Native American Research Coordinator Joins OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center

With more than two decades of experience working with Oklahoma’s Native tribes and communities, Jennifer Chadwick is ideally suited for her new role as coordinator of the Native American Diabetes Research Program with OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center. Chadwick brings a keen understanding of tribal sovereignty and its influence on community-based research. She is a native Oklahoman and life-long resident, as well as an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Chadwick became an affiliate member of OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center in 2015. She previously worked as a research coordinator for the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, a position she held for 15 years. In this role, Chadwick cultivated various tribal research partnerships and was involved in significant research initiatives, including Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents (TODAY) and MOVE.

Both studies provided experience in project development, grant and IRB submissions, study execution, analysis, and publication of study results. As the first author of three publications, Chadwick and tribal co-authors highlighted their research partnerships so other tribal communities might benefit from their experiences.

Working as the Native American Coordinator for the TODAY Study and other projects, Chadwick found opportunities to improve relationships and rebuild trust by mentoring researchers in understanding of tribal sovereignty and the importance of fostering meaningful partnerships with tribal officials, while ensuring that political and cultural sensitivities were appropriately addressed. She is co-author of a number of publications focused on the far-reaching, adverse health impacts of sedentary lifestyles and diabetes, primarily within Native American populations

As coordinator of the Native American Diabetes Research Program with a broad scope of responsibilities and objectives, Chadwick will facilitate research partnerships, serving as a liaison between HHDC investigators and tribal nations, communities and health boards. Her efforts will ensure collaborations are mutually agreeable and culturally appropriate.

“OU Health Harold Hamm Diabetes Center is truly a driving force nationally, in its scientific quest to understand diabetes, the impact of complications, and ways to improve health for future generations. I look forward to the array of promising opportunities to partner with tribal communities, many of whom are afflicted, often disproportionately, with numerous public health disparities,” said Chadwick. “I believe, through open, honest and respectful partnerships, American Indian communities and Harold Hamm Diabetes Center will succeed in eliminating long-term diabetes complications and improving health outcomes today and for years to come.”