About Us
The Heredity Project is a genetic health literacy program to enable responsible and effective use of genomic medicine for the purpose of health promotion. Community-based approaches are used to develop educational resources that address the needs and interests of our stakeholders and do so at an appropriate learning level. Across different health topics, a central theme is to enable a better understanding of the nature and distribution of genetic variation as it pertains to health and disease. Evaluation is an integral part of the project, using multiple strategies for the development and dissemination of reliable and effective resources.
The Heredity Project is one part of a larger project, Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy, based at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The project reaches out to the Memphis community to bring science learning and knowledge to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Current activities of Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy include:
- The Heredity Project - Using a strategy that combines the personal approach of small group sessions with the high-tech approach of a wireless audience response system, project leaders work directly with community groups to tailor educational materials to the needs of the community. Use of a wireless audience response system (“clickers”) keeps the information anonymous.
- Problem-Based Learning - Using methods pioneered by the Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning (CERTL) at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the project is bringing authentic Problem-Based Learning to the Memphis City School System.
- Community Outreach - Through community partnerships, including the Pink Palace Museum and HUD Neighborhood Networks, program resources are made available to the public.
Leadership and Staff
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Vicki M Park, PhD Co-Investigator, Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy
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Margaret W DeBon, PhD Principal Investigator, Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy |
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Stacy Hines-Dowell, DNP, FNP-BC, APN Collaborator, Heredity Project and Connecting the Dots |
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Robert G Shreve, EdD Co-Investigator, Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy
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Fridtjof Thomas, PhD Co-Investigator, Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy |
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TaJuana Redmond, MEd |
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Simpfronia Taylor, MEd |
Support for the Heredity Project
In addition to institutional support from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the following agencies have supported development of the Heredity Project.
LeBonheur Children’s Hospital
The Children’s Foundation Research Center at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital supports meritorious research to improve pediatric medicine and to promote career development. An award to Dr. Hines-Dowell provided funding for “Connecting the Dots”, a project to develop educational resources for nursing staff addressing the latest developments in newborn screening.
Genetic Alliance, Community Centered Family Health History
As part of a large partnership initiative, the Heredity Project received an award to create a model project using the customizable version of the “Does It Run in the Family?” family health history toolkit. This work was funded by an award to the Genetic Alliance (U33MC06836) from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration.
The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)
The DPP was a large clinical research study supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The DPP found that people at risk for type 2 diabetes could reduce their risk through lifestyle changes. The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is one of many sites that has participated in the study since its inception and has continued to follow the health status of study participants. Through an ancillary study, the Heredity Project was able to partner with study participants in order to tailor our educational message to our intended audiences.
SEPA (Science Education Partnership Award)
Primary funding comes from a SEPA award, Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy (R25RR022732), which promotes health science literacy in the Memphis area. SEPA funds grants for innovative educational programs and is supported by the National Center for Research Resources, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Our Projects & Partners
Community Centered Family Health History
Through funding from the Genetic Alliance and in partnership with Curves-Midtown, we created customized versions of the family health history booklets, “Does It Run in the Family? 2008-2009
Memphis City Schools
As part of Building Bridges to Health Science Literacy, the Heredity Project brings a health perspective to what students learn about the principles of genetics. 2008-2009
Diggs-Kraus Sickle Cell & Social Services Foundation
As part of our community outreach, we participate in events sponsored by the Diggs-Kraus Foundation. 2009
Pink Palace Museum
In conjunction with a special exhibit about Gregor Mendel, we expanded our partnership with the Memphis Pink Palace Museum. 2008
