Developing a sustainable research culture in an independent academic medical center

Independent academic medical centers (IAMC) are challenged to develop and support a research enterprise and maintain primary goals of healthcare delivery and financial solvency. Strategies for promoting translational research have been shown to be effective at institutions in the top level of Federal funding, but not for smaller IAMCs. The research program developed at Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS), an IAMC, focused on identifying research enterprise drivers which have an impact on core missions for MIHS and encompassed three domains: (1) Commercial ventures; (2) Clinical practice; and (3) Civic and Community relationships. Specific mechanisms were implemented to promote research, which had an impact on each enterprise driver. Case examples in 2 clinical arenas are described in detail, Pediatrics and Obstetrics/Gynecology, to demonstrate how the strategies were applied to increase translational research and influence the research enterprise drivers. These strategies included: reducing barriers within MIHS and with partner institutions, increasing revenue generated from grants and contracts, providing grant development support, and developing sustainable collaborations with partner institutions. The value in identifying and utilizing external resources is reciprocal as ongoing research collaborations have resulted in more contract and grant awards for both MIHS and partner institutions.