Laurene M. Tumiel Berhalter PhD
Laurene M. Tumiel Berhalter
PhD
Professional Summary:
My research is focused on patients with multiple chronic diseases and has several goals: 1.) to improve care delivery for these patients, 2.) to improve self-management and increase receipt of preventive services and 3.) to reduce the care disparities that exist for this population. I center my research efforts in underserved communities, where challenges are compounded because of limited resources, high levels of chronic disease and elevated risk factors.
To address my research goals, I serve as a liaison between UB researchers and our community partners. With 20 years community-based experience, I have a network of collaborators throughout Western New York. I work with primary care practices and their patients to design and implement research, using a mixed-method approach founded on epidemiology and qualitative analysis, to measure outcomes within the context of individuals’ personal experiences. Together, we conduct community education and build and evaluate community programs.
I work closely with the the Patient Voices Network (PVN) on interventions to help patients in underserved communities. The PVN is a community of informed patients living with chronic conditions. Members of the PVN are instrumental in designing and implementing these interventions and encouraging others to participate in research projects.
In our mammography outreach project, PVN patients identified barriers preventing women in their neighborhoods from getting screened. We partner with a mobile mammography unit so that women can be screened in the comfort of their own primary care office. To ensure that cost is not a deterrent, we also partner with the free Cancer Services Program of Erie County to help enroll women who are uninsured or underinsured. Patient Ambassadors from the PVN work on screening days to offer participants support and encouragement.
This project has had community impact in several ways. It supports effective chronic-disease self-management by connecting patients to the right resources; it provides patient-centered care by connecting primary care with community resources; it empowers patients to become more active in their health care and take charge of their own health and it encourages patients to partner with their doctors.
Additionally, the project created a sustainable model for preventive screening: the system we put in place is meant to endure, and the service will continue after the grant ends.
I also serve as the Director of Community Engagement for UB's Clinical and Translational Science Institute. In this role, I strive to create infrastructure for other faculty and trainees to engage community in their research.
Undergraduate, graduate and medical students interested in community-based and practice-based research are welcome to conduct research with me.
Education and Training:
- PhD, Epidemiology and Community Health, University at Buffalo (2000)
- MS, Epidemiology and Community Health, University at Buffalo (1995)
- BS, Biochemistry, SUNY Geneseo (1992)
Employment:
- Director of Community Translational Research, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2012-present)
- Director of Community Engaged Research, Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Center, University at Buffalo (2009-present)
- Associate Professor with Tenure, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2009-present)
- Adjunct Graduate Faculty, Physician Assistant Department, D'Youville College (2007-present)
- Voluntary Appointment, Social and Preventive Medicine, University at Buffalo, School of Public Health and Health Professions (2002-present)
- Director of the Primary Care Research Institute, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2004–2012)
- Vice Chair of Research and Development, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2004–2012)
- Assistant Professor, tenure track, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2006–2009)
- Associate Editor/Methods Journal of Rural Health, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2002–2009)
- Research Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2005–2006)
- Assistant Professor, tenure track, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2001–2005)
- Interim Vice Chair of Research and Development, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2003)
- Associate Director, Center for Urban Research in Primary Care, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2000–2001)
- Research Assistant Professor, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (2000–2001)
- Research Associate, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (1995–2000)
- Voluntary Clinical Faculty Appointment, Physical Therapy and Exercise Science, University at Buffalo (1996–1999)
- Research Assistant, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo (1993–1995)
- Student Research Assistant, Social and Preventive Medicine, University at Buffalo, School of Public Health and Health Professions (1992–1993)
Awards and Honors:
- UB Community Partners Award with Jericho Road Ministries: Patient Voices Network (2011)
- The Joint American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation and American Academy of Family Physicians Grant Awards Council (2003)
- The Community Health Network of Western New York Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contribution to the success of the Annual Stakeholders’ Meeting (2002)
- American Lung Association Certificate of Recognition for outstanding contribution in the conquest of lung disease and the promotion of lung health (2001)
- New York State Public Health Association Student Award (1995)
- North American Primary Care Research Group (1995)
Research Expertise:
- Chronic Disease and Multimorbidity
- Health Disparities
- Patient Self-management
- Translational Research in Communities
- Translational Research in Practice
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- January 2018–June 2021
DANY Ambulatory Care Training Enhancement Program Award Grant
Department of Health
Role: Co-Investigator - June 2016–June 2021
Primary care training and enhancement : “The Buffalo Interprofessional Advanced Primary Care Training Program”
Health Resources and Services Administration
Role: Co-Investigator - January 2016–January 2019
Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA)
National Institutes of Health
Role: Co-Investigator
$16,000,000 - January 2014–January 2018
Peer-Led Asthma Self-Management for Adolescents PLASMA A Multi-site Study
Subaward University of Rochester School of Nursing
Role: Co-Investigator - September 2011–September 2016
Academic Administrative Units in Primary Care
Health Resources and Services Admin
Role: Co-Investigator
$765,239 - January 2013–November 2015
Patient Voices Network for Addressing Health Disparities
National Institute on Minority Health & Health Disparities
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,060,527 - March 2014–February 2015
Concerned About You: What do African American Men Want to Know About Prostate Cancer
American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation
Role: Co-Investigator
$7,500 - September 2010–August 2014
Western New York Cancer Coalition (WNYC2) Center to Reduce Disparities - Training Program
Health Research, Inc.
Role: Principal Investigator
$180,698 - April 2013–March 2014
Increasing Mammography Screening in the Patient-Centered Medical Home
Susan G Komen Foundation Western New York Affiliat
Role: Co-Investigator
$70,435 - June 2013–September 2013
Concerned About You: Breast Cancer Awareness walk & Wellness Event
Susan G Komen Foundation Western New York Affiliat
Role: Principal Investigator
$5,000 - July 2008–March 2013
UB Clinical Research Fellowship in Health Disparity
HRSA, NRSA
Role: Principal Investigator
$893,661 - September 2009–June 2011
Cancer Prevention among Urban Poor with Complex Chronic Conditions
NCMHD
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$1,044,374 - July 2008–June 2011
Residency Training Program for Developing Leadership in Quality Improvement
HRSA
Role: Co-Investigator
$153,333 - July 2008–June 2011
University at Buffalo Primary Care Master Educator Program
HRSA
Role: Co-Investigator
$166,666 - July 2008–June 2011
Predoctoral Training Program in Disabilities: A Model for Professionalism
HRSA
Role: Co-Investigator
$218,333 - October 2008–March 2009
Colorectal Cancer Professional Education Project: An Independent Evaluation
American Cancer Society
Role: Principal Investigator
$49,983 - July 2003–June 2008
UB Clinical Research Fellowship in Health Disparity
HRSA, NRSA
Role: Principal Investigator
$858,034 - September 2005–January 2007
Community Based Research of Autoimmune Disease and Asthma
NIEHS
Role: Principal Investigator
$1,670,649 - January 2004–December 2005
Cross-sectional Study of Asthma Medication Adherence
PhRMA Foundation 2004 Health Outcomes Research Starter Grant
Role: Co-Investigator
$60,000 - September 2001–August 2005
Community Based Research of Autoimmune Disease and Asthma
NIEHS
Role: Co-Investigator
$1,670,649 - March 2000–February 2001
Asthma Intervention for Inner-City Children
ACHP/CDC
Role: Principal Investigator
$100,000 - February 1995–December 1995
“Understanding Patients’ Use Of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening in Family Practice Offices with Low Income Populations”
NYSAFP AAFP Grants Award Council
Role: Co-Investigator
$8,535 - Patient Ambassadors to Maintain a Project to Increase Screening Mammography
Susan G Komen Foundation Western New York Affiliate
Role: Co-Investigator
Journal Articles:
- Vest BM, Kahn LS, Danzo A, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Schuster RC, Karl R, Taylor R, Glaser K, Danakas A, Fox CH. Diabetes self-management in a low-income population: impacts of social support and relationships with the health care system. Chronic Illn. 2013; 9(2).
- Kahn LS, Vest BM, Karl R, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Taylor R, Schuster RC, Glaser K, Danakas A, Fox CH. Living with diabetes on Buffalo, New York‘s culturally diverse West Side. Chronic Illn. 2013; 9(1).
- Kahn LS, Pastore PA, Rodriguez EM, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Kelley M, Bartlett DP, Saunders EA, Fox CH. A community-academic partnership to adapt a curriculum for people with serious mental illnesses and diabetes. Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2012; 6(4).
- Kahn LS, Tumiel-Berhalter L, D‘Aniello R, Danzo A, Fox CH, Taylor J, Holland S, Glaser K, Patel V, Glick M. The impacts of "growing our own": a pilot project to address health disparities by training health professionals to become certified diabetes educators in safety net practices. Diabetes Educ. 2012; 38(1).
- Tumiel-Berhalter LM, Kahn L, Watkins R, Goehle M, Meyer C, Tumiel LM. The implementation of Good For The Neighborhood: a participatory community health program model in four minority underserved communities. J Community Health. 2011; 36(4).
- Zayas LE, Wisniewski AM, Cadzow RB, Tumiel-Berhalter LM, Tumiel Berhalter LM. Knowledge and use of ethnomedical treatments for asthma among Puerto Ricans in an urban community. Ann Fam Med. 2011; 9(1).
- Neumann A, Ojong TN, Yanes PK, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Daigler GE, Blondell RD, Tumiel LM. Differences between adolescents who complete and fail to complete residential substance abuse treatment. J Addict Dis. 2010; 29(4).
- Holmes D, Tumiel-Berhalter LM, Zayas LE, Watkins R, Tumiel LM. "Bashing" of medical specialties: students' experiences and recommendations. Fam Med. 2008; 40(6).
- Kahn LS, Fox CH, McIntyre RS, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Berdine DE, Lyle H. Assessing the prevalence of depression among individuals with diabetes in a Medicaid managed-care program. Int J Psychiatry Med. 2008; 38(1).
- Kahn LS, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Cadzow R, Watkins R, Leonard KM, Taylor JS, Tumiel LM. The impacts of subsidized health insurance on employees' use of preventive health services. Eval Health Prof. 2007; 30(1).
- Tumiel-Berhalter LM, McLaughlin-Diaz V, Vena J, Crespo CJ, Tumiel LM. Building community research capacity: process evaluation of community training and education in a community-based participatory research program serving a predominantly Puerto Rican community. Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2007; 1(1).
- Kahn LS, Cadzow RB, Tumiel LM, Watkins R, Leonard K. M., Taylor JS. Providing health insurance to small-businesses through a subsidy demonstration program. Social Work in Public Health. 2007; 23.
- Kahn LS, Cadzow RB, Tumiel LM, Watkins R, Leonard KM, Taylor JS. Changes in Employees‘ Preventive Health Practices in Response to a Subsidized Health Insurance Program. Evaluation and the Health Professions. 2007; 30(1).
- Tumiel-Berhalter LM, Watkins R, Tumiel LM. The impact of provider knowledge and attitudes toward national asthma guidelines on self-reported implementation of guidelines. J Asthma. 2006; 43(8).
- Wood P, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Owen S, Taylor K, Kattan M, Tumiel LM. Implementation of an asthma intervention in the inner city. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006; 97(1 Sup).
- Tumiel-Berhalter L, Zayas LE, Tumiel LM. Lay experiences and concerns with asthma in an urban Hispanic community. J Natl Med Assoc. 2006; 98(6).
- Finney MF, Tumiel Berhalter LM, Fox CH, Jaén CR. Breast and cervical cancer screening for Puerto Ricans, African Americans, and non-Hispanic whites attending inner-city family practice centers. Ethn Dis. 2006; 16(4).
- Tumiel-Berhalter LM, Hershey CO, Tumiel LM. Encouraging a systems approach for adherence to national asthma guidelines. J Asthma. 2005; 42(7).
- Tumiel-Berhalter LM, Finney MF, Jaén CR, Tumiel LM. Self-report and primary care medical record documentation of mammography and Pap smear utilization among low-income women. J Natl Med Assoc. 2004; 96(12).
- Mahoney MC, Bauer JE, Tumiel L, McMullen S, Schieder J, Pikuzinski D, Tumiel LM. Longitudinal impact of a youth tobacco education program. BMC Fam Pract. 2002; 3.
- Kane MP, Jaén CR, Tumiel LM, Bearman GM, O'Shea RM. Unlimited opportunities for environmental interventions with inner-city asthmatics. J Asthma. 1999; 36(4).
- Jaén CR, Chadha S, Tumiel LM, O'Shea R, Deibel-Braun MA, Zayas LE, Pollock D. Patterns of dysphoria in a Puerto Rican urban community. J Natl Med Assoc. 1998; 90(2).
- Tumiel LM, Buck GM, Zayas LE, Jaén CR. Unmasking adverse birth outcomes among Hispanic subgroups. Ethn Dis. 1998; 8(2).
- Jaén CR, Robillard KS, Tumiel L, Alvarez CA, O'Shea R, Patchel C, Tumiel LM. Predictors of first-contact care in a poor urban community. Fam Med. 1995; 27(3).
Presentations:
- "The Community-Driven Approach to Environmental Exposures: How a Community-Based Participatory Research Program Analyzing Impacts of Environmental Exposure on Lupus Led to a Toxic Site Cleanup" Healthy Eating in Context: Local Solutions, Global Challenges (2012)
- "Comparing a Patient-centered Group Diabetes Education Model With Traditional Diabetes Classes in a Safety-net Family Medicine Health Center" 39th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2011)
- "Developing Successful Academic Community Partnerships: Lessons Learned From Patient Voices" 39th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2011)
- "Living With Diabetes on Buffalo's Culturally Diverse West Side" 39th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2011)
- "Patterns of Cancer Screening Among Low-income Minority Patients With Complex Chronic Disease" 39th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2011)
- "Refugee Perceptions of Cancer and Cancer Screenings to Inform Primary Care and Health Education in Buffalo, NY" 39th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2011)
- "Utilizing Your Electronic System and Creating Registries: Building a Foundation for a Medical Home" 39th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2011)
- "Integrating Practice Based Research Networks and Community Based Participatory Research" 38th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2010)
- "Patterns of Complex Chronic Disease in Two Family Practices Serving Low-Income Minority Patients" 38th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2010)
- "Barriers and Solutions to Commercially Insured Adolescents Accessing Confidential Sexual Health Services" Annual Meeting of the Society of Adolescent Medicine (2010)
- "Patient Voices to Improve Primary Care. Taking it to the Curbside: Engaging Communities to Create Sustainable Change for Health" Association and Prevention Teaching and Research Regional Workshop (2010)
- "Barriers and Solutions to Commercially Insured Adolescents Accessing Confidential Sexual Health Services" Annual Meeting of the National STD Prevention Conference (2010)
- "Assessing the Impact of a Provider Education Intervention to Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening" 37th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2009)
- "Good for the Neighborhood: A Partnership to Improve the Health of Underserved Communities" 37th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2009)
- "Good for the Neighborhood: An Evaluation of a Dynamic Community Health Intervention" 37th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2009)
- "Translating a Diabetes Lifestyle Change Program for Individuals Living With Serious Mental Illness and Diabetes" International Conference of the Society for Medical Anthropology of the American Anthropological Association, Yale University (2009)
- "Complex Chronic Disease in a Primary Care Setting: A Pilot Study to Inform Design of Self-Management Interventions" 36th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2008)
- "The Community-Driven Approach to Environmental Exposures: How a Community-Based Participatory Research Program Analyzing Impacts of Environmental Exposure on Lupus Led to a Toxic Site Cleanup" Think Tank for African American Progress (2008)
- "A Geographic Information Assessment of Exposure to a Toxic Waste Site and Development of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): Findings from the Buffalo Lupus Project" URISA’s 4th Caribbean GIS Conference (2008)
- "A Western New York Regional Adult Behavioral Health Risk Assessment: A Public/Private Partnership" CDC Assessment Initiative Conference (2008)
- "Racial Disparities Related to Cancer Prevention and Access to Care Among Women with Chronic Joint Pain: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey" 41st Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research (2008)
- "Reviving UB Family Medicine Journal Club: A reformatted approach to enriching EBM content and addressing ACGME competencies" AAFP 2008 Workshop for Directors of Family Medicine Residencies (2008)
- "Community Involvement Influences Policy Decisions: Victories of a Community-Based Participatory Research Partnership" 135th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (2007)
- "A Review of Asthma Needs in Buffalo’s West Side Community" 35th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2007)
- "Improvement of Mammography Referral Implementation Among African American Women" Preventive Medicine (2007)
- "Community-Driven Research on Environmental Exposure and Autoimmune Diseases" 134th Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (2006)
- "Community Driven Research on Environmental Exposure and Autoimmune Disease" 34th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2006)
- "Evaluation of Project INHALE: A Program to Improve Asthma Outcomes Through the Reduction of In-Home Triggers" 34th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2006)
- "Health Care Fragmentation Among African American Women with Lupus" 34th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2006)
- "Keys to Success: The Real-World Implementation of the Inner-City Asthma Intervention" Pediatric Academic Society Annual Meeting (2006)
- "A Western New York Regional Adult Behavioral Health Risk Assessment: A Public/Private Partnership" 133rd Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association (2005)
- "Health Insurance for the Working Uninsured" 33rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2005)
- "Impact of Providers’ Knowledge and Attitudes on Self- Reported Implementation of National Asthma Guidelines" 33rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2005)
- "The Impact of On-Site Mammography for Primary Care Offices" 33rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2005)
- "Patient Experiences with Asthma in a Puerto Rican Inner-City Community" 32nd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2004)
- "Mapping Asthma on the Lower West Side of Buffalo: A Community-Based Asthma Registry" NIEHS and NIOSH Environmental Justice/ Community-Based Participatory Research Grantee Meeting (2004)
- "Asthma and Smoking in an Urban Native American Population" 31st Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2003)
- "Correlates of Hospitalization and Emergency Department Use for Asthma Among Children with Access to Primary Care" 30th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2002)
- "Building Blocks of a Community Coalition for Asthma and the Environment" National Asthma Conference (2002)
- "Correlates of Asthma Among Adults in Western New York" 29th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2001)
- "Public Health Priorities: Hearing the Voice of the Community" 28th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2000)
- "Birthweight and Gestational Age as Criteria for Classifying SIDS Cases and Live Controls" Society for Epidemiologic Research (2000)
- "Validity of Self-Reported Mammography and Pap Smear Screening Among Low-Income Urban Women" 27th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1999)
- "Targeting Women of Color for Intervention of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Using a Single Question" 26th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1998)
- "Asthma in the Lower West Side of Buffalo, New York: Environmental triggers" 25th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1997)
- "Patients’ Referral for Drug and Alcohol Help in a Predominantly Puerto Rican Community" 25th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1997)
- "Perception of the Risk of HIV Infection in an Inner-City Urban Community" 25th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1997)
- "Perceptions of the Value of Physicians’ Advice and Maintenance of Cervical Cancer Screening Among Poor Urban Women" 24th Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1996)
- "Risk of Low Birth Weight and Preterm Delivery among Hispanic Mothers" 29th Annual Meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research (1996)
- "Using Large Data Sets" 29th Annual Spring Conference of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (1996)
- "Meeting the Health Needs of Buffalo’s West Side Community. Health Professions Schools in Service to the Nation." Community Partnerships in Health Professions Education: Service Learning Conference (1996)
- "Risk of Low Birth Weight and Preterm Delivery" 23rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1995)
- "Lessons from Puerto Rican Patients with Diabetes: Measuring Adherence" 22nd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1994)
- "Proportion of Community Residents with Chronic Diseases Served by an Urban Family Practice Office" 22nd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (1994)