Keeping the Momentum

At CBCH, we envision a workplace and research environment where collaboration, engagement, and inclusivity drive our internal culture and external impact. We strive to integrate research excellence with meaningful community engagement, ensuring our work has a lasting, real-world effect. By fostering open dialogue, mutual respect, and professional growth, we aim to build a workplace that encourages innovation, excellence, and a strong sense of community. Our vision is to cultivate an ecosystem where everyone can flourish, recognizing that diverse perspectives and contributions lead to stronger outcomes in both research and workplace dynamics.

Our mission is to cultivate a workplace culture that prioritizes teamwork, respect, professional development, and research innovation. We are committed to fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and employees have opportunities to grow, collaborate, and contribute.

Guided by our core values—representation, community partnership, effort, respect, and mentorship—we are committed to fostering both personal growth and a thriving workplace community. We believe that by creating a workplace culture rooted in collaboration and inclusivity, we can drive innovation in research and establish best practices that will influence broader institutional change. Our mission is not only to strengthen our workplace but to produce impactful research that directly benefits the communities we serve.

Our core values and goals define our commitment to creating a supportive and engaging environment, fostering individual growth, and driving impactful research and community efforts. By integrating these values into both our workplace and research initiatives, we ensure that our actions align with our mission to create a positive and sustainable impact within our Center and the communities we serve.

Representation

Encourage diverse representation at all levels of the workforce and within research initiatives by valuing different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

Community Partnership

Support and empower the communities we serve through community service, research, and strong partnerships with organizations, leaders, and other stakeholders to collaboratively address key challenges.

Effort

Demonstrate a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace by prioritizing engagement, leadership involvement, and dedicated resources to support our initiatives.

Respect

Treat all individuals with dignity, empathy, and consideration while valuing the unique contributions each person brings to both our Center and the broader community.

Mentorship

Provide mentorship opportunities that support the personal and professional development of all individuals, ensuring equitable access to guidance and career growth within our workplace and community.

Keeping the Momentum (KTM) is an adaptable framework designed to enhance workplace culture by encouraging open communication, leadership involvement, and staff participation. At the same time, KTM advances research efforts by ensuring that our studies remain connected to the needs of the communities we serve. It provides a structured approach to team building, fostering a sense of belonging, and promoting collaboration. By incorporating multiple perspectives and maintaining an iterative process, KTM ensures that our workplace culture remains dynamic and responsive to the needs of our employees and research initiatives.

The initiative is structured in phases, each designed to build upon the previous one. The first phase involved gathering baseline data and identifying key areas for improvement. This included assessing how well our research initiatives were aligned with the needs of the communities we study. In the second phase, working groups were formed to develop targeted strategies to address these areas. The third phase focused on implementation and continuous feedback loops to refine and enhance our approach.

By continuously refining our strategies based on faculty, staff, and community feedback, we ensure that KTM remains relevant and effective. We actively share insights and best practices to support both internal growth and broader community engagement. KTM serves as a blueprint for sustainable workplace development and research excellence, offering a foundation for continuous workplace improvement and research that strengthens community collaboration. Moving forward, we plan to expand KTM’s impact through enhanced mentorship programs, leadership training, and collaborations that will further reinforce our commitment to professional growth, research impact, and workplace excellence.

In June 2020, inspired by conversations on social change, the Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health (CBCH) launched "Keeping the Momentum" (KTM) under the leadership of Dr. Andrea Duran, Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences, and later co-directed by Darlene Straussman, Administrative Manager. Dr. Duran led this effort to establish core values, goals, and actions that foster an engaged, supportive, and forward-thinking workplace culture at CBCH and CUIMC.

Developed as a structured, multi-phase program, KTM strengthens organizational culture and fosters a more connected research community while providing a scalable framework for other academic research units. Recognizing the need to integrate research excellence with a stronger, community-focused workplace culture, KTM was designed to bridge this gap.

What began as a series of discussions quickly evolved into a transformative initiative, shaping a workplace that values participation, continuous improvement, and research-driven community partnerships. KTM has provided CBCH with an adaptable approach for addressing workplace challenges, fostering meaningful dialogue and action, expanding professional development opportunities, and ensuring that our workplace culture aligns with our institutional values.