OPCIN

The OPCIN, co-founded in 2022 by Dr. Seuli Brill of The Ohio State University and Dr. Dana Vallangeon of the OACHC, interfaces Ohio’s robust Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) network with the translational science infrastructure of the CTSI. 

OACHC FQHC has a network of more than 511 locations, serving 76 Ohio counties and completing more than 3.8 million patient visits.

The OPCIN Ohio State/OACHC statewide pragmatic research partnership catalyzes and advances health equity through placing established clinical trials infrastructure in FQHC primary care settings to serve patients across Ohio who face a high burden of health inequities and remain underrepresented in research.                                                                                        

The OPCIN operates using a shared governance/decision-making model between Ohio State and OACHC to facilitate advancement of community, healthcare and patient stakeholder-led research priorities [e.g. substance use disorder (SUD), HIV, rural health and maternal-child health] that align with OACHC and Ohio's State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) strategic priorities. 

The OPCIN infrastructure ultimately seeks to: 

• promote dissemination and implementation of clinical innovation into real-world environments;
• accelerate efficient clinical translation into communities;
• and foster community partnership in innovation;

Between July 2022-July 2023, the OPCIN has contributed to seven single-site and multi-site extramural funding applications and sub-contract applications to the federal agencies: NIH (NCATS, NIDDK, NICHD, NIDA/HEAL); PCORI, AHRQ and HRSA.