Brianna Hector (DO '26) Selected for All of Us Research Program
December 16, 2022
For Brianna Hector (DO '26), being selected for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) All of Us Research Program is a personal affair.
The program is an eight-month effort to design a student research project utilizing
the data available from the All of Us Research Hub, a central database of health data from a diverse group of one million or more participants
from across the United States. Registered researchers can access data and tools to
conduct their studies and help improve public understanding of human health. Student
participants also receive skills training and mentorship for professional development.
Hector is a first-generation student studying in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program, and her research interests include topics primarily affecting Black and Brown communities,
especially her own. When developing her research concentration for the All of Us program,
she knew that would be her focus.
Over the course of eight months, Hector will use the data from the Research Hub to
investigate maternal mortality rates of Black and Latino mothers in the Philadelphia
area. Data from the CDC shows that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related
cause than White women. She will also examine how cortisol and stress levels affect
maternal mortality.
Originally from Piscataway, New Jersey, contributing to her community is nothing new
for Hector. “I take pride in my community service,” she says. “I ran the first health
fair in the community for the local Jamaican organization, but initially found my
passion for community service when I volunteered with WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Women, Infants, and Children), assisting women and children experiencing
domestic violence.”
As both a student and a community volunteer, she has consistently looked to her parents
as role models. “My mother is my biggest role model,” Hector says. “She received her
doctorate raising two kids. Seeing her achieve her dreams and better herself made
me want to be like her.” Hector's dad, a computer scientist, helped her not to lose
sight of her ultimate goal. “My dad encouraged me to stick with medicine and stay
on my path,” she says.
Hector is hopeful the data collected through the program will have an impact. “I'm
looking forward to seeing what everyone else is doing through this program,” she says.
“How it's going to better the contributors who submitted their health information.
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About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands
of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists
who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms.
PCOM operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic
medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and school psychology, and graduate degrees in
applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic
medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, non profit leadership
and population health management, organizational development and leadership, physician
assistant studies, school psychology, and public health management and administration.
PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service
to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care
to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For more information, contact:
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Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
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