where she shared insights on sustainability successes achieved through partnership building
In this session she emphasized collaboration continuous feedback which are critical components towards achieving positive outcomes.

Overall this recognition highlights how valuable solanou manas contributions are towards advancing health equity objectives through community based research