the physician's referral. "Sometimes
the family couldn't reach the service or
specialist. Some were ambivalent about
following up, and others had commu-
nication problems with their provider,"
says Dr. Jimenez. "Health literacy was
also important, since parents with low
health literacy seemed to encounter
more logistical problems during the
referral process." Small changes had
important effects, the team found. For
example, when the physician faxed the
referral to early intervention, more
children were linked to services. "If the
agency coordinator reaches out to the
parents, the process is streamlined for
them," Dr. Jimenez adds.
tion Young Investigator Award for
Child Development and Preventive
Care Services for Young Children,
Ages 05, supported by The Common-
wealth Fund. He was also recognized
with a Fellow's Research Award at the
Pediatric Academic Societies annual
meeting in 2012. In addition, the
Oscar G. and Elsa S. Mayer Family
Foundation provided support for a
video produced by Dr. Jimenez and his
team to increase the understanding of
developmental delays and emphasize
versity on child development and help
promote optimal developmental out-
comes for at-risk children in the com-
for his goals in pediatric research. He
will have ready access to the resources
of a wide variety of health-related
schools, centers, and institutes, includ-
ing the Boggs Center on Develop-
mental Disabilities; the Child Health
Institute of New Jersey; and the Insti-
tute for Health, Health Care Policy
and Aging Research. As a member of
the pediatric faculty, Dr. Jimenez will
work with fellows in developmental and
behavioral pediatrics, seeing patients at
Chancellor Scholars program," says Brian L. Strom, MD,
MPH, chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
quality faculty for interdisciplinary positions focused on research.
We currently have strong academics and clinical care; through this
mechanism, we will focus specifically on strengthening and building our
mission in research."
oriented faculty, especially those involved in interschool research and
other activities that fit the strategic plan for RBHS.
Robert Wood Johnson Medical School," says Dr. Strom. "Manny is well
trained and demonstrates excellent promise as a physician-scientist. His
major research interests, focusing on neuroscience and developmental
delay, are interdisciplinary and will bring researchers together across
schools and programs. He is also interested in urban health and
helping the underserved community. These interests are a good fit for
our strategic plan. It's a win-win for Manny and for the school."
fields and helping to shape his applications for grant support.
for a sustainable project
that will help the community
to address unmet needs."