1. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia SOUTHEASTERN EXPLORATORY SICKLE CELL CENTER OF EXCELLENCE NCMHD Southeastern Exploratory Sickle Cell Center of Excellence Principal Investigators: Abdullah Kutlar, MD Robert Gibson, PhD

2. Participating Institutions: Medical College of GA Morehouse SOM University of Florida

3. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Components of the Center Administrative Core Research Core Training and Education Core Community Engagement/Outreach Core

4. Administrative Core Oversee and provide administrative assistance for the Center Serve as a central communication point Coordinate research activities Financial responsibility for grant administration

5. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Annual Health Disparity Conference  Increase community involvement and participation of patients and their families  Educate health care providers and members of the community regarding health disparities  Create opportunities for communication and synergy across various health disparity research activities at MCG as well as the University of Florida and Morehouse School of Medicine

6. Research Core Dr. Dorothy Tuan, PI

7. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Research Project 1 Abdullah Kutlar, PI Mu Opioid Polymorphisms as Genetic Modifiers of Pain and Opioid Use in SCD  Determine variations of the Mu Opioid gene on pain and perception of pain in patients with sickle cell disease (Dr. Xiaoling Wang; Dr. Ferdane Kutlar)  Using a pain algometer, test the patient’s pain threshhold (Dr. Roger Fillingim, UFL)  Patients to complete pain diaries; determine frequency and dose of pain medications and correlate with Mu Opioid gene (Dr. Steffen Meiler)

8. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Research Project 2 Dr. Dorothy Tuan, PI An NF-Y mediated GATA switch mechanism in g-globin gene reactivation by HU  To determine the mechanism by which hydroxyurea (the only drug currently approved by the FDA for use in sickle cell disease) helps to alleviate complications of the disease  This knowledge will ultimately allow new drugs to be developed giving patients a choice in treatment options

9. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Research Project 3 Dr. Tohru Ikuta, PI Mechanisms of HU for SCD  To determine intracellular signaling pathways that play a critical role in HU- induced Hb F expression  To determine whether HU-induced Hb F expression is further increased by combining a cAMP-dependent PDE inhibitor

10. Research Training/Education Core Dr. Thomas Adamkiewicz, PI (Morehouse School of Medicine)

11. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Research Training/Education Core Dr. Thomas Adamkiewicz, PI (Morehouse) Develop ongoing education programs for the present and future family medicine physicians as well as other providers of care for patients with SCD (Dr. Paul Forney; Dr. Joseph Hobbs) Use of information technology to identify those that would most benefit from education

12. Community Engagement/ Outreach Core Dr. Robert Gibson, PI

13. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Community Engagement/Outreach Core Dr. Robert Gibson, PI Promoting Health Care Transition/Health Literacy for Young People with SCD (Dr. Robert Gibson) Outcomes of the Implementation of a Clinical Pathway for Uncomplicated Sickle Cell Vaso–Occlusive Crisis (Dr. Matthew Lyon) The Creation and Evaluation of an Advanced Medical Home for adults with SCD (Dr. Richard Lottenberg, UFL)

14. Supported by: Georgia Department of Human Resources, National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparity (NCMHD), and the Medical College of Georgia Anticipated Benefits/Outcomes Improvement in care for adult sickle cell patients  Evidence based care (protocols)  Medical Home (involvement of PCPs)  Improved outcomes/patient satisfaction in ED encounters  Transition from pediatric to adult care  Availability of SCD clinical trials for SCD patients in the Albany area (infrastructure through Phoebe Sickle Cell Clinic)