Erin Ruppe, MPH¹, Dorothy Powell, EdD, RN, FAAN², and Catherine L. Gilliss, DNS, RN, FAAN¹. (1) School of Nursing, Yale University, 100 Church Street South, P.O. Box 9740, New Haven, CT 06535, (203) 737-2640, erin.ruppe@yale.edu, (2) Division of Nursing, Howard University, 501 Bryant Street, NW, Washington, DC 20059

Minorities are disproportionately affected by cancer, heart disease, and stroke when compared to the nation as a whole. Nursing research can play a pivotal role in the reduction and elimination of health disparities. Specifically, minority nurse scientists are uniquely positioned to develop culturally sensitive research approaches tailored to minority populations. There is however, an inadequate supply of minority nurses and an insufficient number of students in the pipeline aspiring to careers in nursing research. In response to the growing problem of health disparities and the small numbers of minority nurse researchers, a model of collaboration emerged between Howard University Division of Nursing and Yale University School of Nursing. What began as a summer program for Howard undergraduate nursing students has become a model of collaboration dedicated to increasing the number of minority nurse scientists and enhancing cultural sensitivity and scholarship at both institutions. The purpose of the Yale-Howard Partnership Center builds upon the existing collaboration and serves to (1) expand the cadre of nurse scientists involved in health disparities research, (2) increase the number of research projects aimed at eliminating health disparities; and (3) enhance the career development of potential nurse scientists. After four years of collaboration, minority undergraduate nursing students show an increased commitment to graduate education and nursing research. Faculties at both institutions exhibit enhanced competencies in research related to reducing disparities. The Yale-Howard Partnership Center represents a model of collaboration with potential to increase research capacity in health disparities and increase the numbers of minority nurse scientists.

Learning Objectives:

• Prioritize the national problem of health disparities.
• Recognize the important position of minority nurses in combating the problem of health disparities.
• Analyze the partnership model of collaboration between nursing programs at a HBCU (historically black college/university) and a long standing research intensive institution.
• Discuss the future implications for utilization of the partnership model to increase the number of minority nurse researchers and increase cultural competency in health disparities research.

Keywords: Health Disparities, Minority Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.