Alex Solano-Umana was recognized with the 2024 Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Exceptional Community Partner in Research Award for her valuable contributions to the Mid-Atlantic Center for Cardiometabolic Health Equity (MACCHE) Healthy for Two (H42) study during a ceremony on May 9. Serving as the Director of Community Outreach at the Lourie Center, Solano-Umana plays a crucial role as the liaison between the H42 study and the Lourie Center’s home visiting program. In this capacity, she recruits participants and actively engages in the community-based research of the H42 study. Additionally, she serves as the co-chair of the H42 coordinating council and will be recognized as a co-author on the H42 protocol paper for her 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 emphasized her pivotal role in shaping the intervention design and recruitment strategies of the study. She highlighted the meaningful relationship that has been established between The Lourie Center and H42 under Solano-Umana’s leadership, emphasizing her involvement in the coordinating council, invitations for research staff to visit the center, and participation in the CHE Community Advisory Board.
In March 2023, Solano-Umana participated as a panelist on the community partnerships panel at the launch of MACCHE, where she shared insights on sustainability and success in community-based research. She stressed the importance of collaboration and continuous feedback in achieving positive outcomes. During the panel discussion, she encouraged researchers to allow for mistakes, provide time for learning, address questions, and welcome feedback.
Thanks to Solano-Umana’s leadership, the partnership between the Lourie Center and H42 has thrived, creating a culture of commitment and cooperation toward shared health equity objectives. This well-deserved recognition honors Alex Solano-Umana for her exceptional contributions to the field of community-based research.