[01] Brenda Campbell Jenkins, School of Public Health, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [02] Clifton Addison, School of Public Health, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA. [03] Marinelle Payton, School of Public Health, Jackson Heart Study, Jackson State University, Jackson, USA.

Objective: To describe a learning community (LC) used in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) to train graduate students in cardiovascular epidemiology. Methods: In 2013, the JHS Graduate Training and Education (GTEC) was implemented at Jackson State University with responsibilities to develop a training program to provide opportunities for scholars to acquire professional expertise in public health and biomedical research. Results: GTEC developed a LC environment where graduate students can be exposed to academic training and expert mentoring to prepare them for a future in CVD research. Conclusions: This type of training opportunity is important for Mississippi, a state with one of the highest prevalence of CVD. To decrease morbidity and mortality by increasing the availability of well-trained public health and biomedical professionals, we concluded that well-organized learning communities can substantially increase competency, success, and overall professional proficiency.

Graduate Training, Jackson Heart Study, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, Learning Community

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