The field of implementation science seeks to systematically close the gap between what we know and what we do; the Implementation Science Program (IS Program) at the UW Department of Global Health (DGH) aims to do it better by connecting researchers across diverse disciplines to tackle the world’s most pressing health concerns through the methodology of implementation science.
As a strategic research-focused initiative, the UW IS Program brings together scientists from the Schools of Medicine and Public Health. Guided by its mission to get “what works” where it's needed most in health, the UW IS Program seeks to close the gap between research and real-world constraints. With a primary focus on mentoring the next generation of scientists, the IS Program works diligently to provide students, faculty, and staff with the training and tools necessary to operate in the field.
Every year the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and AcademyHealth co-host the Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health to explore the latest innovations and connect peers with one another. Researchers from across UW were among those invited to present their work at the 17th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health (D&I 2024) held in Arlington, Virginia December 8-11, 2024.
From Design to Dissemination: 2024 IS Program Travel Scholarship Recipients
DGH is a leader in training the next generation of implementation scientists. In that tradition, the IS Program awarded 10 DGH doctoral students travel scholarships to attend D&I 2024. They were accompanied by faculty and staff representing six departments across campus, making D&I 2024 the largest group from the UW to date to attend this prestigious event.
“Participating in scientific conferences is critically important to doctoral students’ professional development” said IS Program Director Dr. Bryan Weiner. “Yet, the cost can be prohibitively expensive. We wanted to give students the opportunity to present their research and make professional connections at the premier conference for implementation science,” explains Dr. Weiner.
The doctoral students who received travel scholarship were: Ermyas Birru, Amanda Brumwell, Barbara Burke, Tessa Concepcion, Akash Malhotra, Chloe Morozoff, Priyanka Shrestha, Grace Umutesi, Yuwei Wang, and George Wanje. For several of these students, the financial support received from the IS program to attend this conference was critical for reaching their professional and academic goals.
“The travel scholarship made it possible for me to attend and present two posters at D&I,” said Grace Umutesi. “This work is part of my dissertation so being able to drive it from design to implementation and dissemination was very meaningful and empowering.”
Travel recipient, and first-time conference attendee, Priyanka Shrestha, also credits the IS Program for making such an “enriching experience” possible. “As an early-career doctoral student, attending the Annual D&I Conference was an invaluable opportunity for learning and inspiration,” Priyanka adds.
Other travel recipients further describe the developmental experience of attending D&I 2024. “The experience was both inspiring and enriching—I learned about innovative D&I research, developed new research ideas, and gained valuable insights on how to enhance the impact of my own work,” said Tessa Concepcion. “This experience boosted my confidence and reminded me of the value of sharing knowledge and building networks in shaping my career,” added Yuwei Wang.
Setting the Pace for Future Action: DGH Impact at D&I 2024
This year’s conference theme, “Moving Fast and Slow: Optimizing the Pace of Implementation,” explored the balance between the speed and effectiveness of implementing evidence-based practices in health care and public health systems. DGH faculty member Dr. Jeremy Hess, Director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment (CHanGE), delivered the opening keynote address.
Titled, “Keeping Pace with a Changing Climate: Implications for Dissemination and Implementation Science,” Dr. Hess focused on the challenges of a worsening climate on health and the importance of implementation science research in promoting the integration between knowledge and action. Ending with an open invitation to the audience to be the drivers of that change, Dr. Hess’s words highlight the collaborative opportunities and growing innovation fostered by the UW IS Program.
Travel scholarship recipient and fourth-year Implementation Science PhD student George Wanje was also voted the winner of the Inaugural Lisa Simpson Best Poster Award by fellow conference attendees. Titled “Cost of implementing the Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach to increase cervical cancer screening in family planning clinics in Mombasa County, Kenya: a micro-costing study,” George’s D&I 2024 presentation demonstrated the impact of his research and contribution to the field of implementation science. His findings showed that the use of a Systems Analysis and Improvement Approach (SAIA) to address barriers to cervical cancer screening (CCS) is a low-cost implementation strategy that can be scaled up in settings facing low CCS rates.
Looking Ahead: The Role of Implementation Science in a Changing World
Implementation science is a dynamic discipline. Organizational structures, leadership priorities, and community needs can change swiftly. Strategies must be flexible to thrive in an ever-changing environment, moving beyond a one size fits all model and towards multilevel engagement from different sectors.
"Sustainability hinges on our collective willingness to learn from each other, remain open to iteration, and keep equity at the forefront,” remarks Pallabi Deb, Senior Program Manager at Fred Hutch Cancer Center and long-time partner of DGH.
Moving forward, adaptability and collaboration remain instrumental for keeping up with a rapidly shifting implementation climate. Underscored by the breadth and diversity of research expertise present at D&I 2024, the DGH and UW continue to advance these vital cross-disciplinary efforts. Looking to the future, the UW IS Program shines brightly as a leader for implementation science research and practice.
Article By: Sarina Klein (she/her), Master of Public Health Degree Candidate at the University of Washington