National Institutes of Health StrokeNet Training Core

Farhaan S Vahidy; Cemal B Sozener; Jennifer R Meeks; Pratik Y Chhatbar; Ciro Ramos-Estebanez; Maranatha Ayodele; Rebekah J Richards; Richa Sharma; Stephanie M Wilbrand; Shyam Prabhakaran; Barbara S Bregman; Harold P Adams Jr; Lori C Jordan; David S Liebeskind; David Tirschwell; L Scott Janis; Randolph S Marshall; Dawn Kleindorfer

doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.027946

National Institutes of Health StrokeNet Training Core

Stroke. 2020 Jan;51(1):347-352. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.119.027946. Epub 2019 Dec 4.

Authors

Farhaan S Vahidy¹, Cemal B Sozener², Jennifer R Meeks¹, Pratik Y Chhatbar³, Ciro Ramos-Estebanez⁴, Maranatha Ayodele⁵, Rebekah J Richards⁶, Richa Sharma⁷, Stephanie M Wilbrand⁸, Shyam Prabhakaran⁹, Barbara S Bregman¹⁰, Harold P Adams Jr¹¹, Lori C Jordan¹², David S Liebeskind¹³, David Tirschwell¹⁴, L Scott Janis¹⁵, Randolph S Marshall¹⁶, Dawn Kleindorfer¹⁷

Affiliations

¹ From the Department of Neurology, Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (F.S.V., J.R.M.).
² Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor (C.B.S.).
³ Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (P.Y.C.).
⁴ Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (C.R.-E.).
⁵ Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA (M.A.).
⁶ Department of Emergency Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus (R.J.R.).
⁷ Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (R.S.).
⁸ Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison (S.M.W.).
⁹ Department of Neurology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, IL (S.P.).
¹⁰ Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC (B.S.B.).
¹¹ Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine (H.P.A.).
¹² Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN (L.C.J.).
¹³ Neurovascular Imaging Research Core and UCLA Stroke Center, University of California, Los Angeles (D.S.L.).
¹⁴ Harborview Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle (D.T.).
¹⁵ Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, National Institutes of Health (L.S.J.).
¹⁶ Department of Neurology, New York Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY (R.S.M.).
¹⁷ Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH (D.K.).

Abstract

Background and Purpose- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) StrokeNet provides a nationwide infrastructure to advance stroke research. Capitalizing on this unique opportunity, the NIH StrokeNet Training Core (NSTC) was established with the overarching goal of enhancing the professional development of a diverse spectrum of professionals who are embedded in the stroke clinical trials network of the NIH StrokeNet. Methods- This special report provides a descriptive account of the rationale, organization, and activities of the NSTC since its inception in 2013. Current processes and their evolution over time for facilitating training of NIH StrokeNet trainees have been highlighted. Data collected for monitoring training are summarized. Outcomes data (publications and grants) collected by NSTC was supplemented by publicly available resources. Results- The NSTC comprises of cross-network faculty, trainees, and education coordinators. It helps in the development and monitoring of training programs and organizes educational and career development activities. Trainees are provided directed guidance towards their mandated research projects, including opportunities to present at the International Stroke Conference. The committee has focused on developing sustainable models of peer-to-peer interaction and cross-institutional mentorships. A total of 124 professionals (43.7% female, 10.5% underrepresented minorities) have completed training between 2013 and 2018, of whom 55% were clinical vascular neurologists. Of the total, 85% transitioned to a formal academic position and 95% were involved in stroke research post-training. Altogether, 1659 indexed publications have been authored or co-authored by NIH StrokeNet Trainees, of which 58% were published during or after their training years. Based on data from 109 trainees, 33% had submitted 72 grant proposals as principal or co-principal investigators of which 22.2% proposals have been funded. Conclusions- NSTC has provided a foundation to foster nationwide training in stroke research. Our data demonstrate strong contribution of trainees towards academic scholarship. Continued innovation in educational methodologies is required to adapt to unique training opportunities such as the NIH StrokeNet.

Keywords: National Institutes of Health; education; neurologists; organizations; stroke.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Biomedical Research / economics
Biomedical Research / education*
Fellowships and Scholarships*
Financing, Organized*
Humans
Mentors*
National Institutes of Health (U.S.)*
Stroke*
United States

Grants and funding

U01 NS086872/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States