STRIDE Researchers Contribute to Cal Poly-French Hospital Medical Center Research Collaboration

Cal Poly and French Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) have entered into a research collaboration. By combining the research and analytical skills of Cal Poly faculty with medical data and practitioner expertise from FHMC, the two institutions hope to provide higher quality care at FHMC and contribute to knowledge and best practices in the field of health. Several STRIDE researchers are serve on the three working groups within the collaboration, which focus on prevention, big data and hospital readmissions.

“This is a very rich way to collaborate in the community using resources that have traditionally been in silos but when combined can have great impact benefitting the community,” said Denise Gimbel , cardiopulmonary rehab coordinator at FHMC and co-chair of the Prevention Working Group.

This working group, which is also co-chaired by Suzanne Phelan, a kinesiology professor, is investigating whether a lifestyle intervention in expectant couples can help both moms and partners reach healthy weight goals during pregnancy.The group is in the midst of a one-year pilot project that will be completed in early summer.

“Data from this study will inform design of a larger trial,” Phelan explained. The end goal is for new research to be available to practitioners so that they can provide preventative care with the greatest possible impact.