S. Kingstown Business Leaders Win Major Research Award

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI — Two local health research company presidents have been named "National Researchers of the Year" by the Health Enhancement Research Organization (HERO).

HERO recognized Pro-Change Behavior Systems, Inc. co-presidents and CEOs Dr. Kerry Evers and Dr. Sara Johnson with the Mark Dundon Research Award for bringing close to $20 million in federal research funding to Rhode Island and their 20 plus years working together in workplace health research.

The annual Mark Dundon Award is usually given to one person who demonstrates sustained leadership and advancements in workplace health research. Both graduates of the University of Rhode Island, Evers and Johnson are the first recipients to ever share the award.

“As the field of workplace health and well-being continues to evolve, we need leaders working to advance the field, improve our understanding, and increase adoption of best practices,” said Paul Terry, HERO president and CEO. “The collective work and collaborative approach that Kerry and Sara bring to population health research has contributed greatly to the evolution of our knowledge of behavior change and well-being.”

Together, Evers and Johnson have overseen research together on a variety of behavioral change topics including substance abuse prevention for active military and veterans, and how they deal with chronic pain. Both expressed their excitement in being recognized.

“This award is an incredible honor," said Dr. Kerry Evers. "But it is made even more special to be awarded it with Sara, as we have grown in this field alongside each other through graduate school, our early career, and now as a team leading Pro- Change. To have our partnership recognized with such a prestigious award is an extraordinary moment in our careers."

Located in the Palisades Mill Complex in South Kingstown, Pro-Change is an internationally recognized behavior change company. Pro-Change’s programs are designed to reduce multiple health risk behaviors, improve people's well-being, and reduce health care costs. Pro-Change was awarded its first federal small business research grant in 2006. Since then, they’ve brought close to $20 million in research dollars into South Kingstown and have employed numerous University of Rhode Island alumni and student interns.

“We are honored and humbled be to following in the footsteps of the previous Mark Dundon award winners,” said Dr. Sara Johnson. “And we are very grateful to our colleagues at Pro-Change for contributing so significantly to the success of our organization’s research. This is truly a recognition for our whole team.”

Photo credit: HERO