The Northwest Health Education Research Outcomes Network (NW HERON), a practice-based research and educational network, was built to enhance the health and health care of residents of Washington and the region, specifically those living in rural, tribal, and urban medically underserved areas. The organization is a transdisciplinary partnership of Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, the Institute for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, the Health Equity Research Center and primary care clinics in Washington state and the surrounding region.
NW HERON has the unique opportunity to solve pressing health problems, improve the quality of clinical care, and address the research priorities of primary care sites to ultimately, positively impact the health of Washingtonians and others for years to come.
Initial NW HERON efforts focus on recruiting clinical practices serving medically underserved communities with experience in delivering health care services to populations that experience health disparities. By joining the NW HERON network, you can connect with other health care leaders, clinics, and WSU faculty to address pressing health issues in your community. Your clinic can engage in research and educational opportunities at a level that meets your needs and priorities.
NW HERON’s mission is to enhance the health and health care of residents of our state and region, specifically those living in rural, tribal, and urban medically underserved areas.
Goals
- Create a practice-based research network explicitly focused on rural, tribal, and urban underserved communities
- Engage practices as training sites for Washington State University students in health and other professions
- Enhance quality of health care to achieve health equity and reduce health disparities
- Link providers with each other and with Washington State University faculty
- Offer research opportunities to Washington State University faculty and students
