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Mission
To promote a culture of inquiry in a dynamic health system to improve patient outcomes.
Vision
Advancing international standards in health services research and education to improve the lives of people in South Carolina and beyond.
Funding
Assessing the Burden of Diabetes By Type in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults, (DiCAYA): South Carolina Youth (Component A).
The purpose of this research grant is to assess the incidence and prevalence of diabetes among children, adolescents and young adults in the U.S. and provide estimates by diabetes type, age, sex, race/ethnicity and geographic area.
PI: Angela LIese, PhD; Co-I: Caroline Rudisill, PhD
USC Prevention Research Center (PRC) and Core Research Project: Community-Based Participatory Research to Study Church Implementation of an Evidence-Based Social Support Intervention to Increase Physical Activity among Older African-American Adults.
Between 2024 and 2029, the USC Prevention Research Center will partner with African Methodist Episcopal (AME) churches to study how they implement Walk Your Heart to Health (WYHH), a proven program that encourages physical activity among older adults by building social connections. Using a community-based and participatory approach, the project will focus on understanding how different settings affect the program’s success, what helps or hinders implementation, and how the program can be expanded to benefit more communities. The research will be guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).
PI: Sara Wilcox, PhD; Co-I: Caroline Rudisill, PhD
https://prevention.sph.sc.edu/research/core-project-2024-2029/
Modeling Small Area Estimate of Children’s Mental Health and Mental Disorders Using National Survey Data.
The primary goal of this project is to identify disparities in children's mental health and well-being across U.S. counties and Census divisions, and related modifiable factors at the individual and area levels.
Co-I: Stella Self, PhD
The Development and Evaluation of a Patient-Centered Opioid Discharge Prescribing Guideline within the Electronic Health Record of a Health System.
This project will evaluate a Patient-Centered Opioid Prescribing Tool (PCOPT), which is a clinical decision support (CDS) tool designed to generate opioid prescribing recommendations that are personalized to each patient, using the effectiveness-implementation hybrid Type II study design from implementation science that blends implementation and clinical effectiveness components.
PIs: John M. Brooks, PhD and Alain Litwin, MD
Impact of genetic susceptibility along the continuum from Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) to Multiple Myeloma (MM).
Alyssa Clay-Gilmour is a subrecipient on an R01 with the Mayo Clinic / NIH.
Site PI: Alyssa Clay-Gilmour, PhD
Genetic Epidemiology of Exceptional Survivors with Acute Leukemia Who Received Blood and Marrow Transplantation.
The major goals of this project are to test association with germline susceptibility variants with risk of acute leukemia in excepetional survivors compared to poor survivors.
PI: Alyssa Clay-Gilmour, PhD
Effects of Musculoskeletal Surgery Rate of Medicare Costs.
This study will use documented geographic variation in early surgery rates as natural experiments and apply instrumental variable estimators to assess the impact of higher rates of early surgery on outcomes and costs.
PI: John M. Brooks, PhD
Utilizing Prisma Health’s PLACES (Providing Linkages And Connections to External Social Support Services) Hub to Improve Health in Communities
This project tests a community health worker model to support patients with social determinants of health-related needs whose needs emerge through routine screening in primary care. It sets up the Hub to support patients’ needs and examines the number of patients referred for services and supported with particular focus on those with diabetes and/or hypertension.
PI: Caroline Rudisill, PhD
Changes in exosomal urinary MicroRNA expression in obese children as an early biomarker for chronic kidney disease.
The WeLKME Study (Weight-loss changing kidney microRNA expression Study) in collaboration with UofSC, Prisma Health and Clemson University researchers and doctors are interested in finding out the effect of being overweight on children’s kidneys. Being overweight puts kids at risk for high blood pressure and diabetes and this risk can start in early childhood or teenage years. We are exploring microRNA changes in urine for weight loss and chronic kidney disease.
Multi-PIs: Alyssa Clay-Gilmour, PhD; Sudha Garimella, MD
Clinical applicability of proposed algorithm for hematologic genetic screening of patients diagnosed with myeloid malignancies and aplastic anemia in a community based hospital.
This study implemented a proposed algorithm for referral to hematologic genetic screening of patients disgnosed with AML/MDS/AA in a community based health system.
Multi-PIs: Alyssa Clay-Gilmour, PhD; Elizabeth Cull, MD; Aniket Saha, MD
A Data-Driven Model to Predict Demand for COVID-19 Care in the Prisma Health System.
PI: Stella Self, PhD
Using wastewater-based epidemiology to gauge chronic disease
Dr. Devin Bowes, an assistant professor in Environmental Health Sciences, is expanding the use of wastewater-based epidemiology—originally used to track COVID-19—to monitor chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. By analyzing untreated sewage for biological and chemical markers, her team aims to provide real-time data on community health. This approach offers a less invasive, more inclusive way to understand population health trends and improve chronic disease care. Bowes is collaborating with health and public health experts from USC and Prisma Health to explore how this method can be integrated into healthcare systems.
PI: Devin Bowes, PhD
Protecting patients from adverse drug interactions
HSPM associate professor Brian Chen is studying how well electronic health records (EHRs) capture all medications—including over-the-counter drugs and substances—used by people living with HIV. His research focuses on polypharmacy, or the use of five or more non-HIV drugs, which is common among aging HIV patients who face higher risks for chronic illnesses and adverse drug interactions. Because EHRs often miss nonprescription drugs and substance use, and HIV patients are typically excluded from clinical trials, there is limited guidance for managing these risks. Chen's team will compare EHR data with patient-reported information to improve understanding of drug use patterns and health risks in this population.
PI: Brian Chen, PhD
Preventing preterm births in South Carolina
Epidemiology associate professor Melissa Nolan is studying whether self-administered vaginal progesterone can effectively prevent preterm births in South Carolina, where over 12% of babies are born early and access to maternity care is limited, especially in rural areas. The current standard treatment, a cervical cerclage, is not widely available due to a shortage of specialists. Nolan’s study will involve 130 pregnant women using vaginal progesterone during their second trimester, with researchers monitoring changes in the vaginal microbiome to see if it supports full-term pregnancies. The findings could offer a low-cost, accessible solution for improving birth outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations.
PI: Melissa Nolan, PhD
Improving stroke outcomes through evidence-based exercise
Clinical assistant professor Elizabeth Regan is leading a pilot project to help stroke survivors in South Carolina—where stroke is a major chronic condition—become more physically active. Her study will adapt the evidence-based Fit for Function program to address challenges stroke survivors face, such as mobility issues, lack of access to exercise facilities, and reduced motivation. The program will combine group and individual exercises with education and social support, delivered through adult community centers in Richland County. Partnering with Prisma Health and the local recreation commission, Regan aims to build sustainable, accessible exercise opportunities for this underserved population.
PI: Elizabeth Regan
Evaluating a technology EMR-based strategy to intervene on social determinants of health-related needs in a large health system
This pilot grant will provide funding to link three data sets (NowPow referrals, patient EMR records and South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental (SCDHEC)/US Census Bureau data) and examine the first year of electronic referrals via NowPow for SDoH-related needs at Prisma Health. The linkage between NowPow, the EMR and SCDHEC and Census data allows for rich health services research and geospatial analysis as well as funding potential.
PI: Caroline Rudisill, PhD
Funded By: UofSC Big Data Health Science Center
SC Strong Study
A new statewide project that will help leaders better understand disease impact and identify potential health inequities in our state.
Academic Member of Community & Scientific Advisory Board: Stella Self, PhD
Funded By: SC DHEC
Arnold School Satellite Campus – Greenville
Dr. Brooks is a health economist focused on estimating comparative effectiveness research (CER) using observational healthcare databases. He has a PhD in economics from the University of Michigan and was a Service Fellow at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as well as a Professor at the University of Iowa prior to coming to the University of South Carolina. He is presently the Director of Center for Effectiveness Research in Orthopaedics (CERortho) with a goal of promoting CER in orthopaedic care including tackling the theoretical and empirical issues with CER.
Email: john-brooks@sc.edu
Phone: 864-797-7674
More information
Website: http://www.cerortho.com/
Sample Publications:
Brooks JM, Titler MG, Herr K, Ardery G, Xie X. “The Effect of Evidence-Based Acute Pain Management Practices on Inpatient Cost,” Health Services Research 44(1), February 2009, pp 245-263. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19146567/
Floyd SB, Thigpen C, Kissenberth MJ, Brooks JM, Association of Surgical Treatment With Adverse Events and Mortality Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Proximal Humerus Fracture. JAMA Network Open. 2020; 3(1): e1918663. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.18663 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31922556/
Brooks JM, Cook EA, Chapman CG, Schroeder MC, Chrischilles EA, Schneider KM, Kulchaitanaroaj P, Robinson JG. Statin Use After Acute Myocardial Infarction by Patient Complexity: Are the Rates Right? Medical Care. April 2015 53(4): 324-331 doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000322. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25719431/
Dr. Alyssa Clay-Gilmour is a Genetic Epidemiologist, with expertise in cancer pathology and prevention, molecular and clinical epidemiology, and large-scale genomics. Her research focuses on applying genetic/molecular epidemiological approaches to investigate disease risk. Specifically, her research focuses on Blood Cancers (acute/chronic leukemia), Multiple Myeloma, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation. She is also actively involved in epigenomic and pharmacogenomic projects.
Email: claygila@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 720-352-6641
Twitter: @alyssa_clay
More information
Sample publications:
Clay-Gilmour A, Chattopadhyay S, Hildebrandt MAT, Thomsen H, Weinhold N, Vodicka P, Vodickova L, Hoffmann P, Nöthen MM, Jöckel KH, Schmidt B, Langer C, Hajek R, Hallmans G, Pettersson-Kymmer U, Ohlsson C, Späth F, Houlston R, Goldschmidt H, Manasanch EE, Norman A, Kumar S, Rajkumar SV, Slager S, Försti A, Vachon CM, Hemminki K. Genome-wide meta-analysis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) identifies risk loci impacting IRF-6. Blood Cancer J. 2022 Apr 13;12(4):60. doi: 10.1038/s41408-022-00658-w. PMID: 35418122; PMCID: PMC9007981
Clay-Gilmour AI*, Macauda A*, Försti A, Hilscher T, Goldschmidt H, Campa D, Vachon C, Canzian F. on behalf of the IMMEnSE consortium and InterLymph MM working group. “Does a Multiple Myeloma Polygenic Risk Score Predict Overall Survival of Myeloma Patients?”. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention 2022
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32569378/
April is an administrative coordinator for the Center for Effectiveness Research in Orthopaedics (CERortho) and the Arnold School of Public Health-Greenville (ASPH-Greenville). She is responsible for managing the operations of the CERortho and ASPH-Greenville, as well as conducting complex administrative duties involved with research grants and endowment funding.
Email: osteenaj@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 864-449-4854
More information
Dr. Rudisill is a Professor in the Department of Health Promotion, Education and Behavior
and Director, Population Health Sciences Greenville. Dr Rudisill is a health economist
who conducts applied economics research related to health behaviors and health systems
and policy. She has particular expertise in the health economics of type 2 diabetes
and primary care and has using financial incentives and other tools from behavioral
economics in health care settings to change behavior. She is also conducting research
on clinical-community linkage approaches to support patients with chronic disease
who have social needs.
Email: caroline.rudisil@sc.edu
Phone: 864-766-2540
More information
I am interested in new PhD students: Learn More
Sample Publications:
Rudisill, A.C., Eicken, M.G.A., Gupta, D., Macauda, M., Self, S., Kennedy, A.B., Thomas, D., Kao, E., Jeanty, M. and J. Hartley (2023), Patient and care team perspectives on social determinants of health screening in primary care, JAMA Network Open, 6(11), e2345444. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.45444
Chupak, A. L., Rudisill, C., Harrison, S., Linvill, K., Costa-Font, J., Hung, P. and X. Li. (2024). Impact of perceived neighborhood social cohesion on vaccination intentions in the post-pandemic era. Preventive Medicine, 189, 108158. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108158
Gupta, D., Self, S., Thomas, D., Supra, J., and C. Rudisill. (2023). Understanding the Role of a Technology and EMR-based Social Determinants of Health Screening Tool and Community based Resource Connections in Health Care Resource Utilization, Medical Care, 61(7): 423-30.
Dr. Self’s research focuses on Bayesian spatio-temporal modeling with applications in a variety of areas including infectious disease forecasting, ecology, and pollution. She is interested in developing computationally scalable Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms for fitting these models.
Email: scwatson@mailbox.sc.edu
Phone: 864-797-7698
More information
Sample Publications
Self, S., McMahan C., and Russell, B. (2021). Identifying meteorological drivers of PM2.5 levels via a Bayesian Spatial Quantile Regression, Environmetrics. https://doi.org/10.1002/env.2669
Brown D., McMahan C., and Watson S. (maiden name) (2019). Sampling strategies for fast updating of GaussianMarkov random fields. The American Statistician, doi:10.1080/00031305.2019.1595144.
Self, S., McMahan C., Brown D., Lund R., Gettings J., and Yabsley M. (2018). A large scale spatio-temporal binomial regression model for estimating seroprevalence trends. Environmetrics, 29. doi:10.1002/env.2538.
Examples of Arnold School Ongoing Research Efforts with Prisma Health
A new statewide project that will help leaders better understand disease impact and identify potential health inequities in our state.
CDC funded five year project assessing the burden of Diabetes by type In Children, Adolescents and Young Adults known as DiCAYA using EHR data and targeted chart review according to previously developed algorithms.
NIH funded study to determine if an mHealth sedentary reduction intervention is an effective approach to decrease sedentary time in patients after total knee replacement
Funding from a one-year $100,000.00 grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), the co-principal investigators will develop a diabetes-focused Virtual Patient (VIP) Engagement Studio to remotely connect with diabetes patients who are typically hard to reach.
Funded by the Duke Endowment, this study tested whether patients with diabetes and/or hypertension who received food assistance demonstrated benefit in terms of improved quality of life and clinical and food access outcomes, reduced health resource use and overall reduced health care spending. Current work examines program implementation costs.
Funded by the Duke Endowment, this work aims to test a model of care where primary care patients across Prisma Health and the Midlands have access to a community health worker if they screen positive for a social need. This project investigates the impact of this program on social needs, health outcomes and health care use.
Funded by Prisma Health, this project involves the development of a Bayesian susceptible-infectious-recovered
(SIR)-type model to predict the number of hospitalized and ventilated COVID-19 patients
in the Prisma Health system.
View a preprint describing the model.
This project was conducted with Drs. Kacey Eichelberger, Kathryn Isham, Caroline Cochrane, Ryan Batson, and Meredith Aragon, and examined the effect of delaying elective induction of labor to 39 weeks gestation on maternal and neonatal outcomes using data on 600,000+ births in South Carolina. Propensity scores were used to adjust for possible confounding factors. Two manuscripts are currently in preparation.
This project is a secondary analysis of data collected as part of the CRADLE Study, a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of Centering Pregnacy group prenatal care.
Funded by Prisma Health's Transformative Research Grant, 2020-2021-Prisma Health System Transformative Research Grant, the WeLKME Study (Weight-loss changing kidney microRNA expression Study) in collaboration with UofSC, Prisma Health and Clemson University researchers and doctors are interested in finding out the effect of being overweight on children’s kidneys. Being overweight puts kids at risk for high blood pressure and diabetes and this risk can start in early childhood or teenage years. We are exploring microRNA changes in urine for weight loss and chronic kidney disease.
Funded by Prisma Health's CCDR Seed Grant, this hematologic study aims to determine the effectiveness and impact of a proposed algorithm and questionnaire on rates of genetic screening referrals and criteria documentation in medical records for myeloid malignancies. We are particularly interested in understanding the differences between pediatric, Adolescent and young adult, and adult referral and genetic screening rates
Funded by AHRQ, CERortho researchers were awarded nearly $1.4 million from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Dr. Brooks and the CERortho team, along with Mike Kissenberth (Sports Medicine Physician with Prisma Health Upstate), Chuck Thigpen (ATI and the Hawkins Foundation) and Sarah Floyd (Clemson University), will use the four-year, R01 grant to examine how early surgery affects health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with shoulder conditions.
Funded by the Magistro Foundation, CERortho researchers lead by Dr. Charles Thigpen won a grant from the Foundation for Physical Therapy to assess the outcome effects of a program for Prisma Health employees to promote the use of physical therapy first for new orthopaedic problems.
CERortho built with Prisma Health the Orthopaedic Patient Data Repository (OPDR) to perform Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR), and quality assessment. The repository follows longitudinally from diagnoses to outcomes the universe of patients with orthopaedic conditions within Prisma. This diagnosis-focused repository approach is distinct from other registry databases in orthopaedics which only follow patients with a given treatment.
CERortho teamed with Prisma health to build the SSAR. The SSAR chronicles athletic exposures, medical histories, injuries, treatments, and outcomes, for all middle and high school athletes in Greenville County, South Carolina. The database is longitudinal enabling CERortho to follow individual athletes in the population from 7th through the 12th grade. The SSAR is unparalleled nationally as the only database on middle and high school athletes encompassing a consistent geographic-based population with the ability to follow athletes over time. Greenville County contains 16 middle and high schools with very diverse student populations. With Prisma now including the Midlands of South Carolina it is hoped that the SSAR will soon include school systems in that region.