About Us

Combining Inquiry and Service

Most patient-level research is conducted in specialty-based academic settings. Practice-based research focuses on settings where most people receive most of their medical care most of the time — their primary care doctor’s office.

The HPRN uses a variety of methods to conduct projects that:

• Test the effectiveness of new treatments and programs in real-world, rural ambulatory settings and communities.
• Identify and reduce gaps in care.
• Maximize the number of patients who benefit from medical discovery.

Our projects bring exciting services and resources to eastern Colorado, including team-based trainings, educational materials, equipment, CME, monetary compensation, and local practice facilitators at no cost.

Partnering With Communities

The partnerships with the 50+ primary care practices as well as local hospitals, public health departments, community organizations, and community members are essential to HPRN’s success. Guided by the principles of community-based participatory research, our team strives to develop and maintain relationships and work with people who live in eastern Colorado. 

Over the years, the HPRN has become known as a leader in community-engaged health research. Our work is done in partnership with ranchers, teachers, small business workers, practice team members, pastors, students, police officers, pharmacists, other state agencies, behavioral health organizations, and many others who care about their communities!

The Community Advisory Council ensures HPRN’s work is relevant to practices and communities in eastern Colorado. The C.A.C. helps determine, develop, and evaluate projects and share results locally and across the country.

The Boot Camp Translation process was developed by the HPRN C.A.C. and has become a major contributor to the methods available to engage community partners in health research.

Practice Innovation and Transformation Services and Research

For over a decade, HPRN has served eastern Colorado as a certified practice transformation organization. HPRN is home to trained practice facilitators who live in northeast and southeast Colorado, providing onsite, tailored support for a variety of practice transformation initiatives.

Other partners include those within the local community. The HPRN works to: 

• Provide valuable resources to practices and communities through research, including evidence-based education materials, training, equipment, and practice facilitation
• Demonstrate whether treatments are truly effective and sustainable in the real-world setting of ambulatory care
• Identify and reduce gaps between recommended care and actual care
• Maximize the number of patients who benefit from medical discovery

Photo credits:

Gold/Green Field- Ned Norman, Sterling, CO

Dad/Daughter Sugar Beet Harvest- Sadie Fritzler, Sterling, CO

Girl’s Branding- Staci Bishop, Springfield, CO