Summer 2024 Newsletter

the HELIOS lab

HELIOS is committed to partnered learning by listening to perspectives from community members, health providers and future professionals through focus groups, questionnaires and community forums. We also examine interactions between doctors and patients during medical visits to learn how the right approaches to communicating about priorities, barriers and concerns contribute to better health outcomes

A Message from Dr. B

During the summer, it’s beautiful to reflect on the accomplishments of our students, to celebrate graduations, and to reconnect with our alumni. I’m blown away by what the students have achieved, and how their connections to each other stay strong.

Also in summer, thanks to the generous support of our donors, we involve a cohort of our returning students in our annual SHARE-FM Summer Program. SHARE-FM is a 10 week experience focused on helping our returning members “level up” into new leadership roles in the lab and to guide our research focus and leadership activities for the upcoming academic year.

As we look ahead to next year, take a look at some of the exciting achievements from the year that has just ended.

Spring Quarter Wrap-Up

As part of the HELIOS lab curriculum, Spring Quarter focuses heavily on communicating the lessons and values of our work to professional and community audiences. We were able to accomplish this by sharing our research findings at conventions such as UROP and STFM, as well as coming together at our annual HELIOS banquet to reflect on and express gratitude for a very successful year.

Sharing our Microprojects at the 2024 UROP Symposium

UROP 2024 was a big success for HELIOS! Our students worked hard to complete their microprojects, with topics spanning cardiorenal disparities, food insecurity, language barriers, and more.

Following many workshops and rehearsals during our lab meetings, our students were well prepared to share their findings with the UCI community at UROP.

Congratulations to all of our presenters, with special recognition to Chancellor’s Award recipients Claire Ali-Khan, Sai Tulugu, Justin Covarrubias, and Horacio Mendoza for their oral presentations!

Reaching New Audiences at the STFM Conference

In addition to connecting with the UCI community at UROP, HELIOS alumnae presented at the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) conference, sharing their projects with professionals in family medicine. Congratulations to Sidra, Michelle, Brianna, and Esmeralda on their outstanding presentations!

Reflecting on a Remarkable Year at the 2024 HELIOS Banquet

A beloved tradition, our annual HELIOS banquet was the perfect way to wrap up a fantastic school year. Students, faculty, and friends of the lab gathered at the University Hills Community Center to enjoy delicious food and celebrate.

Graduating seniors were honored with HELIOS stoles and shared departing words of gratitude as well as advice for younger lab members. Good luck on your future endeavors, graduates! And a big thank you to all who attended this year’s event.

Wrapping Up Data Collection for Mi Propio Camino

Spring quarter was monumental for our lab’s project, Mi Propio Camino (MPC). All follow-up appointments for the 500+ patients enrolled in the study were completed, officially wrapping up the project’s data collection phase. Thank you to everyone — faculty, students, alumni, and mentors — who has contributed to this milestone achievement over the years. In addition, we extend a special thank you to Dr. Kilgore for his leadership within the study.

Our MPC Field Coordinator, Adriana Orellana, has played a pivotal role in this success. She oversaw the smooth operation of patient appointments and did an outstanding job managing the team of undergraduate lab members during their shifts. On finishing up the study, Adriana has shared a few words:

“I want to recognize not only our graduating seniors but all the HELIOS members who have come through and contributed to our MPC project. I am so proud to have worked with you all and seen you grow in so many different ways. Your dedication, passion, and perseverance have shown through not only numbers and data but also in anecdotes from our participants. Every time we set a goal we met it because of everyone’s efforts. Continue this amazing work in each of your career paths and I am sure that each of you will find success.”

Adriana Orellana
Mi Propio Camino Field Coordinator

Thank you Adriana for your leadership, incredible work ethic, and the inspiration you provide our undergraduate members. And congratulations on an exciting new chapter as you earn a Master’s in Public Health at UCI!

The year ahead…

We are welcoming 10 new HELIOS members for the Fall quarter that we can’t wait to introduce to you. In the meantime, here are a few words on what is to come during the 2024-25 school year:

• We are entering the most important phase of our Mi Propio Camino clinical trial—analyzing and disseminating the data to clinical, academic and community partners, establishing a patient advisory group to guide our analysis, and designing the next program we are looking to test. This work will span across all of our upcoming microprojects.

• We are expanding expanding our community engagement efforts with our leadership committees to formalize service learning opportunities with the Population Health Team at the UCI Family Health Center - Santa Ana, and community partners.

• Finally, we have several new funded projects awaiting approval, expected to begin in Winter.

To stay up to date with HELIOS as these exciting changes take place, visit out website and follow us on Instagram!