A Brief History
 The creation of SisterTalk Hartford was motivated by an interest on the part of Hartford’s African-American and Black church leaders to offer an effective solution to the obesity and weight problem in their congregations and communities. This effort represents a truly unique and groundbreaking collaboration among members of the Hartford community – a first-of-its-kind partnership between local healthcare leaders and leaders of the African-American clergy in downtown Hartford. Between 2002 and 2006, twelve African-American and Black churches from seven different denominations partnered with the University of Connecticut Health Center, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, and Brown University to develop and deliver this effective faith-based health promotion program for women. Funding to support the research and initial program phases of SisterTalk Hartford has been provided by the Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation and the
Connecticut Health Foundation. The Ethel Donaghue Center for Translating Research into Practice and Policy (TRIPP Center) serves as the academic home of SisterTalk Hartford.
Since the end of the study that developed SisterTalk Hartford and
demonstrated its effectiveness and feasibility, the program has continued to be used by churches in Hartford and elsewhere. Starting in 2007, the development of a Resource Center to sustain SisterTalk Hartford was begun by a coalition of groups interested in supporting obesity prevention and treatment programs, particularly those serving individuals at greatest risk, such as African-American and Black women. This coalition includes:
With membership from the original SisterTalk Hartford churches, as well as local medical and community research experts, the SisterTalk Hartford CAT collaborates as a community-based advisor to the SisterTalk Hartford Resource Center. Rev. Dr. Barbara E. Headley, CEO and President of
Selah Educational and Ministry Resources,
is the CAT Chairwoman.
The Ethel Donaghue Center for Translating Research into Practice and Policy at the University of Connecticut Health Center (TRIPP Center) serves as the academic/research home for SisterTalk Hartford, and plays a lead logistical role in promoting, managing, and disseminating SisterTalk Hartford. The TRIPP Center hosts the SisterTalk Hartford Resource Center. Dr. Judith Fifield, TRIPP Center Director, is the original Principal Investigator of the SisterTalk Hartford study, and continues to serve as the program’s Director/Principal Investigator.
The State of Connecticut
Department of Public Health, a co-sponsor of the SisterTalk Hartford Summit, assists in procuring funding, actively supports statewide dissemination of SisterTalk Hartford, and provides energy and support to keep the program moving forward. Key collaborators: Lisa Davis, RN, BSN, MBA, Section Chief, Family Health Section, RWJ Executive Nurse Fellow; and Renee Coleman-Mitchell, MPH, Section Chief, Health Education, Management, and Surveillance.
The Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation, the original funder of the program and its study, assists in procuring new funding, is co-sponsoring the SisterTalk Hartford Summit, actively supports statewide dissemination of SisterTalk Hartford, and provides energy and support to keep the program moving forward. Key collaborator: Nancy Yedlin, MPH, Director of Program Communications and Management.
For more information about the history of SisterTalk Hartford, as well as professional and academic presentations of results of the study, please contact the SisterTalk
Hartford Resource Center at sistertalk@uchc.edu or
by calling (860) 679-6555.
|
