Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

SOUTHEASTERN EXPLORATORY SICKLE CELL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

NCMHD Southeastern Exploratory Sickle Cell Center of Excellence

Principal Investigators: Abdullah Kutlar, MDRobert Gibson, PhD

Participating Institutions:

Medical College of GAMorehouse SOM

University of Florida

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Components of the Center

• Administrative Core• Research Core• Training and Education Core• Community Engagement/Outreach Core

Administrative Core

• Oversee and provide administrative assistance for the Center

• Serve as a central communication point

• Coordinate research activities

• Financial responsibility for grant administration

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Annual Health Disparity Conference

Increase community involvement and participation of patients and their families

Educate health care providers and members of the community regarding health disparities

Create opportunities for communication and synergy across various health disparity research activities at MCG as well as the University of Florida and Morehouse School of Medicine

Research Core

• Dr. Dorothy Tuan, PI

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Research Project 1Abdullah Kutlar, PI

• Mu Opioid Polymorphisms as Genetic Modifiers of Pain and Opioid Use in SCDDetermine variations of the Mu Opioid gene on pain

and perception of pain in patients with sickle cell disease (Dr. Xiaoling Wang; Dr. Ferdane Kutlar)

Using a pain algometer, test the patient’s pain threshhold (Dr. Roger Fillingim, UFL)

Patients to complete pain diaries; determine frequency and dose of pain medications and correlate with Mu Opioid gene (Dr. Steffen Meiler)

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Research Project 2Dr. Dorothy Tuan, PI

• An NF-Y mediated GATA switch mechanism in g-globin gene reactivation by HUTo determine the mechanism by which

hydroxyurea (the only drug currently approved by the FDA for use in sickle cell disease) helps to alleviate complications of the disease

This knowledge will ultimately allow new drugs to be developed giving patients a choice in treatment options

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Research Project 3Dr. Tohru Ikuta, PI

• Mechanisms of HU for SCDTo determine intracellular signaling

pathways that play a critical role in HU-induced Hb F expression

To determine whether HU-induced Hb F expression is further increased by combining a cAMP-dependent PDE inhibitor

Research Training/Education CoreDr. Thomas Adamkiewicz, PI

(Morehouse School of Medicine)

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Research Training/Education CoreDr. Thomas Adamkiewicz, PI (Morehouse)

• Develop ongoing education programs for the present and future family medicine physicians as well as other providers of care for patients with SCD (Dr. Paul Forney; Dr. Joseph Hobbs)

• Use of information technology to identify those that would most benefit from education

Community Engagement/ Outreach Core

Dr. Robert Gibson, PI

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Community Engagement/Outreach CoreDr. Robert Gibson, PI

• Promoting Health Care Transition/Health Literacy for Young People with SCD (Dr. Robert Gibson)

• Outcomes of the Implementation of a Clinical Pathway for Uncomplicated Sickle Cell Vaso–Occlusive Crisis (Dr. Matthew Lyon)

• The Creation and Evaluation of an Advanced Medical Home for adults with SCD(Dr. Richard Lottenberg, UFL)

Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia

Anticipated Benefits/Outcomes

• Improvement in care for adult sickle cell patientsEvidence based care (protocols)Medical Home (involvement of PCPs)Improved outcomes/patient satisfaction in ED

encountersTransition from pediatric to adult care Availability of SCD clinical trials for SCD patients in

the Albany area (infrastructure through Phoebe Sickle Cell Clinic)