BRIDGE SCHOLARS PROGRAM - BRIDGING DISEASE PREVENTION THROUGH NUTRITION FOCUSED EDUCATION IN COMMUNITY CLINICS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: ACTIVE
• Funding Source: AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1021699
• Grant No.: 2020-67037-30669
• Cumulative Award Amt.: $499,960.00
• Proposal No.: 2019-05108
• Project Start Date: May 1, 2020
• Project End Date: Jun 30, 2025
• Grant Year: 2020
• Program Code: [A7401]- Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
500 S LIMESTONE 109 KINKEAD HALL
LEXINGTON,KY 40526-0001

Performing Department
Dietetics and Human Nutrition

Non Technical Summary
Nutrition education is a cornerstone for the prevention of diet-related chronic diseases, making it critical that nutrition researchers and practitioners are adequately trained to improve the health of Kentuckians, who have someof the poorest statistics on diet-related diseases. It ranks 7th highest among the nation's states for type 2 diabetes, 3rd highest for high-school-aged youth obesity, and first in cancer-related deaths.This proposal seeks to prepare 45 undergraduate students through a 2-semester Bridge Scholars Program. The approach for experiential learning in this program focuses on providing disease prevention through nutrition-focused educationleveraging two existing networks, Cooperative Extension and UK Healthcare. This unique and appropriate interprofessional setting concurrently integrates initial patient care with health assessment and concepts relative to disease prevention. We propose an integrated project with three primary goals (1) to produce undergraduate students with superior research and extension skills capable of successfully matching to a internships, entry-level nutrition education positions and acceptance into graduate programs; (2) to expand experiential learning opportunities for students majoring in dietetics and human nutrition focused on overall wellness and chronic disease prevention by increasing critical thinking and problem solving skills; and (3) assess the acceptance and feasibility of providing science-based cooperative extension resources to patients in a nutrition- and disease prevention-focused community clinic.The program addresses the need for the development of higher education programming ofDeveloping Pathwaysbypreparing futurenutrition- and disease prevention-focusedhealth professionals. By preparing futurenutrition- and prevention-focusedprofessionals we can mitigate the worsening health disparities in Kentucky.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

0%

Applied

100%

Developmental

0%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
703	6099	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
703 - Nutrition Education and Behavior;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

disease prevention

experiential learning

nutrition

Goals / Objectives
Kentucky has some of the poorest statistics on diet-related diseases in the United States. It ranks 7th highest among the nation's states for Type 2 diabetes, 8th highest for adult obesity and 3rd highest for high-school-aged youth obesity; 2nd highest for smoking rates; and worst in cancer-related deaths. Fortunately, nutrition education is a cornerstone for the prevention of these diet-related chronic diseases, making it critical that nutrition researchers and practitioners in Kentucky are adequately trained to improve the health of the state's citizens.Two locations at which the proposed undergraduate research and extension will occur are the In University of Kentucky (UK) College of Dentistry's Diagnosis, Wellness and Prevention (DWP) Clinic and UK's Department of Pediatrics opened Clinica Amiga. The DWP clinic has a unique interprofessional setting, faculty and health-profession students integrate initial patient care with health assessment, oral diagnosis and medicine as well as wellness concepts, behavioral medicine, urgent dental care, nutrition and public health policy. In 2018, efforts to expand nutrition education and evaluation and to expand research and experiential learning led to the addition of a Nutrition and Dietetics faculty (Project Director) through a joint appointment in the clinic. In 2019, UK's Department of Pediatrics opened Clinica Amiga, a pediatric primary care clinic located at Kentucky Clinic South that serves the Hispanic/Latino community of Lexington. The Spanish-speaking team of Clinica Amiga, including PD, bridges challenges faced by patients by providing care that is informed by cultural sensitivity and understanding to address the health disparities that Hispanic community members face.For this REEU project the main fields of the research and/or extension are nutrition education and disease prevention. Each year, nine students will participate in a 32-week (2-semester) Bridge Scholars Program with one of seven mentors. The ratio of mentors to participants is six to nine. The project has three primary goals: (1) to produce undergraduate students with superior research and cooperative extension skills capable of successfully matching to dietetic internships, securing entry-level nutrition education positions such as those in cooperative extension, or being accepted into graduate programs; (2) to expand experiential learning opportunities for students majoring in dietetics and human nutrition focused on overall wellness and chronic disease prevention to increase leadership, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills; and (3) assess the acceptance and feasibility of providing science-based cooperative extension resources to patients in nutrition- and disease prevention-focused community clinics.The Bridge Scholars Program has four student-centered objectives that address the Education and Workforce Development Program area of Developing Pathways by promoting Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) in the AFRI Farm Bill Priority Area Food safety, nutrition and health. The target audience includes undergraduate students enrolled in dietetics and human nutrition-related courses in UK's College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. The project objectives include:Objective 1: Recruit 45 undergraduate students from the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at UK over the five-years of the project duration (9 per year) to gain applied experience by engaging in an interprofessional community clinic and completing an independent research and Cooperative Extension project.Objective 2: Enhance students' skills in the application of evidenced-based practices of primary prevention by applying health education materials developed by Cooperative Extension services in nutrition- and disease prevention-focused community clinics.Objective 3: Develop an experiential learning guide for applying health education materials developed by Cooperative Extension services in nutrition and disease prevention in community clinics.Objective 4: Increase the recruitment and retention of undergraduate students, especially underrepresented groups (first-generation, rural, and minority), through program activities in a learning community environment.

Project Methods
The project will use the evaluations from students, mentors and learning coordinator. Students will complete the same evaluation at both pretest and posttest. The pretest and posttest consisting of questions regarding students' transferable skills, career and career intentions for careers. These will also include an assessment of their students' knowledge regarding what they need to complete to apply to a dietetic internship to increase awareness and preparedness for these applications which have set deadlines each fall and spring semester. Students will also complete a midpoint evaluation and the learning coordinator will obtain formative feedback before meetings held from October to March to assess the mentoring experience and engagement in active learning activities. The final research papers and posters will serve as summative assessments and Dr. Plasencia will use the rubrics to assign scores. These quantitative and qualitative findings will be used during the project to ensure the fellows' success and to identify pitfalls.A quantitative Mentoring Review Survey will be used to elicit input from mentors at the midpoint and the end of the program. This survey will assess areas of professional development and progress on research projects. Additional formative questions will be developed to identify strategies for improving the program and integrating into Bridge Scholars Handbook in subsequent years. The Learning Coordinator will ensure that Bridge Scholars complete their assessments and Dr. Plasencia will ensure that the mentors complete their assessments by using Qualtrics platform and automating reminders for those who do not complete them. Additionally, Dr. Plasencia regularly interacts with mentors on existing collaborations or through departmental activities and thus can ensure the assessments are completed.To examine long-term success, Dr. Plasencia and the learning coordinator will track the scholars by asking them for permission to follow up with them and obtaining their personal email, one that does not expire. Follow-up surveys will be developed to identify if they matched to an internship, graduate program or professional school and which.Survey assessments will be analyzed using t-tests and ANOVA tests for changes pre- and post-program. We will leverage technologies such as Qualtrics and statistical analysis software to complete analyses of assessments. We will also leverage expertise from mentors in data analysis individual research projects by each Bridge Scholar.

Progress 05/01/23 to 04/30/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Our project serves the University of Kentucky undergraduate students pursuing majors in dietetics and human nutrition in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. For the third Bridge Scholars Program Cohort, there were 14 applicants, and 12 were selected to participate in the program for the 2021-2022 academic year. Bridge Scholars Cohort 3 included 22.8% self-reporting to be first-generation college students, 8% as Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity, and 83% as female gender identity. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Training Activities of Bridge Scholars included: Completed human subjects research training; Attended 12 one-on-one research mentoring meetings by clinical or faculty mentors Developed a nutrition education handout guided by a registered dietitian or clinical mentor Co-led a journal club discussion of a peer-reviewed article Attended learning community meetings that included four journal clubs and three poster presentation practice sessions related to their research project Professional development activities of Bridge Scholars included: Attended a professional conference, the 2023 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo Presented a poster at the 17th annual University of Kentucky Showcase for Undergraduate Scholars (10/12) Presented at the College of Dentistry Research Day held in conjunction with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science 18th Annual Spring Conference (1 Bridge Scholars) Attended three learning community meetings on preparing for graduate school, internships, and entry-level positions (panel included a dietetic intern, two dental students, two medical students, and a master's student); preparing a personal statement, and a resume Prepared a nutrition and health presentation for a Spanish-language support group How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The Bridge Scholars present research at two research forums. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the previous period, we changed two things that worked well. First, we expanded the opportunity for clinical shadowing by reducing time in the learning community meeting, and second, we incorporated "student hours" to provide more one-on-one professional development and transferable skills application opportunities. We will continue to explore better ways to integrate meaningful Cooperative Extension experiences for all Bridge Scholars. This is an area for improvement.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: From 2020-2024, 34 of 45 (75%) program participants were recruited, and 32 completed all components of the Bridge Scholars Program. Objective 2: Mentor Evaluation of Bridge Scholars The following are the changes in average scores for the Transferable Skills and Research Project Evaluations completed by mentors for each of the 32 scholars at the mid-point and the end of the program. The mean score of the 15-item Transferable Skills Evaluation increased from 2.70 at the beginning of the program to 3.55 at the end on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). The mean score of the 6-item Research Project Evaluation increased from to 2.30 at the beginning go of the program to 3.51 at the end on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). Bridge Scholars Self-Evaluations The following are the changes in average scores for the Transferable Skills and Health Equity Evaluations completed by 32 Bridge Scholars three times before the program start, mid-point, and end. The mean score of the 15-item Transferable Skills Evaluation increased from 4.38 to 4.72 from start to end of the program (based on Likert Ratings: 1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). The mean score of the 8-item Health Equity Evaluation increased from 3.83 to 4.41 on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree). Objective 3: Students created 10 health education handouts for use in the community clinics. Objective 4: Bridge Scholars Cohort 3 included 8% Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity and 83% female gender identity.

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Sophia Wildermuth, Angela Grubbs, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Nasreen Omran, MS, RD, Marcia Rojas Ramirez, DDS, MS, MPH. Exploring the Relationship Between the Prevalence of Diet-Related Chronic Health Conditions and Oral Health Status in Central Kentuckians. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Mackenzie Starnes, Angie Grubbs, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Julie Plasencia, PHD, RDN, Marcia Rojas-Ramirez, DDS, MS, MPH, Nasreen Omran MS, RD, LD. Assessing Nutrition Curriculum in Small and Large U.S. Dental Institutions. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Claudia Sosa, Jesse Cleary-Budge, Janeth Ceballos-Osorio, Julie Plasencia, Nasreen Omran, Ana Maria Linares. Disparities in Social Determinants of Health and Its Impact on Choice to Breastfeed Among Hispanic Women. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Michaela Pate, Dr. Julie Plasencia, PhD, RDN; Nasreen Omran, MS, RDN, LD; Hannah Kho. Content Analysis of Events of Learning in CASEY Health Lessons. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Tyler Makosy, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD. Exploring the Confidence of Cooperative Extension Agents In Delivering Sports Nutrition Education to Adolescents in Kentucky. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Hannah Kho, Michaela Pate, Dr. Julie Plasencia, PhD, RDN, Nareen Omran, MS, RDN, LD. Analyzing Evaluation Instruments for a Youth Health Program. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Caroline Galbraith, Julie Plasencia PhD, RDN, LD, Angela Grubbs DNP, APRN, Nasreen Omran MS, RD, LD, and Marcia Rojas Ramirez DDS, MS, MPH. Integration of Nutrition Concepts in a U.S. Dental Institution: A Comparison of Geographic Regions. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Annika Francke, Heather Norman-Burgdolf, PhD. Identifying Needed Support & Resources for Extension Agents Providing Adolescent Sports Nutrition Education. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Jesse Cleary-Budge MA BBA, Claudia Sosa, Julie Plasencia PhD RDN. Cultural practices among immigrant Hispanic mothers in Kentucky and their influence on breastfeeding. Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars, Office of Undergraduate Research, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 24, 2024).
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Sophia Wildermuth, Angela Grubbs, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Nasreen Omran, MS, RD, Marcia Rojas Ramirez, DDS, MS, MPH. Exploring the Relationship Between the Prevalence of Diet-Related Chronic Health Conditions and Oral Health Status in Central Kentuckians. 19th Annual Center for Clinical and Translational Science Spring Conference, Dissemination and Implementation Across the Translational Spectrum. University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. (April 9, 2024).

Progress 05/01/22 to 04/30/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Our project serves the University of Kentucky (UK) undergraduate students pursuing dietetics and human nutrition majors in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. For the first Bridge Scholars Program Cohort, there were 18 applicants, and 12 were selected to participate in the program for the 2022-2023 academic year. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training Activities of Bridge Scholars included: Completed human subjects research training; Attended 12 one-on-one research mentoring meetings by clinical or faculty mentors Developed a nutrition education handout guided by a registered dietitian Co-led a journal club discussion of a peer-reviewed article Attended learning community meetings that included four journal clubs and three poster presentation practice sessions related to their research project Professional development activities of Bridge Scholars included: Attended a professional conference, the 2023 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo Presented a poster at the 17th annual University of Kentucky Showcase for Undergraduate Scholars (all) Presented at the College of Dentistry Research Day held in conjunction with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science 18th Annual Spring Conference (3 Bridge Scholars) Attended three learning community meetings on preparing for graduate school, internships, and entry-level positions (panel included a dietetic intern, two dental students, two medical students, and a master's student); preparing a personal statement, and a resume; and a social media research dissemination workshop Prepared a nutrition and health presentation for a Spanish-language support group How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Bridge Scholars present their research at two research forums. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will repeat the same activities from YR3 with some modifications. The first modification is to expand the opportunity for clinical shadowing by reducing time in the learning community meeting. We will incorporate "student hours" to provide more one-on-one professional development and transferable skills. Additionally, we have invited an extension specialist to provide training for students on creating nutrition education that includes promoting cooperative extension in the community clinics.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: From 2020-2023, 22 of 45 (49%) program participants were recruited, and 20 completed all components of the Bridge Scholars Program. Objective 2: Mentor Evaluation of Bridge Scholars The following are the changes in average scores for the Transferable Skills and Research Project Evaluations completed by mentors for each of the 22 scholars at the mid-point and the end of the program. The mean score of the 15-item Transferable Skills Evaluation increased from 2.57 at the beginning of the program to 3.38 at the end on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). The mean score of the 6-item Research Project Evaluation increased from to 2.14 at the beginning go of the program to 3.27 at the end on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). Bridge Scholars Self-Evaluations The following are the changes in average scores for the Transferable Skills and Health Equity Evaluations completed by 22 Bridge Scholars three times before the program's start, mid-point, and end. The mean score of the 15-item Transferable Skills Evaluation increased from 4.32 to 5.58 from start to end of the program (based on Likert Ratings: 1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). The mean score of the 8-item Health Equity Evaluation increased from 3.92 to 4.51 on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree). Objective 3: Students created 12 health education handouts for use in the community clinics. Objective 4: Bridge Scholars Cohort 2 included 24% self-reporting to be first-generation college students, 14% as Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity, 10% as African American ethnicity, 10% as Asian/Asian Indian ethnicity, and 95% as female gender identity.

Publications

Progress 05/01/21 to 04/30/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Our project serves the University of Kentucky (UK) undergraduate students pursuing majors in dietetics and human nutrition in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. For the first Bridge Scholars Program Cohort, there were 20 applicants, and ten were selected to participate in the program for the 2021-2022 academic year. Efforts: Below is a list of activities accomplished to achieve program objectives. Objective 1: Recruit 45 undergraduate students from the Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition at the UK over the five years of the project duration (9 per year) to gain applied experience by engaging in an interprofessional community clinic and completing independent research and Cooperative Extension project. All ten Bridge Scholars selected for the program completed the program requirements in 2021-2022. The following required activities were completed by the Bridge Scholars: 100% Developed nine health lessons for an elementary-aged youth; 90% Led a journal club discussion; 90% Attended a professional conference, the 2023 Annual Nutrition Conference & Expo of the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in Covington, KY; 100% Designed and implemented a research project with a clinician or faculty mentor that resulted in a Research Project Abstract, Paper, and Poster Presentation; 100% presented a poster at the 16th annual University of Kentucky Showcase for Undergraduate Scholars; and 40% presented a poster at the College of Dentistry Research Day held in conjunction with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science 17th Annual Spring Conference (A Bridge Scholar was awarded Second Place for a Research Poster Presentation through the College of Dentistry). Objective 2: Enhance students' skills in the application of evidenced-based practices of primary prevention by applying health education materials developed by Cooperative Extension services in nutrition- and disease-prevention-focused community clinics. Due to university guidelines related to COVID-19, Bridge Scholar could not implement nutrition- and disease-prevention-focused education with patients in community clinics. However, each Bridge Scholar developed nine brief health lessons using evidence-based information from peer-reviewed journals. These lessons were reviewed by clinicians and faculty mentors. Objective 3: Develop an experiential learning guide for applying health education materials developed by Cooperative Extension services in nutrition and disease prevention in community clinics. In progress. Objective 4: Increase the recruitment and retention of undergraduate students, especially underrepresented groups (first-generation, rural, and minority), through program activities in a learning community environment. Bridge Scholars Cohort 1 included 30% self-reporting to be first-generation college students, 20% as Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity, 10% as African American ethnicity, and 100% as female gender identity. Changes/Problems:In YR2 of the program, we implemented all the Bridge Scholar Program components, except the clinical shadowing. University guidance will allow for implementing this component in YR3, and we will seek additional collaborations across community clinics at the university for shadowing. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training Activities of Bridge Scholars included: human subjects research training; one-on-one research mentoring for each student by clinical or faculty mentors by meeting with each mentor 12 times throughout the program; one professional conference related to nutrition and dietetics; each student developed nine health lessons for a general audience guided by a registered dietitian; co-led a journal club discussion; one professional panel session, "Preparing for Professional School Panel," included five professional and graduate school students: a dietetic Intern, a dental student, a medical student, a physician assistant student, a doctoral student, and a master's student; and attended learning community meetings that included three journal clubs and three poster presentation practice sessions related to research. Professional development activities of Bridge Scholars included: attended a professional conference, the 2023 Annual Nutrition Conference & Expo of the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; presented a poster at the 16th annual University of Kentucky Showcase for Undergraduate Scholars and the College of Dentistry Research Day held in conjunction with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science 17th Annual Spring Conference; and attended two learning community meetings that included topics on preparing for graduate school, internships, and entry-level positions by preparing a personal statement, and a resume How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Bridge Scholars presented their research at two forums. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next reporting period, we will be able to begin clinical shadowing, a key component of the program that was restricted due to the COVID-19 guidance of the university. We will also repeat the same activities from YR2. Additionally, due to interest from other community clinics, we will add one more clinical shadowing site and an additional faculty/clinician mentor, thereby increasing the diversity of experiences for students and opportunities to expand cooperative extension services.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: In 2021-2022, 10 of 45 (22%) of program participants were recruited and completed the Bridge Scholars Program. Objective 2: Mentor Evaluation of Bridge Scholars The following are the changes in average scores for the Transferable Skills and Research Project Evaluations completed by mentors for ten students twice, at the mid-point and the end of the program. The mean score of the 14-item Transferable Skills Evaluation increased from 2.84 to 3.56, an average of 0.73 on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). The mean score of the 6-item Research Project Evaluation increased from 3.75 to 1.67, an average of 2.08 points on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). Bridge Scholars Self-Evaluations The following are the changes in average scores for the Transferable Skills and Health Equity Evaluations completed by ten Bridge Scholars three times before the program's start, mid-point, and end. The mean score of the 14-item Transferable Skills Evaluation increased from 4.32 to 4.74 from start to end of program, an average of 0.43 on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = poor, 2 = below average, 3 = average, 4 = above average to 5 = exceptional). The mean score of the 8-item Health Equity Evaluation increased from 3.93 to 4.44, an average of 0.51 points on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree). Objective 3: Due to not being able to shadow in clinics, students prepared evidence-based education materials only and did not apply health education practices in the community clinics as a result of COVID-19 restrictions in clinical sites. Objective 4: Bridge Scholars Cohort 1 included 30% self-reporting to be first-generation college students, 20% as Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity, 10% as African American ethnicity, 100% as female gender identity, and 20% from rural communities.

Publications

Progress 05/01/20 to 04/30/21

Outputs
Target Audience:30 Undergraduates Reported Interested in Applying to the Bridge Scholars Program. This data was collected using an online survey. Changes/Problems:Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we were unable to begin the Bridge Scholars Program. The project director and the co-investigators met and have communicated via email throughout the prior year to assess the feasibility of initiating the program, review language for the Bridge Scholars Website which was under design, discuss budget changes, and hiring of Learning Coordinator. The team changed the date of recruitment for the first Bridge Scholars Program cohort to begin in the Fall of 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To accomplish the goals, we have increased the number of students that will be part of the program annually. Instead of recruiting 9 students per year, we will be recruiting 10 in the next reporting period. We will use the same recruitment methods we used to generate interest. We had 30 students reporting interest in applying to the program at the end of 2019. Additionally, we will be attending 6 recruitment events per year to generate interest in the program. We have hired a registered dietitian with teaching experience to ensure scholars meet the Bridge Scholars Program's pedagogical objectives. We have begun developing a website to disseminate findings from the program and share updates with prospective Scholars.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several challenges arose that prevented the project from starting. First, the University of Kentucky allowed students to attend virtual courses and a lower number of students were available for recruitment. Second, clinical sites did not allow student shadowing due to COVID-19 safety precautions and lack of personal protective equipment for clinical personnel.

Publications