Advancing Primary Care Research and Community Wellbeing

Expert consulting for public health organizations and academic health sciences seeking to enhance primary care practice-based research and community engaged research initiatives.

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Our Expertise

We specialize in helping organizations build robust research capabilities that bridge the gap between academic rigor and real-world primary care practice.

Practice-Based Research Networks

Design and implementation of practice-based research networks (PBRNs) that connect primary care practices with research institutions. We help establish governance structures, research protocols, and sustainable partnerships.

Community Engaged Research

Facilitate authentic community partnerships in research design and implementation. Our approach ensures community voices are centered throughout the research process, from question formulation to dissemination.

Research Capacity Building

Develop organizational capabilities for conducting high-quality research in primary care settings. This includes training programs, infrastructure development, and quality improvement initiatives.

Grant Writing & Funding Strategy

Strategic guidance on securing funding for primary care research initiatives. We assist with proposal development, partnership building, and alignment with funder priorities.

Evaluation & Implementation Science

Apply implementation science frameworks to evaluate and optimize research translation into practice. Focus on sustainability and scalability of evidence-based interventions.

Stakeholder Engagement

Facilitate meaningful engagement between researchers, clinicians, patients, and community members. Build collaborative relationships that enhance research relevance and impact.

Our Leadership

Decades of experience in primary care research, practice-based research networks, and community engagement

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Donald Nease, Jr., MD

Co-Founder & Principal Consultant

Dr. Nease is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine with extensive expertise in practice-based research networks (PBRNs) and community engaged research. His work has focused on building infrastructure for primary care research and advancing health equity through community partnerships.

His research contributions include pioneering work in PBRN development, community translation of health interventions, and bridging the gap between academic research and community practice. Dr. Nease has been instrumental in developing frameworks for community-based participatory research in primary care settings.

Practice-Based Research Networks Community Engagement Health Equity
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John (Jack) Westfall, MD, MPH

Co-Founder & Principal Consultant

Dr. Westfall is a retired Professor from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and former Director of the Robert Graham Center. He brings decades of experience in primary care clinical research, practice-based research, community-based participatory research, and primary health care policy.

His notable contributions include developing the concept of "cold-spotting" - linking primary care and public health to create communities of solution, and extensive work on primary care workforce policy and rural health initiatives. Dr. Westfall has been a leading voice in advocating for investment in primary care research infrastructure.

Primary Care Policy Rural Health Community-Based Research

Combined Expertise: Our principals have authored numerous peer-reviewed publications available through PubMed, with research spanning practice-based research network development, community engagement strategies, primary care workforce issues, and health equity initiatives.

Why Tenkara Consulting?

Named after the traditional Japanese method of fly-fishing that emphasizes simplicity, precision, and deep understanding of the environment, Tenkara Consulting brings the same principles to primary care research.

We believe in streamlined approaches that honor both scientific rigor and community wisdom, creating research partnerships that are sustainable, meaningful, and impactful.

Our expertise spans the intersection of academic health sciences and community-based primary care, ensuring research that truly serves the needs of patients and communities.

Our Approach

  • Community-centered research design
  • Evidence-based practice integration
  • Sustainable partnership development
  • Cultural responsiveness and equity focus
  • Translational research expertise
  • Implementation science methodology

Ready to Enhance Your Research Impact?

Let's discuss how we can help your organization build stronger connections between research, practice, and community.

Get Started

Schedule a consultation to discuss your research goals and challenges

Email Us

info@tenkaraconsulting.com

Partnership Focus

Public health organizations & academic health sciences

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