Improving diversity in the VA workforce to enhance healthcare for Veterans
Official title: Providence 650 Summer Research Program
Funded at Providence VA Medical Center · NIH-11052163 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping more diverse people, including Veterans and those with disabilities, get involved in research and education so they can create better healthcare solutions for Veterans facing various challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Providence VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 1I01BX006971-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11052163 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Veterans and individuals from historically underrepresented groups seeking educational and research opportunities in healthcare.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Veterans or do not belong to historically underrepresented groups may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on increasing diversity within the VA workforce to better serve Veterans, who face complex biopsychosocial challenges. The program aims to provide educational and research opportunities for individuals from historically underrepresented groups, including Veterans and those living with disabilities. Through a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program, participants receive individualized mentorship and training based on the Zone of Proximal Development theory, which emphasizes tailored support and skill development. The goal is to cultivate a diverse scientific workforce that can bring innovative solutions to improve healthcare outcomes for Veterans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more diverse VA workforce, resulting in improved healthcare services and outcomes for Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that increasing diversity in healthcare settings can lead to better patient outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Providence VA Medical Center
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mills, Whitney L — Providence VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Mills, Whitney L
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.