About the Center

Our Mission

imageThe mission of the University of New England/Spurwink Center for Research is to develop and conduct research that integrates the resources of both parties to improve the health and well being of children, families, and other vulnerable populations.

 The University of New England houses Maine’s only medical school and a College of Health Professions, offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as extensive continuing professional education.

The clinical training sites utilized by these programs offer an extensive arena for research and for the dissemination of its results to both practice settings and to curriculum development for health professionals.

The Spurwink Institute is associated with The Spurwink School, which serves more than 3,500 clients in Maine and another 750 in New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Its clients require multiple levels of care delivered by staff with great variety in training and experience. This rich service environment is a living laboratory for research and program enhancement as well as a foundation for enhanced contact with service providers in health, behavioral health, social services and educational settings.

Our Goals

To develop and conduct research and research-demonstration projects that:

  • Analyze the impact of health disparities on vulnerable populations.
     
  • Integrate bio-psycho-social, economic, environmental and medical knowledge.
     
  • Enhance understanding of the environmental context and its influence on the health and well-being of children and families.
     
  • Improve the quality of health and social service delivery systems.
     
  • Contribute to the shaping of public health and social policy at the local, state and national level.
     
  • Improve the quality of professional health care practice.
     
Also to:
     
  • Enhance the reciprocal influence of research, professional education, practice and public policy development.
     
  • Contribute to workforce development and training in the health and social service delivery systems.
     
  • Enhance the integrated interdisciplinary academic preparation and training of future health care professionals.
   
       

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