The overall objective of the FIRST Coordination and Evaluation Center (CEC) at Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation grounded in realist evaluation theory, by collaborating with FIRST Cohort awardees to iteratively assess the impact of key institutional culture change strategies and other innovative approaches implemented at FIRST Cohort sites to promote inclusive excellence.

The FIRST CEC Investigators collectively have over 100 years of national consortia management, research and mentoring collaboration with expertise in Coordination and Management of large research networks, Data Management, Evaluation, Dissemination and Communication, including experience leading the Research Centers at Minority Institutions (RCMI) Coordinating Center (CC); the National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN); the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (Georgia CTSA); the Resource Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) and Cancer partnerships (PACHE). These assets and the team’s expertise uniquely position MSM to lead the FIRST CEC.