The spinal Cord Injury Outcomes Research Group (SCIORG) is founded and led by Dr. James Krause at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston, SC. The goal of SCIORG is to improve the quality of life after spinal cord injury through the design, data collection, analysis, dissemination and utilization of SCI outcomes research.  This research addresses different outcome areas including employment, secondary health conditions, quality of life, mortality and the dynamic relationships related to change and aging. 

Spinal Cord Injury Research Grant Awarded to MUSC!

The article below was published in the local Charleston, SC newspaper, Post and Courier,  on Tuesday, October 27. Dr Jim Krause was awarded a five year RRTC grant from NIDRR, set to begin in November 2009.

The Medical University of South Carolina's College of Health Professions will   receive $3.9 million over five years for research on spinal cord injuries, specifically on life-threatening  secondary health conditions such as pressure  ulcers, urinary-tract infections, amputation, fractures and    depression.
The U.S. Department of Education's National Institute for  Disability and Rehabilitation Research will give funds for a grant requested by MUSC  researcher Dr. James Krause. MUSC will collaborate with the Shepherd Center in Atlanta and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center in Downey, Calif.                                             
"The ultimate goal (of the  collaboration) is to reduce the incidence of secondary conditions and to enhance  longevity after SCI through a combination of research that identifies prominent risk factors for diminished health and by educating health professionals, service providers and individuals with SCI on how to implement appropriate prevention strategies," said Krause.

SCIORG Receives New NIDRR Funding!

The Center on Health Outcomes Research and Capacity for Underserved Populations with SCI and TBI (CHORCUP) is funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR - #H133A080064) for a five-year period (2008-2013).

The 2 study project is a collaboration of four entities:

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC – The primary medical school in the state of South Carolina
South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC- Historically black university
Craig Hospital, Denver, CO - Specialty rehabilitation and research hospital for patients with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury
Rancho, Los Angeles, CA - One of the oldest and most renowned rehabilitation centers in the United States

Check out the CHORCUP Blog: 

http://sciandtbiresearch.blogspot.com/

The mission of our center is to build the capacity of institutions that address the needs of underserved populations by:

(a) conducting two innovative studies to generate new knowledge on the health of three underserved racial-ethnic groups with traumatic neurologic injuries;

(b) providing capacity building through collaboration with South Carolina State University, a historic Black university, specialized instruction of undergraduate and graduate students, and widespread training to institutions and organizations that represent underserved populations; and

(c) providing technical assistance to a wide array of target audiences to enhance the capacity to meet the needs of underserved populations.

In Study 1, researchers will interview 500 African-Americans from population-based surveillance systems with SCI or TBI and compare their health behaviors, access to services, and the prevalence of chronic diseases with African-Americans in the general population (based on CDC surveillance). Researchers will then identify the extent to which disparities observed in the general population are magnified after injury.

Study 2 will involve interviews with 836 participants with SCI, 575 of whom come from underserved populations (African-Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians) in order to identify psychological, environmental, and behavioral predictors of secondary health conditions. Meditational models will be tested to identify the risk and protective factors most strongly associated with disparities in health outcomes (e.g., pain, depression, pressure ulcers) and the extent to which disparities disappear when accounting for these factors. Researchers will also determine whether the predictive model is invariant across race-ethnicity (i.e., whether the significant predictors are the same across different racial-ethnic groups) and, if not, which predictors are most important for each. Capacity building efforts will include workshops, mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students, and technical assistance.

The passing of Pat Rooney

Sadly, Pat Rooney passed away shortly after granting us an interview for our Spring 2009 Newsletter. He died on April 29, 2009 at the age of 82. Although I'm sad to lose a good friend, his spirit will live on. He is a role model for all of us with SCI and I am personally grateful to have known him.  Rest in peace Pat.

Dr. Jim Krause

The following link is for viewing more information about Pat, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ startribune/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=126766986

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

Our Latest SCIORG Newsletter is now available in a PDF format: 

FALL SCIORG Newsletter

SCIORG is developing a list of potential research participants!

Are you living with a spinal cord injury? Are you looking for a way to make a difference by getting involved in SCI research?  When you contact us, we will ask you some basic background information and add your name to our database for potential participation in future SCI research studies. For more information on becoming a research participant, please email us: aust@musc.edu orcall us toll free 1-866-313-9963

Trident SCSCIA Peer Support Group 

 Live in Charleston, Dorchester or Berkeley County?  Mark your calendar!  (We meet on the second Tuesday of every  month) Time:  6:00-7:30pm 

Location: Disabilities  Board of Charleston County -1812 Sam Rittenburg Blvd.,  Charleston, SC 29407.  Call Ruth Jones 843-863-1165 or Richard Aust 843-792-2605 for more information

Do you have any service providers that you would like to share with other people? 

Please help us keep our resources up to date. We are always looking for new local-South Carolina and national resources such as doctors, community agencies or medical supplies companies to add to our Family/SCI Support Links and South Carolina/Links pages. Please contact us with your suggestions: aust@musc.edu