Generating Research Opportunities Working Together (GROW) Puerto Rico Network

The Generating Research Opportunities Working Together (GROW) Puerto Rico Network is Puerto Rico’s first Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN), established in 2022 to facilitate meaningful collaborations among researchers, healthcare providers, public health professionals, community organizations, and other partners.

1. Build meaningful partnerships among GROW members, healthcare providers, patients, and communities to foster engagement, knowledge sharing, and trust.
2. Foster a collaborative research culture by providing tailored training and opportunities that help members develop the skills and connections needed to participate in research.
3. Support the development, implementation, and sharing of collaborative research that addresses important health needs and benefits our communities

Through the GROW PR Network, we create opportunities for collaboration, training, and research that help translate scientific discoveries and evidence-based interventions into actionable solutions that address the needs of the communities we serve.

Membership in the GROW PR Network is free and open to primary care centers, healthcare institutions, community organizations, public health entities, professional associations, and academic institutions across Puerto Rico and the United States. To access our island-wide GROW PR Network, partners must formalize their participation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or collaborative agreement. This structured partnership directly supports our shared goal of advancing healthcare services and improving population outcomes.

If you are interested in joining this Network, please contact us at growprnetwork.rcm@upr.edu.

Membership in the GROW PR Network is free and open to primary care centers, healthcare institutions, community and public health organizations, professional associations, and academic institutions across Puerto Rico and the United States.

Partners join the Network through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or collaborative agreement, working together to strengthen research, advance healthcare, and improve population health outcomes.

Guiding the future of the Network, the GROW Advisory Group helps ensure that the Network’s research activities align with its mission of translating scientific discoveries into tangible benefits for communities.

Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist PryMed Medical, Inc.

With over 30 years of experience in clinical and community nutrition in Puerto Rico, her work has included leading programs for vulnerable populations and integrating program development, quality improvement, health education, and research collaborations at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus.

Professor of Pediatrics Ponce Health Sciences University

A recognized academic and administrative leader, she has advanced pediatric research and education in Puerto Rico through her leadership in graduate medical education, groundbreaking arboviral disease research, and mentorship of future healthcare professionals.

Chief Executive Officer NeoMed Center, Inc.

With over two decades of experience serving populations in Puerto Rico, she is the Chief Executive Officer of NeoMed Center, Inc. and has held leadership roles with the Puerto Rico Primary Care Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives–Puerto Rico Chapter, advancing equitable access to high-quality healthcare through organizational and workforce development.

Achieving Innovative Research Club (AIRe Club)

Format: Bi-monthly virtual and in-person meetings

Purpose: Disseminate research opportunities and engage GROW members in the research process

Activities: Share information about member organizations and areas of interest, develop collaborative research ideas and projects, explore opportunities to participate in existing research initiatives, and identify available funding and training opportunities

Eligibility: GROW PR Network members

GROW Learning Together (LT)GROW Learning Together (LT)

Format: Bi-monthly virtual training sessions

Purpose: Build research capacity by providing GROW members with training in clinical and translational research tailored to their needs and interests

Topics: Collaborative research, developing research questions and studies, literature searching, research ethics and informed consent, research design and methods, data analysis, and other member-driven topics

Eligibility: GROW PR Network members

Health Innovation Project (HIP)

Purpose: Engage GROW members in data science research through the integration of real-world clinical data from healthcare centers in Puerto Rico and the United States.

Focus: Evaluate multidisciplinary care models for chronic disease management and build research infrastructure to support future community- and practice-driven studies.

Eligibility: GROW PR Network members interested in collaborative research.

Internship Program

Purpose: Connect professional trainees from the GROW PR Network with faculty from Alliance institutions to participate in collaborative research teams.

Focus: Promote multisectoral collaboration, strengthen research skills and capacity, and foster team science.

How Can GROW Support Your Research?

The GROW PR Network can help connect members with resources and expertise to support collaborative research efforts.

Support may include:

• Identifying academic, clinical, community, and organizational collaborators
• Obtaining letters of support
• Developing participant recruitment strategies
• Developing and implementing collaborative research projects
• Data collection and analysis
• Scientific writing and editing
• Co-designing products for research dissemination

Other research-related needs

This section could highlight the impact of the GROW PR Network through:

• Collaborative research projects
• Publications
• Research funding and awards
• New partnerships
• Member accomplishments
• Training and career development
• Community impact

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Co-Director
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