Type of site

Health System

Strategically located in the heart of the South, University of Alabama (UAB) Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center (MHERC) provides a critical connection between investigators and populations underrepresented in biomedical research. The Center generates and disseminates research knowledge from biomedical, behavioral, and social sciences to reduce health disparities and move us toward health equity. The MHERC has a strong foundation in clinical research, conducting trials across numerous therapeutic areas, including cancer, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and women’s health. Known for its deep, long-term commitment to community engagement, the UAB MHERC ensures its research reflects the unique needs and priorities of the populations they serve.

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MHERC is the recipient of two NIH awards that have supported the creation of their Center for Cancer Control in Persistent Poverty Areas and the Obesity Health Disparities Research Center.

Site snapshot

1717 11th Avenue South, MT 503-504
Birmingham, AL 35294-4110

10,000+ Patient Visits |

Patient population in catchment area

Principal Investigator and
site staff point of contact​

Mona Fouad, MD, MPH

Professor, General Internal Medicine and Population Science, Edward E. Partridge, M.D., Endowed Chair for Cancer Disparity Research and Director, Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

205-934-4307

mfouad@uab.edu

Julie Schach

Co-Director, Recruitment & Retention Shared Facilities Core and Director, Community Health Coaches for Minority Health & Health Equity Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

205-934-6850

jschach@uabmc.edu

General site information

Clinical research investigator and staff demographics

Clinical research investigators

Research staff

Languages spoken by research staff

  • Spanish
  • English

Total number of total potential principal investigators

11-25

Key

New
Existing
  • Cancer
  • Cancer Prevention
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity & Weight Management
  • Women’s Health
  • Hypertension
  • Addictive Behavior
  • Aging
  • Alcohol Addiction
  • Alzheimer's
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Autism
  • Blood Disorders
  • Brain, Spinal Cord & Nervous System
  • Cancer
  • Cancer Prevention
  • Children’s Health
  • COVID-19
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive System
  • Diseases of the Respiratory Systems
  • Endocrine System
  • Genetics
  • Headaches
  • Heart/Cardiovascular
  • Hepatitis
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Immune System
  • Infectious Disease
  • Kidney & Urinary Tract
  • Liver
  • Lung
  • Men’s Health
  • Mental Health & Behavioral Research
  • Muscle & Bone
  • Neurology, Stroke, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease
  • Obesity & Weight Management
  • Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
  • Pain Control
  • Pregnancy & Obstetrics
  • Sickle Cell
  • Skin/Dermatology
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Tobacco Addiction
  • Vaccines
  • Vision/Eye
  • Women’s Health
  • Hypertension

Clinical trial experience

Years of experience
Phases of trials conducted I, II, III, IV
Number of trials conducted in past 2 years 100+
Current rate of underrepresented participants in clinical research N/A
Average retention rates N/A

Clinical trial operations capabilities

Current research infrastructure
  • Clinical pharmacy with research capability
  • EHR(s)

Any prior FDA audit findings?

N/A
Use this form to take the next step with an CTAC site: request or submit CDAs, request review of protocols, or inquire about community input.

Sites and locations

The Learning Phase includes:

  • Connecting Clinical Trial Sponsors: Bringing sponsors and local EQBMED-selected sites together to work as partners.
  • Sharing Key Learnings: Sharing important lessons learned from these partnerships.
  • Building Robust Infrastructure: Creating a strong support system that continues to support the growth and aspirations of local sites.