Laurene M. Tumiel Berhalter PhD
Laurene M. Tumiel Berhalter
PhD
Director of Community Translational Research
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Cancer Screening; Community Based Participatory Research; Community Based Research; Community Health Research; Epidemiology; Epidemiology; Health Services Research; Health Services Research; Patient Centered Outcomes; Primary Care; Program Evaluation; Public Health; Social Determinants of Health; Translational Research
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:
- Fellowship, Grant Generating Project Fellow, Co-sponsored by: Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and the North American Primary Care Research Group. (2002)
- PhD, Epidemiology and Community Health, University at Buffalo (2000)
- MS, Epidemiology and Community Health, University at Buffalo (1995)
- BS, Biochemistry, SUNY Geneseo (1992)
Employment:
- Voluntary appointment, Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo (2015-present)
- Director of Community Engagement, Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University at Buffalo (2009-present)
- Voluntary appointment, Epidemiology and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo (2002-present)
- Director of Community Translational Research, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2012-present)
- Associate Professor with Tenure, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2009-present)
- Director of Community Engagement, Buffalo Clinical and Translational Research Institute, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (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, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo (2004–2012)
- Director of the Primary Care Research Institute, Family Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2004–2012)
Awards and Honors:
- 2020 NAPCRG Pearl for the presentation entitled “Impact of COVID-19 on Colorectal, Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Rates in Primary Care Practices: a PBRN Initiative” (2020)
- Population Health Collaborative SOPHI Award. Patient Voices Network (2018)
- 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:
- Cancer Screening
- Community Health and Chronic Disease
- Community-Based Participatory Research
- Environmental Health
- Health Disparities
- Health Services Research
- Measuring Impact of Partnerships
- Patient Satisfaction
- Patient Self-Management
- Patient-Centered Outcomes
- Program Evaluation
- Refugee Health
- Translational Research in Communities
- Translational Research in Practice
Research Centers:
- Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)
UB 2020 Strategic Strengths:
- Civic Engagement and Public Policy
- Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan
Grants and Sponsored Research:
- September 2016–September 2026
Tonawanda Coke Environmental Health Study
US District Court for the Western District of New York
Role: Co-Investigator
$11,100 - December 2017–November 2022
Effectiveness And Implementation Of A Research Tested Mobile Produce Market Designed To Improve Diet In Underserved Communities.
NCI
Role: Co-Investigator
$3,254,105 - October 2019–September 2022
You Can’t Change Family History But You Can Change what You Do With It
Patricia S. Brown Breast Cancer
Role: Principal Investigator
$210,000 - July 2017–June 2022
NAVIGATE
NSF
Role: Co-Investigator
$450,203 - September 2018–September 2021
Erie County, NY Opioid Mortality Review Board
Department of Justice
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
$999,999 - August 2020–July 2021
Patient Voices Fights Colorectal Cancer This project integrates Patient Ambassadors into two safety-net primary care practices to increase the uptake of colorectal cancer screening.
Prevent Cancer Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
$25,000 - 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 - April 2020–March 2021
Susan G. Komen of Upstate New York- Engaging Patients in Breast Health through Patient Ambassadors, Mobile Mammography, and Education
Role: Principal Investigator
$45,567 - June 2016–June 2020
Increasing Cancer Screening through Academic Detailing and Practice Facilitation
Upstate Medical Center
Role: Co-Investigator
$89,999 - July 2019–March 2020
Patient Voices Fights Cancer
Erie County Department of Health
Role: Principal Investigator
$240,000
Journal Articles:
- Chen Q, Crooks A, Sullivan AJ, Surtees JA, Tumiel-Berhalter L. (2025) From print to perspective: A mixed-method analysis of the convergence and divergence of COVID-19 topics in newspapers and interviews. PLOS digital health (Feb), 4(2): e0000736. doi:10.1371/journal.pdig.0000736
- Solbu A, Cadzow RB, Pullano T, Brinser-Day S, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Kayler LK. (2024) Interviews With Lay Caregivers About Their Experiences Supporting Patients Throughout Kidney Transplantation. Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) (Jun), 34(1-2): 21-31.
- Sprague Martinez L, Araujo Brinkerhoff C, Howard RC, Feldman JA, Kobetz E, White JT, Tumiel Berhalter L, Bilheimer A, Hoffman M, Isasi CR, Killough C, Martinez J, Chesley J, Baig AA, Foy C, Islam N, Petruse A, Rosales C, Kipke MD, Baezconde-Garbanati L, Battaglia TA, Lobb R. (2024) Strategies to promote language inclusion at 17 CTSA hubs. Journal of clinical and translational science (Jan), 8(1): e67. doi:10.1017/cts.2024.13
- Rhee H, Batek L, Rew L, Tumiel-Berhalter L. (2023) Parents' Experiences and Perceptions of Healthcare Transition in Adolescents with Asthma: A Qualitative Study. Children (Basel, Switzerland) (Sep), 10(9). doi:10.3390/children10091510
- Rhee H, Choi Y, Tumiel-Berhalter L. (2023) Transition readiness in middle and older adolescents with asthma and associated factors: a descriptive study. The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma (May), 60(5): 991-999. doi:10.1080/02770903.2022.2119864
- Kayler LK, Breckenridge B, Thomas C, Brinser-Day S, Sierra E, Cadzow RB, Feeley TH, Tumiel-Berhalter L. (2023) Using Community-Based Participatory Research to Create Animated Videos to Attenuate Disparities in Access to Kidney Transplant Information. Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) (Mar), 33(1): 5-14. doi:10.1177/15269248221145031
- Kayler LK, Keller MM, Breckenridge B, Feeley TH, Suboh J, Tumiel-Berhalter L. (2023) Preliminary feasibility of animated video education designed to empower patients' referral to kidney transplantation. Clinical transplantation (Jan), 37(1): e14838. doi:10.1111/ctr.14838
- Leone LA, Kasprzak C, Lally A, Haynes-Maslow L, Vermont LN, Horrigan-Maurer C, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Ammerman A, Raja S. (2023) A Novel Process to Recruit and Select Community Partners for a Hybrid Implementation-Effectiveness Study. Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action (Jan), 17(1): 159-171. doi:10.1353/cpr.2023.0021
- Rhee H, Batek L, Wallace-Farquharson T, Tumiel-Berhalter L. (2022) Are Mid to Late Adolescents with Asthma Ready for Transition of Care? A Qualitative Study. Children (Basel, Switzerland) (Oct), 9(10). doi:10.3390/children9101573
- Vermont LN, Kasprzak C, Lally A, Claudio A, Tumiel-Berhalter L, Haynes-Maslow L, Ammerman A, Raja S, Leone LA. (2022) A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Research-Tested Mobile Produce Market Model Designed to Improve Diet in Under-Resourced Communities: Rationale and Design for the Veggie Van Study. International journal of environmental research and public health (Aug), 19(16). doi:10.3390/ijerph19169832
Books and Book Chapters:
- Laurene Tumiel Berhalter, Ph.D., Olga Brazhnik, Ph.D., Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola, M.D., Ph.D., Arleen Brown, M.D., Ph.D., Lori Carter-Edwards, Ph.D., Ahmed Elmi, M.P.H., Laura Sugarwala, M.B.A., R.D.N., Carla Williams, Ph.D., Consuelo Wilkins, M.D., M.S.C.I. (2025) Chapter 5: Transformative Opportunities to Facilitate Community Engaged Research. In: Principles of Community Engagement. 3rd edition. CDC ATSDR, 95-111.
- Poon J, Tumiel Berhalter, LM. Trust and Confidence in Medicine Among Americans. In: David Castillo D, Lyu S, Milletti C, Stewart C (eds). . https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.18979322. (2024) Trust and Confidence in Medicine Among Americans. In: Truth Seeking in an Age of Mis/Information Overload. SUNY Series: Humanities to the Rescue Series. State University of New York Press. Albany, NY, 115-132.
- Tumiel-Berhalter, L., Kahn, L. In: Anderson, E.E. (ed). (2023) How Do You Define Community and Why Is it Important?. In: Ethical Issues in Community and Patient Stakeholder–Engaged Health Research. Philosophy and Medicine, vol 146. Springer, Cham, 95-106.
Professional Memberships:
- Collaboration and Engagement Enterprise Committee; CTSA consortium group (2017–present)
- North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG); Primary care research group (1994–present)
Presentations:
- "Effectiveness of remote intervention to improve knowledge, comfort discussing breast cancer family history, and screening intentions for women in predominantly black communities" 46th Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine (2025)
- "Caring for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: The Interface Between Primary Care Physicians and Nephrologists" Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2024)
- "Community Perceptions and Experience with Communication During COVID to Contribute to Models to Predict Future Outbreaks" Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2024)
- "Using Plain Language in Research: A qualitative study." Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group. (2024)
- "A State Cancer Control Plan: Reducing Cancer Burden New York" Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders Annual Meeting (2022)
- "Organizational strategies to engaging diverse communities in research" Cognitive Science Society Annual Meeting, Cognitive Diversity (2022)
- "Overcome Gender Discrimination in STEM Using the Case Study Method. Minneapolis, Minnesota. June 26-29, 2022" American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference (2022)
- "Engaging Patients in Research: Methods and Lessons Learned" 43rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2015)
- "Erie County NYSDOH Maternal Infant Community Health Collaborative: Process Assessment" 43rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2015)
- "Evaluation of the “New Americans” Lead Risk Reduction Program" 43rd Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (2015)
Service Activities:
- Medical Student Annual Research Forum; Poster judge (2025)
- ; Reviewer (2025)
- Mock Review Panel for Fogat Award (Award was received); Panelist (2024–2004)
- Mini Medical School Advisory Board; Member (2024–present)
- 1st Annual JSMBS Community Research Day; Research facilitator (2023)
- UB’s Civic Engagement Research Fund; Reviewer (2023–present)
- Faculty Appointment, Promotion, Tenure and Privileges Policy Committee; Member (2022)
- Community Engagement Subcommittee, Strategic Planning process; Member (2022)
- 25th Anniversary JSMBS Research Day; Poster Judge (2022)
- COVID Research Collaborative/Rethink WNY; Member (2021–present)
- Center for Information Integrity; Member (2021–present)
- KidneyHealth Together Community Advisory Board; Member (2021–present)
- Near East West Side Community Health Task Force; Member (2021–present)
- CTSA Consortium, Collaboration and Community Engagement Enterprise Committee.; Lead Team Chair (2020–2021)
- Opioid Mortality Review Board; Member (2019–2020)
- Live Well Task Force; Member (2019)
- Erie County Opioid Epidemic Task Force; Member (2019–present)
- CTSA Consortium, Health Disparities Working Group.; Member (2019–2020)
- “Igniting Hope” Conference Committe; Member (2018)
- MERI Search Committee; Member (2018)
- Erie County Community Health Assessment; Member 2018, 2022, 2025 (2018–present)
- CTSA Consortium, Collaboration and Community Engagement Enterprise Committee.; Lead team member (2018–2021)
- Family Medicine and Patient Engagement: A Conference to Encourage Patient-Centered Outcomes Research; Planning committee mewmber (2017–2018)
- GME Population Health Committee; Member (2017)
- Departmental Promotion and Tenure Ad Hoc Committee; Member (2017–present)
- Community Engagement Domain Task Force/Collaboration and Engagement Enterprise Committee, CTSA Consortium; Member (2017–present)
- CTSA Consortium, Strategies for Engaging Community Partners Working Group; Member (2017–2019)
- CTSA Consortium, Strategies for Engaging Community Partners Working Group, Survey Development; Sub group co-lead (2017–2019)
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advisory Panel; Member (2016–2019)
- Addictions Strategic Planning, Education subcommittee; Co-chair (2016–2017)
- Addictions Strategic Planning Steering Committee,; Member (2016–2017)
- Faculty Council Steering Committee; Member (2016–2017)
- Search Committee, Faculty Member of CHHB, School of Public health and Health Professions; Member (2016)
- Primary Care Research Institute, Development Committee; Member (2016–present)
- Diversity Advocate; Representative (2016–present)
- Civic Engagement and Public Policy, Faculty Advisor Board,; Chair (2016)
- GME Strategic Planning Process, Scholarly Planning Workgroup; Member (2015)
- P2 Data Action Advisory Team; Member (2014–2016)
- Search Committee, Chair of Family Medicine; Member (2013–2014)
- Selection Committee, Evan Calkins, MD Fellowship for Community Based Research; Member (2013–present)
- Search Committee, Faculty Member in the Center for Health Disparities, Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Member (2013)
- Search Committee, Chair of SPM, School of Public Health and Health Professions; Member (2012)
- Primary Care Research Institute Steering Committee; Member (2012–present)
- School of Medicine Promotion and tenure Committee; Member (2011–2014)
- Faculty Senate; School of Medicine Representative (2011–2013)
- Patient Voices Network; Member (2010–present)
- Civic Engagement and Public Policy, Faculty Advisor Board; Representative of the School of Medicine (2009–2016)
- Scholarly Exchange Day; Poster judge (2009–2015)
- Research Fellowship Directors Special Interest Group, North American Primary Care Research Group; Member (2008–2012)
- Near East West Side Task Force; Board Member (2008–2011)
- P2 Data Action Advisory Team; Member (2008–2010)
- Science Alumni Reception, SUNY Geneseo; Panelist (2008)
- Medical Student Research Forum; Poster Judge (2008)
- Medical Home Special Interest Group, North American Primary Care Research Group; Member (2008–present)
- Family Medicine Residency Journal Club; Methods Advisor (2007–2011)
- P2, Leadership Team; Member (2007–2010)
- Susan B. Komen Foundation Community Engagement Committee; Member (2006–2015)
- Near East West Side Community Health Task Force, Health subcommittee; Member (2006–2011)
- METRIC/HPERT, Steering Committee; Member (2006–2010)
- CTSA Planning Committee; Member (2006–2007)
- Near East West Side Community Health Task Force, Planning Committee; Member (2006–2007)
- Eating Disorder Task Force; Member (2006–2007)
- UB 2020: Wellness Across the Lifespan Committee; Member (2006)
- Participatory Research Special Interest Group, North American Primary Care Research Group; member (2006–present)
- Asthma Coalition of Western New York, Steering Committee; Member (2005–2010)
- Primary Care Research Institute Steering Committee; Chair (2004–2012)
- Residency Committee; Member (2004–2011)
- IFR Ad Hoc Committee; Member (2004)
- NRSA Annual Conference Planning Committee; Member (2004)
- NIEHS CBPR/EJ Annual Conference Planning Committee; Member (2004)
- Executive Committee; Member (2003–2012)
- Office of Graduate Medical Education, Evidence Based Medicine Committee; Member (2003–2007)
- Family Medicine Research Committee; Co-Chair (2003)
- Scholarly Exchange Day; poster judge (2003)
- Journal of Rural Health; Associate Editor/Methods (2002–2009)
- Research Benchmarking Subcommittee; Chair (2002)
- D’Youville Physician Assistant Annual Poster Presentations; Poster Judge (2002–present)
- Be A Friend/Big Brother/Big Sister Program, Big Sister; Big Sister (2001–2006)
- Niagara County Infant Mortality Commission; Member (2001–2002)
- Search Committee for Vice Chair of Research and Development; Chair (2001)
- Asthma Coalition; Member (2000–2010)
- Community Health Network of Western New York, Steering Committee; Member (2000–2005)
- Community Health Network of Western New York, Executive Committee; Member (2000–2005)
- Asthma Coalition of Western New York, Buffalo, NY. Chair, Steering Committee; Member (2000–2004)
- Healthy Women’s Partnership, Buffalo, NY. Member (2000–2001)
- Research and Development Steering Committee; Member (1998–2003)
- Erie County Healthy Living Partnership, Buffalo, NY.; Member (1998–2002)
- Erie County Department of Health, Infant Mortality Review of Erie County, Buffalo, NY.; Coordinator (1996–2000)
- Western New York Public Health Association, Buffalo, NY.; Member (1995–1998)