528 Midwest Translational Science (MTS): Building a regional CTSA community

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Our vision is to build community amongst the Midwest CTSAs, harnessing our collective expertise to collaborate on translational science challenges and meet the needs of our region. We aim to create opportunities to network, share ideas, brainstorm solutions, address translational science topics, and achieve a range of deliverables. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Three individuals from the Chicago CTSAs (NUCATs, CCTS, and ITM) had been networking for a year and desired to increase opportunities to collaborate amongst other CTSAs. We developed an initial vision for a new group that would extend across the region, and we invited the TIN POCs from 16 Midwest CTSAs to join. In September, 2022, the group was launched with 20 members from 12 CTSAs. We hosted 12 monthly meetings via Zoom to discuss various topics (i.e., staffing, career training, e-consent, research design, and recruitment tools) via round tables or presentations. We developed a Google Sites website with resources, a discussion forum, and a group calendar. We solicited feedback via survey and follow-up discussion (i.e., most valuable about the group and what can be improved). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: During the past year, our membership grew to more than 30 participants, representing 16 CTSAs in nine Midwest states (IL, IA, IN, MI, MN, MO, KT, OH, WI). We engaged a total of 45 individuals at our meetings, with an average of 11 participants per meeting. Our discussions were lively and stimulated additional conversations, requests for guidance, sharing resources, etc., beyond the meetings. Feedback from the group was overwhelmingly positive. Members found many aspects of the group to be valuable (i.e., learning initiatives, processes, and best practices at other CTSAs) and provided practical suggestions for improvement (i.e., themes across a quarter or year). Members expressed interest in additional collaborations such as subcommittees, papers, and other initiatives. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: We created a regional CTSA community that is very enthusiastic to convene, share innovations developed at their CTSA hubs, and assist one other. Future directions include an in-person retreat in the spring. Our approach can serve as a potential roadmap for developing regional CTSA collaborative groups across the nation.