CORE is one of four research Centers of the Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI) at Maine Medical Center (MMC). CORE was established in 1992 to develop and implement a program of clinical and health services research. There are three key elements of CORE's mission: research, education, and service. The complete mission statement of CORE can be viewed by clicking on the link on the right side of this page.
CORE's staff is comprised of clinical investigators, scientists, epidemiologists, data analysts, research assistants, and administrative staff. For information about investigators and staff, including contact information and biosketches of scientists, please click on that link.
This multidisciplinary team is well suited to conduct a variety of research projects in areas such as clinical and patient-centered decision making, maternal and child health, trauma and injury, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and healthcare delivery. CORE is well recognized for its important studies of national datasets demonstrating regional variation in healthcare utilization, quality, access, outcomes, and cost. CORE investigators have received grants and contracts from a variety of Federal agencies and private foundations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Maine Cancer Foundation. The largest study in CORE's research portfolio is the National Children's Study (NCS), a large, prospective observational study of the effects of the physical and social environments and genetics on the health, growth, and development of children. In collaboration with MMC's Department of Pediatrics, CORE staff will recruit 1,000 children at birth from Cumberland County and follow them until they are 21 years old. In collaboration with MMC oncologists, CORE staff are assisting with an NCI funded National Community Cancer Centers Program. CORE maintains collaborative, multidisciplinary research relationships with a range of internal partners at MMC and external investigators in the region and around the country. The completed research projects have made important contributions to the scientific literature and to improved patient care. For a list of recently published manuscripts, please click on the Recent Publications link.
In addition to conducting externally-funded research, CORE staff also consults with investigators throughout MMC to provide experience and expertise in study and database design, research methods, data analysis and interpretation, and presentation of findings. Individuals seeking consultation on research should contact the MMCRI Research Navigator, Kahsi Threlkeld, at threlk@mmc.org
CORE staff also educates medical students, residents, health care professionals, and researchers with respect to research methods, data analysis, the development of grant applications and manuscripts, and recent scientific findings. We conduct a two day research course twice a year for residents and fellows. Every other Wednesday, CORE convenes a seminar during which investigators discuss protocol development, data analysis and interpretation, and presentation of findings. For additional information, please click on the Upcoming Events link. CORE staff also serves as mentors for new investigators and provides consultation to a range of investigators on study design, research methods, and data analysis.
To contact us, please call Jean Allen at 207-661-7611 or email her at allenj8@mmc.org